Wellbutrin was developed in 1989, designed with better neurochemistry and organic effects than other antidepressants over the past decades. The medicative evidence of bupropion is uncertain.
However, researchers have understood the primary pharmacology, making it one of the narrative mechanisms among selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Wellbutrin is the brand name of the active compound bupropion. This article will reveal the health problems treated by Wellbutrin, the mechanism of action, and its side effects.
What are the uses of Wellbutrin?
The Food and Drug Administration has sanctioned Wellbutrin in treating major depressive disorder and winter depression (some individuals are sensitive towards cold weather and cooler temperature), which is also called a seasonal affective disorder.
The drug has many active and inactive ingredients with multiple pharmacological benefits when used efficiently under professional guidance.
The healthcare service provider often prescribes this medication to heal their patients dealing with anxiety, obesity, hyperactive syndrome, and bipolar disease.
Other usage includes reviving a socially deprived person, muscle spasms, and nerve pain. Also, the supplementary benefit is for nicotine smokers: Zyban – one of the primary ingredients assists in reducing smoking addiction.
Wellbutrin for anxiety
Whether Wellbutrin relieves anxiety or not is still unknown. The clinical reports are also limited to explain the effectiveness of bupropion in honor of an anxiety disorder. Although, when taking this medication for treating depression, anxiety is one of the usual side effects observed.
The previous studies have mixed reviews regarding its efficacy in treating general anxiety disorder. Even one of the pilot research has stated Wellbutrin to be more effective than Lexapro in relieving anxiousness.
However, bupropion cannot be considered as a first-line treatment for anxiety. More study is required to understand its mechanism specifically for panic attacks and anxiety to know its clinical results.
How does Wellbutrin work?
The effective mechanism of action of bupropion takes place on the central nervous system. Like other antidepressants, they influence chemical activity. Neurotransmitters are the messengers who pass on the messages from one cell to another or from the muscles to the nerves within the nervous system.
Bupropion, an active ingredient, improves the task of dopamine and norepinephrine. That leads to the visible increase in the results into improving mental illness and other psychological imbalances. Apart from its anti-anxiety effect, it can drop the nicotine level. Many chain smokers take the help of Wellbutrin to quit smoking.
Side effects of Wellbutrin, Dosages, and Withdrawals
Individuals taking bupropion have been experiencing suicidal thoughts, depression, mania, hallucinations, feeling of hostility, anxiety, aggression, panic attack, delusions, and other mood swings.
Common side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Faster heartbeat
- Excess sweating
- Blurred vision
- Acute hearing disability
- Weight loss
Wellbutrin may cause hair loss as a result of side effects. Initially, your hair starts to lose its volume and density. Your hair strands become thinner day by day. Most anti-depressive pills are likely to cause telogen effluvium – a type of hair loss in which the front portion of your head starts losing hair, making the appearance of the scalp prominent.
Severe adverse effects include:
- Irregular blood pressure
- Experiencing unreal things
- Pain in the eyes
- Rashes and itching on the skin
The above list does not include all the ill effects. There may be more to this which you may learn from your doctor. Your pharmacists may also guide you with the dos and don’ts while on Wellbutrin dose. Also, if you experience something unhealthy apart from these side effects, please intimate your doctor right away.
Bupropion is a vital compound of Wellbutrin. You may get it in three variant ratios but with equal formula, namely Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin sustained-release, and Wellbutrin extended-release. After analyzing your health condition and biological factors, your healthcare service provider may tailor one variant tablet for you.
Forms of Wellbutrin include:
- Bupropion hydrochloride IR Oral tablet –75mg, and 100 mg
- Wellbutrin SL– 100 mg, 150mg, and 200 mg the maximum dose.
- Wellbutrin XL – 150 mg and 300mg are the extended-release for bupropion hydrochloride.
- Extended-release for hydrobromide – 174 mg, 348 mg, and 522 mg.
Does Wellbutrin generic exist? Yes, bupropion is the generic version of Wellbutrin. It would be best if you had a prescription to get this medication too. Bupropion SR is the generic form of Wellbutrin SR, while bupropion XL is the generic version of Wellbutrin XL.
Your healthcare service expert may modify the dosage for patients with liver or kidney impairments. 75 mg will be the lowest dose given in such cases of hepatic insufficiency.
How many milligrams may lead to Wellbutrin overdose? Clinicians have stated 450 mg as the maximum dose, which should not exceed per day. Unfortunately, if you forget a dose of Wellbutrin any time in a day.
Do not take the missed dose along with the following dose schedule because the difference between one dose to another dose should be a minimum of four hours.
If you take the pending dose and current dose together, Wellbutrin may make you high. It may also leverage the chances of an overdose, resulting in electrical activity in the brain or seizures. Some severe dose interaction may lead to coma or other fatal issues.
If you pause or withhold yourself from taking Wellbutrin, it may lead to several discontinuation signs. You may observe abrupt movements rapidly, while others may take a while to experience the symptoms.
The primary cause of withdrawal symptoms arises due to the complete elimination of this medication from your system. Like other antidepressants, Wellbutrin also shows similar withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Stomach upset
- Respiratory depression
To protect yourself from adverse events, doctors advise you to adapt to the slow tapering process. Do not pause taking the medication; instead, modify the dose proportion under your doctor’s approval.
This process will take several weeks before entirely stopping the course. It will allow your body to tolerate the milder symptoms and eventually leaving no symptoms in the system.
Wellbutrin for weight loss
A few researchers have highlighted the alteration in the patient’s body weight on account of Wellbutrin intake. Whether an individual may experience weight loss or gain is not yet defined. According to the clinical study, a person taking Wellbutrin extended-release for more than six months may experience an increase in few pounds.
On the other hand, fourteen percent of the patients had undergone weight loss after having 300 mg daily. The weight gain or loss is subjective depending upon the dose administration and the individual’s body type.
However, one of the primary reasons for weight loss among Wellbutrin users has to be the side-effect of the medicine. It does not directly affect the muscles until some other reason, like drug interaction with other medications or alcohol, may trigger the starting point for weight loss.
Although you may experience lesser pounds while on a bupropion course, this drug is not predominantly composed for weight loss. The FDA also has not approved this medication to shed pounds off your body.
When you’re on an antidepressant-like Wellbutrin, there are high possibilities that you may find a calorie increase, resulting in weight gain. Various weight loss tablets are available in the market. If you wish to be fit and in shape, you may consult a dietician or healthcare expert to get a prescription for weight loss medicine.
Where can I buy Wellbutrin Online?
Wellbutrin can be obtained online by following a legitimate method. This medication treats psychological disorders related to a temper that can be sensitive.
The composition is made up of substances that may be harmful if used unethically. The vital step to buying antidepressants online is to look for pharmacists registered with network-based services.
The second most significant step is to have the latest prescription from a practicing healthcare provider to place your online order successfully. However, unfortunately, if you have no prescription near you. You may get a prescription online through a website consultant.
The practicing nurse or doctor present online may help you get the prescription once you answer the diagnosis test. Most online doctor services provide you with prescriptions for every medication, including antidepressants.