We adhere to strict editorial standards as declared in our editorial policy. We only reference evidence-based, peer-reviewed publications, reputable medical associations or government health websites as our source of information. Wellbutrin can increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, teenagers, and young adults between the ages of 18 and 24. Before getting carried away by Wellbutrin’s efficacy, please note that you should inform your doctor about all the drugs you are taking, both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
- Therefore, some features of Wellbutrin withdrawal mimic those of stimulant drugs with similar structures and mechanisms of action.
- More information on the risks and phenomena of Wellbutrin withdrawal can be found below.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has effectively dealt with drug withdrawal situations.
- The length of the experience of Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms varies but typically lasts from a few weeks to several months.
- Withdrawal from Wellbutrin is a topic that deserves more attention and care since it’s not something that’s often talked about.
For so many, Wellbutrin (or the generic version, bupropion) starts out as a sigh of relief or a glimmer of hope. As an antidepressant that’s prescribed for major depressive disorder and for seasonal affective disorder, it can help you finally feel like yourself again after a long struggle with depression. It’s also a smoking cessation aid, so you might use it to finally kick cigarettes or nicotine to the curb and free yourself from the costs and complications of smoking. But Wellbutrin can cause a dependence of its own, and when you choose to stop taking it, you may experience withdrawals. The most common of these include mood swings and flu-like symptoms, which might seem manageable on paper.
Wellbutrin is often prescribed to treat depression and help people quit smoking. Unlike other antidepressants, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, it inhibits your brain’s reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. In some cases, individuals may also use both Wellbutrin and nicotine replacement therapy to help them quit smoking. This combination might be recommended by healthcare professionals to address nicotine withdrawal symptoms. However, it’s essential to undergo smoking cessation under the supervision and guidance of a healthcare provider.
- Daily meditation of about 30 minutes can help improve symptoms of anxiety.
- Alternative to Meds Center offers a dual-diagnosis set of protocols that are personalized to address both sides of addiction or drug dependence.
- Similar to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), it influences the neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine.
In a somewhat puzzling set of guidelines, regulars recommend Zyban for quitting smoking but not for treating depression. Brand names in the US include Aplenzin©, Buproban©, ForfivoXL©, Wellbutrin SR©, Wellbutrin XL©, Zyban©, Zyban Advantage Pack©, and Budeprion XL©. The stimulant effects of Wellbutrin were overlooked in early research, but researchers have more closely studied these in recent years.
Long-Term Treatment for Wellbutrin Withdrawal
There are numerous can i stop wellbutrin cold turkey withdrawal symptoms that one might experience when they decide to go cold turkey on Wellbutrin. Common side effects and withdrawal symptoms include both physical and psychological symptoms caused by addiction to the drug. Wellbutrin withdrawal occurs when you suddenly stop taking your medication. You may experience withdrawal symptoms like brain zaps, insomnia, suicidal ideation, vomiting, dizziness, and tremors. The best way to prevent Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms is to talk to your doctor about creating a tapering schedule. Regarding antidepressant medications, SSRIs are commonly prescribed for depression and other mental health conditions.
What is Major Depressive Disorder?
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. 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.
Managing Wellbutrin Withdrawal Symptoms
Whether or not the person took the drug as prescribed, or as a drug of choice for abuse, the risks, barriers, and difficulties of abrupt Wellbutrin withdrawal are well-documented. Gently tapering off Wellbutrin is the safest approach to managing Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms. Cold turkey Wellbutrin withdrawal is NOT recommended, except in the case of a medical emergency, such as seizures presenting while on this antidepressant drug. There are many reasons to NOT quit Wellbutrin cold turkey, as well as trying to quit too suddenly. Do not stop taking Wellbutrin without first speaking to your doctor.
Lengthier use of Wellbutrin will likely produce more intense withdrawal symptoms than short-term consumption. Similarly, higher doses typically lead to a stricter withdrawal process than lower ones. It is because your brain gets more accustomed to the drug’s presence over time.
For this reason, you should work with the doctor who’s prescribing your medication and they can make a plan for you to taper your dosage safely. Like all antidepressants, it offers many potential benefits but doesn’t work for everyone. Unlike the others, however, it carries a much lower risk of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms of Wellbutrin may include excessive perspiration, digestive problems, insomnia, and others that are outlined in this article. Generally, weaning off bupropion takes two to four weeks under medical supervision; however, everyone’s timeline differs based on individual factors.
Stay On The Course of Therapy
Clinicians, family members, and friends can provide the much-needed support you need to go through a Wellbutrin withdrawal. Exercise has been shown to produce chemical substances that help to alleviate symptoms of depression. A great recommendation for exercise is at least 45 minutes a day for at least 3 days a week. When you want to wean a child off breast milk, you don’t just stop breastfeeding one day and start feeding the child solid food. You allow the child some time to adjust to the changing meals and give his body a heads-up about the eventual change that is about to occur. It’s also important to remember recovery from addiction is a personal journey, and the path to recovery can vary for each individual.
Wellbutrin Withdrawal: Overview, Symptoms & Coping
Wellbutrin (bupropion) is a common antidepressant that’s also prescribed for many other conditions such as anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and more. Wellbutrin is thought to treat depression by changing chemicals in the brain. As a result, it can sometimes cause uncomfortable symptoms for a while when you stop taking it. The risk of withdrawal symptoms is higher if you stop taking Wellbutrin cold turkey. When you stop taking an antidepressant cold turkey, your brain doesn’t have time to adjust its chemical balance properly—an unwelcome surprise party if there ever was one. The resulting turmoil is what triggers antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.
How to Prevent Bupropion Withdrawal Symptoms
When you take your Wellbutrin as prescribed, you will develop a dependence on the medication. This isn’t concerning and doesn’t mean you are addicted—it’s simply the body’s natural adaptation to the presence of Wellbutrin. When you abruptly stop taking it, you may experience Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms, also known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.
Still, if you’re thinking of quitting Wellbutrin, talk to your doctor. They can create a gradual tapering schedule in which you slowly wean off the medication, which can reduce symptoms and help your body adjust to lower doses. Wellbutrin, also known as bupropion, is a medication commonly used to treat depression, seasonal affective disorder, and smoking cessation. While it can be an effective treatment for these conditions, stopping the medication abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms and potentially serious complications.
Wellbutrin is often used to treat depression, seasonal affective disorder, and help with smoking cessation. Additionally, it can also be categorized as an off-label medication to treat conditions like ADHD, bipolar disorder, and sexual dysfunction. Although Wellbutrin is most commonly used to treat depressive disorders, some people may misuse it in order to get high. They may abuse bupropion by crushing the pills and snorting the powder, although some people also inject this antidepressant too 5. Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches.
Do not attempt to stop bupropion or any antidepressant drug suddenly, or too quickly. The harsh kickback can cause a person to fail, and continue in the trap of drug dependence and drug addiction. Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms aren’t common, but those who experience them may become agitated and irritable.
Transcend Recovery Community is dedicated to helping individuals in their journey through withdrawal and recovery from addiction. Similar to recovering from any other addiction, overcoming Wellbutrin addiction is entirely possible, albeit it may pose some challenges. With the right treatment and support, one can achieve recovery without too many dire consequences. You live at the detox facility during Wellbutrin withdrawal but there is limited access to medical care. Your doctor may also recommend you switch to a different antidepressant if the reason for your tapering was because of Wellbutrin side effects. As studies consistently show, a combination of psychotherapy and medication works better for depression and anxiety than medication alone.
