For every past depressive episode, the likelihood of having another one goes up. So in general, the more severe or debilitating past bouts of depression have been, the riskier it is to go off medication, Dr. Siegel explains. If you have a longer and/or more severe history of depression, the goal is typically to wait for a longer period of remission before considering tapering.
Treatment
You should seek guidance from a healthcare professional to explore management options. It’s worth noting that these symptoms can vary in severity, depending on how long you’ve been taking Wellbutrin® , how much you take, and other individual factors. While the severity and duration of Wellbutrin® withdrawal symptoms can vary, they are typically mild and short-lived. Most people experience symptoms that last from a few days to a few weeks, with severe or prolonged symptoms being less common.
Tapering off Wellbutrin
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. If you take high doses of Wellbutrin, your doctor may suggest reducing the amount by small increments every few days or weeks. This gradual reduction gives your body time to adjust without causing a sudden shock to your system. Following a tapering schedule is the safest way to stop Wellbutrin while avoiding or minimizing withdrawal symptoms.
It is important to note that when taken orally, as prescribed, Wellbutrin is not addictive. It does not produce the euphoric ‘high’ that people who abuse other substances feel. However, if the pills are crushed and snorted, it can produce a ‘high’ feeling that is addictive. The best way to prevent bupropion withdrawal symptoms is to work with your doctor to gradually taper off the Wellbutrin.
Long-Term Treatment for Wellbutrin Withdrawal
Wellbutrin, or bupropion, is classified as an antidepressant and is usually used to treat depression—though, the drug is also used as a smoking cessation aid under the name Zyban. Since Wellbutrin affects brain chemistry, it should not be stopped without consulting your doctor. The best way to stop Wellbutrin is to taper off usage under the care of a doctor, taking note of any side effects that may occur during the process. Never change or discontinue medications without consulting your healthcare provider. They can advise you on the right way to make the transition (such as tapering off your dose gradually) and help you cope with symptoms you might experience. During drug withdrawal, you may experience mild symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue in the initial few days.
Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- While it can be highly effective, stopping Wellbutrin suddenly or reducing the dose too quickly may lead to withdrawal symptoms.
- When you abruptly stop taking it, you may experience Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms, also known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.
- The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment.
- Your doctor may recommend adjusting your dose every 1 to 4 weeks, slowly reducing it to see how you’re doing.
This happens because your brain and body have adjusted to the medication’s effects, and when it’s no longer present, they need time to readjust. 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. Addiction Resource is an educational platform for sharing and disseminating information about addiction and substance abuse recovery centers.
They will likely suggest a tapering schedule that gradually lowers your dose over a few weeks. Never stop Wellbutrin on your own without talking to your doctor, as this can lead to more severe withdrawal symptoms. Bupropion, commonly marketed as Wellbutrin, is used to treat depression and help people stop smoking. 2 Like many medications, your body can become used to Wellbutrin over time. Stopping Wellbutrin cold turkey or reducing your dosage too quickly, you might experience withdrawal symptoms.
Wellbutrin Nightmares: Causes, Coping, and Advice
Wellbutrin® is a safe antidepressant choice, with lower risks for side effects than other antidepressants. Although side effects can occur, typical side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and insomnia are generally mild and manageable. Regular blood pressure monitoring is recommended when taking Wellbutrin® , as it may cause an increase in blood pressure. Depression can be a serious and debilitating condition that not only affects how a person feels but can also impact their physical health. While there are some helpful medications to treat depression, such as Wellbutrin® , many people may be unaware of the potential side effects that can come with taking it.
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. ✔️ Wellbutrin is not known to cause severe or dangerous withdrawal symptoms. However, this may not be true for people who abuse Wellbutrin or take it with other drugs. This type of intensive program isn’t typically needed for managing Wellbutrin withdrawal.
This means that it is likely that your brain feels the need for the drug to function normally, as it greatly impacts the brain’s chemical activity. The norepinephrine and dopamine chemicals are increased with such antidepressants, resulting in a better mood. The drug has also been known for positively impacting concentration and cognitive performance, making it a popular medication for ADHD. Cognitive functions start to improve, with concentration and mental clarity slowly returning to baseline. However, some individuals experience what’s known as “protracted withdrawal,” where certain symptoms – particularly those affecting mood and energy levels – persist for months.
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- On that note, having a doc you trust and feel comfortable talking to is key here, whether that’s your primary care physician or a psychiatrist.
- You should seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, intense mood swings, persistent insomnia, or significant physical discomfort.
- But in practice, Dr. DeYoung says, everyone’s symptoms are unique to them—and therefore, so is what their recovery looks like.
When a person suddenly coming off welbutrin stops using Wellbutrin without tapering off, a person may experience rebound depression – their symptoms come back. 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. Stopping Wellbutrin too quickly can cause unpleasant effects, which is why doctors recommend a gradual tapering schedule to minimize discomfort. You might be wondering if your doctor should be the one to bring up tapering first.
You may not notice withdrawal symptoms until a few days after stopping Wellbutrin. This may be because the medication can stay in your system for up to about 4 or 5 days after taking your last dose. With 10 years of experience working in and writing about mental health and addiction treatment, societal issues, and history, she ensures the quality and authenticity of written content at RU. She holds degrees in behavioral psychology, cultural anthropology, and marketing. When she is not working, she enjoys travel, rollerblading, and playing with her dog, Hamilton. To learn more about the withdrawal symptoms and side effects of their prescription drugs, check out these additional resources.
If you want to stop taking your current antidepressant but you don’t mind starting a different one, cross-tapering may be an option for you. Research suggests that 27% to 86% of people who attempt to stop antidepressants, whether on their own or supervised by a doctor, experience ADS. Avenues Recovery is a community-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center with locations across the United States. The intimate group of people you can constantly depend on makes your support system.
From recreational ingestion, nasal insufflation of crushed tablets, and, more recently, intravenous injection. Individuals abusing Bupropion report experiencing a “high” reminiscent of cocaine abuse, albeit of lesser intensity. Bupropion abuse involves altering its prescribed oral form for non-therapeutic purposes. Stopping antidepressants may lead to several different setbacks, both short-term and long-term. Users must aware of these potential negative effects and how to minimize the risk of running into them.
Several guidelines say that for somebody’s first episode of depression, four to nine months of remission is long enough to consider weaning off medication. But in practice, many doctors look for at least six if not 12 months of full recovery before stopping “maintenance” antidepressants, Dr. DeYoung says. 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.
It is not recommended to stop bupropion suddenly, as this increases the risk of withdrawal symptoms. Gradual tapering under the guidance of a healthcare professional is the safest way to discontinue the medication. This approach helps your body adjust and minimizes the intensity of withdrawal effects.
Many examinations show that investing energy with friends and family can help prevent anxiety, depression, and bad moods. It is essential to keep in mind that Wellbutrin can prove to be a beneficial option for those suffering from depression and other mental conditions that keep them low in enthusiasm. However, antidepressants such as Wellbutrin are only beneficial if they are used correctly and per a doctor’s instructions.