Wellbutrin For Anxiety: Does It Work Is It Good
Even though anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders in adults, anxiety was relatively poorly understood up until two decades ago1. Approximately 31.1% of adults suffer from an anxiety disorder at any point in their lives1. This includes, but is not limited to, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and phobias1.
Imagine experiencing consistent trouble sleeping, headaches, muscle tension, and constant worry2. None of it seems to be working with therapy, home remedies, general anxiety medications, and healthy coping strategies. Day after day, you find yourself seizing up from your persistent worrying. This state of helplessness can be quite tolling on your well-being.
If no treatments appear to be working, your healthcare provider might recommend straying from the typical and instead testing out the atypical. This could include newer forms of therapy or drugs advertised for related disorders, but not the anxiety itself. Bupropion, more commonly known by the brand name Wellbutrin, is an antidepressant marketed for mood disorders3. However, this medication is also used to treat smoking cessation and ADHD and has interestingly shown promising effects in treating anxiety3.
Contents
Wellbutrin And Zoloft: How Are They Similar
Both Wellbutrin Zoloft can help to regulate mood and treat depressive symptoms. They are available in generic and brand name versions. Both are prescription drugs that come in the form of oral tablets to be taken by mouth. They can be used long-term by depressed patients. Wellbutrin / Zoloft are both approved for use in adolescents and adults.
Zoloft, or any other SSRIs, and bupropion should not be taken together with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor . Examples of monoamine oxidase inhibitors are isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, and procarbazine. A 14-day wash-out period when switching between Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and an MAO inhibitor is crucial to avoid serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome can cause confusion, tremors, high blood pressure, coma, and even death. This is a medical emergency that requires urgent medical care.
How Much Weight Will You Use Using Wellbutrin By Itself
If Wellbutrin is going to work for you, studies indicate that you will probably lose about 2-10% of your initial body weight .
That means if you are 200 pounds the best-case scenario is that Wellbutrin helps you lose 20 pounds.
If you are only 150 pounds, its possible that Wellbutrin may only help you lose a couple of pounds.
These numbers may not sound great at first but you have to realize that this data stems from the use of Wellbutrin as monotherapy .
As with any other weight loss medication I highly recommend against this strategy.
Its far better to use MULTIPLE therapies at once or to combine medications to get a synergistic effect.
For instance:
By adding a medication known as Naltrexone you can increase weight loss and expand the number of people that will benefit from taking these medications.
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Strategy No : When Using Ssris Start Low Go Slow Aim High And Be Patient
Because of their safety, tolerability, and efficacy in treating panic disorder and common comorbidities, SSRIs are the first choice of drug therapy for treating panic disorder.2,3 The initial activating effects of SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants can be especially troubling.4 As a result, many patients abandon SSRI therapy before they experience any benefits. Following are several strategies to help patients overcome resistance to therapy.
Bupropion For Seasonal Affective Disorder
The American Psychiatric Association identifies seasonal affective disorder as a type of major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns. People with SAD experience mood changes and symptoms that are quite similar to depression. The symptoms usually occur during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight but usually improve with the arrival of spring. Common symptoms of SAD include fatigue and weight gain.
The most difficult months for people with SAD in the U.S. tend to be between January and February. It is estimated that around 5% of the U.S. adult population experience SAD. And Its more common among women than men.
SAD has been linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain caused by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight during winter. Seasonal changes cause certain people to experience a shift in their internal biological clock or a circadian rhythm that causes them to be out of step with their daily schedule.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians , extended-release bupropion in 300 mg taken once daily effectively prevents recurrent symptoms in high-risk adults with a history of SAD and those at a lower risk.
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What To Pair With Wellbutrin For Anxiety
Does Wellbutrin help with anxiety? Yes, but its not recommended for persons with severe forms of anxiety or panic disorders. The drug works best to treat depression and milder cases of anxiety.
It is also important that the person take it as prescribed by their doctor. Dont rush into taking antidepressant medication on your own, but rather speak to a specialist about what drugs may be suitable for your condition.
Ssri Antidepressants For Anxiety
Many medications originally approved for the treatment of depression are also prescribed for anxiety. In comparison to benzodiazepines, the risk for dependency and abuse is smaller. However, antidepressants take up to 4 to 6 weeks to begin relieving anxiety symptoms, so they cant be taken as needed. Their use is limited to chronic anxiety problems that require ongoing treatment.
The antidepressants most widely prescribed for anxiety are SSRIs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa. SSRIs have been used to treat generalized anxiety disorder , obsessive-compulsive disorder , panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Common side effects of SSRIs include:
- Increased sweating
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Which Benzodiazepines Are Used For Anxiety
They can also be used with antidepressants initially while antidepressants take time to work.
“They’re a powerful tool,” says Duckworth, “but you have to be really smart about their use.”
- Light-headedness
- Trouble sleeping
Beta-blockers can be very helpful but in a limited way, says Dr. Salcedo. They are most commonly used for performance anxiety. They are really good for the physical symptoms such as heart racing, sweating, shakiness, but they work less well for the anxious thoughts that might be causing the symptoms.
Additional reporting by Carlene Bauer.
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDAs Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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Special Benzodiazepine Risk Factors
Anyone who takes benzodiazepines can experience unpleasant or dangerous side effects. But certain individuals are at a higher risk:
People over 65. Older adults are more sensitive to the sedating effects of benzodiazepines. Even small doses can cause confusion, amnesia, loss of balance, and cognitive impairment that looks like dementia. Benzodiazepine use in the elderly is associated with an increased risk of falls, broken hips and legs, and car accidents. Long-term benzodiazepine use also increases the risk of Alzheimers disease and dementia.
People with a history of substance abuse. Because theyre physically addicting and on their own and dangerous when combined with alcohol and other drugs, anyone with a current or former substance abuse problem should use benzodiazepines only with extreme caution.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women. Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy can lead to dependence in the developing baby, with withdrawal following birth. Benzodiazepines are also excreted in breast milk. Therefore, pregnant women need to have a thorough discussion about the risks and benefits of these medications with their prescribing doctor. If medication is necessary, the goal is the smallest effective dose.
The connection between benzodiazepines and accidents
What Is Wellbutrin Used For
As previously mentioned, Wellbutrin is the brand name version of bupropion. Its an antidepressant sold in tablet form that works by increasing certain types of activity in the brain.
Its most commonly prescribed to treat depression or seasonal affective disorder, and along with its Wellbutrin moniker, its also sold under the brand names Wellbutrin SR® and Wellbutrin XL®.
Bupropion is also sometimes prescribed to help someone stop smoking. Research has found that bupropion can reduce tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for people to give up cigarettes.
Sometimes people who take Wellbutrin for depression experience anxiety as a side effect. Interestingly, the drug has also been found to help people who suffer from anxiety associated with depression. Your healthcare provider can help you monitor how Wellbutrin is working for you.
How might this anxiety present itself? There are many ways it may show up. Examples include anxious or negative thoughts, social anxiety or anxiety attacks.
The anxiety can be short term, but if it lasts longer than six months, its considered an anxiety disorder. This is the type of anxiety that benefits from treatment of some sort.
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Benefits Of Wellbutrin For Anxiety
Despite all the side effects mentioned in this article, wellbutrin can also provide a lot of benefits for all those who consume it. These benefits include:
- Treatment of seasonal affective disorder and major depressive disorder
- Helping a lot of people in quitting smoking
- Less sexual side effects like lowered sex drive as compared to other antidepressants
- No known problems that develops after using it for long term
Warning Disclaimer Use For Publication
WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.
DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.
If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.
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Combining Wellbutrin With Naltrexone
Scientists have found that many medications lead to weight loss by themselves, but they have also found that combining medications often lead to even better results.
This holds true for the combination of Wellbutrin plus Naltrexone.
This combination is known as Contrave.
We already know how Wellbutrin works, so how does Naltrexone work?
Naltrexone increases the effectiveness of Wellbutrin by targeting fat-storing hormones such as insulin.
Naltrexone also helps reduce chronic pain, reduce inflammation , and improve thyroid function .
When you start adding these benefits to Wellbutrin you can see now that MANY more people may benefit from using it.
If you have any of the following conditions then you may benefit more from the combination of Wellbutrin plus Naltrexone over just Wellbutrin alone:
- ALL of the conditions listed above for Wellbutrin PLUS:
- Patients who suffer from thyroid problems
- Patients with chronic inflammation or chronic pain syndromes
- Patients with blood sugar issues, type II diabetes, or insulin resistance
- Patients suffering from autoimmune diseases
- Patients who fall on the PCOS spectrum or who have a known diagnosis of PCOS
I discuss how to add Naltrexone to Wellbutrin in a separate post.
*Please note that I have no affiliation or interest in the makers of Contrave or Wellbutrin. I only discuss the methods that I have used that have worked for patients and share this knowledge with you.
What Is Wellbutrin And How Does It Work To Treat Anxiety
Does Wellbutrin help with anxiety? Yes, Wellbutrin is a type of antidepressant called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor . This means that Wellbutrin is a class of drugs that affects the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin plays an important role in mood stability and control.
How does Wellbutrin work? Wellbutrin works when it reaches the brain. As serotonin is one of the chemical messengers used by nerve cells to send signals to one another. This neurotransmitter is critical for mental function. It helps regulate emotions, sleep cycles, and weight management, which explains why some people tend to gain weight when they start taking antidepressants such as Wellbutrin.
How does Wellbutrin work for anxiety? Wellbutrin alters the natural re-uptake of serotonin by your nerve cells. It does this by binding to the serotonin transporter and blocking it. The serotonin transporter normally re-absorbs as much as possible, but because Wellbutrin has been bound to that site, the rest of the serotonin can remain in the space between your nerve cells this increases the level of available serotonin. This leads to improved moods and relief from anxiety.
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What Are The Uses For Lexapro Vs Wellbutrin
- Lexapro is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder.
- Drugs in the SSRI class also are used for treating obsessive compulsive disorders and panic disorders, although Lexapro is not approved for these purposes.
Wellbutrin uses
- Bupropion is used for the management of major depression and seasonal affective disorder . It is also is prescribed for smoking cessation.
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Wellbutrin Vs Zoloft: Differences Similarities And Which Is Better For You
Drug overview & main differences | Conditions treated | Efficacy | Insurance coverage and cost comparison | Side effects | Drug interactions | Warnings | FAQ
Wellbutrin and Zoloft are two prescription medications indicated in the treatment of major depressive disorder . MDD is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States. It is characterized by a period of two weeks or more where a person experiences a depressed mood or loss of interest in activities that typically elicit happiness.
MDD is also typically accompanied by troubles with sleeping, eating, concentrating, and energy. Wellbutrin works by increasing available dopamine and norepinephrine, while Zoloft increases available serotonin. While both drugs work to treat depression, they do so by acting on different neurotransmitters which affect mood.
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What Should I Do About Side Effects
There are some potential side effects of taking Wellbutrin, including:
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Seizures or convulsions
If you experience these more serious side effects, this may indicate that your body is not tolerating your medication properly, and a change in medication may be in order. Your provider will be able to work with you to get to the root of the problem and help you find a solution.
Why Is This Medication Prescribed
The combination of naltrexone and bupropion is used along with a reduced calorie diet and exercise plan to help adults who are obese, or who are overweight and have weight-related medical problems, to lose weight and then to keep from gaining back that weight. Naltrexone is in a class of medications called opiate antagonists. Bupropion is in a class of medications called antidepressants. These medications work together on two areas of the brain, the hunger center and the reward system, to reduce appetite and help control cravings.
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How Long Does It Take For Wellbutrin To Work
As with most antidepressants, symptoms after 6-8 weeks determine the effect the drug is taking8. This allows your physician to get a good handle on how the drug interferes with your emotions. Furthermore, while you might see improvement after only two weeks of the drug, it is only at the six weeks mark that effects on mood are truly seen8. However, it is always a help to remember that each person is different there are no hard and fast rules. Some may experience their pharmacotherapy treatments sooner, while others may take longer. Make sure to consider your history with other medications and discuss it with your doctor to get your personal best estimation.
Wellbutrin XL vs. Wellbutrin SR
While it can take weeks to observe signs that Wellbutrin is working for anxiety, the drug takes hours to release into your system. There are currently two main formulations of bupropion: sustained-release and extended-release versions8,9. The original formulation of Wellbutrin required thrice daily administration, making it a timely and inconvenient design8.
Wellbutrin SR is the faster version of the medication, absorbing faster than bupropion XL. It takes approximately 3 hours for the amount of bupropion to peak and steady in your blood8,9. Additionally, Wellbutrin SR releases medication for up to 12 hours, calling for a second dosage at the end of the first period8,9.