How Long Does It Take For Wellbutrin to Work?

Key Takeaways

You may see some improvement in symptoms within one to two weeks of starting Wellbutrin bupropion. However, it usually takes six to eight weeks to experience an improvement in depressive symptoms.
If you are taking bupropion SR or Wellbutrin SR (sustained-release), which is the only formulation approved for smoking cessation, your healthcare provider will reevaluate you after 7 to 12 weeks to determine if the treatment is effective or not.

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant medication. It is a brand name product for the generic drug bupropion hydrochloride. Wellbutrin is used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. Wellbutrin SR is also used to help with smoking cessation. Please continue reading to find out: How long does Wellbutrin take to work?

How long after taking Wellbutrin will I feel better?

You may notice some improvement in your symptoms within one to two weeks of starting Wellbutrin (bupropion). However, it usually takes six to eight weeks for this antidepressant drug to have its full effect in controlling depressive symptoms.

Check out our blog to learn more about how long it can take depression medication to work.

If you are taking bupropion for smoking cessation, your healthcare provider will prescribe bupropion sustained-release (Zyban). After you have been on this medication for at least 7 to 12 weeks, your doctor will reevaluate you.

They will tell you if you should continue taking Zyban after this time. If you have been unable to stop smoking after 7 weeks on Zyban, your provider may advise you to stop, as this smoking cessation aid is unlikely to work during the current attempt to stop smoking.

In some cases, doctors recommend continuation of Wellbutrin SR for 6 to 12 months to ensure their patients will quit smoking for good.

What does Wellbutrin feel like when it works?

If you are on Wellbutrin treatment for major depressive disorder or seasonal affective disorder, signs Wellbutrin is working include increased energy, improved mood, reduced feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and an increased interest and motivation to participate in social and professional activities.

If you are taking bupropion SR to quit smoking, signs that it is working include reduced physical symptoms (fewer cravings and a reduced urge to smoke) as well as a reduction in nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, and anxiety.

What type of drug is Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin belongs to a group called atypical antidepressants. Specifically, it is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI).

Wellbutrin works by making more norepinephrine and dopamine available to nerve cells.

Norepinephrine and dopamine are naturally occurring brain chemicals in the brain that play an important role in regulating mood. Bupropion medications are available in the following forms:

Wellbutrin

The regular tablet is taken at the prescribed dose 3-4 times a day, with the doses spaced out by 6-8 hours.

Wellbutrin SR

The sustained-release tablet (Wellbutrin SR, Zyban) is taken twice a day with a gap of at least 8 hours between the two doses.

Wellbutrin XL

The extended-release (long-acting) tablet (Wellbutrin XL, Aplenzin) is taken once a day in the morning. You should not take more than one dose in 24 hours.

What is Wellbutrin used to treat?

Depressive symptoms

Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin) is FDA-approved for treating depression in people with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder

Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, Aplenzin) is also FDA-approved to treat depression related to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This is a condition in which depressive symptoms tend to occur primarily in the fall and winter months.

Smoking cessation aid

Bupropion sustained-release (Zyban) is used to aid smoking cessation. It helps to reduce the urge to smoke, cravings, and avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Off-label uses

In addition to depression treatment and smoking cessation, healthcare providers sometimes prescribe Wellbutrin for off-label uses (non-FDA-approved uses). This includes treatment of sexual dysfunction caused by other antidepressant medications, depression associated with bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity.

Note: This article does not constitute medical advice. Contact your healthcare provider for professional medical advice regarding mental health issues.

How fast is weight loss on Wellbutrin?

Some people start to notice weight loss within 1-2 weeks of starting Wellbutrin, but for most people, it takes up to 8 weeks to see a noticeable reduction in weight. Small studies have shown that approximately 67% of people who take bupropion are able to lose over 5% of their baseline body weight (compared to 15% in the placebo group) during the first eight weeks. People who have responded to bupropion and continue taking it for 24 weeks can achieve a weight loss of almost 12.9% from their baseline body weight, with fatty tissue accounting for 74% of the total weight loss. Keep in mind that Wellbutrin often causes weight loss in those who take this medication. However, weight gain has been reported.

Note: The use of Wellbutrin to manage weight gain or obesity is off-label (not FDA-approved).

What is the downside of Wellbutrin?

Some of the downsides of Wellbutrin include:

Adverse effects

Common side effects of bupropion include dizziness, drowsiness, headache, changes in sleep patterns, dry mouth, changes in taste, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, weight loss, abnormal excitement, uncontrolled shaking, ringing in the ears, increased sweating, sore throat, and frequent urination.

More serious side effects of Wellbutrin (bupropion) include:

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults less than 24 years old.
Reduced seizure threshold and increased risk of seizures.
Elevation in blood pressure.
Activation of mania or hypomania episodes in people with a mental illness such as bipolar disorder.
Neuropsychiatric reactions, including confusion, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and psychosis.
Attacks of angle-closure glaucoma.
Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis (throat closing). Learn about how to use an EpiPen for anaphylaxis.

Call your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency medical care if you develop any of the above-listed serious adverse effects of Wellbutrin (bupropion).

Check out our blog to learn more about common antidepressant side effects.

Drug interactions with other medications

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) can interact with certain other medications. This can increase the risk of severe adverse effects and health complications.

Wellbutrin can have interactions with many other medications, including other antidepressants, for example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), blood pressure medications, antiviral drugs, insulin and oral diabetes medications, antipsychotic medications, antiepileptic drugs, oral steroids, Parkinson’s medications, sedatives, and sleeping pills, among others.

Before starting bupropion, give your doctor a complete list of your prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Do not start any new prescription medication or OTC product without checking with your healthcare provider while you are on bupropion.

Contraindications

Wellbutrin (bupropion) may not be safe for people with certain health conditions, such as a seizure disorder, eating disorder, excessive alcohol consumption, street drug or opioid abuse, prescription medication misuse or abuse, head injury, brain or spine tumor, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, liver disease, or kidney disease.

Also, bupropion may not be safe for pregnant women and women who are nursing an infant with breast milk. In addition, people who have had an allergic reaction to this antidepressant drug in the past should not take it again. Learn what medications that are safe to take during pregnancy.

Key Takeaways

If you have been prescribed Wellbutrin for major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or quitting smoking, it will take several weeks, usually six to eight weeks, for you to get the full benefits.

You will know Wellbutrin is working when you notice an improvement in your depressive symptoms or are successful in quitting smoking.

As mentioned, only Wellbutrin SR (bupropion SR) is approved for smoking cessation. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you have the correct formulation for the intended use.

Wellbutrin (bupropion) can help you move forward in your mental health journey. But taking Wellbutrin carries some serious risks.

To get the maximum therapeutic effects of this antidepressant drug and lower your risk of side effects, always take Wellbutrin exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Read our blog to learn more about depression medication.

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