Wellbutrin is a medication that has the main ingredient of Bupropion. This medication is used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is depression during the fall and winter every year. Bupropion is also used to help people who are smoking and have a desire to quit. Wellbutrin falls under the class of medication called antidepressants. It increases the levels of certain activities in the brain to make people feel better.
Take Wellbutrin exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. It usually comes in tablet form and should be taken by mouth. If Wellbutrin causes your stomach to become upset, take it with food as this will ease the upset stomach symptoms. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dosage of Wellbutrin and gradually increase it to find the correct dosage for your situation. It may take some time before you feel the effects of Wellbutrin and once you do feel them continue to take it because it only treats the symptoms it does not cure depression. If you have any questions about Wellbutrin and its usages talk to your doctor. If you don’t understand how to take Wellbutrin talk to your doctor or pharmacist for clarification.
Like most other medications Wellbutrin has cause some side effects in studies. These side effects were generally not severe, however, if you experience them and they are severe or do not go away contact your doctor. Side effects include:
- drowsiness
- excitement
- dry mouth
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- weight loss
- constipation
- excessive sweating
More serious side effects that require medical attention include:
- seizures
- confusion
- hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- irrational fears
- fever
- rash or blisters
- itching
- hives
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- chest pain
- muscle or joint pain
- rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
Wellbutrin may cause similar side effect to Effexor. Effexor side effects include:
- drowsiness
- weakness or tiredness
- dizziness
- headache
- nightmares
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- gas
- heartburn
- burping
- dry mouth
- change in ability to taste food
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in part of the body
- muscle tightness
- twitching
- yawning
- sweating
- hot flashes or flushing
- frequent urination
- difficulty urinating
- sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
- ringing in the ears
- changes in sexual desire or ability
- enlarged pupils (black circles in the middle of the eyes)
More serious side effects include:
- rash
- hives
- itching
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- chest pain
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- seizures
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- small purple spots on the skin
- eye pain or redness
- changes in vision
- fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, and severe muscle stiffness
- fever
- problems with coordination
- hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
If you have any questions about either of these medications call your doctor. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements that you are taking so that you do not have adverse effects occur when you are taking Wellbutrin.