will irritability with wellbutrin go away?

Bupropion is an antidepressant medication used to help treat the symptoms of depression. Its most common side effects are similar to those of many other medications prescribed to treat depression. As with other antidepressants, most side effects that are associated with bupropion occur in the first few weeks of treatment and go away over time.

Common side effects of bupropion include:

Of these, the most common side effects reported in clinical trials of bupropion were constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, headaches/migraines, nausea/vomiting, excessive sweating, agitation and tremor, which were all reported by more than 20 percent of users.

Agitation was the most common side effect reported in clinical trials of Wellbutrin, a medication containing bupropion prescribed to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder. According to data from the FDA, 31.9 percent of people reported agitation while using bupropion.

Other side effects associated with agitation include insomnia, which affected about 18 percent of bupropion users in clinical trials.

If you feel agitated after using bupropion and don’t notice this side effect improving in the first few weeks of treatment, talk to your healthcare provider. They may adjust your bupropion dosage or recommend other changes to manage this side effect.

Try to exercise regularly. Other techniques that may help include deep-breathing exercises and yoga. If you continue to feel agitated while using bupropion, you may also want to talk to your healthcare provider about using medication to help you relax or switching to a different antidepressant.

If you find it difficult to sleep after taking bupropion, avoid taking your medication close to your bedtime. Using bupropion earlier in the day will mean that a lower dose of the medication will be in your bloodstream at bedtime, which may make it easier for you to fall asleep.

And vice versa, if you find yourself saying, “Boy, Wellbutrin makes me tired” it may be worth talking to your healthcare provider about taking it at night, closer to bedtime.

Bupropion and other antidepressants may cause xerostomia, or dry mouth. This side effect was reported by 27.6 percent of people who were prescribed bupropion in clinical trials, making it the second-most common side effect after agitation.

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many antidepressants, not only bupropion. It may be due to changes in your salivary glands caused by the medication. This side effect is generally more common with older antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

If you get dry mouth while using bupropion that doesn’t improve over the course of a few weeks, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider. You can also try chewing sugarless or CPP-ACP gum to stimulate saliva production, which may help to loosen mucus and keep your mouth moist.

Headaches and migraines are a fairly common side effect of bupropion, affecting 25.7 percent of people in clinical trials (versus 22.2 percent of people given a non-therapeutic placebo).

Like dry mouth, headaches are a common side effect of antidepressants. Interestingly, a 2012 study found that headaches were less common in bupropion users than in people prescribed SSRIs and other antidepressants.

As with other side effects of bupropion, your headaches may become less severe or go away completely as your body gets used to the medication. If you get persistent headaches, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of bupropion, reported by 22.9 percent of people in clinical trials.

As with many other side effects of bupropion, nausea and vomiting are common side effects of many antidepressants. Nausea caused by bupropion may get better or disappear completely over time as you become more used to the effects of the medication.

If you often feel nauseous after using bupropion, try to take your medication with food, eat small and frequent meals and make sure that you stay hydrated. You can also try an over-the-counter antacid such as Pepto-Bismol® to provide temporary relief.

If you have persistent nausea or vomiting that doesn’t get better over time or with treatment, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.

According to clinical trial data, 26 percent of people who use bupropion experience constipation as a side effect.

Like many other side effects of bupropion, constipation is a common side effect of medications used to treat major depression or the symptoms of depression. It’s particularly common with older antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants, as these medications can affect digestive function.

If you feel constipated after using bupropion or are experiencing Wellbutrin stomach pain, try increasing your intake of fiber-rich foods or use an over-the-counter fiber supplement. Other techniques that may help include drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly.

If you have severe, persistent or painful constipation after you start using bupropion, talk to your healthcare provider. They may recommend a non-prescription stool softener such as docusate sodium to ease your symptoms and make going to the toilet easier.

Dizziness is a relatively common side effect of bupropion, reported by 22.3 percent of people in clinical trials.

In addition to bupropion, several other antidepressants can cause dizziness. You may feel dizzy when you first start taking bupropion, or notice occasional dizziness when you stand up from a seated position or make other sudden movements.

To avoid dizziness, try avoiding caffeine, tobacco and alcohol while you use bupropion or other antidepressants. It can also help to avoid driving or operating machinery and practice standing up slowly when you need to get up. If necessary, you can use other items for support.

If you feel dizzy during the daytime, you can also talk to your healthcare provider about taking Wellbutrin at night, which may help to reduce the severity of this side effect.

Another relatively common side effect of bupropion users, 22.3 percent of people in clinical trials experienced excessive sweating — a significantly larger percentage than those given a non-therapeutic placebo.

Sweating is a common side effect of antidepressants. It’s referred to as antidepressant-induced excessive sweating, or ADIES, and is estimated to affect between four and 22 percent of people who use antidepressants overall.

Excessive sweating from antidepressants usually affects the scalp, face, neck and chest areas, with symptoms often developing in bursts.

If you notice yourself sweating excessively or uncomfortably after you start using bupropion, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider. They may prescribe medication to treat the sweating or switch you to new antidepressant or different dosage of bupropion.

Tremors — involuntary muscle contractions that usually affect your hands, limbs, head, face or eyes — is a common side effect of bupropion, affecting 21.1 percent of people in clinical trials.

Like other bupropion side effects, tremor is a common side effect of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants. It’s referred to as drug or medication-induced tremor (MIT) and can also occur with other medications.

If you get tremors after you start using bupropion, talk to your healthcare provider. Medication-induced tremors as usually treated by ending treatment with the medication that causes the tremors. They may also recommend adjusting your dosage or using a different type of antidepressant.

Antidepressants are often associated with sexual side effects, such as decreased sexual desire, erection problems, reduced sexual excitement and difficulty ejaculating.

These adverse effects are a particularly common occurrence in people who use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

In a 2000 article, researchers found that 30 to 40 percent of patients prescribed antidepressants developed some degree of sexual dysfunction. Other research has found that between 25 and 73 percent of SSRI and SNRI users reported sexual side effects.

Interestingly, although some bupropion users report experiencing a decrease in sexual function, research tends to show that bupropion is less likely to cause sexual side effects than other antidepressants, and may even help to reverse antidepressant-related sexual issues.

In a 2008 review, researchers noted there’s robust evidence that bupropion tends to cause less sexual dysfunction than SSRIs.

A separate study from 2004 also found that a sustained-release version of bupropion increased sexual desire and frequency of sexual activity in people with SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.

In other words, bupropion may not cause the same sexual side effects as other antidepressants, or at least not cause them as often or severely. Still, if you notice any changes in your interest in sex or sexual performance after starting bupropion, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.

Antidepressants are commonly associated with weight gain. This association is so strong that many people who are prescribed antidepressants stop using them either due to weight gain or concerns about weight gain during treatment.

Although there’s some evidence that you may gain weight after you start using antidepressants, the link isn’t as strong as many people think.

According to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, most people who use antidepressants only gain a small amount of weight over 12 months — for most medications, an increase of less than one percent of their original, pre-treatment body mass index (BMI).

Unlike other antidepressants, bupropion typically doesn’t cause weight gain. For example, in the study above, the researchers found that people who used bupropion experienced fluctuations of less than 0.25 percent of their original BMI over the course of 12 months of treatment.

Clinical trials of bupropion have also found that it typically doesn’t cause weight loss. In trials for Wellbutrin, a popular brand of bupropion, only 9.4 percent of people gained weight compared to 35 percent of people who received tricyclic antidepressants. Additionally, 28 percent of bupropion users actually lost more than five pounds.

Other studies have also found that bupropion causes mild weight loss when used over the long term.

In short, bupropion doesn’t appear to cause weight gain, at least not to the same extent as other common antidepressants. Most studies show the opposite — that bupropion either produces little change in weight or a small amount of weight loss.

Although uncommon, bupropion may cause a range of more serious adverse effects, including adverse reactions that may require medical attention. We’ve listed these below and provided information on each potential side effect, as well as what you can do if you’re affected.

Like other types of antidepressant medication, bupropion carries a “black box” warning from the FDA stating that it, as well as other medications in this category, may produce an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents and young adults.

Clinical trials of antidepressants do not show this risk in people over the age of twenty-four. Despite this, the FDA recommends monitoring for signs of suicidal thoughts or behavior in anyone prescribed an antidepressant.

This warning is common to antidepressants and also appears on the packaging of most SSRIs, SNRIs and other medications prescribed to treat depression and major depressive disorder. A less severe warning is used on the packaging of Zyban, a form of bupropion prescribed for smoking cessation.

If you experience suicidal thoughts, worsened depression or other abnormal thoughts after you start using bupropion, contact your healthcare provider as soon as you can. Call 911 if you think you are having a medical emergency.

Bupropion may cause seizures. Use of bupropion is associated with seizures in approximately 0.4 percent of people at typical dosages of 450mg or less per day, making this a rare side effect. Seizures are significantly more common at dosages higher than 450mg per day.

The risk of seizures in people using bupropion is dose-related and is typically higher in people with conditions such as bulimia or anorexia, people who have quit using certain drugs or alcohol recently and people affected by seizure disorders.

Other conditions, such as metabolic disorders, head injury, prescription drug use or illegal drug use, may also increase your risk of seizures while using bupropion.

Bupropion may contribute to an increase in blood pressure and hypertension (overly high blood pressure). Your healthcare provider may ask that you monitor your blood pressure periodically while using bupropion to stay aware of any increases or changes.

If you currently have hypertension, or have a history of cardiovascular health issues, your healthcare provider may adjust your dosage of bupropion, recommend careful monitoring of your blood pressure or prescribe a different medication.

Treatment with antidepressants such as bupropion is associated with an increased risk of manic and hypomanic episodes, particularly in people who have risk factors for bipolar disorder or who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Bupropion is currently not approved by the FDA for treating bipolar depression. If you have bipolar disorder or display risk factors for bipolar disorder, your healthcare provider may recommend using another type of medication to treat your symptoms.

There have been several reported cases of psychosis and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients treated with bupropion for depression. Several of these involved people who had previously used illicit drugs, while others involved patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

If you or a loved one experience any delusions, hallucinations, psychosis, paranoia, confusion or concentration disturbance while using bupropion, contact your healthcare provider.

Although rare, bupropion may cause anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reactions. If you develop any symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, skin rash, shortness of breath, edema, pruritus (itchy skin) or chest pain, contact your healthcare provider.

Bupropion also may interact with other medications in ways that could cause some potential side effects.

If you’ve used monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within 14 days of starting bupropion, tell your healthcare immediately, as these drug interactions may be severe.

Potential drug interactions with bupropion also include other antidepressants like SSRIs, SNRIs and TCAs, as well as medications like antipsychotics, beta-blockers, blood thinners, corticosteroids and others.

As with other antidepressants, bupropion may cause withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly stop taking it as prescribed. This is known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, and is a common issue for people who suddenly end their usage of antidepressants.

Bupropion may be less likely to cause severe withdrawal symptoms than other antidepressants, such as SSRIs and SNRIs. However, if you’re prescribed bupropion and want to stop taking it, it’s still important to talk to your healthcare provider first.

To reduce your risk of experiencing bupropion withdrawal symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend tapering your dosage gradually over time. We’ve explained this in more detail in our guide to bupropion withdrawal.

Bupropion can help in the treatment of depression and make it easier for you to deal with nicotine cravings while quitting smoking. Our full guide to bupropion goes into more detail on how this medication works, common dosages, frequently asked questions and more.

Wellbutrin may cause serious side effects, although most are rare.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Wellbutrin, it’s important to call your medical professional immediately. If you feel the side effects are life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, it’s vital to call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

* To learn more about this side effect, you can see “Side effects up close” below. † Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL have a boxed warning for this risk. We explain more about this warning in the “Side effects up close” section below.

Certain side effects may be more common than others when you first start Wellbutrin treatment.

For example, the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors* with Wellbutrin is highest right after you start treatment with the drug.

When you start taking Wellbutrin, your medical professional will prescribe a low dosage. This helps lessen your risk of side effects from the drug. They may increase your dosage slowly over time until the symptoms of your condition ease.

Your medical professional or pharmacist can tell you more about the possible initial side effects of Wellbutrin.

* Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL have a boxed warning for this risk. We explain more about this warning in the “Side effects up close” section below.

You may be wondering whether Wellbutrin’s side effects will go away. The side effects of the drug may be temporary or long lasting.

For example, after taking Wellbutrin you may have symptoms of anxiety, such as feeling restless or having trouble falling asleep. These symptoms may take longer to ease than other side effects of the drug.

Your medical professional or pharmacist can give you more details about what to expect when taking Wellbutrin.

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant used to help treat a number of health conditions. It comes as an immediate-release, sustained-release, or extended-release tablet that is taken orally.

One factor that makes Wellbutrin especially unique among antidepressants is that it doesn't tend to affect sexual function or reduce libido, and may even increase it. In fact, Wellbutrin is often prescribed along with other antidepressants to help counter their sexual side effects, like loss of desire.

Learn more about what Wellbutrin is and how it is used. We also share what you should know before you take this medication, including the potential side effects of Wellbutrin and drug interactions.

Wellbutrin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It is also used off-label to help with symptoms of various other conditions.

Wellbutrin may be prescribed off-label for:

Wellbutrin is also sometimes used in the treatment of certain forms of nerve pain.

Another brand of bupropion (the active ingredient in Wellbutrin), called Zyban, is used to help people quit smoking. Research shows that taking bupropion can double a person's chances of kicking their cigarette habit.

Some Wellbutrin side effects are merely bothersome and likely to disappear as your body gets used to the medication. Others are more serious and should prompt a call to your healthcare provider right away. If you have been prescribed Wellbutrin, here are some side effects to watch for.

During the first week or two of taking Wellbutrin, you may experience headaches, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, constipation, sore throat, and a fast heartbeat. Other common side effects for Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, and Wellbutrin XL can include:

Some Wellbutrin side effects can be severe or even potentially life-threatening. Get medical help right away if you experience any of the following while taking any version of Wellbutrin:

If Wellbutrin side effects do occur, they will usually go away within a week or two of starting the medication, as your body begins to adjust. If your side effects last longer, are severe, or worsen, contact your healthcare provider right away. Your dosage may need to be changed or the medication switched to ease these effects.

Wellbutrin is often used as a first-line antidepressant in the treatment of MDD and SAD. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms and current health status to determine if it is right for you.

You may not be prescribed Wellbutrin if you have certain health conditions.

It's not clear whether Wellbutrin is safe to take during pregnancy. In animal studies, there has been some evidence of adverse effects on the fetus, but we don't yet have enough data about its effect on humans. The potential benefits of continuing Wellbutrin during pregnancy may outweigh the possible risks, but this should be discussed closely with your health provider.

Wellbutrin can be present in breast milk, so caution should be used by people who are breastfeeding. If you are lactating, your healthcare provider can help you weigh your options.

Among antidepressants, bupropion is in a category all its own—it's the only medication in its class, called norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs). NDRIs boost the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine.

By contrast, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline) affect serotonin, while serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine) boost norepinephrine and serotonin.

Your condition should start to improve within the first week or two of beginning Wellbutrin. You may notice positive effects, such as that you sleep better, have more energy, or your appetite has improved, for instance. Improvement of psychological symptoms, such as those related to mood, may take a bit longer—or up to eight weeks.

If you're taking bupropion to help you quit smoking, this medication works by reducing your tobacco cravings. Starting it about one week before you plan to quit gives it time to reach a therapeutic effect in your system.

How quickly your medication works may depend on what it has been prescribed to treat. For example, bupropion may also be prescribed for weight loss. One study involving 3,362 people found that many lost 5% of their body weight within eight weeks of starting a treatment containing bupropion, with more than half keeping this weight off a year later.

Wellbutrin is offered in three different formulations, and dosing varies for each version.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe a modified dosage of Wellbutrin due to possible side effects or another health concern.

Always take your medications as directed. Immediate-release Wellbutrin tablets can be broken if necessary, but they are small enough that doing so is not usually needed. The drug can be taken on an empty stomach or with food and should be stored at room temperature, protected from light and moisture.

If you happen to miss a dose of bupropion, take it as soon as you remember. Any remaining doses for the day should be taken at least six hours apart. Never take two doses of Wellbutrin at once to make up for a missed dose as this can increase your risk of experiencing a seizure or an accidental overdose.

Seizures and suicidal thoughts are two of the most serious potential side effects of Wellbutrin. Seizures are rare with this drug but may affect up to four out of every 1,000 people currently taking Wellbutrin.

For that reason, it's especially important to let your health provider know if you have or had a seizure disorder; you take any other medications that contain bupropion, such as Zyban (for quitting smoking); or you have or have had an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, as seizures are more likely to occur with these disorders.

Antidepressant drugs like Wellbutrin may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, teens, and young adults up to age 24—especially when first starting the medication or when there's a change in dose. If you have a child taking Wellbutrin or another depression medication, keep a close eye out for signs of self-harm or suicidal thinking.

There are a number of potential interactions that can occur when other substances are taken at the same time as Wellbutrin. Other medications may influence how bupropion works or increase the risk of side effects. These medications include:

Using Wellbutrin with alcohol may also influence the frequency and severity of side effects, including seizures and suicidal thoughts.

The most common Wellbutrin side effects tend to be the least serious and are likely to be temporary. Contact your health provider if you experience side effects that are severe, bothersome, get worse, or don't go away. Get help immediately if you have any side effects that could be serious or life-threatening.

In either case, don't stop taking Wellbutrin until you've checked with your health provider first. Going "cold-turkey" with any antidepressant can cause your symptoms to come back or get worse.

Wellbutrin may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR have similar side effects. This is because they have the same active ingredient, bupropion hydrochloride. Common side effects of both drugs include dry mouth, abdominal pain, insomnia, and nausea.

The main difference between these drug forms is that Wellbutrin XL is released slower in your body. There shouldn’t be any major difference in the type of side effects between the two forms when used to treat depression. However, since only Wellbutrin XL is approved to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), different side effects may occur in people with SAD compared to depression.

If you have questions about the side effects from Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s possible that Wellbutrin may cause sexual side effects.

In clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR, increased and decreased libido were reported during treatment. Libido is the feeling of sexual drive or sexual desire. Sexual side effects caused by Wellbutrin were rare in these trials.

Many antidepressants, such as Zoloft (sertraline) and Effexor XR (venlafaxine), can cause sexual side effects. Wellbutrin is typically regarded as one of the antidepressants that are least likely to cause sexual side effects.

If you have questions about sexual side effects and Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s possible that you may experience more side effects if your dose of Wellbutrin is increased.

They typical maintenance dose for treating depression and SAD is 300 milligrams (mg) per day. With most medications, there’s a risk of more frequent side effects as you increase the dose. So, if you were experiencing side effects when taking the 150 mg dose of Wellbutrin, it’s possible that you’ll experience more frequent side effects when your dose is increased to 300 mg. These side effects can include nausea, dizziness, and abdominal pain.

Talk with your doctor if you experience side effects with the 150 mg dose of Wellbutrin. Since side effects are similar between 150 mg and 300 mg, a larger dose may increase severity or frequency of side effects. However, side effects at the 150 mg dose may indicate that you might not be able to tolerate Wellbutrin long-term.

If you have questions about side effects with your dose of Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor of pharmacist.

To learn more about Wellbutrin’s dosage, see this article.

Yes, it’s possible for Wellbutrin to cause long-term side effects, such as weight changes, seizures, and episodes of mania and hypomania.

However, most side effects that people taking this medication experiences were short-term. Or they went away after stopping Wellbutrin treatment.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about long-term side effects with Wellbutrin. They can discuss the risk of side effects with you.

Withdrawal symptoms after stopping treatment with Wellbutrin were not reported in clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR. Withdrawal symptoms refer to unpleasant side effects that occur when you stop taking a drug that your body is used to.

Although Wellbutrin was not reported to cause withdrawal symptoms in clinical trials, it’s recommended that the dosage for Wellbutrin XL should be tapered (lowered) before stopping the medication. You should never stop a medication without discussing with your doctor first.

If you’re thinking of stopping Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor. They can determine the safest way for your to stop treatment with Wellbutrin.

No, hair loss was not reported in clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR.

As with other antidepressants, most side effects that are associated with bupropion occur in the first few weeks of treatment and go away over time. Common side effects of bupropion include: Agitation.