Commonly, these adverse effects can occur while weaning off Wellbutrin including brain zaps, emotional upheavals, unusual sensory perceptions, disrupted sleep, and many more. Abruptly stopping is NOT recommended, as it can intensify and even prolong these reactions. If you start to experience withdrawal symptoms, let your doctor know. Withdrawal symptoms often get better within a few days of restarting Wellbutrin.

Bupropion withdrawal symptoms can vary but often include irritability, mood swings, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and sleep disturbances such as insomnia or vivid dreams. Some people may also experience headaches, nausea, or changes in appetite. These symptoms occur as the body adjusts to the absence of the medication.

Of course it’s always a good idea to taper off, rather than stop suddenly. The Wellbutrin detox process can be affected by a number of factors related to your personal health, mental health, genetics, and substance use history. Unlike withdrawal from opioids, alcohol, or other types of antidepressants (e.g. SSRIs), how to wean off welbutrin physical symptoms of withdrawal after stopping Wellbutrin are not commonly reported.

Your healthcare provider will create a personalized tapering schedule based on factors such as your current dosage, how long you’ve been taking Wellbutrin, and your overall health. Bupropion, commonly marketed under the brand name Wellbutrin, is a prescription medication primarily used to treat depression and aid in smoking cessation. Discontinuing this medication may lead to Wellbutrin withdrawal manifestations, including mood changes, fatigue, and irritability. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance on tapering off the medication to ensure a smoother recovery.

Risks Of Wellbutrin Detox

This approach helps your body adjust and minimizes the intensity of withdrawal effects. Stopping bupropion suddenly can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms and increased risk of relapse into depression or smoking. Always consult healthcare professionals before tapering off prescription medications. Addiction Resource is an educational platform for sharing and disseminating information about addiction and substance abuse recovery centers. Addiction Resource is not a healthcare provider, nor does it claim to offer sound medical advice to anyone.

• Typically, insurance companies have a list of local providers who accept your insurance.
• This type of intensive program isn’t typically needed for managing Wellbutrin withdrawal.
• Commonly, these adverse effects can occur while weaning off Wellbutrin including brain zaps, emotional upheavals, unusual sensory perceptions, disrupted sleep, and many more.
• This is why tapering off Wellbutrin should be done with the same seriousness and structure as getting sober.
• We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies.

The best way to stop Wellbutrin is to taper off usage under the care of a doctor, taking note of any side effects that may occur during the process. Wellbutrin works differently than other antidepressants, which mainly affect serotonin levels in the brain. Bupropion, the active ingredient in Wellbutrin, works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly norepinephrine and dopamine. This mechanism helps alleviate symptoms of depression, making it a valuable tool in mental health treatment. Wellbutrin, also known as bupropion, belongs to the class of antidepressants known as norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs). It is a prescription medication used to treat major depressive disorder.

Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. Your doctor will guide you on how to taper off Wellbutrin based on your specific situation.

Dr. Samuel Lee

Wellbutrin is thought to treat depression by changing chemicals in the brain. As a result, it can sometimes cause uncomfortable symptoms for a while when you stop taking it. The risk of withdrawal symptoms is higher if you stop taking Wellbutrin cold turkey. Days 1 to 3- Within the first three days of the last dose, it is vital to stay hydrated to help the body rid itself of the drug. It is expected to feel slight dizziness, mild nausea, and headaches, all of which can be relieved with over-the-counter medications and rest. Depending on your situation, your healthcare provider might discuss alternative treatments or therapies to support you during and after the discontinuation of Wellbutrin.

How to Stop Taking Wellbutrin

This includes symptoms like extreme mood swings, thoughts of self-harm, or severe physical symptoms. As with any drug that increases the levels of dopamine in the brain, people can become physically dependent and even addicted to Wellbutrin. As the body starts to develop tolerance, a higher dosage of the drug is needed in order to feel the same effect from the drug as previously. The body continues to develop tolerance and, with time, cannot function normally without the drug. The person experiences unpleasant withdrawal symptoms every time the effectiveness of the drug wears off because the body attempts to regulate itself without the drug.

• People who take Wellbutrin without seeing an improvement in their depression symptoms may need to stop taking this medication and try something else.
• Wellbutrin is sometimes prescribed, or misused, along with other drugs.
• As the body starts to develop tolerance, a higher dosage of the drug is needed in order to feel the same effect from the drug as previously.
• It often comes with psychiatric comorbidities and links to educational and occupational underachievement.

Taking Wellbutrin (Bupropion) With Diagnosed Arrhythmia

They may then feel compelled to take another dose of the drug just to relieve themselves of the symptoms. It is important to note that when taken orally, as prescribed, Wellbutrin is not addictive. It does not produce the euphoric ‘high’ that people who abuse other substances feel.

✔️ Stopping any drug, including Wellbutrin, all at once isn’t recommended. Consider talking to a doctor before making any adjustments to the amount of Wellbutrin you’re taking. Medical detox is a medically supervised detox program that typically takes place in a detox facility or other inpatient treatment setting.

If you do have to taper…

His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Call us today to learn more about Wellbutrin detox and to find detox options at a treatment center that’s right for you. ✔️ Wellbutrin is a slow-acting drug with a half-life of about 21 hours. On average, it takes about four and a half days for 99% of the drug to fully leave the body. The length of Wellbutrin withdrawal, or the amount of time it takes to fully detox, may be longer for people who have been taking Wellbutrin for years.

We offer detox services and inpatient treatment programs at our luxury facilities in Long Beach and Newport Beach, CA. They can help you gradually reduce your dose and manage any withdrawal symptoms you might have. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Having multiple recurrences of depression—meaning, distinct periods when you’ve experienced daily depression for at least two weeks—suggests your biology or personality is more prone to it, Dr. Siegel says. For every past depressive episode, the likelihood of having another one goes up. So in general, the more severe or debilitating past bouts of depression have been, the riskier it is to go off medication, Dr. Siegel explains.

Your doctor can provide the support and guidance you need to streamline the process and reduce discomfort. So while we don’t have studies on this, it stands to reason that having healthy relationships generally puts you in a better position to transition off medication, Dr. DeYoung says. These symptoms arise within two to four days after discontinuing the drug and generally persist for one to two weeks, with occasional persistence for up to one year.

Bupropion Withdrawal Symptoms: What to Expect and How to Manage Them

If you take high doses of Wellbutrin, your doctor may suggest reducing the amount by small increments every few days or weeks. This gradual reduction gives your body time to adjust without causing a sudden shock to your system. Following a tapering schedule is the safest way to stop Wellbutrin while avoiding or minimizing withdrawal symptoms.