Wellbutrin (Bupropion)
^TopWhat is wellbutrin
Wellbutrin is an antidepressant drug.
Wellbutrin is used to treat seasonal affective disorder and major depressive disorder. At least one brand of bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.
Wellbutrin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this drug guide.
^TopHow does wellbutrin work
Wellbutrin works by affecting two chemicals in the brain that are believed to help regulate your mood (dopamine and norepinephrine).
^TopHow to use wellbutrin
Read the patient info leaflet and medication guide available from your doc before you start using wellbutrin and each time you get a refill. Consult your pharmacist or doc if you have any questions.
Take this drug orally, with or without food, usually three times daily. If stomach upset occurs, you may take this drug with food. It is important to take your doses at least 6 hours apart or as directed by your doc to decrease your risk of having a seizure.
Use this drug regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.
It may take 4 or more weeks before you notice the full benefit of this drug. Continue to take this medication as directed by your doctor even after you feel better. Talk to your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
^TopWellbutrin dosage
No single dose of the antidepressant Wellbutrin should ever exceed 150 mg!
The usual starting Wellbutrin SR dosage is 150 mg in the morning. After three days of taking this antidepressant and doing well, your physician may have you take another 150 mg at least eight hours after having taken the first one. For some people it may take as long as four weeks before you feel the benefit and most people will take this antidepressant for at least several months. The maximum recommended Wellbutrin SR dosage is 400 mg a day, taken in doses of 200 mg each.
If you have a history of severe cirrhosis of the liver, your dosage should probably not be more than 75 mg once a day. If you have less severe liver and kidney problems, your doctor may just reduce your dosage moderately.
Children:
The safety and effectiveness of Wellbutrin and Wellbutrin SR in children under the ages of 18 years old has not been established.
Older adults:
Although senior adults are more sensitive to antidepressants and they seem to clear their systems much more slowly, older people seem to respond no differently to Wellbutrin or Wellbutrin SR than younger people.
^TopImportant information
You should not take Wellbutrin if you have epilepsy or a seizure disorder, an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, if you are using a second form of bupropion, or if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives. Do not take Wellbutrin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Avoid using Wellbutrin to treat more than one condition at a time. If you take Wellbutrin for depression, do not also take Zyban to quit smoking. Too much of this medicine can increase your risk of a seizure.
Do not smoke at any time if you are using a nicotine product along with Zyban. Too much nicotine can cause serious side effects. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin. Alcohol may increase your risk of a seizure while you are taking Wellbutrin. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk with your doctor before changing the amount you drink. Wellbutrin can cause seizures in people who drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly quit drinking when they start using the medication.
^TopWellbutrin side effects
Wellbutrin is generally well tolerated. Dry mouth, headache, increased sweating, nausea/vomiting, constipation, anxiety, fatigue and blurred vision may occur.
If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor.
Report promptly:
- unusual weight loss or gain
- palpitations
- agitation
- trouble sleeping
Unlikely but report promptly: tremor, dizziness, fainting, mood changes, slowed movements, difficulty urinating, decreased sex drive, drowsiness.
Very unlikely but report promptly: seizures, mental problems, fever, muscle aches, yellowing of the eyes or skin.
In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms may include trouble breathing, rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
^TopBefore taking wellbutrin
Do not take Wellbutrin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. You should not take Wellbutrin if you have:
- epilepsy or a seizure disorder
- if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives (such as Valium)
- if you are using a second form of bupropion
- an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
Wellbutrin may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.
Before taking Wellbutrin, tell your doctor if you have:
- bipolar disorder (manic depression)
- head injury, brain or spinal cord tumor
- kidney disease
- heart disease or high blood pressure
- diabetes for which you use insulin or take oral medication
- if you currently use steroids, theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Bronkodyl Theolair, Respbid), or medicine to treat depression or mental illness
- liver disease (especially cirrhosis)
- if you recently used alcohol, sedatives (such as Valium), narcotic pain medicines, diet pills, or street drugs such as "speed" or cocaine
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Wellbutrin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
^TopHow should I take wellbutrin
Take Wellbutrin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Wellbutrin can be taken with or without food.
Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban SR). Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
If you take Zyban to help you stop smoking, you may continue to smoke for about 1 week after you start the medicine. Set a date to quit smoking during the second week of Zyban treatment. By that time you will have enough of the medicine in your blood stream to help you quit smoking. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble quitting after you have used Zyban for at least 7 weeks.
Your doctor may prescribe nicotine patches or gum to help support your smoking cessation treatment. Be sure you read all directions and safety information for the nicotine product. Using nicotine with Zyban may raise your blood pressure and your doctor may want to check your blood pressure regularly. Do not smoke at any time if you are using a nicotine product along with Zyban. Too much nicotine can cause serious side effects.
^TopWellbutrin overdose
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include seizures, muscle stiffness, hallucinations, fainting, fast or uneven heartbeat, shallow breathing, heart failure, or coma.
^TopWellbutrin prescription
Wellbutrin is the only prescription tab clinically proven to both go to work fast.
^TopWhat other drugs will affect wellbutrin?
Do not take Wellbutrin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
There are many other drugs that can affect Wellbutrin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
^TopWhat is generic wellbutrin
The name for generic wellbutrin is bupropion.
^TopOrder wellbutrin
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^TopRelated drugs
Prozac, Paxil, Risperdal, Zoloft, Aldactone, Zyban.