Depression, smoking addiction, fatigue, and other symptoms for which Wellbutrin© or the equivalent Zyban© is prescribed can actually be the result of a number of complex issues such as hormonal imbalances, vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies, dietary failings, lifestyle factors, food allergies, adrenal fatigue, neurotoxic accumulations like heavy metals, a dysfunctional gut microbiome, and other root causes.25,29
Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms (AKA bupropion) can range from mild to moderate or be severe enough to require hospitalization. Wellbutrin is a stimulating drug and the effects look a lot like the reactions of coming off any other stimulant drug. Be cautious when stopping this medication. Gradual tapering can help to avoid otherwise hard-to-tolerate discomforts as well as life-threatening or health-compromising risks. More information on the risks and phenomena of Wellbutrin withdrawal can be found below.
Wellbutrin, also known as bupropion, is a common antidepressant medication It is prescribed to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder Wellbutrin works by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This helps boost mood and energy levels.
While Wellbutrin can be an effective medication when taken as prescribed, some people choose to stop taking it abruptly by going “cold turkey” However, this is never recommended Stopping Wellbutrin suddenly can cause uncomfortable and even dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at what happens when you quit Wellbutrin cold turkey. We’ll also provide tips for safely tapering off Wellbutrin with your doctor’s help.
What is Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin’s main ingredient is bupropion hydrochloride. It comes in three forms:
- Wellbutrin IR (immediate release): Taken 2-3 times per day
- Wellbutrin SR (sustained release): Taken 2 times per day
- Wellbutrin XL (extended release): Taken once per day
The most common uses of Wellbutrin include:
- Treating major depressive disorder
- Helping people quit smoking (under the brand name Zyban)
- Off-label treatment for ADHD, seasonal affective disorder, and weight loss
Wellbutrin works differently than SSRIs and other common antidepressants. It inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. This helps boost levels of these “feel good” neurotransmitters in the brain.
Wellbutrin is generally considered safe when taken as prescribed. However, there are risks associated with abruptly stopping this medication.
Dangers of Quitting Wellbutrin Cold Turkey
Quitting Wellbutrin suddenly instead of tapering off slowly can cause significant withdrawal symptoms.
Some potential dangers of stopping Wellbutrin cold turkey include:
- Severe depression and suicidal thoughts
- Extreme fatigue and lack of motivation
- Irritability and mood swings
- Insomnia or vivid dreams
- Headaches and body aches
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Dizziness and loss of coordination
- Seizures (rare but possible)
These withdrawal effects can range from mildly uncomfortable to debilitating. They may come and go in waves. Some symptoms like depression and fatigue can last for weeks or months after quitting.
Seizures are a rare but serious risk when stopping Wellbutrin suddenly. They typically occur within the first few days after cessation.
Another major concern is the potential for suicidal thoughts during Wellbutrin withdrawal. Depression, irritability, and lack of energy already increase suicide risk. Quitting Wellbutrin cold turkey exacerbates these symptoms rapidly.
For all these reasons, doctors never recommend stopping Wellbutrin abruptly. Tapering is essential for both physical safety and mental wellbeing.
How to Safely Stop Taking Wellbutrin
To safely discontinue Wellbutrin, work closely with your prescribing doctor to create a tapering schedule. This will gradually reduce your dosage over a period of weeks or months.
Some tips for slowly tapering Wellbutrin:
- Reduce your dosage by no more than 25% every 1-2 weeks
- Spread out your doses evenly throughout the day
- Take your last dose right before bedtime
- Stay in close contact with your doctor throughout the process
- Consider switching to liquid Wellbutrin to allow smaller dose reductions
- Watch for withdrawal symptoms and pause the taper if needed
- Be prepared for symptoms to worsen temporarily when making dose reductions
- Create a plan for managing withdrawal effects like depression and insomnia
- Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you feel impaired
- Ask your doctor about short-term medications to ease withdrawal side effects
- Stay active with light exercise to help manage mood and energy levels
- Get support from loved ones to help you stick to your tapering schedule
With slow tapering under medical supervision, most people can stop taking Wellbutrin with tolerable withdrawal effects. However, symptoms can still be challenging. Having coping strategies and a strong support system is crucial.
Some people may need to pause the taper and stabilize at a dosage for a period before attempting further reductions. Listen to your body and go slowly. There is no set timeline for withdrawing from Wellbutrin.
In rare cases, reinstating the medication and attempting to taper even more gradually may be necessary. With patience and care, nearly everyone can successfully discontinue Wellbutrin safely.
What About Quitting Wellbutrin CT?
Some people wonder if it’s okay to stop the newer formulation called Wellbutrin CT (controlled release) cold turkey. The answer is still no.
Wellbutrin CT is designed to release bupropion quickly and then slowly over time. But it contains the same active ingredient as regular Wellbutrin. Stopping it abruptly carries the same risks:
- Depression, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts
- Irritability, anxiety, and agitation
- Headaches, nausea, dizziness, and tremors
- Potential for seizures in the first few days after stopping
Wellbutrin CT may have slightly less intense withdrawal effects due to the controlled release mechanism. However, quitting cold turkey should still be avoided. Work with your doctor to taper Wellbutrin CT gradually for a smooth discontinuation.
How Long Do Wellbutrin Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
The length and severity of Wellbutrin withdrawal varies for each person. Symptoms typically peak within 1-3 days after stopping.
However, some withdrawal effects can last for many weeks. Depression, lack of motivation, and fatigue tend to linger the longest.
Most people start to feel better within 7-14 days after quitting Wellbutrin. But symptoms like low mood and poor concentration can come and go for months.
The extended release forms like Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin CT may prolong the withdrawal period slightly. This is because it takes longer to fully clear the medication from your system.
Be prepared for Wellbutrin withdrawal to be a rollercoaster. Stay in touch with your doctor if symptoms concern you or make functioning difficult. Getting through this transition period requires patience.
Should I Taper or Go Cold Turkey?
Some people assume tapering is optional and try to stop Wellbutrin completely in one day. Quitting cold turkey may seem easier and faster.
However, the shock of abruptly stopping Wellbutrin makes withdrawal symptoms far more intense. The benefits of tapering outweigh the extra time it requires.
Tapering allows your brain chemistry to adapt slowly to functioning without the medication. This minimizes the severity of symptoms. It also greatly reduces health risks like seizures.
Here’s a quick comparison of tapering vs. cold turkey:
Tapering Benefits:
- Less severe withdrawal effects
- Lower risk of seizures and suicidal thoughts
- Brain has time to readjust neurotransmitter levels
- Gradual process allows you to pause if needed
- Symptoms are typically shorter lasting
Cold Turkey Downsides:
- Harsh, debilitating withdrawal symptoms
- Much higher risk of seizures and depression
- Rapid changes in brain function
- Little control over the withdrawal timeline
- Symptoms may persist for months
Talk to your doctor about creating a tapering schedule to safely guide you through the discontinuation process. Withdrawal from any antidepressant medication should never be taken lightly. Quitting Wellbutrin cold turkey puts your physical and mental health at risk. Always taper under medical supervision.
Seeking Help for Wellbutrin Withdrawal
Discontinuing Wellbutrin can be difficult even with a gradual taper. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to seek help.
Your prescribing doctor can adjust your taper schedule and prescribe short-term medications to alleviate symptoms. Some options include:
- Anti-anxiety medication for irritability and agitation
- Sleep aids for insomnia
- Antidepressants like Prozac to smooth the transition
- Anticonvulsants to prevent seizures
There are also many self-care strategies to help you through Wellbutrin withdrawal:
- Gentle exercise like walking, yoga, or stretching
- Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or massage
- Therapy and counseling for mood support
- Healthy eating and avoiding caffeine and alcohol
- Getting outdoors for fresh air and natural light
- Social interaction and activities you enjoy
- Limiting work obligations and stressors
Don’t be afraid to lower your responsibilities and ask for help during this time. Withdrawing from any psychiatric drug takes patience, self-care, and a strong support system.
Reaching out to loved ones or support groups can make a big difference in managing withdrawal. You don’t need to tackle this alone.
The Takeaway – Don’t Quit Wellbutrin CT!
While Wellbutrin can be discontinued safely, stopping cold turkey should never be attempted.
Quitting Wellbutrin without tapering almost always leads to difficult, prolonged withdrawal filled with health risks.
Work closely with your doctor to slowly taper your dosage over weeks to months. Take it slow and be vigilant for concerning symptoms. With careful monitoring and self-care, you can smoothly transition off of Wellbutrin.
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What Is Wellbutrin Used For?
Wellbutrin is FDA-approved for the treatment of MDD, (major depressive disorder) in adults aged 25 and older. Under the brand name Zyban, it is prescribed to help in smoking cessation. Despite black box warnings, many physicians practice off-label prescribing 19 for the following:
- ADHD in the pediatric population
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction
- Weight loss, obesity
- Depression in bipolar disorder
Important to note, in July 2012 the drugmaker was fined $3 billion for fraudulently promoting Wellbutrin and other prescription medications and for withholding safety data, resulting in the largest drug fraud case in US history up to that date.32
Four out of every thousand people taking less than 450mg of Wellbutrin daily experience seizures. Seizures are potentially life-threatening and are a hallmark of toxicity.33 Over 450mg daily, the risk increases sevenfold. Also important to note is that 68% to 77% of Wellbutrin-induced seizures occur within the first 4 hours of taking the drug. The higher the dose, the more likely a seizure is to occur, and some seizures can be fatal.1
The side effects listed below are taken from various sources. A comprehensive list of Wellbutrin side effects can be found on the drug label information,4 and in the book entitled “Bupropion” authored by Huecker et al, published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.19
- Suicidality: Wellbutrin is associated with suicidal thoughts, and behaviors, including deaths by suicide. Wellbutrin is high-risk in overdoses, meaning an overdose is often fatal.
- Seizures 1,33
- Cardiovascular adverse events: tachycardia
- Respiratory issues: rhinitis, pharyngitis
- Central Nervous System adverse events: insomnia, headache, migraine, agitation, dizziness, akathisia, restlessness, aggressive or compulsive behaviors
- Dermatologic: diaphoresis, flushing, hives, rashes
- Endocrine: weight loss
- Gastrointestinal: constipation, dry mouth, nausea, stomach pain, nausea, cramps
- Musculoskeletal: tremor, twitching, shakiness
- Ophthalmologic: blurred vision
- Psychiatric symptoms: activation of acute psychosis 20 and/or mania, depression or worsened depression, hallucinations, paranoia, confusion
When used as a meth-like or cocaine-like stimulant, the drug is snorted or injected, releasing the drug into the bloodstream nearly instantly.31 These effects can lead to repeated use and addiction. More information on these phenomena can be found below.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) Alternative Names and Slang
Brand names in the US include Aplenzin©, Buproban©, ForfivoXL©, Wellbutrin SR©, Wellbutrin XL©, Zyban©, Zyban Advantage Pack©, and Budeprion XL©. There are dozens of other brand names for other countries.
Recently, a novel compound containing bupropion was FDA-approved in 2022 called Auvelity©. This one combines bupropion and dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan is the main ingredient in many cough suppressants. Auvelity causes the same side effects as other versions of bupropion, including seizures, mania, psychosis, suicidality, and others. The label instructs Auvelity extended-release tablets to be taken twice daily for major depressive disorder. Information from the label tells us its effects come on more quickly but also wear off more quickly over the day than straight bupropion. Of some concern, the instructions simply state that if psychosis or other psychiatric symptoms develop, stop taking the drug.35,36
According to medical literature, all of Wellbutrin’s various versions have been shown to be particularly subject to abuse and addiction, and there are substantial risks for recreational users. The literature shows a growing trend both on city streets and in prison populations. The drug Wellbutrin is commonly referred to as “poor man’s cocaine” for its cocaine-like stimulant effects. Prescription drug diversion has caused huge concern for healthcare workers.31
No matter the given name, bupropion or Wellbutrin withdrawals have the potential to cause similar adverse effects.
The following are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Wellbutrin. It should be noted that the data applies equally to all other versions of the drug.
How to Taper Wellbutrin? (bupropion)
FAQ
What happens if you suddenly stop taking Wellbutrin?
Do I need to taper off 150 mg Wellbutrin?
How long until Wellbutrin is out of your system?
What happens if I miss a few days of Wellbutrin?