From the Guidelines
Symptoms of Wellbutrin withdrawal can include irritability, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, tremors, fatigue, and mood changes such as depression. However, the provided evidence 1 does not directly address Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms, instead focusing on opioid tapering and withdrawal. Based on general medical knowledge, Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms can be expected to include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Tremors
- Fatigue
- Mood changes such as depression These symptoms typically begin within 1-3 days after stopping the medication and can last for 1-2 weeks, though the timeline varies between individuals. The severity of withdrawal depends on factors like dosage, duration of treatment, and individual physiology. To minimize withdrawal symptoms, Wellbutrin should be tapered gradually under medical supervision rather than stopped abruptly. If severe withdrawal symptoms occur, it is essential to contact a healthcare provider immediately, as they may recommend adjusting the tapering schedule or providing supportive treatments to manage specific symptoms. It's crucial to note that the evidence provided 1 discusses opioid withdrawal symptoms, which include physical symptoms like tremor, diaphoresis, agitation, insomnia, myoclonus, and affective symptoms like dysphoria, anhedonia, anxiety, and depression, but this is not directly applicable to Wellbutrin withdrawal.
From the FDA Drug Label
Never stop an antidepressant medicine without first talking to a healthcare provider. Stopping an antidepressant medicine suddenly can cause other symptoms The symptoms of Wellbutrin withdrawal are not explicitly listed, but it is mentioned that stopping an antidepressant medicine suddenly can cause other symptoms.
- The label does mention symptoms that may occur when trying to quit smoking, including:
- urge to smoke
- feeling anxious
- depressed mood
- difficulty concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- restlessness
- irritability
- decreased heart rate
- frustration
- increased appetite
- anger
- weight gain However, these symptoms are related to nicotine withdrawal, not specifically to Wellbutrin withdrawal. It is recommended to consult a healthcare provider before stopping the medication to discuss the potential risks and symptoms of withdrawal 2.
From the Research
Symptoms of Wellbutrin Withdrawal
- The provided studies do not directly address the symptoms of Wellbutrin withdrawal.
- However, some studies discuss the side effects and risks associated with bupropion, which is the active ingredient in Wellbutrin 3, 4, 5.
- Bupropion has been linked to an increased risk of seizures, particularly at high doses or in patients with predisposing factors 3, 4.
- Other potential side effects of bupropion include anxiety, although one study found that bupropion did not significantly increase anxiety levels in patients compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 6.
- The studies do not provide information on the specific symptoms of Wellbutrin withdrawal, such as those that may occur when the medication is stopped or tapered off.
- One study discusses the risks of benzodiazepine withdrawal, which may be relevant to the topic of medication withdrawal in general, but does not provide information on Wellbutrin withdrawal specifically 7.