What is Wellbutrin
Wellbutrin (bupropion) is a prescription drug intended for the treatment of depression. This is a powerful antidepressant that works by reducing the abnormal excitement in the brain allowing the patient to calm down.
How to use Medicine
How you are supposed to take Wellbutrin
This drug comes as a regular and extended-release tablet and is supposed to be taken orally for as long as recommended. The dosing schedule you will be recommended depends on which form of the drug you have been prescribed, as well as a number of other factors that you cannot control – such as your age and general health condition for example. You may be stated on a lower dose first, and it can be increased if no effects are felt. Often doctors recommend taking a lower dose during the last 2 weeks of the treatment – so make sure you follow those recommendations as well. This drug can be taken with some food if you are worried it is going to cause stomach upset. Take Wellbutrin for as long as recommended and do not stop taking it even if you feel well, as improved symptoms may not mean that you are completely healthy.
Things to be discussed with your health care provider
Inform your health care provider of the fact of having any eating disBuy, high blood pressure, a brain tumor, a head injury, a history of a heart attack, liver, kidney, or heart disease, diabetes or a history of seizures. Also tell your doctor if you are used to drinking a lot of alcohol regularly. Some of the health conditions mentioned need to be discussed because they increase your risk of developing side effects, while other conditions can make you more susceptible to the effects of Wellbutrin. Make sure you know your personal and family medical history and can discuss it with your doctor if he needs to know more.
Can this medication cause side effects?
Wellbutrin can sometimes cause drowsiness. Until you are sure this drug does not cause such a reaction in you – avoid taking it and getting engaged into an activity that requires you to be alert and concentrated. Other mild side effects of Wellbutrin that you do not need to report unless they get really bothersome include excitement, vomiting, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, nausea, weight loss, and constipation. You only need to report your side effects if they are serious enough for that. The following side effects are considered to be serious: hallucinations, fever, seizures, confusion, hives, swelling, hoarseness, chest pain, and muscle or joint pain. In some rare cases patients taking this medication have reported certain mood changes and changes in behavior – suicidal thoughts, hostility and agitation. While it's not clear whether these symptoms are directly related to people taking Wellbutrin, you need to be careful when you first start taking it and show up for regular doctor's appointments. People younger than 24 are more likely to develop these changes in mod and behavior, so this age group is usually watched very closely to make sure they will benefit from the treatment without any serious side effects. You also need to watch for any of the following symptoms: abnormal excitement, restlessness, aggressiveness, irritability, agitation, panic attacks, and insomnia, to make sure they do not affect the quality of your treatment.
Interaction of Wellbutrin with other meds
If you have recently taken a MAO inhibitor – such as isocarboxazid, selegiline, tranylcypromine or phenelzine, you must let your doctor know about it – as you will be unable to start the treatment with Wellbutrin until 14 days have passed from the moment you took the last dosage of Wellbutrin. Other drugs that you need to be careful with include, but are not limited to: medications for irregular heartbeat, medications for seizures, oral steroids, orphenadrine, amantadine, beta blockers, medications for diabetes, medications for mental illness, nicotine patches, antidepressants, sedatives, sleeping pills, and theophylline. When you tell your doctor you are taking any of the medications mentioned, you may be prescribed a lower dose or your dosing schedule may be adjusted.
What to do if you missed a dose of Wellbutrin
In case you happened to miss a dose of Wellbutrin, take it as soon as you remember unless its almost time for the next dose. If that is the case – skip the dose you missed and just take the next one according to the schedule. Try to avoid missing doses too often, as this can affect the quality of your treatment.
In case you overdose Wellbutrin
Never take too much of this medication, as an overdose is possible. The following symptoms need to be reported to your local emergency center if you think you may have taken too much of Wellbutrin: difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness, fainting, sweating, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizure, blurred vision, lightheadedness, and confusion. If you notice someone else who may have taken too much of Wellbutrin, make sure this person also gets adequate help, as an overdose can be quite dangerous.
Related Categories:
Antidepressants
Related Medications:
bupropion
