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Wellbutrin (Bupropion): Uses, Benefits, and Side Effectts

Date: May 14, 2025 | 6 Minute Read

Just like physical health, everyone’s mental health needs are different and, sometimes, the path to mental wellness includes medications. Fortunately, there are numerous safe medications that work in direct and targeted ways to restore joy and stability to your life, and one of those is Wellbutrin, a common medication for depression and SAD.

What is Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is the brand name for bupropion and the active ingredient in Wellbutrin is bupropion hydrochloride (bupropion HCl). It’s commonly used to treat major depression and seasonal affective disorder or SAD. It’s also used to aid in smoking cessation.

Wellbutrin works in the brain to regulate mood by increasing two neurotransmitters: norepinephrine and dopamine. It’s considered an atypical antidepressant medication because it does not act principally on serotonin levels.

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What is Wellbutrin Used for? What Conditions Does It Treat?

Bupropion has been FDA approved to treat major depression and seasonal affective disorder, and as an aid to stop smoking. It is sometimes used off label to treat anxiety and ADHD, and for weight loss.

Wellbutrin is usually taken orally once or twice a day. It’s available in sustained release (SR) and extended release (XL) pill form. Bupropion is combined with salts such as hydrochloride or hydrobromide.

Wellbutrin XL is released more slowly and remains in the body for a longer period than Wellbutrin SR. In addition, bupropion XL is better for treating seasonal affective disorder than the SR form and is generally only taken once per day, whereas Wellbutrin SR is used to treat major depression and can be taken up to twice daily.

When bupropion is used for smoking cessation under the name brand Zyban, individuals should plan to stop smoking completely by the second week of use and may use a nicotine product such as a patch to aid withdrawal symptoms. If an individual has not stopped smoking after seven weeks, a consultation with the prescribing medical provider should be made.

Benefits of Taking Wellbutrin

Wellbutrin is effective in treating depression and seasonal affective disorder by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, two neurotransmitters (messengers for your brain) that create a more regulated mood.

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Additionally, bupropion has been shown to increase energy and reduce fatigue while having fewer sexual side effects than SSRIs. In some cases, bupropion can cause a decrease in appetite, leading to weight loss, which can have serious health benefits for individuals who are overweight or obese.

Because Wellbutrin increases energy levels and has fewer sedative effects than SSRIs or other antidepressants, it may be a more appealing choice for treating depression, especially for people who have work or family responsibilities to manage.

When Wellbutrin is combined with talk therapy for the treatment of depression, individuals find that they have a positive change in mood and thinking. For some, Wellbutrin is combined with SSRI medications such as Prozac, Lexapro or Zoloft to treat depression. The use of two medications works better for some people because they both regulate the neurotransmitters in the brain that can affect symptoms of depression.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bupropion

Is Wellbutrin an SSRI?

No, Wellbutrin isn’t an SSRI or selective serotonins reuptake inhibitor. It’s a norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). Both of these types of medications work on similar neurotransmitters but they work in slightly different ways.

Can Wellbutrin Help with Anxiety?

No, Wellbutrin does not typically relieve anxiety symptoms and may in fact cause anxiety in some people. Wellbutrin should usually be avoided in persons with anxiety disorders. However, the potential benefits for those with treatment-resistant depression may outweigh the risks related to anxiety symptoms.

What are Common Side Effects of Bupropion?

Like any medication, Wellbutrin can have side effects and these may include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Excitement
  • Dry Mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Constipation
  • Excessive sweating
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Frequent urination
  • Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Irregular heartbeats
  • Sneezing, sore throat and ear congestion
Does Wellbutrin Cause Weight Loss?

Yes, some people may use Wellbutrin for weight loss. It alters the level of dopamine and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitters that influence appetite and are linked to cravings. Bupropion also increases energy levels and a person’s metabolic rate, which promotes physical activity and in turn contributes to weight loss.

How Long Does Wellbutrin Take Before It Starts to Work?

Most individuals will start to feel a change in symptoms within the first two weeks of starting the medication, with the maximum benefit achieved by four to six weeks.

Wellbutrin Side Effects and Safety Considerations

The use of Wellbutrin can result in some serious but rare side effects and should always be used under the supervision of a qualified medical provider. The likelihood of serious bupropion side effects increase as the dosage of the drug is increased.

These side effects include:

  • Allergic reaction or anaphylaxis including skin rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Mood and behavior changes, including anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self harm, worsening of mood or feelings of depression
  • Redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside of the mouth
  • Seizures
  • Sudden eye pain or change in vision, such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights and vision loss
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Bupropion Drug Interactions

Wellbutrin also has several drug interactions that should be considered before its use. Always let the prescribing medical provider know what other medications you’re taking including prescription and non prescription medications, herbal remedies and dietary supplements, and consider the safety of using those medications along with Wellbutrin.

Additionally, the use of Wellbutrin and MAOI medications can have life threatening consequences and should not be taken within two weeks of each other. The use of alcohol with Wellbutrin is not recommended due to the increase in the incidence of seizure activity.

Safety and Withdrawal When Stopping Wellbutrin

Safety also must be a consideration when you stop taking Wellbutrin. It is not recommended that Wellbutrin be stopped abruptly. The recommendation for safely withdrawing from the medication is to gradually taper the dose over a period of two weeks or more, depending on the dose and duration of use.

Common withdrawal symptoms from Wellbutrin can include:

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Intense and frequent dreams
  • Headache
  • Vertigo
  • Changes to senses and perception
  • Numbness of extremities

How Wellbutrin Fits into a Comprehensive Treatment Plan

The use of Wellbutrin to treat major depression and seasonal affective disorder can be an incredibly important component of an individualized treatment plan. Along with psychotherapies that include cognitive behavioral therapies and other modalities, finding improvement in overall well being is possible.

Close monitoring of condition changes and potential side effects should also be included in a treatment plan to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment regime including appropriate Wellbutrin dosage.

If you think bupropion is right for you, reach out to a qualified mental health care provider for an assessment and customized treatment plan.

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