Wellbutrin

Pronunciation: bue-PROE-pee-on
Generic Name: Bupropion
Brand Name: Wellbutrin

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using Wellbutrin outweigh the risks.

Wellbutrin contains the same ingredient that is in Zyban, a medicine used to help certain patients stop smoking. Some patients using bupropion to help them stop smoking have also developed depression and certain other mental or mood problems, including suicidal thoughts or actions.

Family and caregivers must closely watch patients who take Wellbutrin. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as agitation, hostility, depressed mood, or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor.

Wellbutrin is used for:

Treating depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant. It works in the brain to treat depression. Exactly how it works is not known.

Do NOT use Wellbutrin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Wellbutrin


• you are taking any other medicine that contains bupropion


• you have a history of an eating disorder (eg, anorexia, bulimia) or seizures (eg, epilepsy)


• you are suddenly stopping the use of alcohol or sedatives (eg, benzodiazepines) after long-term use


• you are taking or have taken linezolid, methylene blue, or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Video: Treatment for Depression

Treatments for depression are getting better everyday and there are things you can start doing right away.

Before using Wellbutrin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Wellbutrin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you or a family member has a history of bipolar disorder (manic depression), other mental or mood problems (eg, depression), suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or substance abuse


• if you have diabetes, kidney problems, liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), high blood pressure, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), or a recent heart attack


• if you have a history of seizures, a head injury, or a tumor in the brain or spinal cord


• if you are taking nonprescription weight loss medicines or stimulants

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Wellbutrin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Amantadine, other antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline, fluvoxamine), antipsychotics (eg, haloperidol, risperidone), clopidogrel, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), cyclophosphamide, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, nelfinavir), insulin, levodopa, linezolid, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), methylene blue, nicotine patches, oral hypoglycemics (eg, glipizide), orphenadrine, sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), theophylline, thiotepa, tiagabine, or ticlopidine because they may increase the risk of Wellbutrin's side effects


• Carbamazepine, efavirenz, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, or ritonavir because they may decrease Wellbutrin's effectiveness


• Antiarrhythmics (eg, flecainide, propafenone), beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, nortriptyline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Wellbutrin


• Tamoxifen because its effectiveness may be decreased by Wellbutrin, which may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence in women with a history of breast cancer

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Wellbutrin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Wellbutrin:

Use Wellbutrin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Wellbutrin comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Wellbutrin refilled.


• Take Wellbutrin by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.


• Several weeks may pass before your symptoms improve. Do not stop taking Wellbutrin without checking with your doctor.


• Take your doses at the same times each day, at least 6 hours apart unless directed otherwise by your doctor. This may help to decrease the risk of seizures with Wellbutrin.


• Continue to take Wellbutrin even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Wellbutrin, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than 1 dose within 6 hours. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Wellbutrin.

Important safety information:

• Wellbutrin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Wellbutrin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are taking Wellbutrin; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Wellbutrin may increase your risk of seizures. Your risk may be greater if you also have certain medical conditions, use certain medicines, or if you use a lot of alcohol. Talk to your doctor to see if you may have a greater risk of seizures while taking Wellbutrin.


• If you already drink alcohol or use sedatives, do not suddenly stop them without first checking with your doctor. Suddenly stopping them may increase your seizure risk.


• Do not take decongestants (eg, pseudoephedrine), stimulants, or diet pills while you are taking Wellbutrin without first checking with your doctor. They may increase your risk of seizures.


• The risk of seizures may be greater if you take Wellbutrin in high doses or for a long time. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use Wellbutrin for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Wellbutrin may be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Wellbutrin closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.


• If you have trouble sleeping, you may be taking your dose too close to bedtime. Talk with your doctor about changing your dosing schedule.


• Wellbutrin contains the same ingredients as Zyban, a medicine used to help stop smoking, and Aplenzin, another medicine used to treat depression. Do not take Wellbutrin if you are also taking Zyban or Aplenzin. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• Wellbutrin may interfere with certain lab tests, including urine screenings for amphetamines. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Wellbutrin.


• Use Wellbutrin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Wellbutrin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Wellbutrin while you are pregnant. Wellbutrin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Wellbutrin.

Possible side effects of Wellbutrin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Changes in appetite; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased sweating; nausea; nervousness; restlessness; taste changes; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight changes.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, unusual hoarseness); blurred vision or other vision changes; changes in sexual desire or ability; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; delusions; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; hearing problems; menstrual changes; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, concentration problems, depression, panic attacks, aggressiveness, agitation, anxiety, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, inability to sit still); pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent joint or muscle pain; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; severe or persistent nervousness, restlessness, or trouble sleeping; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; unusual swelling; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Wellbutrin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chest pain; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; loss of consciousness; rigid or painful muscles; seizures; severe dizziness; slow or difficult breathing.

Proper storage of Wellbutrin:

Store Wellbutrin at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C), in a tight, light-resistant container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Wellbutrin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Wellbutrin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Wellbutrin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Wellbutrin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Wellbutrin resources

• Wellbutrin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Wellbutrin Dosage
• Wellbutrin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Wellbutrin Drug Interactions
• Wellbutrin Support Group
• 128 Reviews for Wellbutrin - Add your own review/rating

• Wellbutrin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Wellbutrin Prescribing Information (FDA)


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• Wellbutrin SR Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Wellbutrin XL Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Zyban Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Zyban Consumer Overview

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