When you stop using certain prescription medications, you may develop unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. In the case of Wellbutrin, withdrawal symptoms can include both physical discomfort and emotional distress.
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What Is Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin is the brand name of a medication that contains bupropion. In 2023, it was the 17th most frequently prescribed medication in the United States, with pharmacists filling more than 30 million prescriptions for about 6.3 million patients.
Uses
Bupropion was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1985. It is currently authorized to treat three conditions:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Tobacco dependence
Physicians in the U.S. also use Wellbutrin on an off-label basis to treat:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Depression due to bipolar disorder
- Sexual dysfunction due to other antidepressants
Side Effects
Wellbutrin’s more common side effects include:
- Agitation
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Migraine
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Rash
Less common but potentially much more serious side effects include:
- Hypertension
- Vision problems
- Tremor
- Seizure
- Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction)
- Hallucinations
- Suicidal ideation
Important note: If you experience thoughts of suicide due to Wellbutrin, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If you are in the United States, you can also reach the 988 Lifeline at any time of day or night via their website or by calling 988.
The 988 Lifeline is staffed by trained professionals who can assess your needs and connect you with appropriate resources in your area.
Wellbutrin Withdrawal Symptoms
It’s safe to use Wellbutrin on a long-term basis, but there are many reasons why patients decide to stop using it. These include intensity of side effects, declining effectiveness, preference for a different med, or the desire to manage their symptoms without medication.
Regardless of why a person makes this decision, doing so can sometimes be difficult due to the onset of Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms.
What causes Wellbutrin withdrawal?
Wellbutrin artificially boosts the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in your central nervous system:
- Dopamine, which is sometimes referred to as “the feel-good hormone” is involved with several functions, including mood, memory, motivation, reward, and pleasure.
- Norepinephrine is an essential part of your body’s “fight or flight” response. Its effects include elevating heart rate and blood pressure, redirecting blood flow, and increasing your level of alertness.
Abrupt cessation of Wellbutrin can leave your body without the ability to maintain appropriate levels of either of these brain chemicals. This can trigger a variety of withdrawal symptoms.
For drugs such as opioids and alcohol, withdrawal can be extremely painful and potentially life-threatening. Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms are unlikely to reach either of these levels, but they can definitely affect your quality of life.
Common Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms
People who develop Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms may experience effects such as:
- Mood swings
- Increased perspiration
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- Hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
- Headache
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating
When some people stop using antidepressants, they experience “brain zaps,” or what feel like brief electrical pulses in the brain.
Brain zaps are more likely to occur during withdrawal from medications that affect serotonin levels, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), but they can sometimes occur during Wellbutrin withdrawal.
Wellbutrin withdrawal timeline
The onset, intensity, and duration of a person’s Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms can be influenced by several factors, including how much of the drug they have been taking, how long they’ve been taking it, and if they have also been taking other prescription medications or illicit drugs.
In general, though, the experience typically occurs as follows:
- The first symptoms will likely appear within 24-48 hours after you stop taking Wellbutrin.
- Initial symptoms usually include dizziness, headache, perspiration, and mood swings. Abnormal sleep patterns may also be among the earlier symptoms. Once these have set in, they may intensify over the next three to five days.
- Once symptoms have peaked – which usually occurs within about a week – they should slowly start to dissipate over the next two to three weeks. Headache, nausea, and dizziness are often among the first symptoms to subside.
- Most people are free of symptoms within a month after ending their Wellbutrin use, though some continue to deal with effects such as mood swings and sleep problems for an extended period.
Can You Avoid Wellbutrin Withdrawal Symptoms?
The best way to reduce your risk of Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms is to consult your doctor before you stop taking the medication.
This advice applies to other drugs as well. You should never alter or end your use of any prescription med without discussing the matter with the physician who prescribed it to you. If your doctor agrees with your decision, they can develop a plan to safeguard your health and minimize your discomfort as your body adapts to the change.
In the case of Wellbutrin, slowly decreasing your dosage over time should lessen the unpleasantness of the experience or possibly allow you to avoid symptoms altogether.
In addition to setting up a dosage-reduction timeline, your doctor can also advise you on which symptoms can pose the biggest threat, so that you’re prepared to get help if you need it.
Your doctor can also help you maintain your health once you’ve fully eliminated Wellbutrin from your body. This may include switching to a different medication or using other techniques for managing your symptoms.
Learn More About Mental Health Treatment in Atlanta
North Atlanta Behavioral Health is a premier source of customized outpatient care for adults who have been living with anxiety, depression, other mental health disorders, and co-occurring addiction.
Treatment options at our rehab in Atlanta, GA, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and an outpatient program (OP). We will be happy to discuss the features and benefits of each of these programs with you, so that you can make the most informed decisions for yourself or your loved one.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
