Wellbutrin for Bipolar Disorder: Risks and Benefits

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWellbutrin for Bipolar DisorderStarting WellbutrinSide EffectsPrecautions and Interactions

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Table of Contents

Wellbutrin for Bipolar Disorder

Starting Wellbutrin

Side Effects

Precautions and Interactions

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At a GlanceIf you have bipolar disorder, your doctor may suggest using Wellbutrin to help manage depressive symptoms. Research suggests that it can be an effective treatment option, but there are side effects and precautions to consider before you start taking this medication. Keep reading to learn more about the efficacy of Wellbutrin for bipolar disorder, side effects that may occur, and other precautions you should be aware of.

At a Glance

If you have bipolar disorder, your doctor may suggest using Wellbutrin to help manage depressive symptoms. Research suggests that it can be an effective treatment option, but there are side effects and precautions to consider before you start taking this medication. Keep reading to learn more about the efficacy of Wellbutrin for bipolar disorder, side effects that may occur, and other precautions you should be aware of.

Antidepressants, including Wellbutrin, are widely used in managing depression in bipolar disorder. There are concerns when it comes to antidepressants and bipolar disease.One of these concerns is called phase switching, which is a shift in mood from depression to mania.This can be a serious problem because mania can result in impulsive or dangerous behavior.

Studies show that Wellbutrin has the same risk of inducing phase shifting as that of most other antidepressants when it is used in bipolar disorder.

General Guidelines for Starting Wellbutrin

If you are starting to take Wellbutrin for the first time, your doctor will begin your medication at a low dose first and gradually increase your dose, due to the risk ofside effects.

When you first begin taking Wellbutrin, your initial dosage should be no more than 200 mg/day, taken as two 100 mg doses per day, ideally spaced about 12 hours apart. This may be increased to a target dose of 300 mg/day on the fourth day, taken as 100 mg doses at least six hours apart. A maximum dose of 450 mg per day can be taken as 150 mg three times per day.

If you experience agitation, restlessness, or insomnia, you should take a lower dose for a longer period of time and/or increase the dosage more gradually. These are common side effects that sometimes may occur when you start taking the medication and then resolve as you adjust to it.

Do not expect to feel improvement of your depression right away. It may take two to three months for you to feel the antidepressant effects of the medication.

Side Effects of Wellbutrin

Here are some things you should watch out for when taking this medication:

Wellbutrin Side Effects

The most common side effects of Wellbutrin include:

If you experience these symptoms, make sure to tell your doctor if they are severe or if they suddenly worsen.

A small percentage of people experience anorexia (lack of appetite) while taking bupropion, so patients with a history of anorexia nervosa (deliberate food restriction) orbulimiashould not take this medication. You should not take Wellbutrin if you cannot afford to lose more than 5% of your current body weight.

Studies show that bupropion is not harmful during pregnancy. Always be sure to tell your obstetrician about all medications you are taking.

Wellbutrin Precautions and Interactions

At doses of 400-450 mg/day, your risk of seizures triples, although it’s still very, very small: four in every 1,000 people experience seizures from Wellbutrin at a dose this high. While rare, taking Wellbutrin can increase your risk of experiencing a seizure. You should not take Wellbutrin if you have a seizure disorder or eating disorder since these conditions carry a higher risk of seizures.

If you miss a dose, skip it. The risk of seizure is dose-dependent, and doubling up is more likely to cause a seizure.

Drug and Alcohol Interactions

If you’re taking anMAOI antidepressant, you should wait at least two weeks following your last dose of that medication to start Wellbutrin because these medications can interact with each other.

Never take both Wellbutrin andZyban, which is also bupropion. Zyban is used for smoking cessation, but taking both will dangerously increase your dose of the same chemicals.

Other medications that can cause drug interactions include antipsychotics, corticosteroids, blood thinners, and other antidepressants. These medications may impact how Wellbutrin works or increase your risk of experiencing side effects.

Drinking alcohol if you take bupropion increases the risk of seizures.

Never stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor first. Suddenly stopping your medication may lead towithdrawaland the return of bipolar mood symptoms. Instead, talk to your doctor about gradually tapering your dose and other treatments to manage your bipolar symptoms.

Keep in Mind

Research suggests that Wellbutrin can be a safe and effective treatment for bipolar disorder. One study found that taking Wellbutrin significantly improved symptoms in people with bipolar disorder and was comparable to the effects of other antidepressants.However, it is important to discuss your options with your doctor to determine if it is right for you.

Other medications that are commonly used to treat bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, lithium, and other types of antidepressants.

Psychotherapy can also help manage symptoms of bipolar disorder. Types of therapy that may be helpful includecognitive behavioral therapy(CBT),dialectical behavior therapy(DBT), andinterpersonal and social rhythm therapy(IPSRT).

Treating Bipolar Disorder

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Federal Drug Administration.Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) tablets: Prescribing information.National Institute of Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.Gitlin MJ.Antidepressants in bipolar depression: an enduring controversy.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2018;6(1):25. doi:10.1186/s40345-018-0133-9Li DJ, Tseng PT, Chen YW, Wu CK, Lin PY.Significant treatment effect of bupropion in patients with bipolar disorder but similar phase-shifting rate as other antidepressants: A meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(13):e3165. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003165Fakhri A, Asadi K, Pakseresht S, Norouzi S, Rostami H.Comparison of the efficacy of venlafaxine and bupropion in the treatment of depressive episode in patients with bipolar II disorder.J Family Med Prim Care. 2023;12(3):440-445. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1258_22Turner E, Jones M, Vaz LR, Coleman T.Systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety of bupropion and varenicline in pregnancy.Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 2019;21(8):1001-1010. doi:10.1093/ntr/nty055

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Federal Drug Administration.Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) tablets: Prescribing information.National Institute of Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.Gitlin MJ.Antidepressants in bipolar depression: an enduring controversy.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2018;6(1):25. doi:10.1186/s40345-018-0133-9Li DJ, Tseng PT, Chen YW, Wu CK, Lin PY.Significant treatment effect of bupropion in patients with bipolar disorder but similar phase-shifting rate as other antidepressants: A meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(13):e3165. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003165Fakhri A, Asadi K, Pakseresht S, Norouzi S, Rostami H.Comparison of the efficacy of venlafaxine and bupropion in the treatment of depressive episode in patients with bipolar II disorder.J Family Med Prim Care. 2023;12(3):440-445. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1258_22Turner E, Jones M, Vaz LR, Coleman T.Systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety of bupropion and varenicline in pregnancy.Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 2019;21(8):1001-1010. doi:10.1093/ntr/nty055

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

U.S. Federal Drug Administration.Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) tablets: Prescribing information.National Institute of Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.Gitlin MJ.Antidepressants in bipolar depression: an enduring controversy.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2018;6(1):25. doi:10.1186/s40345-018-0133-9Li DJ, Tseng PT, Chen YW, Wu CK, Lin PY.Significant treatment effect of bupropion in patients with bipolar disorder but similar phase-shifting rate as other antidepressants: A meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(13):e3165. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003165Fakhri A, Asadi K, Pakseresht S, Norouzi S, Rostami H.Comparison of the efficacy of venlafaxine and bupropion in the treatment of depressive episode in patients with bipolar II disorder.J Family Med Prim Care. 2023;12(3):440-445. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1258_22Turner E, Jones M, Vaz LR, Coleman T.Systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety of bupropion and varenicline in pregnancy.Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 2019;21(8):1001-1010. doi:10.1093/ntr/nty055

U.S. Federal Drug Administration.Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) tablets: Prescribing information.

National Institute of Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.

Gitlin MJ.Antidepressants in bipolar depression: an enduring controversy.Int J Bipolar Disord. 2018;6(1):25. doi:10.1186/s40345-018-0133-9

Li DJ, Tseng PT, Chen YW, Wu CK, Lin PY.Significant treatment effect of bupropion in patients with bipolar disorder but similar phase-shifting rate as other antidepressants: A meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(13):e3165. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003165

Fakhri A, Asadi K, Pakseresht S, Norouzi S, Rostami H.Comparison of the efficacy of venlafaxine and bupropion in the treatment of depressive episode in patients with bipolar II disorder.J Family Med Prim Care. 2023;12(3):440-445. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1258_22

Turner E, Jones M, Vaz LR, Coleman T.Systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety of bupropion and varenicline in pregnancy.Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 2019;21(8):1001-1010. doi:10.1093/ntr/nty055

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