Unlike other antidepressants, like selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , which include Zoloft , Prozac , and Lexapro , Wellbutrin is in its own class. Doctors also prescribe it to help wean smokers off of nicotine, says Ackerman. But, as with most drugs, there are a few Wellbutrin side effects that you should definitely not ignore.
Some women, however, may find it actually revs them up too much, increasing anxiety. If that happens, talk with your doctor right away about trying a new drug, advises Ackerman. Some people may experience heart palpitations, called tachycardia more than beats per minute , while on Wellbutrin, says Ackerman.
If this happens, tell your doctor ASAP. They'll likely order an electrocardiogram EKG or ECG , a test that measures the electrical activity of your heartbeat to check for underlying heart issues, says Ackerman. When u add Wellbutrin to the mix pic. Bupropion is available in several dosages. Certain brands of bupropion may contain a different dosage per tablet. For depression, a typical starting dosage of bupropion is mg to mg per day, taken either as mg tablets taken twice per day or a single mg extended-release bupropion tablet taken in the morning.
The maximum dosage of bupropion for depression is mg to mg per day. After three to four days, you may need to adjust your dosage of bupropion. Follow the dosage instructions provided by your healthcare provider to make sure you take the right amount of bupropion.
For smoking cessation, a typical starting dosage is one mg extended-release tablet per day for the first three days, followed by a dosage of mg per day, taken as two tablets taken at least eight hours apart, from day four.
Based on your symptoms, health history, response to the medication and several other factors, your healthcare provider may adjust your dosage of bupropion over time. Like all antidepressants, bupropion can cause certain side effects. Most of the side effects that can occur with bupropion are minor and temporary. However, there are also several potentially severe side effects that you should be aware of before using this medication.
Some of the common side effects of bupropion include:. Many of these side effects may be mild and often disappear over the course of several days or weeks. In general, bupropion is less likely to cause sexual dysfunction than other commonly prescribed antidepressants, such as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. Like other antidepressants, bupropion may cause serious side effects. These side effects occur in a small percentage of bupropion users. Serious side effects of bupropion include:.
Mental health issues, such as panic attacks, changes in mood, impulsive behavior and worsened depression or anxiety. Bupropion may contribute to hypertension high blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure or a history of cardiovascular issues, make sure you inform your healthcare provider before using bupropion. Though rare, depending on dosage, anywhere from. Conditions that may increase your seizure risk include:. One older pilot study did find that bupropion XL was comparable to escitalopram an SSRI , another type of antidepressant in treating people with generalized anxiety disorder GAD.
While this may suggest that Wellbutrin could possibly be a second- or third-line treatment option for GAD, larger, more extensive trials are required to confirm this. One case study found that bupropion at a dose of milligrams daily improved panic and anxiety symptoms in an individual with panic disorder.
Anecdotal evidence also supports the use of bupropion in addition to other medications to treat panic disorder. However, like the GAD pilot study, further research is needed to determine whether bupropion is effective in treating panic disorder.
The exact way Wellbutrin works to treat these conditions is unknown. This is different from some other antidepressants, which affect levels of serotonin. Wellbutrin can also be prescribed off-label for some conditions. These conditions include:. Common side effects of Wellbutrin occur during the first couple weeks you start taking it. They often lessen over time. They can include:. Wellbutrin has some more rare or severe side effects as well, one of which is seizure.
The risk of seizure is greater in people who:. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. This risk may persist until significant remission occurs.
In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents and young adults when compared to placebo. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age Adults ages 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality. Patients, their families and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia.
All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their healthcare provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.
Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication.
Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions.
Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein.
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