Although originally created for antidepressants, Wellbutrin has gained popularity to treat ADHD, anxiety, and other mental and physical health issues as an “off label treatment”. This means that although it has not been specifically approved by the FDA to treat these other conditions, research suggests it is effective and many mental health professionals use it as such.
This guide will go over what Wellbutrin is, the side effects of it, what it can help with, and if it’s a good choice for you.
This article is not a substitute for mental and physical health care. Consult with your doctor or psychiatrist before taking Wellbutrin or any other medication.
Note: Do not take Wellbutrin without guidance from your doctor. Do not take Wellbutrin with other medications unless directed by your doctor. If you are having a physical or mental health emergency, call 911.
Do Not Take Wellbutrin If. . .
While medication like Wellbutrin can be incredibly helpful in treating mental health disorders, it is not right for everyone. Do not take Wellbutrin if you have:
- a seizure disorder;
- an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
- if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol, seizure medications, or a sedative (such as Xanax, Valium, Fiorinal, Klonopin, and others). Or if you are taking a substance that interacts with bupropion such as an antipsychotic, blood thinner, corticosteroid, MAOI, or another antidepressant.
Do not take Wellbutrin to treat more than one condition at a time. If you take bupropion for depression, do not also take this medicine to quit smoking.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- a head injury, seizures, or brain or spinal cord tumor
- narrow-angle glaucoma
- heart disease, high blood pressure, or a heart attack
- Diabetes
- kidney or liver disease (especially cirrhosis)
- depression, bipolar disorder or other mental illness
- if you drink alcohol
Some people, especially young people, experience suicidal ideation after starting to take antidepressants. Always take Wellbutrin under the supervision of a therapist, psychiatrist, or doctor. Talk to your doctor or psychiatrist if you begin to experience suicidal thoughts.
Wellbutrin may not be safe for children or pregnant people.
Wellbutrin has been known to trigger manic episodes in people with bipolar, so talk to your doctor if you have or think you may have a bipolar disorder.
What Is Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin is a medication primarily used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. It is also prescribed to aid in smoking cessation—marketed under the brand name Zyban—and recently used to treat other mental health disorders (listed below).
The active ingredient in Wellbutrin is bupropion, which is also available as a generic medication.
Bupropion belongs to a class of drugs known as aminoketones and is thought to work by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically dopamine (the “feel good” hormone) and norepinephrine (which helps you stay active and alert).
Wellbutrin must be prescribed by a doctor or a psychiatrist and be monitored through regular check-ups. It has been verified by the FDA and is an effective treatment for many different mental health disorders.
Wellbutrin is considered an “atypical” antidepressant because it works differently than the typical SSRIs that are usually prescribed. Because of this, it is a good option for people with treatment-resistant depression, adverse side effects from typical depression treatments, or have comorbid disorders.
How Is Wellbutrin Taken? How Often Do I Have to Take Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin is taken orally, through either an immediate-release, sustained-release, or extended-release tablet.
What Is an Immediate-Release Medication?
Immediate-release medication is a type of medication that is designed to be released quickly into the body after ingestion. When you take an immediate-release medication, it starts working soon after you take it. The level of medication in your system peaks and then is cycled through the body. This means that you may experience the intended effects of the medication within a relatively short period of time, but you may have to take multiple doses throughout the day to maintain the effects.
Immediate-release medications are often used when a person requires rapid symptom relief or when the medication needs to be absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. These medications typically need to be taken multiple times throughout the day to maintain their effectiveness. It's important to follow the dosing instructions provided by your healthcare provider when taking immediate-release medications.
What Is an Extended-Release Medication?
Extended-release medication is an umbrella term to describe medications that are designed to slowly release the active ingredient into the body over an extended period of time, maintaining a steady concentration of the drug in the bloodstream.
Extended-release medications are formulated with special coatings or mechanisms that control the release of the drug. This slow and controlled release allows for less frequent administration, typically requiring only once or twice daily dosing. By providing a consistent and prolonged effect, extended-release medications can help manage symptoms more effectively while offering convenience with fewer doses throughout the day.
It's important to remember that the specific instructions for taking extended-release medications may vary. It is recommended to follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and carefully read the instructions provided with your medication.
You should never cut, chew, or smash extended-release medications.
What Is a Sustained-Release Medication?
Sustained-release medication is a specific type of extended-release medication also known as controlled-release, or prolonged-release medication, is designed to release the medication slowly and steadily into the body over an extended period of time. Unlike immediate-release medications, which act quickly and wear off relatively fast, sustained-release medications work gradually and provide a longer duration of effectiveness.
Sustained-release medications are often prescribed for conditions where a consistent level of medication is needed throughout the day or night. These medications are formulated in a way that allows the body to absorb the medication slowly, ensuring a more constant presence of the drug in the bloodstream. As a result, they usually require less frequent dosing compared to immediate-release medications.
The right type of medication for you will be decided by your doctor.
What Can Wellbutrin Help With?
Wellbutrin was originally intended to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective Disorder (SAD). However, new studies have shown it is effective in treating many other mental health disorders. Many psychiatrists—mental health doctors who prescribe and manage medication—prescribe Wellbutrin for ADHD, anxiety, and others. It is called “off-label” use when it is prescribed like this, because it is operating outside of its FDA-approved realm. However, scientific evidence does still support the use of Wellbutrin for anxiety, ADHD, and more.
Let’s look at a few of the mental health issues Wellbutrin can help with.
Wellbutrin and ADHD
Wellbutrin may be a good treatment option for those with ADHD who are 18 years or older. Although stimulants like adderall are still the first treatment options because of their high rate of effectiveness—they work for 70-80% of people with ADHD—not everyone responds well to stimulants. For some people, they simply don’t work. Others have adverse reactions or develop anxiety as a result of the stimulant. For people with comorbid ADHD and anxiety or ADHD and depression, stimulants may not be the right answer.
Wellbutrin is becoming a well-recognized alternative to stimulant medication, and is effective in treating ADHD.
Wellbutrin and Anxiety
Wellbutrin is effective in treating anxiety symptoms, especially if the anxiety symptoms are a result of a depressive disorder. Anxiety and Depression have high rates of comorbidity, meaning they frequently occur together, and Wellbutrin could be a viable solution to treating the complicated dual diagnosis.
Although many people believe Wellbutrin increases anxiety because it works partly as a stimulant (through the norepinephrine it releases), a 2023 study disproved this. In fact, Wellbutrin can be effective in treating anxiety.
Wellbutrin for Combined ADHD and Anxiety
Wellbutrin can be a powerful drug to use against comorbid ADHD and Anxiety. However, talk to your doctor before taking Wellbutrin alongside any other stimulant medication. It is generally not recommended to take Wellbutrin and other stimulants like Adderall, as they could have adverse side effects like increased anxiety, blood pressure, and more.
Wellbutrin for OCD
Wellbutrin is not recommended for the treatment of OCD and intrusive thoughts. The research is conclusive: Wellbutrin is ineffective in treating OCD and may result in adverse side effects.
Instead, medications such as Lexapro, Luvox, Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, and more are recommended for OCD treatment, alongside talk therapy for OCD.
Wellbutrin for Depression
Wellbutrin’s original purpose was to treat major depressive disorder, especially depression that was treatment resistant to the more standard SSRI treatment method.
Wellbutrin is effective in treating Depression.
Can Wellbutrin Help Me Stop Smoking?
Bupropion, the active ingredient in Wellbutrin, has been known to help people stop smoking. Bupropion was rebranded as Zyban, but it is much the same as Wellbutrin. Research shows that taking bupropion can nearly double a person’s chance of quitting smoking.
However, smoking while taking bupropion can have adverse side effects, so talk with your doctor before taking any medication with bupropion. If you are already taking Wellbutrin for depression and want to try to quit smoking, talk to your doctor before quitting.
Does Wellbutrin Cause Weight Loss?
Bupropion has also been used to treat obesity in some cases. When combined with naltrexone, it is an FDA-approved way to treat binge-eating disorder and manage weight. This is because Wellbutrin can cause both weight gain and weight loss depending on the person, but weight loss is more common.
Weight loss is not guaranteed though, and occurs at varying degrees. Some people may lose 10-20 pounds and other’s appetites may be unaffected.
However, unless under the direction and supervision of a medical doctor, weight loss is not the intended purpose of Wellbutrin and it should not be used as such.
Does Wellbutrin Cause Weight Gain?
No, very little evidence supports weight gain while taking Wellbutrin. It usually results in the opposite, with weight loss common.
Why Does Wellbutrin Cause Weight Loss?
Wellbutrin causes weight loss by suppressing appetite through the regulation of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.
This is why the FDA approved Contrave, which is a combination of bupropion and naltrexone, for weight loss. When used alongside diet and exercise it can improve the health of people with a BMI of 30 or higher or for people who have a weight-related condition high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure.
Side Effects of Wellbutrin
Like all medications, Wellbutrin can result in uncomfortable side effects. Some of this is normal, to be expected, and not cause for concern. However, if you experience severe side effects, seek medication help right away.
Common Wellbutrin side effects may include:
- dry mouth, sore throat, stuffy nose
- ringing in the ears
- blurred vision
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, constipation
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- tremors, sweating, feeling anxious or nervous
- fast heartbeats
- confusion, agitation, hostility
- rash
- weight loss
- increased urination
- headache, dizziness
- muscle or joint pain
More severe side effects should be treated immediately. Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a seizure (convulsions);
- confusion, unusual changes in mood or behavior;
- blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
- fast or irregular heartbeats; or
- a manic episode - racing thoughts, increased energy, reckless behavior, feeling extremely happy or irritable, talking more than usual, severe problems with sleep.
- Suicidal thoughts and ideation—this is especially prevalent in young people up to the age of 25 when they are first starting to take Wellbutrin.
This is not a complete list. Report all side effects to your doctor immediately.
How Fast Does Wellbutrin Work?
Like most antidepressants, Wellbutrin takes between 6-8 weeks to begin working on your mood and depression symptoms. However, you may experience improved sleep, energy, and appetite within the first week or two.
Can I Take Wellbutrin with Other Medication?
No, usually it is not recommended to take Wellbutrin with any other medication. Sometimes a doctor or psychiatrist will prescribe other medication on top of Wellbutrin, but a doctor should always monitor this. If you start taking any supplements, vitamins, or other medications while on Wellbutrin, talk to your doctor immediately.
Wellbutrin may have adverse effects when paired with:
- Alcohol
- Other antidepressants, such as Prozac or Zoloft
- Stimulants such as Adderall
- Weight loss pills such as Phentermine
Always consult your doctor before adding other medications. Most medications will react with one another in some way and should only be taken together under the guidance of a medical professional.
Other Treatments for Depression
When it comes to managing depression, ADHD, or Anxiety medication like Wellbutrin can be a valuable tool in your treatment plan. However, it's essential to explore other therapies that can complement medication and provide holistic support for mental health disorders like depression. One such effective treatment is talk therapy.
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counseling, involves speaking with a trained mental health professional to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a safe and supportive environment. This form of therapy can help you identify and understand the root causes of your depression, develop coping strategies, and make positive changes in your life.
Through open and honest conversations with a therapist, you can gain valuable insights into yourself and your mental health challenges. This process of self-discovery can lead to increased self-awareness, improved self-esteem, and a greater sense of empowerment.
Many individuals find talk therapy to be incredibly beneficial in managing their depression symptoms and enhancing their overall well-being. Research has shown that talk therapy, when combined with medication or used alone, can be highly effective in treating depression and preventing relapses. It equips you with valuable tools and techniques to navigate challenging circumstances.