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I want to get healthier. Close Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Antidepressants are an unusual class of drugs because not every drug works for every person. It takes some people several tries before they find a medication that works for them.
You may also be choosing to stop your Wellbutrin dose because you feel stable and ready to live without it. Other reasons for stopping include having successfully quit smoking. You may have heard about something called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome—which is basically a fancy way of saying antidepressant withdrawal. This is more common with antidepressants that affect a neurotransmitter called serotonin.
As a result, the withdrawal symptoms are typically mild, or, more often, undetectable. It is not common to experience Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms, but those who do may become agitated and irritable.
If you recently quit smoking, you may find your nicotine cravings return. Most people do not experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking Wellbutrin. Among those who do, the symptoms range in severity from mild to moderate.
However, if you are quitting Wellbutrin and a more common class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , your symptoms may be more severe. Doctors often prescribe it in conjunction with SSRIs. Antidepressants affect the levels of certain neurotransmitters in your brain.
They help nerve cells communicate and are involved in managing many of the complex functions your body performs, like eating and sleeping.
They also play a role in your emotions and moods. Most of the modern antidepressants out there affect a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Serotonin plays an important role in mood stabilization. Although the exact causes of depression are unknown, doctors believe that low levels of serotonin are a contributing factor. But when you abruptly stop taking these drugs, it can be a real shock to the system.
As the body adjusts to lower serotonin levels, it is not uncommon to experience withdrawal symptoms. If you are quitting an SSRI, you may experience:.
Wellbutrin works differently than other antidepressants because it affects the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline. Unless you are also withdrawing from an SSRI, it is unlikely that you will experience any of the serotonin-related symptoms described above. There are very few published cases of Wellbutrin withdrawal in the scientific literature.
However, according to Dr. Joseph Glenmullen, author of The Antidepressant Solution , irritability is a common symptom. This includes a state of extreme agitation as well as uncharacteristically hostile, rude, or aggressive behavior. If you were using Wellbutrin to quit smoking, it is also possible that your nicotine cravings may return when you stop taking the drug. Fortunately, these cravings should be mild compared to what you have experienced in the past.
If you have a mental illness like depression or bipolar disorder, it is important to stay in contact with a doctor or therapist whenever you adjust your medications. Talking to a therapist can help you cope with challenges such as mood swings, agitation, and feelings of hopelessness.
If you were taking Wellbutrin to quit smoking, you may want to keep a nicotine patch or some nicotine gum on hand. This will help reduce potential nicotine cravings and any associated agitation. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Suicidal feelings are more common among children and young adults age 24 and under, but they can happen to anyone. Seek emergency medical care if you are experiencing:. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is small, but it does happen to some people. Before you stop taking Wellbutrin, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. If you decide to stop your dose, a short taper may be the best way to go. The safest way to stop taking antidepressants is to slowly taper down your dose.
Difficulty sleeping, ranging from sleep onset insomnia trouble falling asleep to waking up in the middle of the night, nightmares and unusual dreams.
Tremors and restless legs syndrome RLS , as well as difficulty balancing, numbness and other temporary neurological issues.
Digestive problems, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and a weak appetite. Nicotine cravings. These symptoms may begin immediately after you stop using antidepressants, or several days after the last time you used your medication. They can last from a few days to several weeks or longer. However, you may still experience certain withdrawal symptoms if you stop using bupropion abruptly. Your healthcare provider will usually recommend slowly tapering down your dosage of bupropion.
They may recommend adjusting your dosage or changing to a different type of antidepressant. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend taking an additional antidepressant medication at the same time as bupropion.
You should also talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you notice any of your depression symptoms returning. You may find the following tips helpful:. Try psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can be very helpful for treating depression. Keep in touch with your healthcare provider.
Let them know about any symptoms you notice as you taper down your dosage or after you stop using your medication completely.
Closely follow the taper dosage.
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