Is Wellbutrin the Best Antidepressant for Me? (2023)

FAQs

Is Wellbutrin one of the best antidepressants? ›

Wellbutrin is thought to have comparable effects to other antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which makes it a good option if other medications have proved to be ineffective for your needs.

Bupropion is an ideal medication for the treatment of depression as it works by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine and helps balance out the neurotransmitter imbalance that causes depression.

An antidepressant that tends to be stimulating such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) may be helpful for someone with a vegetative depression or someone who seems to have no energy—but could be the wrong choice for someone living with an anxiety disorder in addition to depression.

Adverse reactions commonly encountered in subjects treated with WELLBUTRIN are agitation, dry mouth, insomnia, headache/migraine, nausea/vomiting, constipation, tremor, dizziness, excessive sweating, blurred vision, tachycardia, confusion, rash, hostility, cardiac arrhythmia, and auditory disturbance.

While Wellbutrin is typically used in the treatment of depression, research tells us that it can help to reduce anxiety. One study², in particular, found that bupropion significantly improved anxiety scores in patients.

Wellbutrin has an average rating of 6.9 out of 10 from a total of 499 reviews for the treatment of Depression. 61% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience.

However, since Wellbutrin affects the “feel-good” brain neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, it is sometimes taken to achieve a stimulant-like high. When Wellbutrin is taken in high doses or in dangerous ways, such as intravenously, it may act similarly to a stimulant, such as Adderall or cocaine.

Bupropion is a medication that treats depression. It helps regulate your mood by increasing norepinephrine and dopamine hormones in your brain. The brand name of this medication is Wellbutrin®.

In this case, Wellbutrin has been approved to treat depression, and scientific studies ^{1, 2, 3} have shown that it might help improve concentration, focus, and other symptoms of ADHD for patients aged 18 and older.

Bupropion should not be used by people who have a seizure disorder or an eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia.

How fast is weight loss on Wellbutrin? ›

Those taking Wellbutrin lost an average of 13 lbs (5.8 kg) in 12 weeks compared to 6 lbs (2.8 kg) in the placebo group. 57% of patients taking Wellbutrin lost 5% or more of their weight compared to only 28% in the placebo group.

Bupropion, sold under the brand name Wellbutrin, is an FDA-approved medication for treating major depressive disorder in adults, seasonal affective disorder, and smoking cessation. The medication can also be used to treat other mental disorders, such as ADHD.

Although bupropion possesses a low risk of cardiovascular complications, the risk is increased if the patient has: Heart disease. High blood pressure. Previous heart attack.

Unlike stimulant drugs that kick in almost immediately, Wellbutrin takes several days for most patients to notice the effects. Does Wellbutrin give you energy? With the increase of dopamine that Wellbutrin provides, some patients may experience a boost of energy and motivation while taking Wellbutrin.

Can Wellbutrin worsen your anxiety symptoms? If you live with an anxiety disorder, it's not uncommon to experience increased anxiety symptoms shortly after you start taking Wellbutrin. These symptoms can be mild, or in rare cases, they may be severe enough to feel mimic or cause a panic attack.

Official answer. You may notice an improvement in your sleep, energy and appetite in the first week or two of taking Wellbutrin and this can be an important sign that the drug is working.

During the first week or two of taking Wellbutrin, you may experience headaches, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, constipation, sore throat, and a fast heartbeat. Other common side effects for Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, and Wellbutrin XL can include: Abdominal pain. Anxiety.

Specific types of anxiety disorders that Wellbutrin can be helpful include: Generalized anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder. Panic disorder.

Wellbutrin is primarily prescribed for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder. It can also be prescribed to help with quitting smoking. In this instance, treatment typically lasts for up to 12 weeks.

Under American Psychiatric Association guidelines, if you are taking an antidepressant for your first depressive episode, you should stay on it for at least 4 or 5 months after your symptoms of depression stop.

What are the long-term side effects of Wellbutrin? ›

Prevalence of Emotional Blunting

Unlike the others, Wellbutrin does not target a chemical transmitter in the brain—known as serotonin—that all of the other drugs so. 4 What this suggests is the inhibition of serotonin may be one of the prime causes of emotional blunting.

Although this is beneficial for someone who's depressed, for someone who does not have depression, taking antidepressant medication can cause serotonin to build up in the body, resulting in serotonin syndrome. When serotonin levels are too high, the person may experience symptoms like: Agitation or restlessness.

Wellbutrin may interact with caffeine. Consuming too much caffeine while taking Wellbutrin can increase the risk of seizures. Your doctor will likely recommend limiting how much caffeine you consume during your Wellbutrin treatment.

It is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and to help people quit smoking (smoking cessation). Symptoms of depression include: Depressed mood - feeling sad, empty, or tearful.

Wellbutrin is a type of antidepressant medication known as a norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). NDRIs work by boosting the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine (two types of neurotransmitters, or molecules, in your brain that send messages between nerves) in your brain.

For people with depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Wellbutrin can be energizing and motivating. That's because it helps to increase the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which is in part responsible for the body's “fight or flight” response to anxiety-provoking events.

Some people have anxiety-related symptoms, such as restlessness or agitation, shortly after starting Wellbutrin. Because these symptoms may be related to the dosage of your medication, speak with your doctor if you're feeling anxious after starting Wellbutrin.

Other long-term side effects of Wellbutrin include new or worsening mental health problems. Examples of mental health problems that may continue after stopping this drug include hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion. These side effects may resolve after your doctor lowers your dose or stops your treatment.

Prozac (fluoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) are examples of “energizing” antidepressants; whereas Paxil (paroxetine) and Celexa (citalopram) tend to be more sedating.

Which is stronger Zoloft or Wellbutrin? ›

Several studies have compared Zoloft to Wellbutrin to see if one was better than the other. Many clinical studies have found no significant difference in effectiveness between SSRIs, like Zoloft, and Wellbutrin.

Wellbutrin XL should be taken once daily in the morning. If Wellbutrin causes you to have trouble sleeping, make sure you don't take your dose too close to bedtime. If it makes you nauseated, you can take it with food.

Hair loss is a possible side effect of Wellbutrin, but it is not common. In fact, it's so uncommon that during its initial clinical trials, when compared to those taking the placebo, not even 1% of people taking Wellbutrin experienced alopecia (GlaxoSmithKline, 2017).

The lowdown. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that is also used to promote weight loss, compared to other antidepressants which have not been shown to produce this effect. Numerous clinical trials have reported reduced body weight in patients taking Wellbutrin, indicating it may be an effective treatment for weight loss ...

Bupropion has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 from a total of 2,708 reviews on Drugs.com. 61% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience.

Bupropion may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies, or to become more depressed.

FDA warning: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Wellbutrin may cause serious side effects, although most are rare. Serious side effects that have been reported with Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL include: anger* anxiety*

The serum aminotransferase elevations that occur on bupropion therapy are usually self-limited and do not require dose modification or discontinuation of therapy. Rare instances of acute liver failure and chronic hepatitis have been attributed to bupropion therapy.

Does Wellbutrin make you tired or energized? ›

Wellbutrin® (bupropion) is an norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), and is one of the most energizing and most effective of the non-SSRI antidepressants against fatigue. This is an oral medication that should be taken early in the day to minimize sleep disturbances.

However, you may begin to experience improvements in your sleep habits, appetite and energy levels as early as one to two weeks of treatment. It may take four to six weeks to experience a significant improvement in your mood and level of interest in activities after starting bupropion.

Some people may experience new or worsening anxiety while taking Wellbutrin. If this side effect occurs, it is usually at its worst shortly after a person begins taking the drug or in the period following dose increases.

Is Wellbutrin good for social anxiety? Bupropion (Wellbutrin) has been evaluated for the use of generalized social phobia. People who took this medicine reported feeling much improved or very much improved after 12 weeks of treatment. This medication was generally well tolerated.

Zoloft and Wellbutrin are effective options for treating depression. The choice between the two may come down to side effects and potential interactions. Zoloft has a tendency to cause more nausea and sexual side effects than Wellbutrin. But Wellbutrin may be more likely to cause dry mouth and constipation.

Despite potential side effects, Wellbutrin can provide several benefits to people who take it, including: treatment of major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. helping people stop smoking. less sexual side effects, such as lowered sex drive, than other antidepressants.

Researchers found that both medications worked similarly well for improving depression symptoms. However, Wellbutrin appeared to be better tolerated than Lexapro. In particular, Wellbutrin had less sexual side effects.

Is Prozac more effective than Wellbutrin? Wellbutrin often worsens anxiety, so Prozac may be the better choice for treating anxiety mixed with depression. However, each patient is different. If you have additional disorders, one drug or the other may work better.

Do Zoloft and Wellbutrin cause weight gain? It's possible. Some research shows a link between taking antidepressant medications, like Zoloft and Wellbutrin, and weight gain. On the other hand, some studies show that Wellbutrin can cause weight loss.

Is Wellbutrin a mood stabilizer or antidepressant? ›

Bupropion is an antidepressant medication that works in the brain. It is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and to help people quit smoking (smoking cessation). Symptoms of depression include: Depressed mood - feeling sad, empty, or tearful.

In this case, Wellbutrin has been approved to treat depression, and scientific studies ^{1, 2, 3} have shown that it might help improve concentration, focus, and other symptoms of ADHD for patients aged 18 and older.

For the most part, Wellbutrin is considered to be a relatively safe antidepressant. However, since Wellbutrin affects the “feel-good” brain neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, it is sometimes taken to achieve a stimulant-like high.

By contrast, Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) — a mood booster that works with the brain's pleasure and reward centre. Altering brain chemicals like noradrenaline and dopamine, you feel more motivated and productive.

Other long-term side effects of Wellbutrin include new or worsening mental health problems. Examples of mental health problems that may continue after stopping this drug include hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion. These side effects may resolve after your doctor lowers your dose or stops your treatment.

Wellbutrin XL has been shown in one clinical trial to be as effective for anxiety as escitalopram (Lexapro), a common antidepressant doctors prescribe for patients with anxiety. Some research also suggests Wellbutrin can help mitigate anxiety symptoms related to depression.

Bupropion has been shown to be effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder in numerous double-blind controlled trials. Efficacy has been demonstrated relative to placebo in both inpatients and out-patients.

Wellbutrin can cause either weight gain or weight loss, though weight loss is more common. Using bupropion in the short term may not lead to sudden weight gain. However, long-term use of the antidepressant can lead to weight changes. People can engage in emotional eating, which can result in possible weight gain.