Define Wellbutrin:
Wellbutrin also known as Bupropion, is a type of antidepressant that works to lift mood and increase energy. Specifically, Wellbutrin works by increasing norepinephrine levels, which can boost one’s alertness and dopamine. As an antidepressant, Wellbutrin is typically used to treat depression, though on rare occasions it may be prescribed to treat anxiety. Wellbutrin for concern when you start, talk with your doctor to understand the benefits and risks of using the medication. To get information about mental health.
Why is Wellbutrin used for anxiety?
Antidepressants like Wellbutrin may be considered for anxiety since they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, and norepinephrine. These body chemicals play an essential role in regulating mood and behavior. Wellbutrin is generally prescribed for anxiety as off-label use. This means the FDA has not approved the medication to treat symptoms of anxiety. The mechanism of Wellbutrin to treat anxiety has not been fully understood. You may also turn to Wellbutrin over other anxiety medications for several reasons, including:
Lack of response for other medications
Side effects of other medications
Tolerability of other anxiety medications
Treatment duration
Types of anxiety disorders
Specific types of anxiety disorders that Wellbutrin can be helpful include:
1. Generalized anxiety disorder
2. Panic disorder
3. Specific phobias
4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
5. Social anxiety disorder
Is Wellbutrin good for anxiety?
If you suffer from depression and anxiety or experience a lack of motivation due to anxiety, Wellbutrin can help provide energy and treat symptoms like fatigue or low mood. However, using Wellbutrin to treat anxiety can also run the risk of making symptoms like worry, fear, and nervousness worse, since increasing the amount of norepinephrine can activate those feelings as well as one’s alertness.
How does Wellbutrin help with anxiety?
Wellbutrin and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) work similarly to reduce anxiety symptoms. However, their course of action is different. While Wellbutrin blocks norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake to prolong their action, SSRIs block serotonin reuptake to prolong its action. Wellbutrin’s work mechanism aims to balance norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which helps to influence your emotions, mood, and anxiety, potentially improving your symptoms.
While anxiety medication may make you feel better as it reduces your symptoms, you may also experience brief side effects during the first two days of your initial Wellbutrin dosage. The effects of the medication vary from person to person. Wellbutrin makes you feel fatigued, nauseous, vomit, and have sleeping problems.
Does Wellbutrin help with panic attacks?
There’s a chance Wellbutrin could work to prevent panic attacks for people with very specific symptoms, but it’s more likely that it could make them worse. However, it’s possible to use Wellbutrin alongside an SSRI to treat the side effects of SSRIs, such as low sex drive. In this case, Wellbutrin may not be as much of an issue for anxiety symptoms.
Side effects of Wellbutrin while treating anxiety
Like other anxiety medications, Wellbutrin is associated with causing common side effects that may not require immediate medical attention. The side effects of Wellbutrin occur as a result of your body trying to adjust to the medication. Common side effects of Wellbutrin included vomiting and headache.
Common Wellbutrin (bupropion) side effects include:
Sweating
Dizziness
Trembling
Appetite issues
Changes in perception of well-being
Nausea
Headaches
Tremors
Nervousness
Rapid heartbeat
Dry mouth
Serious side effects
Serious Wellbutrin (bupropion) side effects that need immediate attention include:
Suicidal ideation
Hypertension
Episodic seizures
Worsening depression or anxiety symptoms
Irregular heartbeat
Insomnia
Irritability
Manic episodes
Hyperventilation
Common symptoms
Some common symptoms include:
Sleeping difficulties
Restlessness
The constant fear that something terrible is going to happen
Dizziness
Warnings & associated risks of taking Wellbutrin for anxiety
While Wellbutrin can effectively treat anxiety symptoms, the medication can seriously affect people with certain risk factors. Taking anxiety medication while pregnant may carry an elevated risk of preterm labor and miscarriage in pregnant women. It may also lead to infant exposure to drugs while breastfeeding women. Also, people consuming alcohol are at increased risk of worsening anxiety symptoms.
The medication is also available only through prescription. Abruptly discontinuing your medication without proper guidance from your prescriber can lead to Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms.
Substances to avoid if you’re taking Wellbutrin
Taking Wellbutrin while on NSAID medications puts you at risk of excessive bleeding. Talk with your doctor before using bupropion with other substances. This will help your doctor address the safety concerns of the medication and reduce the risk of harmful effects on Wellbutrin medication.
Some substances that interact with Wellbutrin include:
Alcohol
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Additional depression medication
Anxiety medications
Benzodiazepines
Migraine drugs
Water pills
Medication for stomach acid
Final thoughts
While Wellbutrin is commonly prescribed for depression, the medication can sometimes be used to treat anxiety symptoms. Before taking Wellbutrin, discuss a treatment plan with your doctor and care team to see if it’s the right option.
