Wellbutrin is a common antidepressant used to manage major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. Taking it long-term can lead to physiological dependence, which means you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing this antidepressant medication.
Are you or someone you know struggling with addiction?
I may have a problem I am concerned for a loved oneFor so many, Wellbutrin (or the generic version, bupropion) starts out as a sigh of relief or a glimmer of hope. As an antidepressant that’s prescribed for major depressive disorder and for seasonal affective disorder, it can help you finally feel like yourself again after a long struggle with depression. It’s also a smoking cessation aid, so you might use it to finally kick cigarettes or nicotine to the curb and free yourself from the costs and complications of smoking. But Wellbutrin can cause a dependence of its own, and when you choose to stop taking it, you may experience withdrawals.
When you take your Wellbutrin as prescribed, you will develop a dependence on the medication. This isn’t concerning and doesn’t mean you are addicted—it’s simply the body’s natural adaptation to the presence of Wellbutrin. When you abruptly stop taking it, you may experience Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms, also known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. These may include mood swings, insomnia, nightmares, and body aches.
The good news is that these symptoms are less common with Wellbutrin than with other types of antidepressants like Zoloft and Lexapro which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Still, if you’re thinking of quitting Wellbutrin, talk to your doctor. They can create a gradual tapering schedule in which you slowly wean off the medication, which can reduce symptoms and help your body adjust to lower doses.
Wellbutrin withdrawal occurs when you suddenly stop taking your medication. You may experience withdrawal symptoms like brain zaps, insomnia, suicidal ideation, vomiting, dizziness, and tremors. The best way to prevent Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms is to talk to your doctor about creating a tapering schedule.
Many people may experience no issues at all when they stop taking Wellbutrin, while others may experience mild to moderate bupropion withdrawal symptoms. If you do have symptoms, this is called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. This could include [2]:
Unlike popular antidepressants that act on serotonin, such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro, Wellbutrin affects norepinephrine and dopamine. As such, Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms tend to be far milder than these other antidepressants, and often, symptoms may not appear at all.[3]
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.
The half-life refers to how long it takes for the medication to be reduced by 50% in the body. Generally, the half-life is three or four hours if someone takes it just a few times; however, when taking it every day as prescribed by a doctor, the half-life is about 21 hours [1]. So every 21 hours, the amount in your body will drop by 50%.
Because of this, Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms may appear about two days after your last dose of bupropion. The symptoms of quitting bupropion may last for a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on many factors, including:
Generally, bupropion withdrawal is expected to be fairly mild and can be managed at home or on an outpatient basis with a doctor. However, some people may experience concerning mental health symptoms when they discontinue Wellbutrin. You should call 911 or your doctor immediately if you experience:
The best way to prevent bupropion withdrawal symptoms is to work with your doctor to gradually taper off the Wellbutrin. They will create a tapering plan that’s individualized for you based on factors like your dosage, your health, and how long you’ve been taking the medication. During the tapering process they will adjust the regimen if you experience unwanted side effects or symptoms.
This tapering schedule may last for a few weeks until you eventually reach 0mg. If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, it’s best to seek out mental health treatment, such as therapy and counseling sessions. It’s important to commit to attending therapy on an ongoing basis so you can work through various issues, address mental health symptoms, and work through problems together.
Your doctor may also recommend you switch to a different antidepressant if the reason for your tapering was because of Wellbutrin side effects.
If you are experiencing Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms after stopping this antidepressant, make sure you alert your therapist or doctor so they can support you during this uncomfortable time. You may need extra therapy sessions to help you manage for a while.
Some things you can do to ease your symptoms at home may include:
Meditate and practice mindfulness, which can help manage anxiety and cause relaxation.
Spend time with loved ones, which can help reduce depressive symptoms. [4]
Engage in joyful movement, such as dancing, yoga, an exercise class, taking the dog for a walk, hiking, or playing a sport.
Eat balanced, nutritious meals and get enough sleep.
Take relaxing baths or get a massage.
Use a nicotine patch or gum if you were using Wellbutrin to quit smoking.
Take over-the-counter herbal supplements such as St. John’s Wort. Remember to talk to your doctor first, though, as some herbal supplements can interact poorly with certain medications or health conditions.
Although Wellbutrin is most commonly used to treat depressive disorders, some people may misuse it in order to get high. This is most common in people who are incarcerated [4]. They may abuse bupropion by crushing the pills and snorting the powder, although some people also inject this antidepressant too [5].
People refer to Wellbutrin as “poor man’s cocaine” due to its stimulant-like effects and high.[6] And chronic Wellbutrin abuse can lead to more severe physiological dependence and subsequent withdrawal.
If you misuse Wellbutrin and are struggling with an addiction to it, then professional detox is likely needed to help you quit—followed by a comprehensive drug rehab program where you can learn coping skills to help you avoid relapse in the future.
Detox settings for Wellbutrin withdrawal may include:
Occurring in a hospital, acute care setting, or freestanding detox center, this is the most intensive detox option, offering 24/7 medical care and support to keep you safe during withdrawal.
Non-medically managed residential detox
You live at the detox facility during Wellbutrin withdrawal but there is limited access to medical care. This is also called social detox.
Partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient
You live at home and attend detox treatment sessions at a clinic for up to 30 hours per week, depending on the specific program.
Standard outpatient detox
You reside at home and attend detox sessions for a few hours each week. This is not typically recommended for a severe addiction or someone who has a co-occurring medical or psychological condition.
After you stop taking Wellbutrin, if you have withdrawal symptoms at all, they could last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. It’s rare to have symptoms for more than three or four weeks.
No, it’s not advised to stop taking Wellbutrin cold turkey (stopping abruptly from your full dosage rather than tapering down your dosage gradually). There’s no way to know how your body will react, so even if you know someone who has done this and didn’t have complications, it’s not safe to take the gamble.
Your ideal tapering regimen will depend on factors like your health and mental health, your dosage, how long you’ve been taking bupropion, and more. For this reason, you should work with the doctor who’s prescribing your medication and they can make a plan for you to taper your dosage safely.
Evidence Based
6 sources cited
