How long wellbutrin to work

People living with MDD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions, each with risks and benefits as they relate to how the illness, medications, and risks to the fetus may interact. Untreated MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers.

Bupropion has also been evaluated for smoking cessation during pregnancy and is recommended only after other therapies have failed. Bupropion hydrochloride is available in 3 different forms: immediate release IR , sustained release SR , and extended release XL. Bupropion IR is usually taken 2 or 3 times per day with hours between doses.

The dose usually ranges from mg twice daily to mg three times daily, with the last dose taken mid-afternoon. Bupropion SR is usually taken twice daily in the morning and mid-afternoon. The dose usually ranges from mg twice daily up to mg twice daily. The dose ranges from mg to mg. While there are dose ranges for each form, your health care provider will determine the form and dose that is right for you based on your response.

The dose may be increased to mg once daily. The dose for smoking cessation is bupropion SR mg once daily for 3 days and then twice daily for 7 to 12 weeks. You should not take more than one product that contains bupropion, including the products that are used to quit smoking.

Do not take more than your prescribed dose since higher doses may increase your risk of having a seizure. Since quickly increasing the dose of bupropion can cause seizures in some people, your doctor will slowly increase your dose.

You can take bupropion on an empty stomach or with food. The SR and XL forms should be swallowed whole — not chewed, crushed, or broken — so that the medication can work correctly in your body and to reduce the risk of serious side effects. The tablet shell from the SR and XL forms may appear in your feces.

Consider using a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. You may also ask a family member or friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.

For bupropion IR or SR, if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Take the remaining doses for the day at evenly spaced times at least 4 hours apart. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.

You should not take more than your prescribed dose and doing so may increase your risk of having a seizure. For bupropion XL, do not take an extra tablet to make up for the dose you forgot. Wait and take your next dose at your regular time the next day. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking bupropion because the beneficial effects of the medication may be decreased and the risk of seizures may be increased. If you are dependent on drugs or alcohol and would like to stop, consult your healthcare provider for help.

Abruptly stopping these substances can result in a seizure, especially when taking bupropion. In fact, it's often prescribed along with other antidepressants to help counter the sexual side effects , like loss of desire, found in other types.

Additionally, another brand of bupropion the active ingredient in Wellbutrin called Zyban is used to help people quit smoking. Other off-label uses sometimes include treatment for social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD , and even some forms of nerve pain. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and current health status to determine if Wellbutrin is right for you.

Your doctor may not prescribe this drug if you have certain health conditions. It's not clear whether Wellbutrin is safe to take during pregnancy. In animal studies, there has been some evidence of adverse effects on the fetus, but we don't yet have enough data about its effect on humans. The potential benefits of continuing Wellbutrin during pregnancy may outweigh the possible risks, but this should be discussed closely with your doctor.

Wellbutrin can be present in breastmilk, so caution should be used by people who are breastfeeding. If you are lactating, your doctor can help you weigh your options.

Because older adults may have reduced kidney function, they may require smaller doses since the drug remains in the body longer. Among antidepressants, bupropion is in a category all its own—it's the only medication in its class, called norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors NDRIs , that boosts the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine.

By contrast, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs like Prozac fluoxetine and Zoloft sertraline affect serotonin, while serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs such as Cymbalta duloxetine and Effexor venlafaxine boost norepinephrine and serotonin. Wellbutrin is offered in three different formulations and dosing varies for each version:. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a modified dosage of the drug due to possible side effects or another health concern.

You should always take your medication as directed. Immediate-release Wellbutrin tablets can be broken if necessary, but they are small enough that doing so is not usually needed.

The drug can be taken on an empty stomach or with food and should be stored at room temperature, protected from light and moisture. If you happen to miss a dose of bupropion, take it as soon as you remember. Any remaining doses for the day should be taken at least six hours apart. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Taking two doses at the same time can increase your risk of experiencing a seizure or an accidental overdose.

Never stop taking your medication without help from your doctor. If you stop suddenly, your symptoms may worsen or you may experience withdrawal. But while it can cause anxiety in some people, it is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders in others. Read on to learn more about Wellbutrin, its link with anxiety, and the benefits and risks of using it. According to the Food and Drug Administration FDA , sometimes these symptoms were serious enough to require treatment with sedative or anti-anxiety medication during clinical trials.

Additionally, about 2 percent of people stopped treatment with Wellbutrin due to these anxiety-related symptoms. These types of side effects may be due to the dosage of Wellbutrin being increased too quickly.

One older pilot study did find that bupropion XL was comparable to escitalopram an SSRI , another type of antidepressant in treating people with generalized anxiety disorder GAD. While this may suggest that Wellbutrin could possibly be a second- or third-line treatment option for GAD, larger, more extensive trials are required to confirm this.

One case study found that bupropion at a dose of milligrams daily improved panic and anxiety symptoms in an individual with panic disorder. Anecdotal evidence also supports the use of bupropion in addition to other medications to treat panic disorder.

However, like the GAD pilot study, further research is needed to determine whether bupropion is effective in treating panic disorder.

The exact way Wellbutrin works to treat these conditions is unknown. This is different from some other antidepressants, which affect levels of serotonin. Wellbutrin can also be prescribed off-label for some conditions. These conditions include:.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking bupropion.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. If you are taking the extended-release tablet, you may notice something that looks like a tablet in your stool. This is just the empty tablet shell and does not mean that you did not get your complete dose of medication. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available. Bupropion pronounced as byoo proe' pee on. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause?

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. For people taking bupropion Wellbutrin for depression: A small number of children, teenagers, and young adults up to 24 years of age who took antidepressants 'mood elevators' such as bupropion during clinical studies became suicidal thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so.

For all patients taking bupropion: Your health care provider will want to see you often while you are taking bupropion, especially at the beginning of your treatment. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking bupropion.