Wellbutrin (bupropion) is a common antidepressant medication available by prescription to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. It is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), which means it blocks the reabsorption of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.[1] As a result, the symptoms of depression are lessened when you take Wellbutrin regularly.
Wellbutrin is considered relatively safe, as it does not lead to abuse or addiction. That said, you should never abruptly stop taking it. Doing so could result in withdrawal symptoms or something known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.[2]
The symptoms of Wellbutrin withdrawal might include mood swings, nightmares, muscle aches, nausea, tremors, brain zaps, and more. Your symptoms will begin within 2 days of your last dose and can continue for over 3 weeks. Because of this, you should always work with a healthcare professional to slowly taper off of Wellbutrin.
What you will learn:
- What are the symptoms of bupropion withdrawal?
- How long does Wellbutrin withdrawal last?
- How is bupropion withdrawal treated?
What are the Symptoms of Wellbutrin Withdrawal?
If you were taking Wellbutrin long-term, you should not abruptly quit using it. Stopping Wellbutrin cold turkey could result in withdrawal symptoms. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), 20% of people develop antidepressant discontinuation syndrome after stopping an antidepressant abruptly.[2]
The symptoms and side effects of bupropion withdrawal may include:[3]
- Insomnia and nightmares
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Anxiety and irritability
- Mood swings
- Depression and suicidal ideation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach cramps and diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Tremors
- Brain zaps
- Numbness in limbs
As you can see, Wellbutrin withdrawal results in a variety of mental and physical symptoms. Consult with a doctor before stopping your Wellbutrin. They can put you on a tapering schedule to ensure that you do not experience severe symptoms.
It is important to note that if you are using Wellbutrin to treat depression, stopping the medication will result in severe depressive symptoms. As a result, a doctor might recommend that you switch to an alternative medication to ensure your symptoms remain controlled.
What is the Wellbutrin Withdrawal Timeline?
When you’ve been taking Wellbutrin daily for some time, the half-life is about 21 hours.[4] That means that it can take your body 2 to 4 days to eliminate Wellbutrin completely. Because of this, withdrawal symptoms might not show up immediately.
While the bupropion withdrawal timeline can vary from person to person, most people experience the following:
1 to 3 Days
The initial symptoms of Wellbutrin withdrawal will begin 1 to 3 days after your last dose. You might experience mild symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. During this time, it is important to stay hydrated and take medications to manage your symptoms.
4 to 7 Days
Your symptoms might peak 4 to 7 days after your last dose, which means they will be at their most severe. You could experience intense mood swings, irritability, anxiety, body aches, and chills. It is also common to deal with a re-emergence of depressive symptoms if you were using Wellbutrin to treat a diagnosed condition.
1 to 2 Weeks
The psychological symptoms of Wellbutrin withdrawal will continue to be intense for 1 to 2 weeks. You might deal with insomnia, vivid dreams, mood swings, severe depression, and more. However, the physical symptoms like headaches and body aches might become more mild.
3 Weeks and More
Around the 3-week mark, your symptoms will begin to subside. It is possible for symptoms like brain zaps, mood swings, and depression to persist for longer. Additionally, if you are not taking a new medication, your depression will continue to cause symptoms.
How is Wellbutrin Withdrawal Treated?
Wellbutrin withdrawal is usually prevented, rather than treated. To explain, when you mention to your doctor that you want to stop taking Wellbutrin, they will put you on a tapering schedule. This means you will gradually take smaller doses of Wellbutrin until you are no longer on it.
If you stop taking Wellbutrin without speaking to a medical professional, you will experience withdrawal. If this occurs, you should reach out to a doctor to receive treatment. They will put you on a tapering schedule based on how much Wellbutrin you were taking and how long you have been off of it.
You might be given medications to reduce symptoms like headaches, muscle aches, insomnia, or depression. If you are dealing with severe depressive symptoms, a doctor might put you on a new antidepressant medication.
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References:
- Science Direct: Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome
- Dusunen Adam J Psychiatr Neurol Sci: Withdrawal symptoms associated with bupropion
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Wellbutrin Label