Many people will be reluctant to go get a new prescription just to stop. In the case of bupropion, this will work out okay much of the time. There is much more to learn about the programs delivered at Alternative to Meds Center and what they entail in terms of treatments and therapies that are available to our clients.

Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. Causes of Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms are either abrupt cessation or significant reduction of dosage of the medication. Dependence on the drug, developed through misuse or abuse, also results in withdrawal symptoms upon stopping Wellbutrin.

• The fact is, some physicians will regularly reevaluate whether a patient should continue their meds or not while others will take a more conservative approach, Dr. DeYoung says.
• Long-term use of this medication can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon quitting.
• Bupropion, commonly marketed as Wellbutrin, is used to treat depression and help people stop smoking.
• It isn’t a replacement for medication (just like medication isn’t a replacement for therapy).
• Call us today to learn more about Wellbutrin detox and to find detox options at a treatment center that’s right for you.

The risk of withdrawal symptoms is higher if you stop taking Wellbutrin cold turkey. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment. Some antidepressants, especially SSRIs 2, can cause a condition called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome 3, also known as withdrawal, which can be very uncomfortable.

Treatment

The best way to do this is by slowly reducing, or tapering, the amount you take instead of quitting all at once. 3 This allows your body to adjust to lower levels of the medication over time, reducing the chance of uncomfortable symptoms like mood swings, anxiety, or trouble sleeping. Always work with your doctor to create a tapering plan that is right for you. They will help you gradually decrease your dose to make the transition smoother.

For so many, Wellbutrin (or the generic version, bupropion) starts out as a sigh of relief or a glimmer of hope. As an antidepressant that’s prescribed for major depressive disorder and for seasonal affective disorder, it can help you finally feel like yourself again after a long struggle with depression. It’s also a smoking cessation aid, so you might use it to finally kick cigarettes or nicotine to the curb and free yourself from the costs and complications of smoking. But Wellbutrin can cause a dependence of its own, and when you choose to stop taking it, you may experience withdrawals. Yes, it is generally recommended to taper off 150 mg of Wellbutrin gradually under the guidance of a healthcare professional. You should not try to start getting off Wellbutrin by yourself, as abrupt discontinuation may lead to withdrawal symptoms while weaning off Wellbutrin slowly helps to minimize potential side effects.

• If Wellbutrin doesn’t work, don’t despair and follow your doctor’s advice.
• If you start to experience withdrawal symptoms, let your doctor know.
• Mild symptoms for this syndrome typically manifest after using any type of antidepressant.
• Discontinuation of Wellbutrin results in withdrawal symptoms for some individuals.

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Part of the center’s success comes from sound principles of holistic treatment in a safe and nurturing inpatient setting. More information is given below on these and other adverse effects involved. Many clients come to us referred by their prescribers because they felt ill-equipped to navigate their patients through Wellbutrin discontinuation syndrome. Often, more support is needed than can realistically be provided in an outpatient setting, and inpatient care is preferred. Commonly, these adverse effects can occur while weaning off Wellbutrin including brain zaps, emotional upheavals, unusual sensory perceptions, disrupted sleep, and many more.

It may be true that in the past, the only “solution” that was offered was to address symptoms with medication. In the past, perhaps that was all that was possible and would be more humane than letting a person suffer. But with today’s testing and other diagnostic and investigative tools, and a wealth of nutritional research, Alternative to Meds Center can help our clients to truly move forward into bonafide better health. Some of these benefits might include more energy, a brighter mood, a better quality of sleep, more vitality overall, and therefore not needing the artificial stimulation of medication. If Wellbutrin didn’t help, work with your doctor to find a different medication or combination of medications that might be more effective.

Wellbutrin has a low risk for physical dependence and severe withdrawal if taken as prescribed by a doctor. A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf. Please note, this is only a quote of benefits and/or authorization. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service. Although Wellbutrin is not generally considered addictive, cases of Bupropion abuse have been reported.

Wellbutrin Nightmares: Causes, Coping, and Advice

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant commonly used to treat major depressive disorder. Long-term use of this medication can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon quitting. In general, it is recommended to slowly taper antidepressant drugs over at least a few weeks when discontinuing them. This is to prevent, or at the very least decrease the severity of, potential withdrawal symptoms.

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For someone on their second episode of depression, many doctors will probably want to wait at least two years or so, Dr. DeYoung says; for Dr. Siegel, it’s around three years. For someone who’s had three episodes, some guidelines recommend staying on maintenance antidepressants for at least two years, Dr. DeYoung says—if not for the foreseeable future, according to Dr. Siegel. But it is an important factor for you and your doctor to consider. Having multiple recurrences of depression—meaning, distinct periods when you’ve experienced daily depression for at least two weeks—suggests your biology or personality is more prone to it, Dr. Siegel says. For every past depressive episode, the likelihood of having another one goes up.

The timeline largely depends on the half-life of this antidepressant medication. Whether your doctor thinks you’re ready or not, the conversation will be clarifying. You’ll get the expert recommendations and information you need to help you make the right decision, Dr. DeYoung says.

This means it does not cause severe dependence or major symptoms of withdrawal when its use is stopped. Although the misuse of Wellbutrin isn’t common, this has been reported among certain people with a history of substance abuse or addiction. While not a first-line treatment, Bupropion is sometimes considered in the management of ADHD, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other medications. Bupropion is approved as an antidepressant, offering an alternative for individuals with MDD. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.

They can advise you on the right way to make the transition (such as tapering off your dose gradually) and help you cope with symptoms you might experience. These symptoms usually present within the first few days after stopping Wellbutrin and can last 2 weeks. However, not everyone will experience these effects, and the symptoms are manageable.

Including Lifestyle Changes and Alternative Therapies

Unlike how do i wean myself off of wellbutrin other smoking cessation pharmacotherapies, it constitutes a non-nicotine treatment. By reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings, it assists individuals in overcoming nicotine dependence. Drug detox can vary according to the patient’s addiction factors, including the substance abused, how long the addiction has lasted, the patient’s medical condition, if any other disorders are present, and more. They can help you gradually reduce your dose and manage any withdrawal symptoms you might have. If you have concerns like how to stop Wellbutrin safely and avoid severe withdrawal symptoms upon Wellbutrin discontinuation, this guide addresses these issues and more. You can also learn how to connect with compassionate and effective 1 care for withdrawal from Wellbutrin.

Besides treating off-label diagnoses like ADHD, Bupropion’s unique pharmacological profile has led to its off-label use in conditions such as bipolar depression, anxiety disorders, and neuropathic pain. ADHD, a common neurobiological condition, features behavioral and cognitive symptoms like inattention, impulsivity, and/or excessive activity. It often comes with psychiatric comorbidities and links to educational and occupational underachievement.