Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsKey DifferencesUsesWhich Is More Effective?Which Is More Tolerable?Dosage FormsDrug InteractionsChoosing Between Them
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Key Differences
Uses
Which Is More Effective?
Which Is More Tolerable?
Dosage Forms
Drug Interactions
Choosing Between Them
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Prozac (fluoxetine) are both antidepressants, but they belong to different families of depression-management medications. Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), while Prozac is known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
While the exact way they work is not well known, NDRIs and SSRIs are believed to work on different neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry signals, or messages, from one part of the body to another.These chemical messengers help carry out different functions in the body, such as sleep, feelings, stress responses, and digestion, to name a few.
Wellbutrin prevents the breakdown ofnorepinephrineanddopamine, while Prozac prevents the breakdown ofserotonin.
Getty Images / Bloomberg / Contributor.
The main difference between Wellbutrin and Prozac is how they are thought to work. As mentioned above, Wellbutrin affects the norepinephrine and dopamine chemicals, while Prozac affects serotonin.
Wellbutrin is thought to prevent neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine, from breaking down, which increases the amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. This is thought to help improve mood.
Other notable differences between the two are listed below.
Off-label, Wellbutrin has also demonstrated beneficial effects forattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Attention deficit conditions arise due to dopamine and norepinephrine deficiency.Wellbutrin is also prescribed under the brand name Zyban to help quit smoking.
Examples of SSRIsProzac (fluoxetine) is an SSRI. Other examples of medication in this class are:Lexapro (escitalopram)Celexa (citalopram)Zoloft (sertraline)Luvox (fluvoxamine)
Examples of SSRIs
Prozac (fluoxetine) is an SSRI. Other examples of medication in this class are:Lexapro (escitalopram)Celexa (citalopram)Zoloft (sertraline)Luvox (fluvoxamine)
Prozac (fluoxetine) is an SSRI. Other examples of medication in this class are:
Not many studies have been done to compare whether Wellbutrin or Prozac is more effective at managing depression. This is because both medications work on different neurotransmitters.
One older study from 2001 showed that both Wellbutrin and Prozac, along with a few other SSRIs, had similar effectiveness. However, the main difference this study found was that Wellbutrin had fewer side effects of nausea, diarrhea,sexual dysfunction(e.g., low sex drive), and drowsiness.
Another, older study from 2008 suggested a slight advantage of using SSRIs for high-anxiety depression compared with bupropion.
Furthermore, another study done in 2016 showed that bupropion may be better at preventing depression from recurring.
Side Effects: Which is More Tolerable?
Side effects that are common when taking Wellbutrin include:
Side effects that are common when taking Prozac include:
Prozac can also causeserotonin syndrome, which happens when there is too much serotonin in the body.
Prozac is more likely to cause nausea, diarrhea, and sexual dysfunction than Wellbutrin.
Severe Side Effects
Both Wellbutrin and Prozac carry a warning for a possible increased risk of suicidal thinking or behavior.If you have thoughts of suicide, stop taking these medications immediately and tell your healthcare provider.
Other severe side effects that overlap with both medications include:
Bupropion can also cause hypertension (high blood pressure).
Serotonin syndromeis a potential risk with Prozac. This happens when there is too much serotonin in the body and usually results from taking multiple serotonin-boosting medications at one time.
Suicide Prevention HotlineIf you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor.
Use During Pregnancy
It’s not known whether Wellbutrin or Prozac increases any pregnancy-related complications or harm to the fetus, but that does not mean no risks exist. However, untreated depression itself can cause problems during pregnancy.
The decision to use an antidepressant during pregnancy is based on the potential risks vs. benefits.
Wellbutrin is available as a tablet. The medication comes in two formulations. One is extended-release (Wellbutrin XL), and the other is sustained-release (Wellbutrin SR).The sustained release formulation is available in three strengths:
The extended-release formulation is available in the following strengths: 150 mg and 300 mg.
Prozac is available as a capsule, in strengths ranging between 20 milligrams a day to 60 milligrams a day.It is recommended to start on 20 mg a day first, then gradually increase the dose after several weeks if no improvement has been noticed.
Drug Interactions to Watch for
Prozac and Wellbutrin should not be taken together. This is because both medications can enhance each other’s ability to bring about a seizure, as well as cause higher than necessary levels of the medication in your system.
It is not recommended to take anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as Jantoven (warfarin) ornonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen sodium) when taking Wellbutrin, as these drugs taken together may increase a risk of bleeding.
You should also not take another class of antidepressants calledmonoamine oxidase inhibitors(MAOIs) within two weeks of taking either Prozac or Wellbutrin.
Your healthcare provider or pharmacist should know about the medications you are currently on to make sure any drug-drug interactions can be avoided.
Choosing Between Prozac and Wellbutrin
Choosing betweenWellbutrin and Prozac depends on several factors, the most important being any other coexisting conditions you may have.
As mentioned above, Wellbutrin can also help those with ADHD, as both conditions are associated with lower dopamine levels. It is also associated with fewer sexual side effects and weight gain.
Prozac is shown to benefit not only depression but also anxiety and anxiety-associated disorders, likeOCD.However, Prozac may not be preferred in people looking to avoid symptoms associated with upset stomach and sexual dysfunction. It may take up to two months for you to feel the full effects of Prozac, and it can also cause withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it.
Summary
Wellbutrin and Prozac are antidepressants used to manage depression. However, they differ in how they work and for which conditions they treat. In addition to mental health conditions, Wellbutrin can also be used for ADHD and to help quit smoking.
Wellbutrin is thought to act on dopamine and norepinephrine, whereas Prozac is believed to act on serotonin. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience suicidal thoughts or behavior immediately, as this is a side-effect of these medications. These medications should not be taken during pregnancy.
The author would like to recognize and thank Shreya Kumar and Jonathan Toellner for contributing to this article.
11 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.
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DailyMed.WELLBUTRIN XL- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, extended release.
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