How Long Does It Take for Wellbutrin to Work?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Does Wellbutrin Work?How Quickly Does Wellbutrin Work?Dosing GuidelinesSide EffectsInteractionsFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How Does Wellbutrin Work?

How Quickly Does Wellbutrin Work?

Dosing Guidelines

Side Effects

Interactions

Frequently Asked Questions

Wellbutrin (bupropionhydrochloride)is an orally administered, brand-name, and prescription antidepressant that is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved formajor depressive disorder (MDD, clinical depression),seasonal affective disorder (SAD), andsmoking cessation (quitting)in adults 18 and older.

The active ingredient in Wellbutrin, bupropion, is available in brand names, too, such as Wellbutrin SR (sustained-release) and Wellbutrin XL (extended-release). Additionally, not linked to a brand, bupropion is also available as a generic product.

Wellbutrin starts improving symptoms within one to two weeks of the initial dose. However, it usually takes around six to eight weeks to work effectively as a treatment for depression.

This article will highlight how long Wellbutrin takes to work, how it works, and other significant details regarding the safe and effective use of Wellbutrin.

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For context, SSRIs stifleserotonin’sreuptake (absorption), aneurotransmitterthat affects how you experience emotions. By inhibiting serotonin reuptake, SSRIs can boost serotonin levels in the brain, improving mood.

In comparison, Wellbutrin (bupropion) blocks the receptors involved in the reuptake of neurotransmitters (chemicals used to transmit signals in the brain),norepinephrine, anddopamine. As a result, this drug extends the effect of these neurotransmitters to produce the desired effect of mood stabilization.

Dopamine and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters that play a crucial role in managing a person’s attention span, the ability to experience pleasure, learning potential, and memory.

Within the United States, depression is a common and growing mental health condition. In fact, in 2020, 18.4% of adults reported having ever been diagnosed with depression.Therefore, effective medication that works quickly is paramount for many Americans.

Wellbutrin can take several days to show initial benefits and up to six weeks to reach full effect. Improvement in the physical symptoms can be an early sign that the medication has started working.

More specifically, a person’s ability to sleep, energy, or appetite may improve within one to two weeks. However, feelings of depression or a lack of interest in day-to-day activities may require six to eight weeks to improve.

After starting Wellbutrin, symptoms gradually decrease over multiple weeks. Once symptoms are under control, though, conditions like MDD usually require long-term treatment to prevent the relapse of depressive symptoms.

If you use Wellbutrin for SAD or smoking cessation (for which only Wellbutrin SR is approved),your treatment may be shorter.

Your healthcare provider will assess the duration of your treatment and how long you need to take the medicine.

Wellbutrin, an orally administered medication, is typically administered in the following ways:

Wellbutrin XL tablets: 150 milligrams (mg), 300 mg:

General guidelines:

MDD:

SAD:

Wellbutrin SR tablets, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg:

Smoking cessation:

If, in any case, you need to stop taking either form of Wellbutrin, talk with your healthcare provider first.

Sudden discontinuation of Wellbutrin may increase the risk of severe side effects, such as seizures.

How to Safety Take Wellbutrin

Swallow the SR and XL tablets whole and do not crush or chew them. Generally, The SR tablet is usually taken twice daily, with doses at least eight hours apart.

Comparatively, the ER tablet is usually taken once daily in the morning; doses of the ER tablet should be taken at least 24 hours apart. It may take four weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of bupropion.

Side Effects & Safety

Wellbutrin comes with an FDA-markedboxed warningthat describes the potential forsuicidal thoughtsand sudden changes in mood and behavior of children, adolescents, or young adults taking antidepressants like Wellbutrin.

Nonetheless, Wellbutrin is a generally safe and effective drug when used precisely as prescribed. Wellbutrin does carry some potential side effects, including common, severe, or long-term ones.

Some of these side effects do not need medical attention and go away slowly. Others need immediate medical treatment. The following are the side effects of Wellbutrin.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects associated with the use of Wellbutrin include:

Severe Side Effects

Some side effects associated with the use of Wellbutrin can be severe. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your healthcare provider immediately:

Furthermore, the monitoring of people taking Wellbutrin is required to avoid further adverse effects if the following symptoms appear:

Keep regular appointments with your healthcare provider when taking Wellbutrin, and watch for the worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Who Shouldn’t Take Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is not for use in people with certain pre-existing conditions.

Consult your healthcare provider if you have or have had the following conditions before taking Wellbutrin:

Wellbutrin Interactions

The drugs listed below may potentially affect Wellbutrin’s effectiveness and potentially cause adverse reactions.

Therefore, dosage management is required when the following are used with Wellbutrin:

Some other drugs that may potentially negatively interact with Wellbutrin include:

Additionally, potential users should know that Wellbutrin may affect the results of various laboratory tests, as some false-positive results have been reported in people taking Wellbutrin.

Summary

Wellbutrin is an effective antidepressant drug available to treat depression-related symptoms. Additionally, the FDA has approved variations of Wellbutrin for other uses, including smoking cessation.

The time it takes to improve the symptoms depends on the condition being treated, the severity of the symptoms, and the dosage. Your healthcare provider will determine your best brand and treatment plan.

Although it is a safe and proven treatment option, Wellbutrin carries a boxed warning describing its potential to increase or worsen suicidal thoughts in young people.

As such, family and caregivers should keep a close relationship with people taking Wellbutrin and help them to cope with these symptoms. Don’t stop taking this drug suddenly, as it may cause seizures which can be life-threatening.

Frequently Asked QuestionsKeep Wellbutrin tablets in the container it came in, tightly closed. Store it at room temperature (between 68 and 77 degrees F), away from light, excess heat, and moisture. Do not store medicines in the bathroom.Keep all medications away from the sight and reach of children and pets.Dispose of unwanted medication. Contact your pharmacist or local garbage/recycling department to discuss take-back programs in your community.Wellbutrin’s price may depend on your treatment plan, insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. To find out how much you’ll pay for Wellbutrin, talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider.

Keep Wellbutrin tablets in the container it came in, tightly closed. Store it at room temperature (between 68 and 77 degrees F), away from light, excess heat, and moisture. Do not store medicines in the bathroom.Keep all medications away from the sight and reach of children and pets.Dispose of unwanted medication. Contact your pharmacist or local garbage/recycling department to discuss take-back programs in your community.

Keep Wellbutrin tablets in the container it came in, tightly closed. Store it at room temperature (between 68 and 77 degrees F), away from light, excess heat, and moisture. Do not store medicines in the bathroom.

Keep all medications away from the sight and reach of children and pets.

Dispose of unwanted medication. Contact your pharmacist or local garbage/recycling department to discuss take-back programs in your community.

Wellbutrin’s price may depend on your treatment plan, insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. To find out how much you’ll pay for Wellbutrin, talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider.

Correction-March 20, 2024:This article was updated to correct the doses for the maximum daily dosage of Wellbutrin SR under general guidelines

9 SourcesVerywell Health 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.MedlinePlus.Bupropion.DailyMed.Label: Wellbutrin SR- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, film coated.National Health Service.Overview - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).Ranjbar-Slamloo Y, Fazlali Z.Dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain; overlapping or dissociate functions?.Front Mol Neurosci. 2020;12:334. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2019.00334Hamedi M, Mohammdi M, Ghaleiha A, et al.Bupropion in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized, double-blind study.Acta Med Iran. 2014;52(9):675-680.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use bupropion SR.DailyMed.Label: Wellbutrin XL- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, extended-release.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Bupropion hydrochloride - drug summary.Casey ER, Scott MG, Tang S, Mullins ME.Frequency of false positive amphetamine screens due to bupropion using the Syva EMIT II immunoassay.J Med Toxicol. 2011;7(2):105-108. doi:10.1007/s13181-010-0131-5

9 Sources

Verywell Health 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.MedlinePlus.Bupropion.DailyMed.Label: Wellbutrin SR- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, film coated.National Health Service.Overview - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).Ranjbar-Slamloo Y, Fazlali Z.Dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain; overlapping or dissociate functions?.Front Mol Neurosci. 2020;12:334. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2019.00334Hamedi M, Mohammdi M, Ghaleiha A, et al.Bupropion in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized, double-blind study.Acta Med Iran. 2014;52(9):675-680.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use bupropion SR.DailyMed.Label: Wellbutrin XL- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, extended-release.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Bupropion hydrochloride - drug summary.Casey ER, Scott MG, Tang S, Mullins ME.Frequency of false positive amphetamine screens due to bupropion using the Syva EMIT II immunoassay.J Med Toxicol. 2011;7(2):105-108. doi:10.1007/s13181-010-0131-5

Verywell Health 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.

MedlinePlus.Bupropion.DailyMed.Label: Wellbutrin SR- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, film coated.National Health Service.Overview - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).Ranjbar-Slamloo Y, Fazlali Z.Dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain; overlapping or dissociate functions?.Front Mol Neurosci. 2020;12:334. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2019.00334Hamedi M, Mohammdi M, Ghaleiha A, et al.Bupropion in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized, double-blind study.Acta Med Iran. 2014;52(9):675-680.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use bupropion SR.DailyMed.Label: Wellbutrin XL- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, extended-release.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Bupropion hydrochloride - drug summary.Casey ER, Scott MG, Tang S, Mullins ME.Frequency of false positive amphetamine screens due to bupropion using the Syva EMIT II immunoassay.J Med Toxicol. 2011;7(2):105-108. doi:10.1007/s13181-010-0131-5

MedlinePlus.Bupropion.

DailyMed.Label: Wellbutrin SR- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, film coated.

National Health Service.Overview - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Ranjbar-Slamloo Y, Fazlali Z.Dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain; overlapping or dissociate functions?.Front Mol Neurosci. 2020;12:334. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2019.00334

Hamedi M, Mohammdi M, Ghaleiha A, et al.Bupropion in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized, double-blind study.Acta Med Iran. 2014;52(9):675-680.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use bupropion SR.

DailyMed.Label: Wellbutrin XL- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, extended-release.

Prescribers' Digital Reference.Bupropion hydrochloride - drug summary.

Casey ER, Scott MG, Tang S, Mullins ME.Frequency of false positive amphetamine screens due to bupropion using the Syva EMIT II immunoassay.J Med Toxicol. 2011;7(2):105-108. doi:10.1007/s13181-010-0131-5

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