What is bupropion used for?
Bupropion is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and to prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is sometimes called autumn-winter seasonal depression. It is also used as part of a support program to help people stop smoking. Key Takeaways. Wellbutrin is used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. Common side effects of Wellbutrin include headaches, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, and constipation. Call your doctor if you experience adverse effects like difficulty breathing or swelling.This medication works by improving your mood and your sense of well-being. This is achieved by restoring the chemical balance of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.Eating disorders, such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa, put you at risk of seizures. So, a doctor might not prescribe you Wellbutrin, which only further increases that risk. Severe anxiety. Some potential side effects of Wellburtion include jitteriness and agitation.The bottom line Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant medication that treats depression and seasonal affective disorder. Common Wellbutrin side effects include tremors, agitation, and dry mouth. It can also cause dizziness, constipation, and increased sweating.It’s important to note that bupropion should be avoided completely in certain groups of people at higher risk of seizures. This includes people with epilepsy or a current or prior eating disorder. It also includes those who abruptly stop drinking alcohol or abruptly stop certain medications, like benzodiazepines.
Is bupropion risky?
There is a low risk of cardiovascular adverse events associated with stimulating agents, including bupropion. This risk increases if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, previous heart attack, or irregular heartbeat, or when used with nicotine patches. Patients who are hypersensitive or allergic to bupropion or its constituents should not use the medication. Patients with a history of bulimia or anorexia nervosa should not take bupropion. Bupropion has an FDA-issued box warning related to suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults.Based on Clinical Global Impressions scale screens, 52% of patients taking bupropion reported being much improved compared with 11% treated with placebo.Wellbutrin (bupropion) is FDA-approved for MDD, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and smoking cessation. It’s also prescribed off-label for anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among other conditions.Bupropion should not be used by people who have a seizure disorder or an eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia.
Why do doctors not prescribe bupropion?
Because of its activating/stimulating property, bupropion is rarely prescribed by physicians when a patient has comorbid anxiety disorder or symptoms of central nervous system activation (Zimmerman et al. Some of the most common side effects of bupropion are dry mouth, nausea, trouble sleeping, and dizziness.Results: Although bupropion caused a rise in supine blood pressure, it did not cause significant conduction complications, did not exacerbate ventricular arrhythmias, had a low rate of orthostatic hypotension, and had no effect on pulse rate.Generic bupropion is still available and the most common side effects when used for depression include insomnia, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, sore throat, nausea, and constipation. Bupropion carries a Boxed Warning because it may cause changes in behavior and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.This medication works by improving your mood and your sense of well-being. This is achieved by restoring the chemical balance of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
What to avoid when taking bupropion?
Drinking large amounts of alcohol, using sleeping or anxiety medications, or quickly stopping the use of these agents while taking this medication may increase your risk for a seizure. This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Research suggests it can improve concentration, focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity in adults with ADHD. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wellbutrin in the United States for treating depression in 1985. The FDA also approved it for helping with smoking cessation in 1997.Wellbutrin, like some other antidepressants, can cause tiredness, sleepiness, and fatigue in some patients. It can mean your body adjusts to the medication, but if drowsiness is severe, consult with your healthcare provider.Increased focus and concentration however, once you start taking wellbutrin, you might notice a positive change where you’re able to pay attention again and stay on task, whether it’s at work, school, or any other daily activities.More serious side effects include severe psychiatric changes like delusions, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts and behavior. Your risk of having a seizure can also be higher with Wellbutrin.