From the Guidelines
Yes, a 19-year-old can take Wellbutrin (bupropion) with a proper prescription from a healthcare provider, as it is FDA-approved for adults 18 and older for treating depression and as an aid for smoking cessation. The typical starting dose is 150 mg once daily, often increased to 150 mg twice daily after several days if tolerated, as recommended by the American College of Physicians 1. Common side effects include dry mouth, headache, insomnia, and nausea. It's essential for young adults to be aware that Wellbutrin carries a black box warning about increased risk of suicidal thoughts in people under 25, especially during the first few weeks of treatment, as highlighted in the guidelines 1. Regular follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor for side effects and treatment response, with assessments beginning within 1 to 2 weeks of initiation of therapy, as recommended by the American College of Physicians 1. Wellbutrin should not be taken with certain medications or by people with specific medical conditions like seizure disorders, eating disorders, or those undergoing abrupt discontinuation of alcohol or sedatives. The medication works by affecting brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine, which help regulate mood and are often imbalanced in depression.
Some key considerations for the use of Wellbutrin in a 19-year-old include:
- Monitoring for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the first 1 to 2 months of treatment 1
- Regular assessment of patient status, therapeutic response, and adverse effects of antidepressant therapy 1
- Modification of treatment if the patient does not have an adequate response to pharmacotherapy within 6 to 8 weeks of the initiation of therapy for major depressive disorder 1
- Continuation of treatment for 4 to 9 months after a satisfactory response in patients with a first episode of major depressive disorder, with longer durations potentially beneficial for patients with multiple episodes of depression 1
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Age Considerations for Wellbutrin Use
- The provided studies do not specifically address the minimum age requirement for taking Wellbutrin 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it is known that Wellbutrin is prescribed for smoking cessation and major depressive disorder in adults, and its safety profile has been monitored in various populations 4.
- A study analyzing serious adverse reactions of bupropion for smoking cessation found that younger people, particularly younger women, were more at risk for cutaneous serious adverse reactions, such as angioedema 4.
- Another study reviewed the use of bupropion in the management of major depressive disorder and found it to be effective and generally well-tolerated in adults 5.
Safety Profile and Contraindications
- Bupropion has a low potential for inducing seizures, with a seizure rate of approximately 0.1% in patients with depression 2, 6.
- The major safety issue with bupropion is the risk of seizures, and it should not be prescribed to patients with a current seizure disorder or any history of seizures 4, 6.
- Other serious adverse reactions reported with bupropion include cutaneous or allergic reactions, neurological reactions, and neuropsychiatric adverse events 4.
Efficacy and Tolerability
- Bupropion is an effective and well-tolerated smoking cessation intervention, with sustained release bupropion 300 mg/day associated with significantly higher smoking abstinence rates than placebo 2.
- Bupropion is also effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder, with the newer formulations having the advantage of reduced frequency of daily administration 5.
- The drug is generally well-tolerated, with common adverse events including insomnia and dry mouth 2, 5.