If you’ve been taking Wellbutrin for an extended period of time, you may find it difficult to stop. Though the withdrawal symptoms from Wellbutrin can be challenging, there are steps you can take to end your use with minimal distress.
What Is Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin is a prescription medication that is approved by the FDA to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It is also authorized for use in smoking cessation programs.
Doctors in the U.S. have also prescribed Wellbutrin on an off-label basis to treat depression that results from bipolar disorder, sexual dysfunction caused by other antidepressants, obesity, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The medication is taken orally as a tablet. It is available in sustained release (Wellbutrin SR) and extended release (Wellbutrin XL) forms.
How It Works
The primary active ingredient in Wellbutrin is bupropion, which is categorized as an atypical antidepressant. Other FDA-approved atypical antidepressants include mirtazapine (which is sold in the U.S. as Remeron), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd).
Bupropion interacts with receptors in the central nervous system that are responsible for reabsorbing two chemical messengers:
- Dopamine, which influences a range of functions, including mood, motivation, pleasure, and arousal
- Norepinephrine, which is involved with mood, arousal, the sleep/wake cycle, and the body’s “fight or flight” response
These chemicals deliver their messages by crossing synapses, which are the small gaps that separate nerve cells. Usually, once they have accomplished their task, they are reabsorbed and stored for future use.
Bupropion blocks this reabsorption, which causes a buildup of dopamine and norepinephrine in synapses throughout the central nervous system. This has the effect of amplifying their messages.
For people who naturally have insufficient dopamine or norepinephrine levels, Wellbutrin use can lead to improvements such as elevated mood, greater motivation, better sleep patterns, and increased energy.
Though Wellbutrin is not commonly thought of as a recreational drug, some people abuse the drug by crushing tablets and snorting them in order to get a sudden boost in mood and burst of energy.
Side Effects
Virtually every prescription medication poses a risk of adverse effects, or side effects. The more common negative outcomes that have been linked with Wellbutrin use include:
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Tremors
Less common, but more harmful, potential side effects of Wellbutrin include:
- Higher blood pressure
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Irritability and aggression
- Seizure
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
If you use Wellbutrin as directed by the physician who prescribed it, the medication can be safe and effective. Misusing the drug, which can include taking in more frequently or in a greater amount than directed, can increase your risk of these adverse effects.
Wellbutrin abuse can also lead to dependence, or addiction.
Addiction Warning Signs
If you suspect that someone in your life has developed an addiction to Wellbutrin, keep an eye out for warning signs such as:
- Trying to buy, borrow, or steal Wellbutrin that was prescribed to someone else
- Lying to friends and family about the amount and frequency of their Wellbutrin use
- Becoming agitated or irritated when they can’t acquire or use the medication
- Exaggerating their symptoms and visiting multiple doctors in an attempt to get additional prescriptions for Wellbutrin
- Using Wellbutrin in ways that are particularly dangerous, such as combining it with alcohol or other recreational substances
- Needing to use larger amounts of Wellbutrin to achieve the effects they could previously attain with smaller doses
- Developing withdrawal symptoms from Wellbutrin when they try to stop using it
Withdrawal Symptoms From Wellbutrin
When you develop an addiction to a substance, then abruptly stop using that substance, your body may react with a variety of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.
Potential withdrawal symptoms from Wellbutrin include:
- Intense cravings
- Headaches
- “Brain zaps,” which feel like brief electrical charges
- Lightheadedness
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea
- Muscle cramps
- Body aches
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms aren’t nearly as distressing as what you might experience if you were withdrawing from alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. But these symptoms can still be disconcerting, and the knowledge that you can make them go away by using the medication again can overwhelm your desire to stop taking the drug.
How to Minimize Wellbutrin Withdrawal Symptoms
The best way to minimize Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms is to consult with your doctor before making any changes. It is never a good idea to stop or alter your use of a prescription med like Wellbutrin without speaking to the person who prescribed it to you first.
Your doctor can set up a plan to slowly decrease your Wellbutrin use. This will take a few weeks, but it will allow your body to gradually adjust to the diminished presence of this medication. By the time you’ve reached the point at which you’re no longer taking Wellbutrin, your body will have adapted and you’ll be unlikely to experience any substantial distress.
If you have been using Wellbutrin without a prescription, either as an attempt to self-medicate or for recreational purposes, you may benefit from enrolling in a detox program.
While you’re in detox, you can receive medical and therapeutic support as necessary to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms. Once you’ve successfully completed detox, you can enter a residential or outpatient program to address your dependence on Wellbutrin as well as any co-occurring mental health concerns.
Find Wellbutrin Addiction Treatment in the San Francisco Area
Live Oaks offers a full continuum of care for adults who have become dependent on Wellbutrin and other prescription medications. We also serve patients whose struggles with addiction are accompanied by anxiety, depression, or other co-occurring mental health conditions.
Treatment options at our rehab near San Francisco include detox, residential care, and outpatient programming. We’ll work closely with you to determine which programs and services will best address your unique needs. Then, we’ll develop a customized plan to help you achieve improved mental health and successful recovery.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
