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Will Wellbutrin® make me gain weight?

By

Editorial Team

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March 14, 2025

Woman reading medication instructions for Wellbutrin® (bupropion), focusing on understanding its potential effects on weight and how lifestyle choices can support weight management while on the medication.

Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP

Summary:

  • Wellbutrin® has been linked to slight weight loss in individuals with a higher BMI, likely due to its effect on dopamine and norepinephrine pathways that regulate appetite and eating habits. However, weight changes vary among individuals.
  • Weight gain may occur when Wellbutrin® is combined with other antidepressants (such as aripiprazole) or when using sustained-release and extended-release forms.
  • Using Wellbutrin as a smoking cessation aid may lead to weight gain due to changes in your metabolism. 
  • A balanced approach that includes regular exercise, a Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole foods, and mindful eating can help manage weight while on Wellbutrin®.
  • Tracking food intake and portion sizes can also be beneficial, along with consulting a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Wellbutrin®, part of the NDRI class of antidepressants, has been proven to help treat depression and seasonal affective disorder. It may also be prescribed as an aid to quit smoking. While some antidepressants are known for causing weight gain, medications have different effects and you may be curious to learn if the same is true for Wellbutrin®.

Take charge of your well-being with support from Lemonaid Health. We offer personalized guidance on your healthcare journey, helping you understand the potential side effects of medications like Wellbutrin® and how to weigh the risks with the benefits. Read on to learn practical tips for managing any weight changes that could occur if this medication is prescribed to you.

Wellbutrin®: How it works & what to expect

Wellbutrin® is a branded form of bupropion. As an NDRI class of antidepressant, it helps keep the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine active in your brain by stopping them from being reabsorbed too quickly. Norepinephrine helps with cognitive function, and dopamine regulates mood and the reward center of your brain.

Bupropion has been a mainstay in the treatment of depression for over 20 years. In studies, bupropion reduced the depression scores of nearly all participants, with even stronger results when used in conjunction with other antidepressants.

Side effects

Wellbutrin® may cause side effects such as high blood pressure, fast heart rate, insomnia, headaches, and tremors. Some users also report dry mouth, nausea, constipation, and blurred vision. 

 Severe side effects such as a lowered seizure threshold and worsening suicidal ideation have also been noted. If you or anyone you know are at risk, contact 911 or your healthcare provider immediately.

While not everyone experiences these effects, it’s important to monitor any changes and consult a healthcare provider if needed.

Learn more: Bupropion (Wellbutrin®): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, & More

How Wellbutrin® may cause weight changes

Dopamine, responsible for the reward system in your brain, also plays a key role in controlling your eating habits. Not only does it regulate hunger and the body’s need for food (the balance system), it also contributes to the pleasure of eating. Since Wellbutrin® can cause your dopamine levels to increase, it’s possible that taking it could increase your enjoyment of food, especially after a bout of depression.

Studies have shown that Wellbutrin® has a limited effect on weight in people at a healthy weight. However, it may actually lead to slight weight loss in those with a higher BMI.

While the exact reason is unknown, it has also helped nondepressed people with obesity lose weight. This may be linked to how Wellbutrin® affects key pathways in your brain, which help determine your appetite, feelings of fullness, and eating habits.

What factors contribute to weight gain on Wellbutrin® 

Taking Wellbutrin® alongside other antidepressants

Weight gain has been observed in instances where Wellbutrin® is prescribed with certain other antidepressants. In a 52-week study, people taking bupropion plus the antidepressant aripiprazole gained an average of just over 6 pounds, compared with just over 5 pounds in those taking an SSRI/SNRI with aripiprazole.

Taking certain forms of Wellbutrin®

Wellbutrin® comes in several different forms, and some of these have been linked to weight gain over time. Trials using a sustained-release and extended-release form of bupropion saw weight gain of more than 5 pounds.

  • Sustained-release: On a dosage of 300 mg/day, 3% of trial participants noticed weight gain of more than 5 pounds. On 400 mg/day, 2% of participants noticed weight gain of more than 5 pounds.
  • Extended-release: Of those using the extended-release form on bupropion, 11% had a weight increase of more than 5 pounds.

Lifestyle factors

Some people take Wellbutrin® as a medication to help them stop smoking, but a side effect from nicotine withdrawal is weight gain. The nicotine in cigarettes boosts metabolism, increasing the number of calories your body burns at rest by about 7% to 15%. When you stop smoking, your metabolism may slow down, causing your body to use fewer calories.

Maintaining your weight while on Wellbutrin®

Certain lifestyle choices may be useful for maintaining your weight while on Wellbutrin®. These include diet, exercise, and some mindfulness techniques. Some of these can also have positive effects on your mental health, which may complement your medication’s effectiveness.

Exercise 

Exercising while taking Wellbutrin can help prevent weight gain by boosting metabolism and supporting your overall well-being. 

Along with the physical benefits, consistent exercise also enhances mood and energy, complementing the Wellbutrin’s effects. Even one single session of aerobic activity can improve mental wellness.

Diet

A well-rounded diet is essential to maintaining a healthy weight for your body type. Along with physical activity, balancing your calorie intake can help counter any unwanted weight gain. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean proteins are part of a healthy eating pattern. 

It’s also been shown that following a Mediterranean-style diet can have a small to moderate positive effect on your mood. In addition to the above, this diet also celebrates beans and nuts. 

Try to include these foods in your meals as often as possible while limiting processed foods, refined grains, sugar, and artificial additives.

Food tracking & monitoring 

Pre-planning meals and paying attention to portion sizes can help you maintain a healthy body weight—and it might also help to look at the proportions of energy-dense foods in your diet.

Opt for satisfying portions by choosing foods that are lower in calories but higher in volume, like fruits and vegetables, while eating smaller amounts of high-calorie foods. If you notice any changes in your eating habits, check in with your healthcare provider.

Related: The role of nutrition in medical weight loss programs

Weigh the benefits of a better mood against the potential for weight gain

Wellbutrin® can be a powerful tool for managing depression and mood disorders, and has been shown to be a well-tolerated antidepressant. When exploring treatment options, you need to weigh the benefits of better mental health against any possible drawbacks.

Wellbutrin has been proven effective in treating a spectrum of mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. It also has long been prescribed as an aid to stop smoking. And while it may cause changes to body weight in some people who take it, there are ways to manage this with a healthcare provider’s help.

Lemonaid Health can connect you to U.S.-based healthcare practitioners who can answer your questions about Wellbutrin® and other medications. We can also help you create a personalized plan to treat anxiety or depression, which may include appropriate medication in clinically indicated cases. Get started today and learn more about how to make healthy progress towards your mental health goals.

Wellbutrin® is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline LLC.

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By

Editorial Team

|

March 14, 2025

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.

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