While Wellbutrin is generally well-tolerated and often favored over selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, it’s not without serious risks. The most concerning is the increased risk of seizures, particularly at higher doses or in patients with a seizure disorder, eating disorder, head injury, or kidney or liver disease. Like most drugs, Wellbutrin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. These reactions can be mild to serious, including drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). This is a rare but serious adverse drug reaction to certain drugs. DRESS did not occur in clinical trials of Wellbutrin, but there have been reports since the drug became available.
- Your doctor may also be able to recommend tips for managing sexual side effects.
- Talk with your doctor if you have or have had a history of bulimia or anorexia.
- Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking.
- They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
- Never take two doses of Wellbutrin at once to make up for a missed dose as this can increase your risk of experiencing a seizure or an accidental overdose.
Constipation from Wellbutrin can range from uncomfortable to dangerous if not treated promptly. Each person has a different regular bowel movement schedule, but the goal should always be to maintain your normal schedule. There are many over-the-counter stool softeners, fiber supplements, and laxatives that can be beneficial. Maintaining proper hydration, eating enough fiber, and staying active all helping in reducing constipation. If it has been more than a few days since a bowel movement or you are experiencing abdominal pain, seek medical attention. Nausea can influence your appetite greatly and make daily life difficult.
Your doctor might also recommend using an over-the-counter (OTC) laxative such as polyethylene glycol 3350 (MiraLAX) to help you have a bowel movement. If this drug isn’t helping to treat your depression, these symptoms may continue. Your doctor can help you figure out whether your medication, your condition, or both are the cause.
How Long Does It Take Wellbutrin to Work?
The following enumeration is organized by organ system and describes events in terms of their relative frequency of reporting in the database. Wellbutrin (bupropion, Zyban, Aplenzin, Fortivo XL) is an aminoketone antidepressant used to manage major depression (major depressive disorder) and seasonal affective disorder. Hair loss has not been reported by patients taking Wellbutrin. If you experience hair loss while taking Wellbutrin, reach out to your healthcare provider right away. If you or someone you know has thoughts of self-harm or suicide, get help immediately. Contact the hotline and find someone you trust and stay with that person until you receive care.
Wellbutrin side effects and how to manage them
Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Additionally, because bupropion is both a substrate and inhibitor of the CYP2B6 enzyme, it can alter the plasma levels of other drugs metabolized via this pathway, such as clopidogrel. Regular monitoring and dose adjustments may be necessary when these interactions are present. Wellbutrin (bupropion) can interact with several medications, and it’s important to review a patient’s full medication list before prescribing. It is contraindicated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) due to the risk of hypertensive crisis; a sufficient washout period is required when switching between these medications. The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Wellbutrin and are not described elsewhere on the label.
- If you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, including itching, rash, swelling of the mouth or throat, or trouble breathing, call 911 and get help immediately.
- Bupropion and its metabolites (erythrohydrobupropion, threohydrobupropion, hydroxybupropion) are CYP2D6 inhibitors.
- However, side effects at the 150 mg dose may indicate that you might not be able to tolerate Wellbutrin long-term.
- If you have ever experienced an allergic reaction to Wellbutrin or any of its ingredients before, do not take Wellbutrin.
- Improvement of psychological symptoms, such as those related to mood, may take a bit longer—or up to eight weeks.
The initial dose and titration should be carefully managed, especially for patients receiving bupropion. Another serious issue is the potential for allergic reaction, including rare but life-threatening responses to bupropion tablets or bupropion hydrobromide, such as hives, swelling, or fever. Suicidal thoughts, worsening depression, and panic attacks may occur, particularly in young adults, and Wellbutrin carries a boxed warning for these effects.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
People who are allergic to any of the following should not take bupropion. Bupropion works to regulate chemicals in your brain called norepinephrine and dopamine. If you’re breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding while taking Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor first. Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Wellbutrin affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed. One possible symptom of MDD and SAD is a change in libido or sex drive.
What are the most common side effects of bupropion?
Bupropion and its metabolites (erythrohydrobupropion, threohydrobupropion, hydroxybupropion) are CYP2D6 inhibitors. Therefore, co-administration of Wellbutrin with drugs that are metabolized by CYP2D6 can increase the exposures of drugs that are substrates of CYP2D6. When used concomitantly with Wellbutrin, it may be necessary to decrease the dose of these CYP2D6 substrates, particularly for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index. There are no adequate studies of Wellbutrin in pregnant women. In one study, there was no difference between Wellbutrin and other antidepressants in the occurrence of birth defects. Wellbutrin should only be used in Wellbutrin side effects pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the potential risk.
If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Stop taking bupropion and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. Studies of pregnant people taking Wellbutrin in their first trimester of pregnancy didn’t show an increased risk of problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects). These include stillbirth, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Doctors recommend that you minimize or avoid alcohol during treatment with Wellbutrin. This is because studies show some people have a lower tolerance to the effects of alcohol while taking Wellbutrin.
If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Talk with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed. They can help advise you on the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking Wellbutrin. There are many factors that can contribute to hair loss, such as other medications, genetics, and hormone changes in your body. If you have questions about sexual side effects and Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
CNS toxicity has been reported when bupropion was co-administered with levodopa or amantadine. Adverse reactions have included restlessness, agitation, tremor, ataxia, gait disturbance, vertigo, and dizziness. It is presumed that the toxicity results from cumulative dopamine agonist effects.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. If you develop serious side effects while taking Wellbutrin, call your doctor right away. Serious side effects are rare and are less likely to occur if Wellbutrin is taken exactly as prescribed.
