Wellbutrin For Anxiety: Effectiveness, Dosage, & More

What Is Wellbutrin?

Bupropion, a generic version of the brand name Wellbutrin, is an FDA-approved medication for treating symptoms of depression and seasonal affective disorder and can also be prescribed as a medication for anxiety. Your doctor may consider using Wellbutrin for anxiety over other medications depending on several factors, including the drug’s efficacy, side effects, and treatment duration. It’s always necessary to consult with your doctor to determine the best treatment for your condition.

Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) that blocks the reabsorption of neurotransmitters, prolonging their action. This helps to increase the levels of the neurotransmitters in the brain, making them available longer to potentially relieve anxiety symptoms. Since Wellbutrin has side effects that can become severe depending on age and health condition, the FDA warns against using the medication for anxiety in children, adults, and adolescents. Pregnant women are also discouraged from taking the medication. Only Wellbutrin under the guidance of your doctor.^1,2

Why Is Wellbutrin Used for Anxiety?

Antidepressants like Wellbutrin may be considered for anxiety since they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These body chemicals play an essential role in regulating mood and behavior. Bupropion is not always considered the first-line treatment for anxiety; however, it can help reduce anxiety symptoms and works best as part of a comprehensive anxiety treatment plan.

Wellbutrin is generally prescribed for anxiety as off-label use. This means the FDA has not approved the medication to treat symptoms of anxiety. The mechanisms of Wellbutrin to treat anxiety have not been fully understood. Therefore, you must take the medication cautiously to prevent complications that might arise during treatment. You may also turn to Wellbutrin over other anxiety medications due to several reasons, including:

• Lack of response from other medications
• Side effects of other medications
• Tolerability of other anxiety medications
• Treatment duration

Specific types of anxiety disorders that Wellbutrin can be helpful include: ³

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Specific phobias
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

How Does Wellbutrin Help With Anxiety?

Wellbutrin and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) work similarly to reduce anxiety symptoms. However, their course of action is different. While Wellbutrin blocks norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake to prolong their action, SSRIs block serotonin reuptake to prolong its action. Wellbutrin’s work mechanism aims to balanced norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which helps to influence mood, behavior, emotion, and anxiety, potentially improving your symptoms.

And while anxiety medication may make you feel better as it reduces your symptoms, you may also experience brief side effects during the first two days of your initial Wellbutrin dosage. The effects of the medication vary from person to person. Wellbutrin may make you feel fatigued, nauseous, vomit, and have sleeping problems.

How Long Does It Take for Wellbutrin to Work For Anxiety?

Antidepressants usually take some time (up to 6 or 8 weeks) to work on anxiety and to feel the full benefit of the medication. How long it takes for antidepressants to work depends on the type of anxiety and the antidepressant efficacy.⁴ Bupropion may improve sleep, energy, or appetite within the first to second week after starting your medication. This can be a sign that the medication is working on your condition. Also, other anxiety symptoms, such as lack of interest and mood, can take up to 6 – 8 weeks to fully improve.

Like other antidepressant medications, bupropion has potential side effects. And one of these side effects is anxiety. Wellbutrin can cause anxiety which can be worse right after treatment starts. However, it can be effective at treating anxiety if used with some conditions and for some people.

How to Take Wellbutrin for Anxiety

Taking the medication in the morning is recommended as it can cause insomnia if taken a few hours before bedtime. Wellbutrin is usually administered orally and comes in several forms, including:

• Immediate release (IR)
• Sustained-release (SR)
• Extended-release (XL)
• Tablet
• Capsule

The XL tablet and capsule forms are designed to release the drug slowly over time, allowing for a steady level of medication throughout the body. Importantly, the extended-release tablets or capsules should not be chewed, crushed, or broken but should be swallowed whole, preferably with water. Crushing the medication can alter its absorption and sometimes lead to possible overdose or underdose, making the treatment ineffective.⁵

Wellbutrin Dosage For Anxiety

The effective Wellbutrin dosage to help anxiety symptoms varies based on age and weight. This means the dosage administered to children with anxiety, older adults with anxiety, or teenagers with anxiety is not the same. Also, the nature of the type of anxiety disorder and treatment duration can influence Wellbutrin dosage. The recommended starting dose is about 150mg once daily and may be increased up to 3 times that. Your doctor may start you off on a smaller dosage to see how effective Wellbutrin is at treating your anxiety symptoms.

Can You Overdose on Wellbutrin?

Yes, it’s possible to overdose on Wellbutrin. Overdosing on the medication can have serious health complications that can be life-threatening. Overdosing on Wellbutrin can cause severe symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, and loss of consciousness, requiring immediate medical attention. If you suspect you or someone has overdosed on bupropion, seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible. You can also call the 9-1-1 emergency hotline number for speedy assistance.

Side Effects of Wellbutrin While Treating Anxiety

Like other anxiety medications, Wellbutrin is associated with causing common side effects that may not require immediate medical attention. The side effects of Wellbutrin occur as a result of your body trying to adjust to the medication. Common side effects of Wellbutrin include nausea, vomiting, and headache.

Wellbutrin side effects can worsen and become severe, requiring immediate medical attention. The severity of the medication’s side effects is mainly influenced by several factors, including a person’s age, genetic profile, health conditions, or possible Wellbutrin interaction with other medications like other antidepressants, substances like alcohol or dietary supplements like St. John’s Wort.

Common Wellbutrin (bupropion) side effects include:^1,4

• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Trembling
• Constipation
• Appetite issues
• Weight loss
• Changes in perception of well-being
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Tremors
• Nervousness
• Dry mouth
• Rapid heartbeat

Serious Wellbutrin (bupropion) side effects that need immediate attention include:^1,4

• Suicidal ideation
• Hypertension
• Episodic seizures
• Worsening depression or anxiety symptoms
• Irregular heartbeat
• Vision problems, eye pain, angle-closure glaucoma
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Manic episodes
• Hyperventilation

Wellbutrin can result in worsening anxiety symptoms. If you have anxiety symptoms, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor might consider putting you on another medication or tapering your dosage to prevent potential Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms/discontinuation syndrome.

Some common anxiety symptoms include:³

• Sleeping difficulties
• Dizziness
• Restlessness
• The constant fear that something terrible is going to happen

Warnings & Associated Risks of Taking Wellbutrin for Anxiety

While Wellbutrin can effectively treat anxiety symptoms, the medication can seriously affect people with certain risk factors. Taking anxiety medication while pregnant may carry an elevated risk of preterm labor and miscarriage in pregnant women. It may also lead to infant exposure to the drug in breastfeeding women.^1,2 Also, people consuming alcohol are at increased risk of worsening anxiety symptoms.

The medication is also available only through prescription. Abruptly discontinuing your medication without proper guidance from your prescriber can lead to Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms.¹

Substances to Avoid If You’re Taking Wellbutrin

Disclaimer: Taking certain medications, herbs, or supplements alongside Wellbutrin can change how Wellbutrin works in your body or increase the risk for serious side effects. This article does not consider all the possible interactions. Please let your doctor, psychiatrists, and pharmacists know about all the products you currently use, such as prescription medication, nonprescription drugs, and herbal supplements. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

Possible Wellbutrin interaction with other medications, substances, or dietary supplements can result in serious side effects. Antidepressants or substances like alcohol have a unique chemical composition that is the primary contributor to side effects experienced when taking the medications. Therefore, other anxiety medications can have negative interactions with Wellbutrin, which can lead to possible overdose requiring immediate medical attention.

Taking Wellbutrin while on NSAIDs medications puts you at risk of excessive bleeding. Talk with your doctor before using bupropion with other substances. This will help your doctor address the safety concerns of the medication and to reduce the risk of harmful effects on Wellbutrin medication.

Some substances that interact with Wellbutrin include:¹

• Alcohol
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Additional depression medications
• Anxiety medications
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Benzodiazepines
• Migraine drugs
• Blood thinners
• Water pills
• Medication for stomach acid
• St. John’s Wort

Wellbutrin Alternatives for Anxiety

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant medication used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder. However, sometimes the medication can be used to treat anxiety. If the medication does not work for your anxiety or leads to intolerable side effects, there are several effective alternatives for treating anxiety your doctor might consider. Your doctor will consider other options depending on the medication’s side effects, treatment time, and effectiveness.

Some alternatives to Wellbutrin for anxiety include other SSRIs such as fluoxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine, benzodiazepines, or buspirone. However, you should be aware that, like Wellbutrin, these alternatives also carry side effects. It’s important to consult your doctor before switching medications.

Some alternatives to Wellbutrin to treat anxiety include:⁶

• Other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil) are suitable alternatives to Wellbutrin commonly prescribed for different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder.
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Venlafaxine (Effexor), and duloxetine (Cymbalta), are commonly prescribed to treat depression and anxiety as well.
• Benzodiazepines: Benzos such as alprazolam (Xanax) can be prescribed for short-term use to treat serious anxiety symptoms.
• Buspirone: This bupropion alternative affects serotonin and dopamine action, which can potentially relieve anxiety symptoms.

Questions to Ask Your Health Team

Licensed nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or psychiatrists can prescribe Wellbutrin. Before starting your medication, talk with your doctor to understand the risks of Wellbutrin. You can ask your doctor about the medication’s side effects or how long it takes to treat anxiety.

Questions to ask your care team about whether Wellbutrin is right for you include:

• Would Wellbutrin be effective in treating my anxiety?
• Is Wellbutrin more effective at treating Anxiety than the medication I am already taking?
• Can I take Wellbutrin with the medication I am already taking?
• Will I need to change my anxiety medications if I start taking Wellbutrin?
• Are there better medication options besides Wellbutrin to help treat my anxiety?
• What are the best online psychiatry options to get prescribed Wellbutrin for Anxiety?
• How often should I come for checkups?
• How long does Wellbutrin take to work on my anxiety?
• How long do Wellbutrin side effects last?
• What side effects should I be aware of?

Final Thoughts

While Wellbutrin (bupropion) is commonly prescribed for depression, the medication can sometimes be used to treat anxiety symptoms. Wellbutrin can be an effective treatment for anxiety, especially when taken along with therapy. Before taking Wellbutrin, discuss a treatment plan with your doctor and care team to see if it’s the right option.

For Further Reading

• How to Get Anxiety Medication: Everything You Need to Know
• Wellbutrin Withdrawal: Symptoms, Duration, & How to Cope
• Wellbutrin Vs. Zoloft: Key Differences & Choosing the Best for You
• Welbutrin Weight Gain: Everything You Need to Know
• Wellbutrin (Bupropion) Sexual Side Effects: What They Are & How to Manage Them
• Wellbutrin vs. Prozac: Differences, Similarities, & Which Is Best for You