From the Guidelines
Wellbutrin can cause shakiness or tremors in some people, as evidenced by its activating effects and potential to stimulate the nervous system, leading to trembling or jitteriness 1.
Causes of Shakiness
The medication increases levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which can stimulate the nervous system and lead to trembling or jitteriness.
- These tremors typically affect the hands but can occur elsewhere in the body.
- The shakiness is more common when first starting the medication or after increasing the dose, and often diminishes as your body adjusts to the treatment.
Management of Shakiness
If you're experiencing significant tremors while taking Wellbutrin, you should contact your healthcare provider, as they may recommend:
- Adjusting your dosage
- Switching to an extended-release formulation to reduce peak concentrations
- Considering an alternative medication Additionally, staying hydrated, limiting caffeine intake, and ensuring adequate sleep may help reduce this side effect.
Important Considerations
Never stop taking Wellbutrin suddenly without medical supervision, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
- It is essential to follow the recommended dosage and administration guidelines to minimize the risk of side effects, such as taking the second dose before 3 p.m. to minimize the risk of insomnia 1.
- Although other studies discuss the use of bupropion in combination with other medications, such as stimulants or α2-agonists, the primary concern is the management of shakiness associated with Wellbutrin itself 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
300 mg/day of bupropion HCl sustained-release: anorexia, dry mouth, rash, sweating, tinnitus, and tremor. 400 mg/day of bupropion HCl sustained-release: abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, myalgia, nausea, palpitation, pharyngitis, sweating, tinnitus, and urinary frequency
Tremor is listed as an adverse reaction that occurred in at least 5% of patients treated with bupropion HCl sustained-release (300 mg and 400 mg per day) and at a rate at least twice the placebo rate. This suggests that Wellbutrin (bupropion) can cause shakiness, as tremor is a common term used to describe shaking or trembling movements. 2 2
From the Research
Wellbutrin and Shaky Feelings
- Wellbutrin, also known as bupropion, is an antidepressant medication that can have various side effects, but there is limited direct evidence on whether it causes shaky feelings or tremors.
- A study on drug-induced tremor 3 lists several medications that can cause tremors, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other antidepressants, but does not specifically mention bupropion.
- Another study on bupropion 4 discusses its effectiveness as an antidepressant and its side effects, but does not mention tremors or shaky feelings as a common side effect.
- A study comparing bupropion to SSRIs in terms of anxiety symptoms 5 found that both medications had similar efficacy in reducing anxiety symptoms, but did not address the specific question of whether bupropion causes shaky feelings.
- A more recent study on bupropion and anxiety 6 found that bupropion did not increase anxiety levels in patients over a 12-week period, but again did not specifically address the question of shaky feelings or tremors.
Related Side Effects
- Bupropion can cause other side effects such as weight loss, insomnia, and dry mouth 4.
- SSRIs, which are often compared to bupropion, can cause side effects such as sexual dysfunction and weight gain 4.
- Benzodiazepines, which are a different class of medications, can cause withdrawal symptoms such as tremors and anxiety 7, but this is not directly relevant to bupropion.