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How fast does Wellbutrin work?

Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.

nami.org - Bupropion (Wellbutrin) | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

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Brand names:

Wellbutrin SR® Tablets: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg

Wellbutrin XL® Tablets: 150 mg, 300 mg

Zyban® Tablets: 150 mg

Forfivo XL® Tablets: 450 mg

Aplenzin® Tablets: 174 mg, 348 mg, 522 mg

Bupropion hydrochloride Immediate release tablets: 75mg, 100 mg Sustained release tablets: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg Extended release tablets: 150 mg, 300 mg

Bupropion hydrobromide Extended release tablets: 174 mg, 348 mg, 522 mg

bupropion (byoo PRO pee on)

All FDA black box warnings are at the end of this fact sheet. Please review before taking this medication.

What Is Bupropion And What Does It Treat?

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

Feeling worthless, guilty, hopeless, and helpless

Loss of interest or pleasure in your usual activities

Sleep and eat more or less than usual (for most people it is less)

Low energy, trouble concentrating, or thoughts of death (suicidal thinking)

Psychomotor agitation (‘nervous energy’)

Psychomotor retardation (feeling like you are moving and thinking in slow motion)

Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

SAD is a type of depression that occurs mainly during the autumn-winter season. Although the common term SAD is now referred to as Major Depression with Seasonal Pattern, this fact sheet will continue to use SAD as it is more commonly known. Bupropion may also be helpful when prescribed “off-label” for bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, and sexual dysfunction due to SSRI antidepressants. “Off-label” means that it hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this condition. Your mental health provider should justify his or her thinking in recommending an “off-label” treatment. They should be clear about the limits of the research around that medication and if there are any other options.

What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Bupropion?

After starting bupropion, symptoms gradually decrease over a period of weeks. In MDD and SAD, sleep and other physical symptoms may improve before there is noticeable improvement in mood or interest in activities. Once symptoms are under control, MDD usually requires long-term treatment to help prevent the return of depressive symptoms. If you are using bupropion for SAD or smoking cessation, the length of your treatment may be shorter. With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine. Do not stop taking bupropion or change your dose without talking with your health care provider first. Depression is also a part of bipolar illness. People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants may be at risk for "switching" from depression into mania. Symptoms of mania include "high" or irritable mood, very high self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, frequently involved in activities with a large risk for bad consequences (for example, excessive buying sprees).

Are There Specific Concerns About Bupropion And Pregnancy?

If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider to best manage your medications. People living with MDD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions, each with risks and benefits as they relate to how the illness, medications, and risks to the fetus may interact. Untreated MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. Bupropion has also been evaluated for smoking cessation during pregnancy and is recommended only after other therapies have failed.

Caution is advised with breastfeeding since bupropion does pass into breast milk.

What Should I Discuss With My Health Care Provider Before Taking Bupropion?

Symptoms of your condition that bother you most

If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself

Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your provider. Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require an adjustment in the medication. Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have, including a history of bipolar disorder All other medications you are currently taking and any medication allergies you have. This will help your prescriber assess for potential drug interactions. Other non-medication treatment you are receiving (such as psychotherapy (i.e., talk therapy) or substance abuse treatment). Your provider can explain how these different treatments work with the medication.

If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding

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If you drink alcohol or use drugs

How Should I Take Bupropion?

Bupropion hydrochloride is available in 3 different forms: immediate release (IR), sustained release (SR), and extended release (XL). Bupropion IR is usually taken 2 or 3 times per day with 4-6 hours between doses. The dose usually ranges from 100 mg twice daily to 150 mg three times daily, with the last dose taken mid-afternoon. Bupropion SR is usually taken twice daily in the morning and mid-afternoon. The dose usually ranges from 100 mg twice daily up to 200 mg twice daily. Bupropion XL is usually taken once daily in the morning. The dose ranges from 150 mg to 450 mg. Bupropion hydrobromide (Aplenzin®) is usually taken once daily in the morning. The dose ranges from 174 mg to 522 mg. While there are dose ranges for each form, your health care provider will determine the form and dose that is right for you based on your response. The dose for SAD is bupropion XL 150 mg once daily in the morning. The dose may be increased to 300 mg once daily. The dose for smoking cessation is bupropion SR 150 mg once daily for 3 days and then twice daily for 7 to 12 weeks. You should not take more than one product that contains bupropion, including the products that are used to quit smoking. Do not take more than your prescribed dose since higher doses may increase your risk of having a seizure. Since quickly increasing the dose of bupropion can cause seizures in some people, your doctor will slowly increase your dose. You can take bupropion on an empty stomach or with food. The SR and XL forms should be swallowed whole — not chewed, crushed, or broken — so that the medication can work correctly in your body and to reduce the risk of serious side effects. The tablet shell from the SR and XL forms may appear in your feces. Consider using a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. You may also ask a family member or friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.

What Happens If I Miss A Dose Of Bupropion?

For bupropion IR or SR, if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Take the remaining doses for the day at evenly spaced times at least 4 hours apart. DO NOT take 2 doses at once. You should not take more than your prescribed dose and doing so may increase your risk of having a seizure. For bupropion XL, do not take an extra tablet to make up for the dose you forgot. Wait and take your next dose at your regular time the next day.

What Should I Avoid While Taking Bupropion?

Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking bupropion because the beneficial effects of the medication may be decreased and the risk of seizures may be increased. If you are dependent on drugs or alcohol and would like to stop, consult your healthcare provider for help. Abruptly stopping these substances can result in a seizure, especially when taking bupropion.

What Happens If I Overdose With Bupropion?

If an overdose occurs, call your doctor or 911. You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Bupropion?

Common side effects

Headache, weight loss, dry mouth, trouble sleeping (insomnia), nausea, dizziness, constipation, fast heartbeat, and sore throat. These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication.

Rare/serious side effects

Less than 10% of patients will experience skin rash, sweating, ringing in the ears, shakiness, stomach pain, muscle pain, thought disturbances, anxiety or angle closure glaucoma (symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around eye). Unlike many antidepressants, bupropion does not commonly cause sexual side effects and may be selected as an alternative treatment when antidepressant-induced sexual side effects are problematic. Sexual side effects include such problems as difficulty achieving orgasm or ejaculatory delay. In general the risk of seizures due to bupropion is low. The risk of having a seizure increases with higher than recommended doses of bupropion, a history of seizures or head injury, tumor in the brain, severe liver disease, an eating disorder, alcohol or drug dependence, or taking other drugs that can also increase your risk of having a seizure. There is a low risk of cardiovascular adverse events associated with stimulating agents, including bupropion. This risk increases if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, previous heart attack, or irregular heartbeat, or when used with transdermal nicotine replacement products. In these cases, a thorough cardiovascular evaluation is recommended before starting this medicine.

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Are There Any Risks For Taking Bupropion For Long Periods Of Time?

To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of bupropion. It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed.

What Other Medications May Interact With Bupropion?

Bupropion should not be taken with or within two weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These include phenelzine (Nardil®), tranycypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), and selegiline (Emsam®). There are several products with the active ingredient bupropion. Do not take more than one product that contains bupropion since this may increase your risk of having a seizure. Certain medications may increase your risk of having a seizure when combined with bupropion. These include other antidepressants, antipsychotics, theophylline, isoniazid, tramadol, stimulants, steroids, hypoglycemic agents (including insulin), certain antibiotics (e.g., Cipro®), and abrupt discontinuation of benzodiazepines (e.g., Ativan®). Notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications: phenytoin (Dilantin®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®, Equetro®), phenobarbital, cimetidine (Tagamet®), ritonavir (Norvir®), lopinavir (Kaletra™), nelfinavir (Viracept®), or efavirenz (Sustiva®). These medications can change the way your body reacts to bupropion. Notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications: atomoxetine (Stratterra®), codeine, tamoxifen, tetrabenazine, thioridazine (Mellaril®), tramadol (Ultram®), or a tricyclic antidepressant. Bupropion can change the way your body reacts to these medications.

How Long Does It Take For Bupropion To Work?

Summary of FDA Black Box Warnings

Suicidal thoughts or actions in children and adults

Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), both adult and pediatric, may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior (suicidality) or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications. 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 24. 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. If these symptoms emerge, they should be reported to the patient’s prescriber or healthcare professional. 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.

Provided by

(December 2020)

©2020 The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). CPNP and NAMI make this document available under the Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives 4.0 International License. Last Updated: January 2016. 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.

nami.org - Bupropion (Wellbutrin) | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

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