Here’s what may happen and why it’s essential to talk with a healthcare professional first. Are you unraveling the mystery of Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms and timeline? You’ve learned how Wellbutrin works, why stopping can lead to a Wellbutrin withdrawal timeline here, and what signs may pop up. When you discontinue Wellbutrin, your body may experience unexpected reactions due to the adjustment of not having the medication. Research for other antidepressants indicates that lowering the dosage every 4 weeks may be a safe strategy to minimize the risk of withdrawal and rebound symptoms.
Some individuals might try and get “high” from it, as Wellbutrin addiction can develop relatively easily. This altered state of consciousness is not medically recommended and should be generally avoided. As a leader in the sober living community, Transcend Recovery Community aims to shed light on this issue and help those suffering from Wellbutrin withdrawal. If you are in need of support regarding withdrawal and recovery assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Factors Influencing Withdrawal Severity and Duration
Stopping medication without a way forward can also lead to long-term patterns of treatment noncompliance, making it harder for doctors to find an effective long-term strategy. Regular exercise, even brisk walking or yoga, can alleviate some physical symptoms and boost mood by triggering endorphin release. Keep yourself hydrated by having a container of water close at all times to stop your symptoms from worsening due to dehydration.
This Is How Caffeine and Antidepressants Interact
But the gist is that your risk of relapse or recurrence—symptoms returning or worsening when you stop medication—goes down the longer you’ve been stable. Either way, it’s a valid question that’s worth discussing—and probably doesn’t come up enough. “There are times where physicians won’t bring it up, and there are other times that maybe patients are nervous to,” Dustin Z. DeYoung, MD a psychiatrist at UCLA Health, tells SELF. “It really is a shared decision between you and your physician,” Dr. DeYoung says.
- In this article, we will explainwhat Wellbutrin withdrawal is, what symptoms you may experience, and how tostop taking it safely.
- Use a nicotine patch or gum if you were using Wellbutrin to quit smoking.
- It entails a range of emotional, mental, and physical symptoms that can significantly disrupt a person’s daily life.
- Another form of Wellbutrin abuse is taking it for purposes other than prescribed.
How does Wellbutrin (bupropion) work?
If you have become addicted in either case, withdrawal symptoms will follow. These side effects can be unpleasant and overwhelming, but when it comes to Wellbutrin, withdrawal symptoms are generally not fatal. When a person suddenly stops using Wellbutrin without tapering off, a person may experience rebound depression – their symptoms come back. If you have been taking Wellbutrin for a long time, chances are you have become used to it, if not medically addicted.
You’ll learn about how Wellbutrin works and why just stopping the medication can lead to bupropion withdrawal symptoms. Our offerings include medical detox, support groups, access to healthcare professionals, counseling, and behavioral therapy, ensuring we provide a complete spectrum of support. Furthermore, mixing Wellbutrin with other antidepressant medications, especially those that influence serotonin levels, can be dangerous as it raises the risk of serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening condition characterized by symptoms such as confusion, agitation, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and elevated body temperature. It is crucial to avoid combining Wellbutrin with such medications to prevent this serious and potentially fatal condition. There are also various resources available to help aid in recovery as well.
Potential long-term effects
- Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin should never be stopped cold turkey.
- Unfortunately, this can sometimes become a prominent cause of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome or Wellbutrin withdrawal.
- Additionally, excessive intake of Wellbutrin can adversely affect the cardiovascular system and lead to physical and psychological disturbances.
- In the third and fourth weeks after the last dose of Wellbutrin, a person may still see a few spells of depression.
- When the threshold for Wellbutrin increases, a higher dose may be required for the consumer to feel the same effect of the drug as when they first consumed it.
Both substances impact the central nervous system, and their combination increases the risk of seizures, dizziness, impaired coordination, and other adverse effects. It is highly advisable to avoid alcohol while taking Wellbutrin to ensure your safety and well-being. You live at home and attend detox treatment sessions at a clinic for up to 30 hours per week, depending on the specific program.
Before taking the drug, patients should be made aware of possible side effects and closely watched for signs of misuse, abuse, or addiction when the drug is taken regularly. When someone suffers from depression, they often have a deficiency in the norepinephrine and dopamine chemicals in the brain. It helps increase the volumes of these two chemicals and lets them remain in the brain for an extended period. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics offers surveys that show prescription medication-related misuse statistics. They indicate that more than 2 million people nationwide are addicted to the prescription drugs they abuse. In addition, prescription drugs are the 5th on the list of most misused substances, after alcohol and tobacco.
Common Bupropion Withdrawal Symptoms
Wellbutrin is often used to treat depression, seasonal affective disorder, and help with smoking cessation. Additionally, it can also be categorized as an off-label medication to treat conditions like ADHD, bipolar disorder, and sexual dysfunction. How long will you have symptoms from Wellbutrin withdrawal, if you have them at all? The timeline largely depends on the half-life of this antidepressant medication. One to three days after the last dose of Wellbutrin, there can be a risk of seizures, can you stop taking bupropion suddenly emotional and mental breakdowns, irrational thoughts, flu-like signs and symptoms, and mood swings.
Most people won’t have too much trouble with withdrawal either, so most people can simply lower their dose by one-pill steps to zero. A doctor can guide you on whether to stop suddenly or graduallyreduce the dose. If you have health insurance, another way to find a therapist is to search your insurance plan’s website. Typically, insurance companies have a list of local providers who accept your insurance. As studies consistently show, a combination of psychotherapy and medication works better for depression and anxiety than medication alone.
The withdrawal journey from Wellbutrin doesn’t end right after the acute phase. There’s more to it, which includes rebound symptoms and post-acute withdrawal. The drug works by altering the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain.
Unfortunately, this can sometimes become a prominent cause of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome or Wellbutrin withdrawal. Sometimes, a doctor may prescribe a different dosage or an alternative medication, which can make treatment more tolerable. The key is to approach these decisions together rather than making changes on your own. Another concern is that if you restart the medication later, the treatment may not work as effectively as it did before. The body can respond differently to medications after a period of discontinuation, making treatment more complicated.
These symptoms can feel overwhelming and may mimic the symptoms of a mood episode, making it hard to tell whether it is a result of withdrawal or a relapse. One of the most important parts of this treatment is medication, which helps stabilize mood and reduce the risk of manic or depressive episodes. If you or someone you know struggles with an addiction, help is available at Synergy Sobriety Solutions in Palm Beach, Florida.
It’s a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), which influences certain chemicals in the brain. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. How many months of recovery from depression you should have under your belt before even considering weaning off isn’t clear-cut. The studies are a little all over the place, Dr. DeYoung says, and docs have different takes.