Wellbutrin (Bupropion) Overdose: Signs, Precautions, & Treatment

Can You Overdose on Wellbutrin?

It is possible to overdose on Wellbutrin. When you consume a toxic dose of a substance or medication, it is known as an overdose. Always seek medical advice if an antidepressant overdose is suspected or has already happened. Even a slight overdose of Wellbutrin could result in problems.¹

To reduce the possibility of Wellbutrin overdose effects like seizures and blood pressure changes, your doctor may gradually increase your dosage. People may overdose on Wellbutrin if they take it in higher amounts than their doctor recommends or combine it with other medicines or alcohol.

When Should You Seek Immediate Help for a Wellbutrin Overdose?

Call 911 if someone has overdosed and exhibits significant symptoms like fainting out or difficulty breathing. If not, immediately dial a poison control hotline. Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison control center if you are a US citizen.

Symptoms of a Wellbutrin Overdose

Overdoses are caused by an accumulation of Wellbutrin in the body, which can result in various physical and psychological problems. A single dose of Wellbutrin should not exceed 100 mg. Wellbutrin has an overdose risk; however, the safe dosage is substantially lower than the toxic one.

Wellbutrin overdose symptoms may result in seizures and other significant side effects at doses greater than 450 mg daily. The Wellbutrin overdose dose is between 5.4 and 9 grams. Agitation, hallucinations, tachycardia, tremor, and isolated seizures are some of the Wellbutrin overdose signs that occur in mild to moderate toxic dosages. What happens when you overdose on Wellbutrin?

Common Wellbutrin XL overdose symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Rash
• Heart palpitations
• Tremors

Serious symptoms of a Wellbutrin overdose include:

• Seizures
• Coma
• Hallucinations
• Tremor
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Cardiac failure

What Can Cause a Wellbutrin Overdose?

A Wellbutrin overdose can be lethal.² You can overdose from Wellbutrin if you take more than the recommended dose or if you combine it with other medicines or substances.

Taking More Than the Prescribed Dosage

Drug overdoses can be accidental or purposeful. Overdoses occur when a person consumes more than the medically prescribed dose of a medication. Some people, however, may be particularly sensitive to specific treatments, and the high end of a drug’s therapeutic range may be harmful to them.

Taking Wellbutrin with Other Substances

Wellbutrin can be a useful therapy choice, but it also has the potential to interact with other drugs. The effectiveness of your drugs may be impacted by interactions, which may also have unwanted adverse effects. You might need to stop taking Wellbutrin (or the interacting medication) due to interactions. Other medications may need your healthcare provider to monitor you more closely. Consider possible Wellbutrin interactions if you take other drugs or consume alcohol.

Substances that can increase the risk of a Wellbutrin overdose when used together include:

• Alcohol: Alcohol can worsen depressive symptoms and lessen Wellbutrin’s effectiveness. Wellbutrin and alcohol should be used with caution. ³
• Some medications like Clopidogrel (Plavix): The liver is where Wellbutrin is metabolized. Specifically, the protein (enzyme) CYP2B6 is responsible for its breakdown. Wellbutrin levels in the body can be increased or decreased by other drugs that impact this enzyme.

Taking Wellbutrin with Other Medications

If you use a drug that interacts with Wellbutrin, you might merely require closer observation. Nonetheless, there may be times when you need to discontinue taking Wellbutrin. For information about interactions with Wellbutrin, consult your healthcare provider.

Medications that can increase the risk of Wellbutrin overdose when taken together include:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)*: The risk of developing high blood pressure increases when MAOIs and Wellbutrin are combined.
• Medications that increase dopamine levels: Levodopa and amantadine increase dopamine levels in the brain, similarly to Wellbutrin. Your neurological system might become affected from taking too much dopamine.
• Medications that reduce the seizure threshold: Drugs like Wellbutrin can lower the seizure threshold. Wellbutrin can be harmful when combined with other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold.
• Medications metabolized by the liver: Wellbutrin is metabolized (broken down) in the liver. It is specifically broken down by a protein (enzyme) known as CYP2B6.⁴ Several drugs that alter this enzyme can cause an increase or decrease in Wellbutrin levels in the body.

*Medications within the MAOI drug class have a black box warning. These are the most serious type of warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). MAOIs can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults. Regardless of age, you should talk with your doctor about severe risks with MAOIs before starting treatment.

Can a Wellbutrin Overdose Cause Complications?

Wellbutrin overdose has no specific antidote, and management is supportive. To prevent the progression of seizures, benzodiazepines are the medicine of choice for treating Wellbutrin seizures.

Wellbutrin Overdose Symptoms Vs. Side Effects

Overdose symptoms are a result of taking more medication than is prescribed for the condition being treated. In contrast, side effects can occur while taking a prescribed dose.

Wellbutrin can cause side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, as soon as you start taking it.⁵ It is also important to remember that these side effects frequently improve over time. You may start to experience the desired results, such as better sleep, appetite, or energy, within the first or second week of taking your first dose. If you believe you are experiencing severe Wellbutrin side effects, get medical help right away.

Common Side Effects of Wellbutrin

Although Wellbutrin can aid in treating depression symptoms, it also has potential side effects, including headache, weight loss, dry mouth, and insomnia. Most common Wellbutrin side effects do not need to be treated by a doctor. If the side effects persist or worsen, speak with your healthcare physician.

Common side effects of Wellbutrin include:

• Headache
• Weight changes
• Sleeping problems
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sore throat
• Sweating
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Joint aches

Seeking Professional Help for a Wellbutrin Overdose

If you have taken too much Wellbutrin, get help right away. Wellbutrin XL overdose is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention and inpatient stabilization.

Call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency hospital if you fear you overdosed on Wellbutrin and are experiencing symptoms, including hallucinations, drowsiness, or a loss of motor coordination. You can also call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Here is information important to share when seeking a Wellbutrin overdose treatment:

• Current signs and symptoms
• When you last took Wellbutrin
• The amount you took
• Regular dosage amount
• Other medications
• Seizure disorder
• Kidney or liver disease
• Heart disease or high blood pressure

Overdose Treatment

Get emergency medical attention if you have overdosed on Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin overdose is a medical emergency that necessitates immediate medical attention and inpatient medical stabilization. Wellbutrin overdose has no specific antidote, and management is supportive.

Emergency treatment for an overdose on Wellbutrin might include:

• Monitor cardiac rhythm and vital signs
• Check that the airway is clear
• Gastric lavage
• Oral-activated charcoal

Next Steps After an Overdose

Always carefully read drug labels. Only use prescription drugs as prescribed. All drugs should be kept in their original packaging. Drugs of any kind should be avoided unless prescribed by a doctor. If you have ever had an overdose, always notify your doctor or another health expert. Do not store medications that you no longer require. Bring them back to the pharmacist.

Keep any medicines, alcohol, narcotics, and poisons locked up and out of reach of children. While taking multiple substances (including alcohol), exercise caution. These can have a negative interaction and increase your chance of overdoes.

Unintentional drug poisoning encompasses drug overdoses caused by substance misuse, substance abuse, or taking too much of a drug for medical reasons. An intentional overdose occurs when a person intentionally overdoses to cause self-harm.

If the Overdose on Wellbutrin was Unintentional

Because there is no antidote for an overdose of Wellbutrin, treatment is initially supportive care  in the hospital and then at home. After an accidental Wellbutrin overdose, have a conversation with your doctor to see if you can continue taking it. Drugs of any kind should be avoided unless prescribed by a doctor. These can have a negative interaction and increase your chance of overdoes.

The next steps to consider after an unintentional Wellbutrin overdose include the following:

• Take medication as prescribed: Follow the instructions on the bottle or package before taking any medication, whether purchased from a pharmacist or on the shelf.
• Consult with your psychiatrist: To avoid another unintentional overdose, discuss your dosage and medication combinations with your psychiatrist.
• Take initiative: Never take a new medication if you take one regularly without first talking to your primary care provider.
• Drink less alcohol: When taking any kind of medication, avoid consuming alcohol. Any medication’s strength can be increased by alcohol, and the resulting combination can be toxic.

If the Overdose on Wellbutrin Was Intentional

If you have thoughts of suicide or other types of self-harm, you need to contact a psychiatrist or another mental health professional focusing on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. As there is no antidote, Wellbutrin overdose treatment is supportive. Gastric lavage and oral activated charcoal may be recommended within an hour of an overdose.

After an intentional overdose, you can resume taking Wellbutrin with caution. ⁶ The medication you no longer need should not be kept. Bring them back to the pharmacy.

Next steps to consider after an intentional Wellbutrin overdose include:

• Seek psychotherapy: Suicidal ideas or self-harm are typically associated with a mental health condition that can be treated. If so, you might need to visit a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.
• Consult your psychiatrist: Your psychiatrist may consider other treatment options or adjust your dosage to prevent suicidal thoughts and self-harm.

In My Experience

In my experience, Wellbutrin may cause unwanted effects and have adverse reactions with other drugs or alcohol. The medication’s adverse effects, including headache and dizziness, are possible. Some side effects are milder, while others can worsen and necessitate rapid medical intervention. To fully understand the advantages and risks of Wellbutrin, it is crucial to speak with your doctor before using the medicine.

For Further Reading

• Wellbutrin (Bupropion) Withdrawal: Symptoms, Duration, & How to Cope
• Wellbutrin For Anxiety: Effectiveness, Dosage, & More
• Wellbutrin(Bupropion) Side Effects: Rare, Common & Severe
• Wellbutrin and alcohol: Understanding the risks
• Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome: Symptoms & Prevention