For depression, the usual dose is 150 mg once daily in the morning; after 3 days, based on tolerability, the dose can be increased to 150 mg twice daily at least 8 hours apart. For smoking cessation, the dosing regimen is the same as for treating depression; however, the length of therapy is about 7-12 weeks, starting 1 to 2 weeks before the quit date. Wellbutrin is a brand-name drug that contains bupropion hydrochloride as the active ingredient. You may have known of Wellbutrin for its use in treating depression. However, besides depression, Wellbutrin is also used for other mental health conditions discussed below; and interestingly, different formulations of Wellbutrin are used for different indications. Please continue reading to learn about the uses and side effects of Wellbutrin.
Ask a pharmacist
- Instruct patients to discontinue bupropion and contact a healthcare professional if they experience such symptoms see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS.
- This gives your body time to adjust gradually — and it lets your doctor watch for early signs that everything is heading in the right direction during the first 7 to 14 days.
- Bupropion works to regulate chemicals in your brain called norepinephrine and dopamine.
- For elderly patients, lower starting doses are often recommended due to increased sensitivity to side effects and potential for drug interactions.
- Taking too much bupropion may increase your risk of a seizure.
Research shows that taking bupropion can double a person’s chances of kicking their cigarette habit. Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant used to help treat a number of health conditions. It comes as an immediate-release, sustained-release, or extended-release tablet that is taken orally.
Timing of Doses
- This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
- It’s also important to tell them if you have thoughts of harming yourself while taking the drug.
- Following storage guidelines helps maintain the medication’s effectiveness throughout its shelf life.
- Both groups should consult a healthcare provider before starting supplementation.
Routine monitoring of liver enzymes may be advised if creatine use is prolonged. Other serious side effects include increased risk of suicide or suicidal thoughts, seizures, and angle-closure glaucoma. When discontinuing treatment, or decreasing dosage, patients should work with a doctor to gradually taper the level of medication. Stopping antidepressant medications suddenly can cause new symptoms. In clinical trials of Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL, increased and decreased libido were reported during treatment.
What is bupropion used to treat?
Stop taking WELLBUTRIN and call your healthcare provider right away if you, your family, or caregiver notice any of these symptoms. Work with your healthcare provider to decide whether you should continue to take WELLBUTRIN. In many people, these symptoms went away after stopping WELLBUTRIN, but in some people symptoms continued after stopping WELLBUTRIN. It is important for you to follow-up with your healthcare provider until your symptoms go away.
Common Side Effects
There are no known interactions between bupropion and foods or drinks. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following. Do not share bupropion with other people, even if they have the same condition as you.
The cost of a 30-day supply of Bupropion without insurance can vary depending on the dosage and formulation (immediate-release, sustained-release, or extended-release). Using a GoodRx coupon, the estimated cost for a 30-day supply ranges from $10 to $25. Prices may vary by location and pharmacy, so it’s a good idea to check with your local pharmacy or use a discount service like GoodRx to find the best price. A contraindication is a specific condition where a medication should not be used because it may cause harm. It’s important to be aware of any contraindications before starting Bupropion. Patients with these conditions may require dose adjustments, more frequent monitoring, or alternative treatment options.
Common bupropion side effects
If you have questions about side effects with your dose of Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Talk with your doctor if you experience side effects with the 150 mg dose of Wellbutrin. Since side effects are similar between 150 mg and 300 mg, a larger dose may increase the severity or frequency of side effects. However, side effects at the 150 mg dose may indicate that you might not be able to tolerate Wellbutrin long-term. If you have questions about sexual side effects and Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Many antidepressants, such as Zoloft (sertraline) and Effexor XR (venlafaxine), can cause sexual side effects.
In rodents, it has been shown to increase locomotor activity, elicit a mild stereotyped behavior response, and increase rates of responding in several schedule-controlled behavior paradigms. In primate models assessing the positive-reinforcing effects of psychoactive drugs, bupropion was self-administered intravenously. In rats, bupropion produced amphetamine-like and cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects in drug discrimination paradigms used to characterize the subjective effects of psychoactive drugs. No increased risk for cardiovascular malformations overall has been observed after bupropion exposure during the first trimester.
Does Bupropion interact with my other drugs?
Weight changes were common in clinical trials of Wellbutrin for treating depression, with weight loss being more common than weight gain. Bupropion should be taken exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It is generally recommended to take it in the morning to avoid potential sleep disturbances.
Exposure to excessive heat, moisture, or light can alter the chemical composition of the medication. Proper storage of bupropion ensures medication’stability and prevents accidental ingestion by children or pets. Following storage guidelines helps maintain the medication’s effectiveness throughout its shelf life. Get an evaluation and prescription for Wellbutrin from a psychiatric provider wellbutrin uses, dosage side effects licensed in your state.