Wellbutrin

(Bupropion)

●●●●●
3.4/ 5 average rating with 1164 reviewsforWellbutrin
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Improves mood.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Wellbutrin (Bupropion) is good for treating depression and has fewer sexual side effects than other antidepressants, but you need to be okay with avoiding alcohol.

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Quick facts about Wellbutrin
  • Drug class: Mental health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (bupropion)

Upsides

  • Effective at relieving depression symptoms.
  • Causes fewer sexual side effects than other antidepressants. Can actually boost sex drive for some people.
  • Can be taken with other antidepressants to counteract their sexual side effects.
  • Has some stimulant effects, so it can be energizing.
  • Can help with ADHD symptoms.
  • Also used to suppress appetite and help you quit smoking.
  • Six out of ten people who use an antidepressant for the first time find that it works for them.
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What to expect from Wellbutrin, on one page

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People’s experience with Wellbutrin

1164reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • Wellbutrin (Bupropion) can be stimulating, so it can cause anxiety or insomnia the first few days you're taking it.
  • Generally not as good as other antidepressants for people who have anxiety.
  • It's less likely to cause weight gain than other antidepressants.
  • Has a higher risk of causing seizures, especially if you have a seizure disorder, eating disorder, or if you drink alcohol. So, it's not a good medication if you drink a lot.
  • It contains the same ingredient as a medication that helps you to stop smoking, (Zyban), so these two meds can't be used together.
  • Like most antidepressants, it can cause a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior for people younger than 24.
  • The first antidepressant you try doesn't always work or it can cause side effects you really don't like. You might need to try a few different medications until you find one that works for you.
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How it works

Wellbutrin (Bupropion) is an atypical antidepressant. Researchers don't know exactly how it works, but it seems to change dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain, which regulate mood.

Quick facts about Wellbutrin
  • Drug class: Mental health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (bupropion)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
  • Extended release
People’s experience with Wellbutrin

1164reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Wellbutrin (Bupropion) for Depression

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  • First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
    Long term
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
    Long term
  • Possible side effects
  • Headache
  • Sleep problems
  • Dry mouth
  • Weight loss
  • Dizziness
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Side effect rates for Wellbutrin (Bupropion)

From 508 clinical trials of Wellbutrin when taken for depression (300mg to 600mg per day)
  • Agitation
    32%32%
    22%22%
  • Dry mouth
    28%28%
    18%18%
  • Constipation
    26%26%
    17%17%
  • Headache/migraine
    26%26%
    22%22%
  • Nausea/vomiting
    23%23%
    19%19%
  • Dizziness
    22%22%
    16%16%
  • Excessive sweating
    22%22%
    15%15%
  • Tremor
    21%21%
    8%8%
  • Sleepiness
    20%20%
    20%20%
  • Insomnia
    19%19%
    16%16%
  • Blurred vision
    15%15%
    10%10%
  • Tachycardia
    11%11%
    9%9%
  • Confusion
    8%8%
    5%5%
  • Rash
    8%8%
    7%7%
  • Hostility
    6%6%
    4%4%
  • Auditory disturbance
    5%5%
    3%3%
  • Menstrual complaints
    5%5%
    1%1%
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
    5%5%
    4%4%
  • Impaired sleep quality
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Sensory disturbance
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Appetite increase
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Palpitations
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Hypertension
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Impotence
    3%3%
    3%3%
  • Anxiety
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Decreased libido
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Gustatory disturbance
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Dyspepsia
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Hypotension
    3%3%
    2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Wellbutrin.

Wellbutrin (Bupropion)
Placebo

People taking Wellbutrin felt side effect more

People taking Wellbutrin felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Wellbutrin (Bupropion)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Age 24 years or younger

    Wellbutrin (Bupropion) may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Watch for worsening depression or any unusual changes in mood or behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment or when the dose changes. Report anything concerning to a doctor immediately. Wellbutrin (Bupropion) is not approved for use in children younger than age 18.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Common concerns from people taking Wellbutrin (Bupropion)

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Pregnancy

Research studies with animals found harmful effects on unborn babies. It hasn’t been properly studied in humans. The benefits might outweigh the risks even if you’re pregnant. Talk with your doctor.

See the FDA package insertSee pregnancy safe medications
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.
FDA pregnancy category for Wellbutrin
CWeigh risks vs. benefits
Alcohol
  • Has a higher risk of causing seizures, especially if you have a seizure disorder, eating disorder, or if you drink alcohol. So, it's not a good medication if you drink a lot.
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Wellbutrinon 5/16/2017A great med for depression. Really wish someone would have informed me about the abstaining from alcohol beforehand though. No significant side-effects noted.
    23
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Depression
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Wellbutrinon 4/25/2017Take the alcohol warning seriously, alcohol has a heavier affect on you when you're taking this medication.
    19
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Depression
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Wellbutrinon 12/9/2016take the warning about alcohol use seriously and please don't drink with this medication or at least seriously minimize your drinking habits. there can be serious consequences of drinking with this medication including big mood disturbances and loss of the progress you had before drinking.
    20
    Woman
    Depression
Food
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Big hassle
    Reviewed WellbutrinThis is make or break medication. You'll know fast it works (days). If you feel ANY paranoia, rage, racing thoughts, or any of its top side effects, discontinue with doctor guidance IMMEDIATELY. For ADD, this is nothing like real ADD meds!
    20
    Man
    A month or so
    Depression
Kidneys and liver
  • Wellbutrin (Bupropion) is processed by the kidney and liver. If you have kidney or liver problems, you may need a different dose to prevent increased risk for side effects.
Pain
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Big hassle
    Reviewed bupropionon 7/26/2019This can cause severe chest and heart pain. I thought I was having a heart attack.
    52
    Man
    A month or so
    Depression
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Wellbutrinon 7/9/2017I was getting UTIs constantly. I was having pain & pressure constantly even after the infection went away. I went to the ER in pain & was diagnosed with urinary retention. No one mentioned it is a side effect of wellbutrin. I read about it & went off wellbutrin cold turkey. Within 24 hours, my pain subsided. Beware of this side effect!
    43
    Woman
    A year or so
    Depression
  • Not sure
    Worked so-so
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Wellbutrinon 5/1/2017I'm not sure yet but it does seem like I have a better outlook on life since starting a few weeks ago. Mild low grade headaches so far that are not relieved with OTC pain relievers. Dry mouth and difficulty staying asleep. Hopefully these lesson with adjustment.
    40
    Woman
    A couple weeks
    Sexual dysfunction from taking SSRI antidepressant
Sleep
  • Not sure
    Worked so-so
    Some hassle
    Reviewed otheron 2/8/2018NO MORE SLEEPY OR lethargic, that is quite amazing, awake and sharp minded, but I feel a tolerable restlessness and agitation, I'm now trying to go down to 75mg. At night I take mirtazapine for sleep.
    58
    Man
    A month or so
    Would rather not say
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Wellbutrinon 7/4/2017Take in the morning before 10am or I can't sleep. I take 300mg and it has saved my life. I feel like I don't have a dark cloud hanging over me all the time. Took my appetite away but that went back to normal after the first month. After 2 months I started getting really bad arm pain. Not sure if it's related. I do have a pacemaker and there's no interference with my heart condition. Over all this is amazing for me. I can live life now. Made my sex drive high.
    36
    Woman
    A few months
    Depression
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed WellbutrinI take it at night, haven't noticed sleep problems. First day I was amped up but that went away, still have low low sex drive and a healthy appetite :(
    35
    Woman
    A year or so
    Depression
Weight
  • It's less likely to cause weight gain than other antidepressants.
  • Worth it
    Worked so-so
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Wellbutrinon 2/23/2018A good choice for an antidepressant that’s more energizing and does not cause sexual dysfunction or weight gain.
    22
    Man
    Two years or more
    Would rather not say
  • Worth it
    Worked so-so
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Wellbutrinon 6/22/2017Though I've had some negative side effects, the good far outweighs the bad. I'm hypomanic-bipolar with manic depressive tendencies. This, along with Buspar and Gabapentin, helped to lift the depression enough so that I can lead a somewhat "normal" life.
    37
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Bipolar disorder
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed WellbutrinI started taking it and immediately lost my appetite to the point I had to force myself to eat. I lost 90 pounds in about 6-12 months. For me, it has been the best medication I have taken so far. It helped my mood, my depression and weight.
    65
    Woman
    Two years or more