How long wellbutrin xl take effect

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Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Wellbutrin bupropion is an antidepressant that treats a number of conditions.

It comes as an immediate-release, sustained-release, or extended-release tablet that is taken orally. One factor that makes Wellbutrin especially unique among antidepressants is that it doesn't tend to affect your libido and sexual function. In fact, it's often prescribed along with other antidepressants to help counter the sexual side effects , like loss of desire, found in other types. Additionally, another brand of bupropion the active ingredient in Wellbutrin called Zyban is used to help people quit smoking.

Other off-label uses sometimes include treatment for social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD , and even some forms of nerve pain.

Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and current health status to determine if Wellbutrin is right for you. Your doctor may not prescribe this drug if you have certain health conditions. It's not clear whether Wellbutrin is safe to take during pregnancy. In animal studies, there has been some evidence of adverse effects on the fetus, but we don't yet have enough data about its effect on humans.

The potential benefits of continuing Wellbutrin during pregnancy may outweigh the possible risks, but this should be discussed closely with your doctor. Wellbutrin can be present in breastmilk, so caution should be used by people who are breastfeeding. If you are lactating, your doctor can help you weigh your options.

Because older adults may have reduced kidney function, they may require smaller doses since the drug remains in the body longer. Among antidepressants, bupropion is in a category all its own—it's the only medication in its class, called norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors NDRIs , that boosts the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. By contrast, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs like Prozac fluoxetine and Zoloft sertraline affect serotonin, while serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs such as Cymbalta duloxetine and Effexor venlafaxine boost norepinephrine and serotonin.

Wellbutrin is offered in three different formulations and dosing varies for each version:. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a modified dosage of the drug due to possible side effects or another health concern.

You should always take your medication as directed. Immediate-release Wellbutrin tablets can be broken if necessary, but they are small enough that doing so is not usually needed. Adults ages 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality. Patients, their families and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia.

All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their healthcare provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment. Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists.

This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication.

Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein.

The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein. Search Close Menu. Sign In About Mental Illness. About Mental Illness Treatments. About Mental Illness Research. Your Journey Individuals with Mental Illness. Your Journey Family Members and Caregivers. Your Journey Identity and Cultural Dimensions. Your Journey Frontline Professionals. Get Involved Become a Fundraiser. Get Involved Awareness Events.

Get Involved Share Your Story. Get Involved Partner with Us. Advocacy Advocate for Change. Advocacy Policy Priorities. Advocacy Policy Platform. Advocacy Crisis Intervention. Advocacy State Fact Sheets. Advocacy Public Policy Reports. Bupropion Wellbutrin. Know the warning signs Learn the common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents. Mental health conditions Learn more about common mental health conditions that affect millions. Caution is advised with breastfeeding since bupropion does pass into breast milk.

Symptoms of your condition that bother you most If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your provider.

Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require an adjustment in the medication. Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have, including a history of bipolar disorder All other medications you are currently taking and any medication allergies you have.

This will help your prescriber assess for potential drug interactions. Other non-medication treatment you are receiving such as psychotherapy i. Your provider can explain how these different treatments work with the medication. If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding If you drink alcohol or use drugs How Should I Take Bupropion?

Bupropion XL is usually taken once daily in the morning. Though rare, depending on dosage, anywhere from. Conditions that may increase your seizure risk include:. Use of other drugs that may affect your seizure susceptibility, such as other antidepressants, antipsychotics, systemic corticosteroids or theophylline.

Bupropion may also not be a suitable treatment for people with liver or kidney issues, diabetes or certain mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder. This warning is found on bupropion medications used for treating depression — bupropion smoking cessation aids do not carry the same warning.

Studies do not show that this risk occurs in people aged 24 and older. Bupropion can interact with other medications, including over-the-counter medications, herbal products and health supplements. These interactions may increase the amount of bupropion in your body or make the medication less effective.

In some cases, the use of bupropion can cause dangerous interactions with other medications. Dangerous interactions can occur when bupropion is used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs — another type of antidepressant medication. If you have used an MAOI medication, such as phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, selegiline or others, you must inform your healthcare provider before being prescribed bupropion.

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you currently use or have recently used any other medications to treat depression. Other medications that can interact with bupropion include antipsychotics, beta-blockers, blood thinners, corticosteroids, antiarrhythmics, theophylline, amantadine, dopamine precursors such as levodopa and transdermal nicotine patches.

To avoid interactions, inform your healthcare provider of all medications you currently use or have recently used, as well as any relevant health conditions, before using bupropion.

Take bupropion as directed by your healthcare provider. You can take bupropion with or without food. They may recommend starting bupropion several days before you plan to quit smoking. Do not suddenly stop using bupropion, adjust your dosage or start using additional smoking cessation aids without first talking to your healthcare provider. If you forget to take bupropion, skip the missed dose and continue using the medication as you normally would. You should not take a double dose of bupropion to make up for a missed dose.

Drinking alcohol with bupropion is not recommended. If you drink alcohol while using bupropion for depression or smoking cessation, you may be more likely to experience side effects from the alcohol and the bupropion. If you drink beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages frequently, talk to your healthcare provider about drinking alcohol while using bupropion before you start taking this medication.

Like other widely used antidepressants, bupropion has the potential to cause certain withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop using it without tapering your dosage. Common bupropion withdrawal symptoms of bupropion include difficulty sleeping, balance issues, anxiety, depression, mood changes, flu-like symptoms, sweating and more. Instead, talk to your healthcare provider about adjusting your dosage, safely tapering your bupropion dosage over time or changing to a different antidepressant or smoking cessation aid.

As a smoking cessation aid, its exact mechanism of action is not known, but scientists believe it may work by reducing cravings for nicotine by changing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in your brain.

However, you should talk to your healthcare provider before you use bupropion with nicotine gum, lozenges, patches or other products containing nicotine. Although antidepressants are typically associated with weight gain, several studies of bupropion have found that it may cause weight loss.

In several studies , use of bupropion sustained release SR tablets has been associated with mild long-term weight loss.