Why is wellbutrin prescribed

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health. Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm. Causes anxiety Treats anxiety Indications Risks Benefits Bottom line Wellbutrin is an antidepressant medication that has several on- and off-label uses. Does Wellbutrin cause anxiety?

Will Wellbutrin help anxiety? What is Wellbutrin, and why is it prescribed? What are the side effects of Wellbutrin? What are the benefits of taking Wellbutrin? The bottom line. Read this next. The 4 Worst Foods for Your Anxiety. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. It is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor NDRI. An NDRI boosts levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, and dopamine.

As well as being an antidepressant, bupropion is an antagonist at nicotinic receptors. This means that it blocks receptors where nicotine normally binds, making it useful in smoking cessation.

Wellbutrin is taken by mouth as a milligram mg tablet, a mg tablet, or a mg extended release XR tablet. The mg XR tablet is more popular.

A person who is using the mg SR tablet will take one tablet twice a day. No single dose should exceed mg, and the daily dose should not exceed mg.

The tablet should be taken in the morning and, in the case of the XR tablet, swallowed whole. Breaking or chewing an XR tablet increases the risk of an overdose, and possibly seizures. Wellbutrin has been trialed for use in ADHD , weight loss, and bipolar depression, but, so far, significant evidence only supports depression and smoking cessation.

Wellbutrin has been found to be at least as effective as other popularly prescribed antidepressant medication. There is also less chance of weight gain, sleepiness, and sexual dysfunction than with other forms of treatment. It may even work actively against sexual dysfunction resulting from previous antidepressant use.

It can take weeks or months for Wellbutrin to relieve the symptoms of depression. There is no fixed length of time for using it, but the patient may be advised to continue taking it, even when they feel better, to prevent the symptoms from recurring. Patients with major depressive disorder who do not respond fully to SSRIs are sometimes prescribed Wellbutrin as an additional medication. Bupropion has been found to significantly reduce nicotine cravings.

A course of treatment normally takes 7 to 12 weeks, but by day 10, the individual has often stopped smoking. A person who wants to stop smoking may be prescribed a mg tablet of Zyban, or possibly Chantix, twice a day. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital.

It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available. Bupropion pronounced as byoo proe' pee on.

Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. For people taking bupropion Wellbutrin for depression: A small number of children, teenagers, and young adults up to 24 years of age who took antidepressants 'mood elevators' such as bupropion during clinical studies became suicidal thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so.

For all patients taking bupropion: Your health care provider will want to see you often while you are taking bupropion, especially at the beginning of your treatment.

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking bupropion. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of bupropion and gradually increase your dose. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking bupropion, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bupropion, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in bupropion tablets.

Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take bupropion. You could receive too much medication and experience severe side effects.

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Also tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol but expect to suddenly stop drinking or you take sedatives but expect to suddenly stop taking them. If you become pregnant while taking bupropion, call your doctor. Create a personalised content profile.

Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Wellbutrin bupropion is an antidepressant that treats a number of conditions.

It comes as an immediate-release, sustained-release, or extended-release tablet that is taken orally. One factor that makes Wellbutrin especially unique among antidepressants is that it doesn't tend to affect your libido and sexual function.

In fact, it's often prescribed along with other antidepressants to help counter the sexual side effects , like loss of desire, found in other types. Additionally, another brand of bupropion the active ingredient in Wellbutrin called Zyban is used to help people quit smoking.

Other off-label uses sometimes include treatment for social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD , and even some forms of nerve pain. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and current health status to determine if Wellbutrin is right for you. Your doctor may not prescribe this drug if you have certain health conditions.

It's not clear whether Wellbutrin is safe to take during pregnancy. In animal studies, there has been some evidence of adverse effects on the fetus, but we don't yet have enough data about its effect on humans. The potential benefits of continuing Wellbutrin during pregnancy may outweigh the possible risks, but this should be discussed closely with your doctor.

Wellbutrin can be present in breastmilk, so caution should be used by people who are breastfeeding. If you are lactating, your doctor can help you weigh your options. Because older adults may have reduced kidney function, they may require smaller doses since the drug remains in the body longer. Among antidepressants, bupropion is in a category all its own—it's the only medication in its class, called norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors NDRIs , that boosts the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine.