Wellbutrin for Bipolar: Wellbutrin, which has the generic name bupropion, is an antidepressant that can also be used to treat depression in bipolar illness.
It comes in immediate-release 75 and 100 mg tablets, sustained-release 100 and 150 mg and 200 mg Wellbutrin SR tablets, and extended-release 150 mg, 300 mg, and 450 mg Wellbutrin XL preparations.
An Overview of Wellbutrin for Bipolar Disorder
Wellbutrin may be prescribed by your physician to help you control your depressive symptoms if you have bipolar illness. Research indicates that it can be a successful therapy option, but before beginning this drug, you should take into account any potential adverse effects and safety measures.
To find out more about the effectiveness of Wellbutrin for bipolar disorder, potential side effects, and other precautions you should be aware of, continue reading.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment with Wellbutrin
The extremes of mania and depression, which are the two opposing moods that define bipolar disorder, make it a difficult illness to live with because neither is ideal.
Wellbutrin and other antidepressants are commonly used to treat depression in bipolar disorder. Antidepressants and bipolar disorder are a cause for worry. One of these concerns is phase switching, which is a change in mood from depression to mania. This can be a major issue since mania can lead to impulsive or risky actions.
According to research, Wellbutrin has the same chance of causing phase shifts as the majority of other antidepressants when used in bipolar illness.
Wellbutrin may help lessen depressive symptoms by preventing depression by blocking the reabsorption of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine and extending their activity. According to a 2023 study, bupropion was equivalent to venlafaxine as an antidepressant monotherapy for bipolar II disorder.5
General Advice for Beginning Wellbutrin
Due to the possibility of adverse effects, your doctor will start your medication at a low dose and gradually raise your dosage if this is your first time using Wellbutrin.
Your initial dose of Wellbutrin should not exceed 200 mg per day, ideally divided into two 100 mg doses given roughly 12 hours apart. On the fourth day, the target dosage of 300 mg/day may be achieved by taking 100 mg doses at intervals of at least six hours. The maximum daily dose is 450 mg, which may be taken as 150 mg three times daily.1
You should reduce the dose and extend the duration of treatment and/or raise the dose gradually if you have restlessness, insomnia, or anxiety. These are typical adverse effects that may occasionally manifest themselves at the beginning of therapy and subsequently disappear as you get acclimated to the drug.
Don’t anticipate that your sadness will get better anytime soon. You might not experience the medication’s antidepressant benefits for two to three months.
Wellbutrin Side Effects
While using this medication, you should be aware of the following risks: The most frequent adverse effects of Wellbutrin are:
- Headaches
- A dry mouth
- Nausea
- Insomnia
Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any of these symptoms and if they are severe or if they get worse suddenly.
Because bupropion causes anorexia (lack of appetite) in a small proportion of individuals, it shouldn’t be used in patients who have a history of bulimia or anorexia nervosa (deliberate food restriction). Wellbutrin should not be taken if you cannot afford to drop more than 5% of your current body weight.
Research indicates that bupropion is safe to use during pregnancy. Never forget to inform your obstetrician about any medications you are using.6
Wellbutrin: Interactions and Safety Measures
Even if it’s still quite low, taking 400–450 mg of Wellbutrin daily increases your chance of having seizures threefold. At this high dose, four out of every 1,000 people experience seizures. Although uncommon, using Wellbutrin might raise your seizure risk. If you have an eating problem or seizure disorder, you shouldn’t use Wellbutrin because these disorders increase your chance of experiencing seizures.
Skip a dose if you forget it. Doubling up increases the likelihood of a seizure, which is dose-dependent.
Drug and Alcohol Interactions
Since these drugs might interact with one another, wait at least two weeks after your last dose of an MAOI antidepressant before beginning Wellbutrin.
Never use Wellbutrin along with Zyban, which is also bupropion. Although Zyban is prescribed for smoking cessation, taking both will result in a potentially hazardous rise in your intake of the same chemicals.
Antipsychotics, corticosteroids, blood thinners, and other antidepressants are among the additional medicines that can cause drug interactions. The effectiveness of Wellbutrin may be affected by these drugs, or they may raise your chance of having side effects.
The chance of having a seizure is higher if you consume alcohol while taking bupropion.
Before discontinuing your medicine, always speak with your physician. Stopping your medication abruptly might result in withdrawal symptoms and the reappearance of bipolar mood symptoms. Talk to your doctor about alternative therapies and gradually lowering your dosage in order to control your bipolar symptoms.
In summary, according to studies, Wellbutrin may be a reliable and beneficial therapy for bipolar disorder. In one trial, Wellbutrin was shown to have a significant positive effect on symptoms in those with bipolar disorder, similar to the effects of other antidepressants.4 Nevertheless, it is crucial to speak with your doctor about your options to see whether it is the best course of action for you.
Lithium, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and various antidepressants are among the other medications frequently used to treat bipolar disorder.
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can also be managed with psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) are a few examples of treatments that may be beneficial.
