By following these tips, you can help your body adjust to the change and reduce the likelihood of experiencing withdrawal symptoms. If you have concerns like how to stop Wellbutrin safely and avoid severe withdrawal symptoms upon Wellbutrin discontinuation, this guide addresses these issues and more. You can also learn how to connect with compassionate and effective 1 care for withdrawal from Wellbutrin. Having multiple recurrences of depression—meaning, distinct periods when you’ve experienced daily depression for at least two weeks—suggests your biology or personality is more prone to it, Dr. Siegel says. For every past depressive episode, the likelihood of having another one goes up.

As a result, withdrawal symptoms are generally mild or undetectable. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant, but it belongs to a category of drugs that is different from other common antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft. Although the misuse of Wellbutrin isn’t common, this has been reported among certain people with a history of substance abuse or addiction. If you’re experiencing headaches, they might advise you to take acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen (Advil). If you have nausea, they could prescribe you anti-nausea drugs like ondansetron. Research suggests that 27% to 86% of people who attempt to stop antidepressants, whether on their own or supervised by a doctor, experience ADS.

Addressing Root Causes to Assist Wellbutrin Tapering

Unlike some other antidepressants, Wellbutrin doesn’t usually cause severe withdrawal symptoms. This is because it works on dopamine and norepinephrine rather than serotonin, which is targeted by many other antidepressants. Always talk to your doctor before stopping the medication so they can guide you on how to wean off Wellbutrin safely. There is fairly strong evidence that tapering most antidepressant drugs will lessen the risk of withdrawal symptoms (sometimes known as a ‘discontinuation syndrome’) occurring. Always talk to your doctor before stopping Wellbutrin to get the best advice for your situation.

There are a handful of case reports about people chopping their bupropion XL in half and having a seizure. If that’s true, the risk would be higher with the SR version, suggesting that one should not cut an SR in half either. Most people will be using the 150 mg XL version at either 1, 2 or 3 pills per morning. Most people won’t have too much trouble with withdrawal either, so most people can simply lower their dose by one-pill steps to zero. Many people will be reluctant to go get a new prescription just to stop.

In general, it is recommended to slowly taper antidepressant drugs over at least a few weeks when discontinuing them. This is to prevent, or at the very least decrease the severity of, potential withdrawal symptoms. If you start to experience withdrawal symptoms, let your doctor know.

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• These symptoms arise within two to four days after discontinuing the drug and generally persist for one to two weeks, with occasional persistence for up to one year.
• Quitting cold turkey can worsen these symptoms, and they can last longer than if you had tapered off slowly.
• Withdrawing from an antidepressant you were previously taking could result in unpleasant symptoms, including headaches, nausea, or sleep difficulties.
• ✔️ Wellbutrin is a slow-acting drug with a half-life of about 21 hours.

They will help you taper off safely to avoid these unpleasant symptoms. So while we don’t have studies on this, it stands to reason that having healthy relationships generally puts you in a better position to transition off medication, Dr. DeYoung says. Boca Recovery Center is here to provide the best quality care in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction.

Tapering too quickly can cause unpleasant side effects, so follow medical advice closely. Days 4 to 7- At this point, more severe withdrawal symptoms are present, including anxiety/depression, body tremors, mood swings, and chills. These symptoms require more intense management methods that a mental health professional can guide you through. As with any drug that increases the levels of dopamine in the brain, people can become physically dependent and even addicted to Wellbutrin. As the body starts to develop tolerance, a higher dosage of the drug is needed in order to feel the same effect from the drug as previously.

When to Seek Medical Help

The half-life is the time it takes for the amount of medication in your body to decrease by half. After five half-lives, almost all of the drug will be eliminated from the body. If you take Wellbutrin occasionally, the half-life is about three to four hours. However, when you take it daily as prescribed, the half-life extends to about 21 hours.

If Wellbutrin doesn’t work, don’t despair and follow your doctor’s advice. Be patient, trust the recovery journey, and know that healing is a collaborative effort with dedicated professionals by your side. Gradual tapering, open communication with healthcare providers, and a robust support network are paramount. The half-life of a medication refers to how long it takes half of the drug to leave your body.

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• This is why tapering off Wellbutrin should be done with the same seriousness and structure as getting sober.
• You’ll get the expert recommendations and information you need to help you make the right decision, Dr. DeYoung says.
• Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient care, having professional help during detox can make the experience more manageable and improve your chances of a successful recovery.
• In the process, many experience antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, also known as withdrawal.
• But in practice, many doctors look for at least six if not 12 months of full recovery before stopping “maintenance” antidepressants, Dr. DeYoung says.

They can help you gradually reduce your dose and manage any withdrawal symptoms you might have. Wellbutrin offers many potential benefits but doesn’t work for everyone. One advantage of Wellbutrin over some other antidepressants is that it has a lower risk of causing withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. Bupropion withdrawal symptoms are physical reactions from a body that’s become dependent on the medication.

Wellbutrin Withdrawal Timeline

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant commonly used to treat major depressive disorder. Long-term use of this medication can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon quitting. For someone on their second episode of depression, many doctors will probably want to wait at least two years or so, Dr. DeYoung says; for Dr. Siegel, it’s around three years. For someone who’s had three episodes, some guidelines recommend staying on maintenance antidepressants for at least two years, Dr. DeYoung says—if not for the foreseeable future, according to Dr. Siegel. But it is an important factor for you and your doctor to consider.

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This could help ease the transition to a new how to taper off welbutrin medication and ensure you’re not experiencing unpleasant symptoms. Your doctor may recommend adjusting your dose every 1 to 4 weeks, slowly reducing it to see how you’re doing. They’ll treat each case on an individual basis and adjust medications according to your specific needs.

Symptoms of depression may worsen, so consult with a mental health professional for assistance. Days 1 to 3- Within the first three days of the last dose, it is vital to stay hydrated to help the body rid itself of the drug. It is expected to feel slight dizziness, mild nausea, and headaches, all of which can be relieved with over-the-counter medications and rest.

Use a nicotine patch or gum if you were using Wellbutrin to quit smoking. Meditate and practice mindfulness, which can help manage anxiety and cause relaxation. Although Bupropion shares structural and pharmacologic similarities with amphetamine, it was initially believed to lack psychostimulant effects. Nevertheless, clinical observations and a growing number of case reports indicate instances of Bupropion abuse. ADHD, a common neurobiological condition, features behavioral and cognitive symptoms like inattention, impulsivity, and/or excessive activity. It often comes with psychiatric comorbidities and links to educational and occupational underachievement.

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. For 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.

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. At Recovery Guide, our mission is to connect as many individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse disorders to reputable treatment facilities. If you or someone you care about need help dealing with drug addiction, reach out to Gratitude Lodge. We offer detox services and inpatient treatment programs at our luxury facilities in Long Beach and Newport Beach, CA. You might be wondering if your doctor should be the one to bring up tapering first.