Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM
Summary
- Bupropion, marketed as Wellbutrin®, is an FDA-approved antidepressant medication that is used for depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and smoking cessation.
- Bupropion works by blocking the reabsorption of two brain chemicals (norepinephrine and dopamine) after they’re produced in your brain, helping to restore balance.
- Side effects can range from drowsiness, dry mouth, and nausea, to more serious symptoms like seizures, confusion, and swelling of the face. Report any severe or persistent side effects to your healthcare provider.
- Choosing to take an antidepressant medication like bupropion can be an effective treatment, but it’s critical to talk to your healthcare provider about any questions or concerns before you get started.
- Take bupropion exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
An FDA-approved medication for depressive mental health disorders
If you’re thinking about taking a medication for depression, you may be considering bupropion, which is marketed under the brand name Wellbutrin®. Bupropion is commonly prescribed to treat mental health conditions, such as depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and to help people stop smoking.
Taking the right medication for depression can be an effective step in treating depression and feeling better, but it’s important to learn about your options so you can make informed choices. In this article, you’ll find more information about bupropion, including how it works in the body, its uses, benefits, and potential side effects.
Use this information alongside the advice of your healthcare provider to decide which mediation to use for your treatment.
How bupropion works
Bupropion is a commonly prescribed FDA-approved antidepressant. It falls into a category of medications called NDRIs (norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors), which block the reabsorption of two brain chemicals (norepinephrine and dopamine) after they’re produced in your brain. This can help to balance your mood by regulating certain types of brain activity.
This also makes bupropion different from many other antidepressants, since it doesn’t affect your serotonin levels or directly interact with certain brain receptors in the same ways.
Norepinephrine is an important neurotransmitter in the brain. When you have higher levels of it, you may find it easier to regulate arousal, attention, cognitive function, and stress. It also functions as part of the sympathetic nervous system in the “fight or flight” response.
Dopamine also plays an essential role in daily life functions. This hormone and its receptors affect movement, emotions, and the reward system in the brain. Higher levels are often associated with better memory, impulse control, and other important functions.
The benefits of Bupropion
Bupropion can be an effective antidepressant for a broad spectrum of depressive conditions. This medication is FDA-approved for the following uses:
- Adult depression
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Helping people stop smoking
But bupropion has other potential advantages as well. Some research suggests that it may have fewer side effects than other common antidepressants, that it may be safer for use in elderly patients with depression, and that it can be used with SSRIs to increase their effectiveness when clinically appropriate.
Potential side effects of bupropion
Like other medications, bupropion may cause side effects, ranging from milder and more common to rare and potentially serious. It’s critical to be aware of these and discuss them with your healthcare provider before seeking a prescription for bupropion and using it for the first time.
Common side effects
Some of the more commonly reported side effects of bupropion are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if these side effects become persistent or interfere with your daily life:
- Drowsiness
- Anxiety
- Excitement
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Tremors or shaking in a body part
- Weight loss or losing your appetite
- Constipation
- Excessive sweating
- Ringing in the ears
- Changes to your sense of taste
- Needing to urinate more often than usual
- Sore throat
Severe side effects
Some of the more serious side effects of bupropion are listed below. Call your healthcare provider immediately or get emergency medical treatment if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Seeing or hearing hallucinations
- Irrational fears
- Muscle or joint pain
- Rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Fever
- Rash or blisters
- Itching
- Hives
- Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Chest pain
It’s important to note that serious side effects of bupropion are relatively rare—the side effects you’re most likely to experience are headaches, dry mouth, and nausea, all of which are relatively mild. But it’s still important to make sure you understand the risks before taking this medication or any other antidepressant.
Who should not take bupropion?
Bupropion can be effective for many people, but it may not be right for you. Before taking bupropion, talk to your healthcare provider about whether any of the following conditions might make taking this medication inappropriate.
- You are allergic to bupropion, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in bupropion tablets.
- You’ve had seizures or an eating disorder.
- You drink large amounts of alcohol, use street drugs, or overuse prescription medications.
- If you have ever had a heart attack; a head injury; a tumor in your brain or spine; high blood pressure; diabetes; or liver, kidney, or heart disease.
- You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking bupropion, call your doctor.
Tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. It is important to keep a written list of these medications to bring with you to appointments or if you are admitted to a hospital.
Dosage and administration guidelines
If you decide to take bupropion, there are some important guidelines to keep in mind.
How to take bupropion
Bupropion comes as a tablet that you take by mouth. Your healthcare provider will probably start you on a low dose and gradually increase it.
When to take bupropion
The regular tablet (Wellbutrin®) is usually taken three times a day, with doses at least six hours apart, or four times a day, with doses at least four hours apart.
If you are taking bupropion, your healthcare provider will want to see you often, especially when you first start treatment. Make sure you keep all appointments with your healthcare provider.
Additional considerations
Here are some additional things to keep in mind while taking bupropion:
- Take this medication at around the same time(s) every day.
- Take bupropion with food if it upsets your stomach.
- Don’t take this medication close to bedtime if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully
,and ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions. - Take bupropion exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Bupropion & online treatment with Lemonaid Health
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in America. Choosing to take an antidepressant medication like bupropion can be an effective treatment avenue.
But before you start taking any new medication, it’s vital to talk to your healthcare provider about how it works, how to take it correctly, and any potential risks and side effects. This will ensure you use it responsibly and set yourself up for successful treatment.
Lemonaid Health can help. Our team of US-based medical practitioners can consult with you discretely online and work with you month by month to create a treatment plan for depression that works for your unique needs.
FAQ
How quickly can I expect results from taking bupropion?
It may take four weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of bupropion.
Can I drink alcohol while taking bupropion?
Talk to your healthcare provider about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking bupropion. Alcohol can make the side effects of this medication worse.
Wellbutrin® is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline LLC.
