Author: James Anderson
Wellbutrin Uses, Dosage & Side Effects
These include epilepsy drugs, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. Also, tell them if you’ve recently stopped drinking alcohol. Stopping taking these medications or using alcohol suddenly can increase your risk of seizures with Wellbutrin.
To learn more about Wellbutrin and SSRIs, talk with a doctor or pharmacist. To learn more about how Wellbutrin compares with Lexapro and Zoloft, talk with a doctor or pharmacist. In the past, Wellbutrin was available in an immediate-release (IR) form. (IR means the full dose of the drug is released into your body all at once.) However, the IR form of Wellbutrin is no longer available.
Serious side effects
However, it is unknown whether the drug may cause side effects in a breastfed child. The symptoms of SAD are the same as those for depression. You may wonder if you can drink alcohol while taking Wellbutrin.
The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has passed the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it. If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.
Both forms of Wellbutrin are long-acting and release their active drug slowly into your body over time. Psychiatric/medical checkups or tests such as blood pressure monitoring may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
Why is this medication prescribed?
For more information about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article. If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Wellbutrin, contact your insurance company. As with all medications, the cost of Wellbutrin can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.
- For information about these interactions, see the “Wellbutrin precautions” section below.
- If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks.
- These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- If you have questions about taking Wellbutrin with other drugs, talk with a doctor or pharmacist.
- Bupropion and its metabolites exhibit linear kinetics following chronic administration of 300 to 450 mg per day.
Be sure to keep all appointments or office visits with your doctor. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. This medicine can cause you to have a false positive drug screening test.
Important considerations for taking bupropion
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. This drug may make you dizzy or affect your coordination. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or affect your coordination. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
If you have a mental health condition, your doctor can recommend whether it’s safe to take Wellbutrin. This risk should be considered and compared with the potential benefit in the treatment of depression, in deciding whether a child or teenager should take an antidepressant. It belongs to a drug class called norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements. This medicine may cause a change in your appetite or weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight on a regular basis.
You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
What is bupropion?
If any of these effects last or get worse, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Medication Guide available from your pharmacist before you start using bupropion and each time you get a refill. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients.
The manufacturer directs not to crush, cut, or chew the tablet before taking it. However, many similar drugs (immediate-release tablets) can be crushed, cut, or chewed. Follow your doctor’s directions on how to take this medication.
Anxiety is a mental health condition that may cause excessive worry or fear about everyday situations. Its symptoms often overlap with another condition called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). If you have bothersome thoughts that interfere with everyday life, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether you may have anxiety, OCD, or another mental health condition. Do not start taking bupropion during the 2 weeks after you stop a MAO inhibitor.