Wellbutrin dosage: Forms, strengths, how to take, and more
دسته: Sober living
If you or a loved one has been misusing Wellbutrin, we may be able to help you find the treatment you’re looking for. Moreover, a history of misusing Wellbutrin for its amphetamine-like effects can also affect the process of getting off Wellbutrin. By Corinne O’Keefe OsbornCorinne Osborn is an award-winning health and wellness journalist with a background in substance abuse, sexual health, and psychology. We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain.
It is only approved for people with a BMI of 30 or higher, or for people with a BMI over 27 who also have a weight-related condition such as high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure. Never, ever stop taking medication, especially psych meds, without discussing it with your doctor/psychiatrist. Most psych meds are for life, although they may have to be tweaked from time to time; a different med, a different dose. If you and your doctor decide you can go off Wellbutrin, it will have to be in a ramp-down procedure, a little less every day until you are off completely.
If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term. Throughout this article, the term “Wellbutrin” is used to describe both forms of the drug. Wellbutrin XL is used in adults to treat MDD or to prevent SAD.
This is the starting dose of Wellbutrin SR and XL to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) or to prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Stopping abruptly can also lead to discontinuation syndrome, an array of flu-like symptoms such as stomach upset, headache, strange sensations, and muscle aches. If you need to stop taking Wellbutrin, your provider can guide you in gradually tapering off. Antidepressant drugs like Wellbutrin may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, teens, and young adults up to age 24—especially when first starting the medication or when there’s a change in dose. If you have a child taking Wellbutrin or another depression medication, keep a close eye out for signs of self-harm or suicidal thinking. The FDA has also approved a medication called Contrave, which is a combination of bupropion and naltrexone, for weight loss.
- The schedule will depend on which antidepressant you’re taking, how long you’ve been on it, your current dose, and any symptoms you had during previous medication changes.
- By the time you stop taking the medication, your dose will be tiny.
- Maybe you went on antidepressants after the death of a loved one, the loss of a job or the end of a relationship.
- Some studies have found it helps lessen sleep inertia in about 70% of people who take it.
- If you miss a dose of Wellbutrin, take it as soon as you remember.
Seizures and suicidal thoughts are two of the most serious potential side effects of Wellbutrin. Seizures are rare with this drug but may affect up to four out of every 1,000 people currently taking Wellbutrin. Immediate-release Wellbutrin tablets can be broken if necessary, but they are small enough that doing so is not usually needed.
“Being upfront about cost lets us work around it,” Dr. Coulter says. He explains some common reasons for getting off antidepressants. There’s no rule book for when to go off antidepressants, and the reasons to do so are as varied as the patients who use them in the first place.
Wellbutrin, or bupropion, is classified as an antidepressant and is usually used to treat depression—though, the drug is also used as a smoking cessation aid under the name Zyban. Since Wellbutrin affects brain chemistry, it should not be stopped without consulting your doctor. The best way to stop Wellbutrin is to taper off usage under the care of a doctor, taking note of any side effects that may occur during the process. For example, bupropion (Wellbutrin) was approved as an antidepressant in 1985.
Coping With Wellbutrin Withdrawal
You may not be prescribed Wellbutrin if you have certain health conditions. Another brand of bupropion (the active ingredient in Wellbutrin), called Zyban, is used to help people quit smoking. Research shows that taking bupropion can double a person’s chances of kicking their cigarette habit.
Information on Tapering from Wellbutrin
If you want to stop taking Wellbutrin, talk to your healthcare provider about tapering off of your medication gradually. If you stop suddenly, your symptoms may worsen or you may experience Wellbutrin withdrawal. Bolster your internal resources with good nutrition, stress-reduction techniques, regular sleep — and especially physical activity. It’s been shown that people are far less likely to relapse after recovering from depression if they exercise three times a week or more. Exercise makes serotonin more available for binding to receptor sites on nerve cells, so it can compensate for changes in serotonin levels as you taper off SSRIs and other medications that target the serotonin system.
What to do in case you take too much Wellbutrin
Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on your days off. Some research suggests you may want to reach for caffeine to help overcome sleep inertia. Luckily, there are dandruff symptoms and causes some strategies and therapies to help you overcome sleep inertia. I took Buspar for many years with great success, but I refuse to take benzos because I’m in recovery from drug addiction.
Symptoms of overdose
If needed, they’ll increase your dose of Wellbutrin slowly. In either case, don’t stop taking Wellbutrin until you’ve checked with your health provider first. Going “cold-turkey” with any antidepressant can cause your symptoms to come back or get worse. Wellbutrin can be present in breast milk, so caution should be used by people who are breastfeeding. If you are lactating, your healthcare provider can help you weigh your options.
However, this may not be true for people who abuse Wellbutrin or take it with other drugs. Never change or discontinue medications without consulting your healthcare provider. They can advise you on the right way to make the transition (such as tapering off your dose gradually) and help you cope with symptoms you might experience. adhd and alcohol Antidepressants are among the top three most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. Not every antidepressant works for every person, however, and many people try several before hitting the right drug or combination thereof. Like all antidepressants, it offers many potential benefits but doesn’t work for everyone.
Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. It may be true that in the past, the only “solution” that was offered was to address symptoms with medication. In the past, perhaps that was all that was possible and would be more humane than letting a person suffer. But with today’s testing and other diagnostic and investigative tools, and a wealth of nutritional research, Alternative to Meds Center can help our clients to truly move forward into bonafide better health.