Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for the following uses in adults:

Wellbutrin is meant to be used as a long-term treatment.

Here are some fast facts about Wellbutrin:

  • Active ingredient: bupropion hydrochloride
  • Drug class: antidepressants
  • Drug form: sustained-release (SR) tablets, extended-release (XL) tablets
  • FDA approval year: 1985

As with other drugs, Wellbutrin can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Wellbutrin, including details about its uses, see this article.

* Wellbutrin XL is approved to treat depression and help prevent seasonal affective disorder. Wellbutrin SR is only approved to treat depression.

Wellbutrin can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported in clinical trials by people who took Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Wellbutrin use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Wellbutrin include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Wellbutrin and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Wellbutrin may cause serious side effects. Serious side effects are rare and are less likely to occur if Wellbutrin is taken exactly as prescribed. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Wellbutrin, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL have a boxed warning for this side effect. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

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

How does Wellbutrin XL’s side effects compare with those of Wellbutrin SR?

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.

Does Wellbutrin cause sexual side effects?

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.

If my dose of Wellbutrin is increased from 150 mg to 300 mg, will I experience certain side effects?

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.

Can Wellbutrin cause long-term side effects?

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.

Will stopping Wellbutrin cause withdrawal symptoms?

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.

Is hair loss a side effect of Wellbutrin?

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

There are many factors that can contribute to hair loss, such as other medications, genetics, and hormone changes in your body.

Talk with your doctor if you experience hair loss while taking Wellbutrin. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and help you figure out what the possible cause could be.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Wellbutrin may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL.

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Wellbutrin has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many antidepressants, including Wellbutrin, have a warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and the highest risk are typically in people ages 18 to 24 years old.

In clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR, suicidal thoughts and behaviors were not reported. However, the clinical trials for Zyban (bupropion) in smoking cessation showed that there were some people who experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The active ingredient in Wellbutrin and Zyban is bupropion, so it’s possible that side effects may be similar.

Symptoms of suicidal thoughts and behaviors may include:

  • frequently thinking about suicide
  • having a plan for committing suicide
  • thinking about what life would be like for others if you were not around
  • changes in mood that are different than usual
  • anger
  • irritability

It’s important to note that the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior is also a symptom of depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors, it may be difficult to tell if your symptoms are being caused by Wellbutrin, depression, or SAD.

What you can do

Your doctor will assess your risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors before you start taking Wellbutrin. They may also educate family members or caretakers on how to monitor and recognize signs and symptoms of suicidal thoughts and behaviors to help act as a support system for you.

Starting Wellbutrin on the lowest starting dose possible for treatment may help reduce your risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Talk with your doctor right away if you feel like you have any signs or symptoms of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Weight gain or weight loss

In clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR, weight gain and weight loss were reported. Weight changes were common in clinical trials of Wellbutrin for treating depression, with weight loss being more common than weight gain.

Clinical trials showed that people were more likely to lose weight while taking Wellbutrin for depression or SAD.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you experience any changes in weight while taking Wellbutrin. Your doctor will assess the severity of your symptoms and recommend the best treatment option for you.

Headache

Headache was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR. Headaches were mild to moderate in severity and most people did not have to stop taking Wellbutrin. Symptoms of headache include pain on both sides of your head, pain on the front and back of your head, and a dull pain intensity.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you start to experience headaches that are bothersome or interfere with your daily activities. Your doctor may recommend pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) to help with your symptoms.

Seizure

In clinical trials of Wellbutrin SR, seizures were rare. Seizures were not studied in clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL. However, post marketing studies after Wellbutrin XL was approved reported that the side effect was also rare.

Symptoms of seizures can include:

  • fainting
  • uncontrollable movements in your arms and legs
  • confusion
  • stiffening of your arms and legs
  • dizziness

There are other factors that can further increase your risk for seizures from Wellbutrin, such as using illicit drugs, severe head injuries, and severe liver damage.

What you can do

Your doctor will typically start you on the lowest effective dose of Wellbutrin for treating depression and SAD. If you need to increase your dose, it will be done slowly and over a longer period of time. This may help reduce the risk of seizures from Wellbutrin.

Clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL recommend a maximum dose of 450 milligrams (mg). And clinical trials for Wellbutrin SR recommend a maximum daily dose of 400 mg.

Call 911 or your local emergency number if you think you’re experiencing a seizure. Your doctor will likely stop treatment with Wellbutrin if you experience a seizure.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure may occur while you’re taking Wellbutrin. This side effect was common in clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR. Clinical trials showed that high blood pressure was serious enough in some people to where they had to stop taking Wellbutrin.

Symptoms of high blood pressure may include:

What you can do

Before you start treatment with Wellbutrin, your doctor will check your blood pressure. They’ll likely monitor your blood pressure throughout treatment with the drug. You should also regularly check your blood pressure to increase the likelihood of catching any blood pressure changes before they become severe.

If you have any symptoms of high blood pressure during Wellbutrin treatment, tell your doctor right away. They may stop treatment with Wellbutrin.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Wellbutrin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. It’s unknown if allergic reactions occurred in clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Wellbutrin. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

This drug has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Wellbutrin. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Seizure disorder. Wellbutrin is contraindicated in people who have a history of seizure disorder. A contraindication is a factor or condition that could prevent your doctor from prescribing a drug due to risk of harm. Make sure to let your doctor know if you have a history of seizures as they may recommend a different medication for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Wellbutrin or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Wellbutrin. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Bulimia or anorexia. Talk with your doctor if you have or have had a history of bulimia or anorexia. These conditions may increase your risk of seizures from Wellbutrin. Ask your doctor what other medications may be safer for you.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI). If you’re taking an MAOI, such as Eldepryl (selegiline), your doctor will likely not prescribe Wellbutrin. They stop MAOI treatment for at least 14 days before starting Wellbutrin. Taking Wellbutrin in combination with an MAOI can significantly increase your risk of having life-threatening high blood pressure. Be sure to tell your doctor about every medication you’re taking before starting treatment with Wellbutrin.

Closed-angle glaucoma. If you have a history of untreated narrow eye angles you may have a higher risk of closed-angle glaucoma if you take Wellbutrin. Closed-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency that can cause vision loss if not treated right away. Talk with your doctor about your eye history before starting Wellbutrin. Your doctor may recommend an eye exam before starting treatment.

Alcohol with Wellbutrin

It’s recommended to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin. This drug is known to interact with alcohol.

Post marketing and clinical trials of Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR show that taking Wellbutrin and alcohol together may increase your risk of serious mental health side effects. These side effect can include hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety, and mood changes.

If you’d like to drink alcohol while taking Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether it’s safe for you and discuss the risks associated with alcohol use while taking Wellbutrin.

Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you have suddenly stopped drinking alcohol during your treatment with Wellbutrin. Doing so may increase your risk of seizures as a side effect. (For more information, refer to the “Side effect specifics” section above.)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Wellbutrin

It’s not known whether Wellbutrin is safe to take during pregnancy.

Animal studies have shown problems with fetal development in offspring born to animals that were given Wellbutrin during pregnancy. However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.

Untreated depression or seasonal affective disorder also present risks to the fetus or unborn baby during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the risks and benefits of taking Wellbutrin and determine the best treatment plan for you.

If you and your doctor decide to continue Wellbutrin treatment during pregnancy, there’s a registry that monitors your treatment. You may sign up for the registry by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 844-405-6185 or visit the registry website.

Wellbutrin is known to pass into breast milk. However, it’s not known if the drug may cause side effects in a breastfed child.

Talk with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed. They can help advise you on the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking Wellbutrin. They can also recommend healthy ways to feed your child.

Wellbutrin XL is FDA approved to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder. And Wellbutrin SR is FDA approved to treated depression. If you’re prescribed Wellbutrin by your doctor, there’s a chance you may experience side effects. These side effects are mostly mild to moderate in severity, however serious side effects can occur. If you’d like to learn more about Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Wellbutrin. For details about other aspects of Wellbutrin, refer to this article.
  • Dosage. For information about the dosage of Wellbutrin, view this article.
  • Interactions. To find out about Wellbutrin’s interactions, see this article.
  • A look at your condition. For details about the conditions Wellbutrin’s used to treat, see our depression and mental health hubs.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.