Wellbutrin has a
Highlights
- Depending on the patient and symptoms, the positive effects of taking Wellbutrin can be felt as soon as 1-2 weeks, or as late as 8 weeks.
- Wellbutrin is FDA-approved to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder, and aid in smoking cessation.
- Wellbutrin can cause side effects and even make some mental health symptoms worse. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking Wellbutrin to ensure treatment is safe for you.
- If side effects from Wellbutrin are too severe or unmanageable, or symptoms do not improve, your healthcare provider may adjust treatment, or change medications altogether.
- Wellbutrin interacts significantly with many other medications. Always check with a healthcare professional before starting or stopping a medication while taking Wellbutrin.
Bupropion, commonly known under its brand name Wellbutrin, is an antidepressant medication. The FDA has authorized it as a treatment for depression and seasonal affective disorder. It can also be prescribed as a
Even though Wellbutrin has
Ongoing care for depression
How Does Wellbutrin Work?
Wellbutrin is classified as a
As a result of its ability to boost dopamine levels in the brain, bupropion can effectively treat depressive disorders by improving mood. It can also alleviate the nicotine withdrawal-induced dopamine deficit. After entering the body, the medication is broken down into three distinct metabolites, each of which has a separate effect on the body, which accounts for its efficacy.
What Is Wellbutrin SR?
Wellbutrin is available in different formulations, such as Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL. The SR in the former one stands for sustained-release while the latter one is an extended-release medicine.
With Wellbutrin SR, bupropion is slowly released into the bloodstream over a period of around 12 hours, which helps minimize the occurrence of side effects. It is primarily used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) but also has some
How Long Does Wellbutrin Take to Work?
Usually, Wellbutrin doesn’t start working right away. The amount of time it takes for Wellbutrin to take effect depends on the patient and the condition being treated. For example, when taking it for depression treatment, patients may notice an improvement in their sleep, energy, or appetite during the first 1-2 weeks. The recovery from a depressive mood and a lack of motivation, on the other hand, may take up to 8 weeks or more. When used to ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms, it may take 1-2 weeks before a person notices appreciable benefits.
How Does Wellbutrin Make You Feel
Response to medication may vary from one person to another, so it is essential to follow up with a healthcare provider during the course of treatment. Moreover, when it comes to antidepressants like Wellbutrin, the effects may not be seen immediately. However, there are some common signs of Wellbutrin efficacy that are noticed extensively within a few weeks after starting treatment.
It is important to remember that Wellbutrin can make you feel better and worse at the same time. On the one hand, it helps improve specific mental health symptoms, although it often takes a few weeks or longer to feel the full effect. On the other hand, starting Wellbutrin can bring about side effects that affect sleep and appetite. These side effects can happen when starting treatment or changing doses and often resolve in a few weeks.
Both things happening at the same time can make it difficult to discern how Wellbutrin is actually making you feel, so it takes a few weeks to make a conclusion. What can help during this period is monitoring certain signs, such as the ones discussed below.
If you’re considering starting Wellbutrin, MEDvidi’s licensed providers can assess your condition and prescribe the medication online if appropriate as part of a personalized treatment plan.
8 Signs Wellbutrin Is Working
Upon beginning treatment with Wellbutrin, your healthcare provider should review all your symptoms to identify if you have depression and set a baseline of symptoms. Depression is diagnosed with the help of a mental health assessment and
Throughout treatment, you should evaluate past symptoms and any new symptoms, as well as identify any changes in your mental state. This will help analyze whether the Wellbutrin treatment is effective for you. To tell if Wellbutrin is working, monitor the following signs.
1. Improved Mood
Wellbutrin has been shown to improve overall mood, leading to a reduction in depression symptoms. Signs of improved mood would look like less sadness, less crying or weeping, and overall improved general outlook. Additionally, lessened or reduced feelings of guilt and a reduced feeling of life not being worth living. Your medical provider should be monitoring these feelings routinely at checkups.
2. Improved Sleep
Wellbutrin can help regulate sleep and improve sleep quality. Signs that Wellbutrin is working would be improvements in all or some types of insomnia: initial, middle, and delayed. This could mean an easier time falling asleep, less restlessness or waking during the night, and less waking early in the morning. Be sure to track your sleep quality throughout treatment so that you and your provider can track improvements.
3. Increased Energy
Wellbutrin directly and indirectly increases energy through its effect on neurotransmitters in the body and also its ability to improve sleep. Signs of improved energy could be less fatigue throughout the day, and less feelings of heaviness of the limbs. You can also see less apathy, and overall positive thoughts and willingness to engage in activities throughout the day.
4. Renewed Interest or Enjoyment in Activities
Wellbutrin can reduce levels of social anxiety, making it easier to participate in and enjoy activities. You should notice a return to activities that you enjoyed prior to treatment, as well as less anxiety when going to social activities whether it be work or friends. Feelings of indecision and worrying about small matters should also decrease.
5. Increased Motivation
As Wellbutrin improves your mood and reduces symptoms of depression, it may become easier to create and achieve goals that bring about a sense of accomplishment. You may feel a return to caring about realistic and meaningful goals, and less obsession with unrealistic or not meaningful things. Your anxiety around starting new things or finishing projects can also be reduced.
6. Improved Focus and Concentration
Wellbutrin can improve symptoms of ADHD, enhancing focus and concentration. Throughout treatment, you can notice an improved ability to sit still, focus on the activity at hand, and have lower distractibility. Additionally, you may find it easier to finish tasks that you start and have more focus on goals that matter. Finally, you may experience less restlessness or fidgeting throughout the day.
7. Reduced Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness
Over time, Wellbutrin can reduce negative feelings associated with depression and seasonal affective disorder. These changes will go hand in hand with improved mood. You can expect to feel sad or hopeless less frequently. This can also be seen as improved optimism about the future.
8. Appetite Changes
Wellbutrin has been shown to improve appetite and overall enjoyment of food. Changes could be less GI upset, less constipation, and better appetite. You may see a renewed interest in food that otherwise did not bring you joy. These positive appetite changes should also lead to less weight loss and a return to a healthy weight if you previously lost weight due to depression.
Signs Wellbutrin Is Not Working
The time period between starting the medication and the moment when you feel the effects of Wellbutrin may take several weeks. This is dependent on different individual factors and the mechanism of action of this medicine. It’s essential to consult a medical provider if you have any concerns about the medication’s efficacy; they can investigate the validity of your concerns and adjust treatment accordingly as needed.
These are some potential signs that may indicate that taking Wellbutrin for depression is not highly effective in your particular situation:
- Persistent or worsened depressive symptoms
- Increased anxiety or agitation
- Unmanageable side effects
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Intolerance
If you’re experiencing suicidal or self-harming thoughts and require immediate assistance, contact a crisis hotline, such as 911, 988 suicide & crisis lifeline (toll-free), or Samaritans (116-123 or via chat).
What to Do If Wellbutrin Doesn’t Work
If you are taking Wellbutrin and it doesn’t seem to be effectively addressing your symptoms, it is important to communicate this to your healthcare provider. Some possible steps include:
- Discuss with your doctor your experience with Wellbutrin. Open and honest communication is key to finding the most suitable treatment approach.
- A doctor may tailor the treatment plan to your needs, including adjustments in the prescribed dose, and this is based on your individual response.
- A doctor may choose an alternative medication for depression treatment. It is common to have a period of trial and error when choosing the most suitable and effective antidepressant.
- In some cases, combining Wellbutrin with another medication or psychotherapy may be considered.
It is important not to stop taking Wellbutrin abruptly without consulting your healthcare provider so as to avoid withdrawal symptoms. They will provide guidance on how to safely discontinue the medication or switch to another one if needed.
How Long Does It Take for Bupropion to Peak?
Bupropion has multiple formulations, each with its own unique properties in the body. The time it takes for bupropion to work and reach its peak concentration in the blood will vary depending on the specific formulation. Additionally, the length of overall time taking Wellbutrin can also affect the time to peak concentrations in the body. This information is important to understanding the side effects of Wellbutrin. For example, if Wellbutrin causes you to become sleepy, it may be beneficial to take the medication in the evening. This would cause Wellbutrin peak time to happen at night, hopefully reducing drowsy side effects during the daytime.
Below are approximate times to peak for each Wellbutrin formulation:
- Sustained-release (SR) formulation: approximately 3 hours
- Extended-release (XL) formulation: approximately 5 hours
How Long Does Wellbutrin Remain in Your System?
Wellbutrin (bupropion) is known for its extended elimination half-life of 12 to 30 hours. It means it takes that long for the concentration of the medication in the bloodstream to decrease by half. Consequently, even after stopping the medication, Wellbutrin can remain in the body for up to a week. This extended presence sets Wellbutrin apart from many other antidepressants.
There are many factors that influence the time that Wellbutrin stays in your system:
- The specific type of Wellbutrin, (immediate-release, 12-hour release ‘SR’, or 24-hour release ‘XL’) determines how quickly each dose reaches and stays at peak levels in your body.
- How long you have been taking Wellbutrin, as well as its strength, affects how long it remains in your system. Generally, higher doses taken for more than a few weeks will last longer in your body.
- Your individual physical factors can affect how long Wellbutrin stays in your system. If you have kidney or liver disease, Wellbutrin will stay in your body longer. Be sure to alert your healthcare provider of any other conditions you have.
It is important to always consult your healthcare provider when stopping Wellbutrin, or any medication. You will need to reduce the medication dose slowly over time, as opposed to stopping treatment immediately, especially if your treatment plan includes switching to another medication.
Things to Know Before Taking Wellbutrin
Before starting Wellbutrin, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider who can evaluate symptoms, medical history, current medications, and any potential contraindications or risks. The intake recommendations may differ from one person to another. However, there are some basic facts that should be considered every time Wellbutrin is prescribed.
Be Aware of Side Effects
Like most medications, Wellbutrin can cause side effects. These include dry mouth, insomnia, headache, nausea, dizziness, and increased heart rate. Bupropion’s side effects often improve over the first week or two as a person continues to take the medication. In some cases, Wellbutrin may cause or exacerbate psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, irritability, or suicidal thoughts.
At higher doses, Wellbutrin may carry a risk of seizures as it causes a lowering of the seizure threshold. Wellbutrin is contraindicated in anyone who is abusing alcohol or who is a frequent drinker. Alcohol use also makes it
Monitor Your Health for Changes
During Wellbutrin treatment, it’s important to be vigilant about potential increases in blood pressure, and therefore blood pressure should be monitored regularly. Also, bupropion may cause weight loss, although it is essentially weight-neutral when compared to other antidepressant medications.
Understand How Wellbutrin Can Affect Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Patients who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or who are breastfeeding, should discuss the risks of taking Wellbutrin with their healthcare provider. Wellbutrin may pass into breast milk and could potentially affect the baby.
Interactions With Other Medications
Wellbutrin (bupropion) can interact with other medications, increasing the risk of side effects. Review all current medications (prescription and non-prescription) with your medical provider before you begin Wellbutrin treatment. Some examples include:
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs: Phenelzine, Isocarboxazid).
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other antidepressants.
- Antipsychotics (Haloperidol, Risperidone, Thioridazine).
- Anticonvulsants (Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin).
- Beta-blockers (Metoprolol).
- Medications that lower the seizure threshold (Theophylline, Corticosteroids, and tricyclic antidepressants).
- Medications used for smoking cessation.
Bottom Line
On average, according to the Wellbutrin timeline, the medication starts working within a few weeks when used for depression. There are certain signs that may show a high or low efficacy of the medicine during that time, but the best way to know if a medication is suitable for you is to talk to your doctor. At MEDvidi, we have a team of experienced medical professionals who offer personalized treatment for depression online. Our goal is to provide you with the most accurate diagnosis and a holistic treatment plan tailored to your needs. Contact us today to get in touch with a licensed healthcare professional online and receive comprehensive care.
FAQ
How quickly can Wellbutrin kick in?
The answer can vary from person to person. Peak serum concentrations vary on the formulation, and it takes 2-5 hours; but it may not be possible to see therapeutic effects in the first few days on Wellbutrin. On average, it takes 1-2 weeks to reach a steady state of concentration and notice the onset of action. For some individuals, it may take longer to experience the full therapeutic effects.
What does it feel like when Wellbutrin starts working?
When Wellbutrin starts working, individuals may experience various changes in their symptoms and overall well-being. However, it’s important to note that the effects can differ from person to person. Some general experiences that people report when Wellbutrin begins to take effect:
- Improved mood.
- Increased energy and motivation.
- Enhanced focus and concentration.
- Reduction in other depressive symptoms.
Does Bupropion help immediately?
Wellbutrin (bupropion) does not typically provide immediate relief or produce an immediate effect, so there may not be obvious early signs that Wellbutrin is working or not. It usually takes a few weeks for it to reach therapeutic levels in the body and for its effects to become noticeable.
What is the best hour to take Wellbutrin?
Immediate-release Wellbutrin is typically taken two to three times a day. It’s best to follow a regular dosing regimen and take the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day. The extended-release form of Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin XL, is designed to provide effects over time. Due to that, it is taken once daily, usually in the morning.
Does Wellbutrin wear off during the day?
Wellbutrin, like most medications, will wear off after some time. The type of Wellbutrin tablet you have been prescribed will greatly affect this time. Immediate-release Wellbutrin often begins to wear off after 6-8 hours, while the SR and XL tablets last longer, 12 hours and 24 hours respectively. It is important to take your medication exactly as prescribed to limit the changes in Wellbutrin levels in your body. Missing a dose can cause Wellbutrin to wear off more than intended and lead to worse side effects, or poor symptom management.
When does Wellbutrin start working for weight loss?
Wellbutrin is not FDA-approved for weight loss. A
Can Wellbutrin stop working?
While Wellbutrin will not technically stop working, the effects from Wellbutrin could be too weak to meaningfully impact your symptoms. Over time, your body may adjust to your dose, and symptom management may not be as strong as previously. If you feel that your symptoms are worsening, speak with your healthcare provider to determine what the next steps might be. Never stop taking Wellbutrin without consulting a healthcare professional.
