Wellbutrin

Wellbutrin was initially developed to improve on the safety and tolerability of existing antidepressants. It is the only antidepressant available with a dual effect on norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) neuro-transmitter systems.

Antidepressants are among the top most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. Some people take them for a few weeks or months, whereas others take them for years. About one in four people on antidepressants have been taking them for 10 or more years. Once they find an antidepressant that works for them, many people continue taking it indefinitely. This is particularly true when the antidepressant causes no significant side effects.

Still, people go on and off antidepressants all the time. Antidepressants are an unusual class of drugs because not every drug works for every person. It takes some people several tries before they find a medication that works for them. You may also be choosing to stop your Wellbutrin dose because you feel stable and ready to live without it. Other reasons for stopping include having successfully quit smoking.

Abrupt cessation of Wellbutrin is unlikely to cause typical withdrawal symptoms, such as cravings, however it can trigger antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, which can result in seizures, severe depression, or impaired thinking.

According to the US government classification of psychiatric medications, bupropion is "non-abusable". However, in animal studies, squirrel monkeys and rats could be induced to self-administer bupropion intravenously, which is often taken as a sign of addiction potential. There have been a number of anecdotal and case-study reports of bupropion abuse, but the bulk of evidence indicates that the subjective effects of bupropion via the oral route are markedly different from those of addictive stimulants. That said, bupropion, via non-conventional routes of administration (e.g., injection, inhalation), is reported to be abused in the United States and Canada, notably in prisons.

Wellbutrin Statistics

Bupropion has been available in the United States since 1989. In 2017 about 25 million Wellbutrin (Bupropion) prescriptions were written.

According to an August 2017 report by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), almost 13 percent of Americans age 12 and older take antidepressants. Also, antidepressants are the most commonly used prescription drug type for adults between ages 20 and 59 (followed by pain medicines and drugs to lower high cholesterol)

Signs and Symptoms of Wellbutrin Withdrawal

Most people do not experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking Wellbutrin. Among those who do, the symptoms range in severity from mild to moderate. However, if you are quitting Wellbutrin and a more common class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), your symptoms may be more severe.

Many people take Wellbutrin as part of an “antidepressant cocktail.” Research has indicated that Wellbutrin may work to boost the effects of other antidepressants. Doctors often prescribe it in conjunction with SSRIs.

Antidepressants affect the levels of certain neurotransmitters in your brain. Neurotransmitters are like your body’s chemical messengers. They help nerve cells communicate and are involved in managing many of the complex functions your body performs, like eating and sleeping. They also play a role in your emotions and moods.

Most of the modern antidepressants out there affect a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Serotonin plays an important role in mood stabilization. Although the exact causes of depression are unknown, doctors believe that low levels of serotonin are a contributing factor.

Antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin, increase your serotonin levels. But when you abruptly stop taking these drugs, it can be a real shock to the system. As the body adjusts to lower serotonin levels, it is not uncommon to experience withdrawal symptoms. Because neurotransmitters play an important role in so many of your body’s systems, withdrawal symptoms can be quite varied. If you are quitting an antidepressant, you may experience:

• Sweating: You may become flushed and sweat excessively, especially in the heat.
• Digestive problems: Serotonin plays a major role in the digestive system, so people often experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite.
• Trouble sleeping: You may have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep. You may also experience unusual dreams or nightmares.
• Neurological effects: You may experience tremors, restless legs, numbness, or difficulty walking.
• Psychological symptoms: You may experience mood swings, agitation, anxiety, mania, or depression.
• Brain zaps: This is a strange phenomenon that feels like a shock to your head. It is also described as a brain shake or shiver.

Wellbutrin is an NDRI and works differently than other antidepressants because it affects the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline. Unless you are also withdrawing from an SSRI, it is unlikely that you will experience any of the serotonin-related symptoms described above.

There are very few published cases of Wellbutrin withdrawal in the scientific literature. However, according to Dr. Joseph Glenmullen, author of The Antidepressant Solution, irritability is a common symptom. In Glenmullen’s experience, patients quitting Wellbutrin often resemble patients quitting smoking. This includes a state of extreme agitation as well as uncharacteristically hostile, rude, or aggressive behavior.

If you were using Wellbutrin to quit smoking, it is also possible that your nicotine cravings may return when you stop taking the drug. Fortunately, these cravings should be mild compared to what you have experienced in the past.

Effects of Wellbutrin Withdrawal

If you have a mental illness like depression or bipolar disorder, it is important to stay in contact with a doctor or therapist whenever you adjust your medications. Talking to a therapist can help you cope with challenges such as mood swings, agitation, and feelings of hopelessness.

If you were taking Wellbutrin to quit smoking, you may want to keep a nicotine patch or some nicotine gum on hand. This will help reduce potential nicotine cravings and any associated agitation.

Warnings

Although Wellbutrin isn’t typically associated with withdrawal symptoms, like all antidepressants, it does come with a serious FDA warning about its association with suicidal ideation in children, teens, and young adults. Particular caution should be used when altering your dose.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

Suicidal feelings are more common among children and young adults age 24 and under, but they can happen to anyone. Seek emergency medical care if you are experiencing:

• Thoughts of harming or killing yourself
• Thoughts about how you would kill yourself
• Severe restlessness or abnormal excitement
• Frenzied behavior
• Acting without thinking
• Extreme worry or agitation
• Panic attacks
• The risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is small, but it does happen to some people.

Before you stop taking Wellbutrin, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. If you decide to stop your dose, a short taper may be the best way to go.

Wellbutrin Cessation Treatment

The safest way to stop taking antidepressants is to slowly taper down your dose. Wellbutrin tapering schedules are usually fairly short. Working with your doctor, you can make a schedule to incrementally reduce your dose over the course of one or two weeks.

After your Wellbutrin taper, any long-term treatment will be directed towards treating the condition that led you to take Wellbutrin in the first place. If you are struggling with depression, your doctor may want to switch you to an SSRI that you haven’t tried before or suggest other options. It can take several tries before you find the right medication or combination of medications.

Depression is a complex disease that requires a multi-pronged treatment approach. Medication can only do so much on its own. Psychotherapy may be an important part of your recovery from depression.

Scientific research has concluded that a combination of psychotherapy and medication works better for depression and anxiety than medication alone.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a long-term process in which you work to better understand yourself. You will explore the reasons why you do the things you do and feel the way you feel. Together with a qualified therapist, you will learn how to work towards the life you want by reforming the unhealthy patterns standing in your way.

Wellbutrin cessation should be approached in holistic manner including intensive therapy, behavioral therapies and support that leading rehab centers provide. If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, even if you believe the problem is under control, call us right now at 855-706-9275. Our helpline representatives can answer your questions and provide you with tips for immediate treatment options at the appropriate recovery center in your area.