Your prescribing physician may be able to guide you on how to cut the dosage which may involve actually cutting the pills. In the case of Wellbutrin, the lowest dosage is 75mg yellow round tablets. The tablets can be cut in half when needed providing a 37.5mg option, but it will lose the extended-release attribute, which reduces the half-life elimination of the drug.

Bupropion is the only approved antidepressant with this chemical capacity. After your Wellbutrin taper, any long-term treatment will be directed toward treating the condition that led you to take Wellbutrin in the first place. If you are struggling with depression, your doctor may want to switch you to an SSRI that you haven’t tried before or suggest other options. Finding the right medication or combination of medications can take several tries. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin affect certain neurotransmitters in your brain, the chemical messengers that help with complex functions such as eating, sleeping, and emotional regulation.

• Individuals abusing Bupropion report experiencing a “high” reminiscent of cocaine abuse, albeit of lesser intensity.
• For someone on their second episode of depression, many doctors will probably want to wait at least two years or so, Dr. DeYoung says; for Dr. Siegel, it’s around three years.
• No, it’s not advised to stop taking Wellbutrin cold turkey (stopping abruptly from your full dosage rather than tapering down your dosage gradually).
• During the tapering process they will adjust the regimen if you experience unwanted side effects or symptoms.
• The safest way to stop taking Wellbutrin is to slowly reduce your dose 7, a process called tapering.

What Is Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Withdrawal?

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. 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. Coping strategies of Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms include gradual tapering of the medication under healthcare provider guidance.

Wellbutrin Withdrawal Timeline

They can create a gradual tapering schedule in which you slowly wean off the medication, which can reduce symptoms and help your body adjust to lower doses. The best way to prevent bupropion withdrawal symptoms is to work with your doctor to gradually taper off the Wellbutrin. They will create a tapering plan that’s individualized for you based on factors like your dosage, your health, and how long you’ve been taking the medication. During the tapering process they will adjust the regimen if you experience unwanted side effects or symptoms.

And if you are not in psychotherapy, find a therapist in the directory and schedule some appointments. Our fun & effective California and Florida treatment programs are evidence-based and covered by most major insurance providers, with expert staff and a great alumni and aftercare program. If you or a loved one are struggling with drug dependence or addiction, our world-class treatment programs are here to help you get sober. By following these tips, you can help your body adjust to the change and reduce the likelihood of experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

• Below, we will discuss some of the main challenges and how to stay healthy during tapering from Wellbutrin (or any other of Wellbutrin’s namesakes).
• For Wellbutrin, this half-life is relatively short – around 21 hours when taken regularly.
• The half-life of a medication refers to how long it takes half of the drug to leave your body.
• Together with a qualified therapist, you will learn how to work toward the life you want by reforming the unhealthy patterns standing in your way.

The safest way to stop taking antidepressants is to slowly taper down your dose. Working with your doctor, you can reduce your dose over the course of one or two weeks. Like all antidepressants, it offers many potential benefits but doesn’t work for everyone.

Do I need to taper off 150 mg Wellbutrin?

When you take your Wellbutrin as prescribed, you will develop a dependence on the medication. This isn’t concerning and doesn’t mean you are addicted—it’s simply the body’s natural adaptation to the presence of Wellbutrin. When you abruptly stop taking it, you may experience Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms, also known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Still, if you’re thinking of quitting Wellbutrin, talk to your doctor.

The timeline for how long it takes to detox from Wellbutrin can vary from person to person. Wellbutrin, a brand name for bupropion, is a prescription antidepressant. AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers. Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions. 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.

Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

In cases of overdose, whether accidental or intentional, Bupropion can lead to serious medical consequences. The risk of overdose is heightened when exceeding prescribed dosages, combining Bupropion with other substances, or in individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. The results we achieve for our clients at Alternative to Meds Center would never be possible with a cookie-cutter-style program. Each client has a program aimed toward neurotransmitter rehabilitation, designed specifically for their needs and their health profile.

Wellbutrin Taper Schedule

Never stop Wellbutrin on your own without talking to your doctor, as this can lead to more severe withdrawal symptoms. Bupropion, commonly marketed as Wellbutrin, is used to treat depression and help people stop smoking. 2 Like many medications, your body can become used to Wellbutrin over time. Stopping Wellbutrin cold turkey or reducing your dosage too quickly, you might experience withdrawal symptoms. This happens because your brain and body have adjusted to the medication’s effects, and when it’s no longer present, they need time to readjust.

What are Wellbutrin Missed Dose Symptoms?

By using these coping strategies, you can manage Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms more effectively and make the transition smoother. Always keep in close contact with your healthcare provider throughout the process. If your how do i wean myself off of wellbutrin symptoms become too severe to manage on your own, don’t hesitate to seek medical help. This includes symptoms like extreme mood swings, thoughts of self-harm, or severe physical symptoms. Your doctor will guide you on how to taper off Wellbutrin based on your specific situation. They will likely suggest a tapering schedule that gradually lowers your dose over a few weeks.

When individuals misuse or abuse Wellbutrin, they may develop a dependence on the drug, leading to Bupropion withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. Yet approximately 20% of patients experience Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms when abruptly ceasing or significantly reducing the dosage of an antidepressant they have been taking continuously for one month. Research for other antidepressants indicates that lowering the dosage every 4 weeks may be a safe strategy to minimize the risk of withdrawal and rebound symptoms. Administering a safe and effective Wellbutrin tapering program must include helping to prevent a person’s symptoms from returning as the medication is being incrementally reduced. The goal is to administer Wellbutrin tapering without these fluctuations, without major or intense Wellbutrin discontinuation symptoms, and without a return of original symptoms as much as possible. Alternative to Meds Center has been helping clients wean off Wellbutrin and many other drugs safely and gently for more than a decade and a half.

On the other hand, if your symptoms have only kinda gone away, or a couple are still hanging around, you’re not completely in remission. Unlike withdrawal from opioids, alcohol, or other types of antidepressants (e.g. SSRIs), physical symptoms of withdrawal after stopping Wellbutrin are not commonly reported. Discontinuation of Wellbutrin results in withdrawal symptoms for some individuals. Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms include mood changes like irritability and heightened emotional sensitivity, as well as physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. These symptoms vary in duration and intensity, and manifest differently for each individual. Of course it’s always a good idea to taper off, rather than stop suddenly.