Author: Alex Thompson

Wellbutrin: Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Precautions

For temporary relief from headache pain when starting Wellbutrin, you can take an OTC pain relief medication. These include Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen). But if you have migraine episodes, talk with your doctor, as OTC drugs may not provide enough relief. If you’re concerned about long-term side effects of Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you need to stop taking Wellbutrin, your provider can guide you in gradually tapering off. The most common Wellbutrin side effects tend to be the least serious and are likely to be temporary.

1. Using Wellbutrin with alcohol may also influence the frequency and severity of side effects, including seizures and suicidal thoughts.
2. If you have suicidal thoughts or behaviors with Wellbutrin, your doctor will have you stop taking it.
3. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Wellbutrin if you have liver problems.

Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. Both of these medications release slowly into your body over time. If you have alcohol-related liver disease, your doctor may need to adjust your dose of Wellbutrin. Tell them if you have any liver problems before starting this drug. During your Wellbutrin treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

In studies, people with bipolar disorder who took Wellbutrin had an increased risk of having a manic episode. But it’s important that you do not stop taking Wellbutrin suddenly or without your doctor’s recommendation, as this can worsen your depression. If your doctor decides you should stop taking this drug, they’ll likely lower your dose slowly. But, in some situations (for example, if you have a severe side effect), your doctor may have you stop Wellbutrin suddenly. Do not stop taking Wellbutrin without first speaking to your doctor. If you need to stop taking Wellbutrin, follow your doctor’s instructions on how to safely stop taking it.

How to Take and Store Wellbutrin

Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Wellbutrin. Talk with your doctor about any changes in libido that you have with Wellbutrin.

Your doctor might also recommend using an over-the-counter (OTC) laxative such as MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350) to help you have a bowel movement. To help prevent nausea, some people take Wellbutrin with food. While taking Wellbutrin, your doctor will check for signs or symptoms of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you have suicidal thoughts or behaviors or any symptoms of worsening depression, call your doctor immediately. Sometimes, anger may develop into aggression, hostility, or agitation.

After your Wellbutrin taper, any long-term treatment will be directed toward treating the condition that led you to take Wellbutrin in the first place. If you are struggling with depression, your doctor may want to switch you to an SSRI that you haven’t tried before or suggest other options. Finding the right medication or combination of medications can take several tries.

Nausea is more likely if you’re taking a higher dose of Wellbutrin. If you’re concerned about withdrawal symptoms from stopping this drug, talk with your doctor. It’s not known whether you’ll have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Wellbutrin. Also, if your doctor increases your dose of Wellbutrin too fast, your risk of seizure is increased.

How can I safely stop taking Wellbutrin?

This is the typical recommended dosage of Wellbutrin XL for people with depression. Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of depression. This medication comes in sustained-release or extended-release oral tablets and is typically taken once or twice per day. The dosage can vary, depending on the condition the drug is used to treat.

Data sources include Micromedex (updated 3 Mar 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Mar 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Mar 2024) and others. If you’re ever unsure whether to skip your missed dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist. For depression, Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR are meant to be taken as long-term treatments. If you and your doctor determine that Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR are safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take them long term.

Wellbutrin dosage

If you’ve ever been diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia, your doctor will likely not prescribe Wellbutrin for you. Studies have shown a higher rate of seizures in people with these conditions who were taking Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin may also cause weight changes, which could make your eating disorder worse.

NDRIs boost the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. Some Wellbutrin side effects are merely bothersome and likely to disappear as your body gets used to the medication. Others are more serious and should prompt a call to your healthcare provider right away. If you have been prescribed Wellbutrin, here are some side effects to watch for. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Wellbutrin strengths

Seizures are rare with this drug but may affect up to four out of every 1,000 people currently taking Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is also sometimes used in the treatment of certain forms of nerve pain. As it concerns Wellbutrin (bupropion) however, there is less of a consensus on whether or not tapering is necessary.

Drug information

Your healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms and current health status to determine if it is right for you. Another brand of bupropion (the active ingredient in Wellbutrin), called Zyban, is used to help people quit smoking. Research shows that taking bupropion can double a person’s chances of kicking their cigarette habit. In fact, Wellbutrin is often prescribed along with other antidepressants to help counter their sexual side effects, like loss of desire. The safest way to stop taking antidepressants is to slowly taper down your dose. Working with your doctor, you can reduce your dose over the course of one or two weeks.

These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. If you’re concerned about hair loss while taking this drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you’re concerned you might have more side effects with an increased dose of Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor. And never adjust your dosage without your doctor’s recommendation. Your doctor may recommend Wellbutrin if the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks of side effects. Keep reading to learn about other possible mild and serious side effects of this drug.