A word of caution to those who take the antidepressant Wellbutrin and must stop for any reason: abruptly stopping this medication may cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. But don’t worry, if this medication isn’t right for you, you don’t have to take it forever. Your healthcare provider can help you taper off the drug slowly to avoid those unwanted symptoms.
So you’ve decided to ditch Wellbutrin. Maybe it’s not working for you, maybe you’ve found a better alternative or maybe you just want to see what life is like without it. Whatever your reason, it’s important to know that stopping Wellbutrin cold turkey can lead to some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
What are Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms?
Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- Aches and pains
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Brain zaps (a strange sensation of electric shocks in the brain)
- Mood swings
- Depression
How long do Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms last?
The good news is that Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms usually only last for a few days to a week. However, in some cases, they can last for several weeks or even months
How can I avoid Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms?
The best way to avoid Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms is to taper off the medication slowly. This means gradually reducing your dose over a period of time. Your doctor can help you create a tapering schedule that is right for you.
What if I start experiencing Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms?
If you start experiencing Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They may be able to adjust your tapering schedule or prescribe medication to help you manage your symptoms.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about Wellbutrin withdrawal:
- The risk of withdrawal symptoms is higher if you stop taking Wellbutrin suddenly.
- The severity of withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person.
- There is no one-size-fits-all approach to tapering off Wellbutrin.
- It’s important to be patient and listen to your body.
If you’re thinking about stopping Wellbutrin, talk to your doctor first. They can help you create a safe and effective plan to taper off the medication and avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Remember, you’re not alone. Millions of people take Wellbutrin, and many of them experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. If you’re struggling, reach out to your doctor or a mental health professional for support.
What is Wellbutrin withdrawal?
The percentage of patients who abruptly reduce their antidepressant dosage or stop taking it altogether (going from 20%E2%80%9Ccold turkey to 20%E2%80%9D) will likely experience withdrawal symptoms. This can happen with any antidepressant medication, including Wellbutrin (Gabriel, 2017).
There is less research on bupropion-associated withdrawal symptoms than on other antidepressants, but case reports show that Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms are typically mild and usually last only a short time if they occur (Henssler, 2019).
The symptoms of Wellbutrin withdrawal can start from a few days to a week after your last dose of medication. The symptoms are typically mild and go away on their own within two to six weeks (Henssler, 2019; Carvalho, 2016).
The acronym FINISH, which stands for (Gabriel, 2017), is used by researchers to refer to the psychological and physiological signs of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.
- Flu-like symptoms—feeling tired and achy, headache, sweating
- Insomnia—sometimes with vivid dreams or nightmares
- Nausea—occasionally with vomiting
- Imbalance—dizziness or lightheadedness
- Sensory disruptions: experiencing “brain zaps,” which are burning, tingling, or electric-like sensations
- Hyperarousal—anxiety, irritability, agitation, mood swings, and sometime manic-like symptoms
Rarely, withdrawal symptoms can persist past six weeks and lead to the development of “persistent post-withdrawal disorder.” ” This is not common, though (Carvalho, 2016).
While some withdrawal symptoms are still possible, speaking with your doctor and tapering your medication over a few weeks can lessen your chance of experiencing them (Carvalho, 2016).
There are many reasons you may decide to stop taking Wellbutrin. Whatever your reason for quitting, it’s advisable to do so gradually and under a doctor’s supervision.
While medical research agrees that a slow taper is the best bet, there’s no clear consensus on the optimal schedule. Your healthcare provider can help you determine the best tapering schedule for you based on your past experiences, your physical and mental health history, and whether you’re taking a different antidepressant (Wilson, 2015; Keks, 2016).
Possible strategies include tapering off Wellbutrin gradually over weeks or months, or gradually beginning another antidepressant in addition to Wellbutrin. Whatever approach you and your provider decide on, it’s critical to inform them of your emotional state (Wilson, 2015; Keks, 2016).
Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel the effects of Wellbutrin withdrawal or if your depression comes back. Get help immediately if you start to feel increased symptoms of depression or have suicidal thoughts.
Is there any treatment for Wellbutrin withdrawal?
For the most part, Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms are mild and short-lived. Most people will not require any specific treatment (Gabriel, 2017).
You can help yourself cope with mild withdrawal symptoms by:
- Following any taper directions that your provider gives you
- Getting adequate hydration, sleep, and nutrition
- Keeping in touch with your healthcare provider
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help some people deal with withdrawal symptoms and any related distress. Studies have shown that even six to eight sessions of CBT can be helpful (Wilson, 2015; Nieuwsma, 2012).
Your doctor might advise restarting the drug to relieve more severe Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms before gradually reducing it once more (Gabriel, 2017; Henssler, 2019).
Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is less likely with longer-acting medications such as Prozac (fluoxetine; see Important Safety Information). Changing to a longer-acting antidepressant and then gradually weaning off of it is another method for treating Wellbutrin withdrawal (Henssler, 2019; Wilson, 2015).
Overall, the best treatment strategy for Wellbutrin withdrawal is prevention. See your doctor if you wish to stop taking Wellbutrin, and devise a plan to taper off the medication gradually.
DISCLAIMER
If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. Peer-reviewed research and data from governmental and medical organizations support the articles on Health Guide. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
- Carvalho, A. F. , Sharma, M. S. , Brunoni, A. R. , et al. (2016). A critical assessment of the literature regarding the risks, safety, and tolerability of using newer generation antidepressant medications Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics , 85 (5), 270–288. doi:10. 1159/000447034. Retrieved from https://pubmed. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/27508501/ .
- Gabriel, M. & Sharma, V. (2017). Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal , 189 (21), E747. doi:10. 1503/cmaj. 160991. Retrieved from https://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC5449237/ .
- Henssler, J. , Heinz, A. , Brandt, L. , & Bschor, T. (2019). Antidepressant withdrawal and rebound phenomena. Deutsches Arzteblatt International , 116 (20), 355–361. doi:10. 3238/arztebl. 2019. 0355. Retrieved from https://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC6637660/ .
- Huecker, M. R. , Smiley, A. , & Saadabadi, A. (2021). Bupropion. StatPearls . Retrieved on Apr. 6, 2022 from https://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/books/NBK470212 .
- Keks, N. , Hope, J. , & Keogh, S. (2016). Switching and stopping antidepressants. Australian Prescriber , 39 (3), 76–83. doi:10. 18773/austprescr. 2016. 039. Retrieved from https://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC4919171/ .
- Nieuwsma, J. A. , Trivedi, R. B. , McDuffie, J. , et al. (2012). Brief psychotherapy for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine , 43 (2), 129–151. doi:10. 2190/PM. 43. 2. c. Retrieved from https://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC3668561/ .
- Wilson, E. , & Lader, M. (2015). A review of the management of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology , 5 (6), 357–368. doi:10. 1177/2045125315612334. Retrieved from https://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC4722507/ .
Symptoms of Wellbutrin Withdrawals
FAQ
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