If you have depression, your doctor might suggest Wellbutrin as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used in adults to:

Wellbutrin comes as both an extended-release (XL) tablet and sustained-release (SR) tablet, both of which you swallow.

For treating MDD, your doctor may prescribe Wellbutrin SR or Wellbutrin XL long term. For helping to prevent SAD, your doctor may prescribe Wellbutrin XL for short-term periods. For example, you may only need to take the drug during the winter to help prevent SAD.

The active ingredient in Wellbutrin is bupropion. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Throughout this article, the term “Wellbutrin” refers to both forms of the drug. For more information about Wellbutrin, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Like other drugs, Wellbutrin can cause mild to serious side effects. Knowing its possible side effects can help you and your doctor decide whether Wellbutrin is right for you. Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects while taking Wellbutrin. A few examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

Your doctor may recommend Wellbutrin if the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks of side effects. Keep reading to learn about other possible mild and serious side effects of this drug.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Wellbutrin may cause mild side effects. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Wellbutrin include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects are temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not stop taking Wellbutrin unless your doctor recommends it. Stopping this drug suddenly could cause your depression to return or worsen.

This drug may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the prescribing information for Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL for details.

While rare, Wellbutrin may cause serious side effects. Serious side effects that have been reported with this drug include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Wellbutrin, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL have a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Wellbutrin, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Wellbutrin’s side effects.

Can Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR cause different side effects?

No, Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR shouldn’t cause different side effects. This is because both forms of the drug have the same active ingredient, which is bupropion. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work).

But studies of people taking Wellbutrin XL for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) have reported flatulence, which wasn’t reported in studies of Wellbutrin SR.

If my dose of Wellbutrin is increased from 150 mg to 300 mg, will I experience more side effects?

Yes, certain side effects of Wellbutrin are dose dependent. This means they’re more likely to happen if your dose is increased by your doctor from 150 milligrams (mg) to 300 mg.

In studies, rates of side effects were higher when Wellbutrin’s dose was increased from 150 mg to 300 mg. Examples include:

Also, if your doctor increases your dose of Wellbutrin too fast, your risk of seizure is increased. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose and limit it to the maximum dose to help prevent seizures.

If you’re concerned you might have more side effects with an increased dose of Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor. And never adjust your dosage without your doctor’s recommendation.

Can Wellbutrin cause long-term side effects?

Yes, Wellbutrin can cause long-term side effects. The most severe long-term side effect is suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The drug has a boxed warning for this side effect, which is the most severe drug warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

If you have suicidal thoughts or behaviors with Wellbutrin, your doctor will have you stop taking it. But your risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors may continue after you stop taking the drug.

For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Other long-term side effects of Wellbutrin include new or worsening mental health problems. Examples of mental health problems that may continue after stopping this drug include hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion. These side effects may resolve after your doctor lowers your dose or stops your treatment.

If you’re concerned about long-term side effects of Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Will I experience withdrawal symptoms if I stop taking Wellbutrin?

It’s not known whether you’ll have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Wellbutrin. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body is used to having.) Withdrawal symptoms weren’t reported in the drug’s studies.

But it’s important that you do not stop taking Wellbutrin suddenly or without your doctor’s recommendation, as this can worsen your depression. If your doctor decides you should stop taking this drug, they’ll likely lower your dose slowly. This can help prevent withdrawal symptoms. But, in some situations (for example, if you have a severe side effect), your doctor may have you stop Wellbutrin suddenly.

If you’re concerned about withdrawal symptoms from stopping this drug, talk with your doctor.

Are hair loss or anger possible side effects of Wellbutrin?

Hair loss wasn’t reported in studies of Wellbutrin. If you’re concerned about hair loss while taking this drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Anger is a possible side effect of Wellbutrin. It can happen if you try to stop smoking while taking the drug, and may be caused by nicotine withdrawal. And some people report severe mental health changes when stopping smoking while taking Wellbutrin.

Sometimes, anger may develop into aggression, hostility, or agitation. If you’re concerned about anger while taking Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor.

What are the overdose symptoms of Wellbutrin?

Overdose symptoms of Wellbutrin can be severe. In studies, some people who have taken too much of the drug in a short amount of time have had seizures. Other overdose symptoms of Wellbutrin include:

In the most severe situations, overdose of Wellbutrin can cause death. If you think you’ve taken too much Wellbutrin, call your doctor. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

Learn more about some of the side effects Wellbutrin may cause.

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Wellbutrin has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Studies have shown that antidepressant drugs can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain people. Children, adolescents, and young adults ages 18 to 24 years had the highest risk compared with older age groups. Wellbutrin is not prescribed for people younger than 18 years old.

The increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors was not seen in people older than age 24 years. And studies showed a drop in this risk in people ages 65 years and above.

People with major depressive disorder (MDD) may have worse depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Symptoms to report to your doctor include:

  • thoughts about dying
  • attempts to commit suicide, which is a medical emergency
  • new or worsened depression, anxiety, or panic
  • feelings of anger, restlessness, or irritability
  • insomnia (trouble sleeping)

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can also be a symptom of depression. Your doctor can help you figure out whether your medication, your condition, or both are causing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

What might help

While taking Wellbutrin, your doctor will check for signs or symptoms of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you have suicidal thoughts or behaviors or any symptoms of worsening depression, call your doctor immediately.

If Wellbutrin is causing these side effects or isn’t working to treat your depression, your doctor may have you stop taking it. In this case, they’ll likely switch you to a different medication.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

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Weight gain

Changes in weight can occur with Wellbutrin. In the drug’s studies, participants experienced both weight gain and weight loss, but weight loss was more common. Changes in weight can also be a symptom of depression. If this drug isn’t helping to treat your depression, these symptoms may continue.

What might help

If you gain or lose unwanted weight while taking Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor. They’ll evaluate whether the drug is helping your depression. When necessary, they may recommend changing your medication to better treat your depression and help prevent unwanted weight changes. They can also help you develop an exercise and nutrition plan to reach or maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

Changes in libido (sex drive)

Changes in libido (sex drive) was a rare side effect of Wellbutrin in studies. Wellbutrin is one of the few antidepressants that doesn’t usually cause sexual side effects.

One possible symptom of MDD and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a change in libido or sex drive. So doctors may not be able to say for certain whether a change in your libido is due to Wellbutrin or depression.

What might help

Talk with your doctor about any changes in libido that you have with Wellbutrin. They can help you figure out whether the drug is causing this side effect. If Wellbutrin is causing a libido change, or if it’s not working to treat your depression, your doctor may change your medication. Once your antidepressant is working, your sex drive may improve.

Digestive side effects, including constipation and nausea

Digestive side effects can happen with Wellbutrin. In studies, constipation and nausea were common side effects that occurred when starting this drug. But these side effects are usually mild. Nausea is more likely if you’re taking a higher dose of Wellbutrin.

What might help

To help prevent nausea, some people take Wellbutrin with food.

To help relieve constipation, your doctor might recommend certain lifestyle changes. For example, exercising regularly and increasing your fiber and water intake during the day can help. Your doctor might also recommend using an over-the-counter (OTC) laxative such as MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350) to help you have a bowel movement.

If your digestive side effects are bothersome, talk with your doctor. Your doctor can help you manage digestive side effects.

Headache

Headache was a common side effect of Wellbutrin in studies. This can be a mild side effect that resolves over time. But some people may experience migraine with this drug.

Headache and migraine may sometimes be a result of high blood pressure, which is a serious possible side effect of Wellbutrin.

What might help

For temporary relief from headache pain when starting Wellbutrin, you can take an OTC pain relief medication. These include Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen). But if you have migraine episodes, talk with your doctor, as OTC drugs may not provide enough relief.

If your headaches don’t go away after taking Wellbutrin for a few days or if OTC medications don’t work, talk with your doctor. They may check whether you have high blood pressure, since headache can be a symptom of this serious side effect.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Wellbutrin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Wellbutrin, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Wellbutrin, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Wellbutrin treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important (such as quitting smoking or stopping other drugs or substances)

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Wellbutrin affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Wellbutrin may not be safe for everyone with depression. Your doctor will help you decide whether it’s the right treatment for your condition.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Wellbutrin has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In studies, this increased risk was seen in children, adolescents, and young adults. It was not seen in people ages 24 years and older. Wellbutrin is not prescribed for people younger than 18 years old.

Regardless of your age, your doctor will monitor you for new or worsening suicidal thoughts or behaviors while you’re taking Wellbutrin. For details, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

Wellbutrin may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Wellbutrin. Factors to consider include those described below.

Current or past eating disorder. If you’ve ever been diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia, your doctor will likely not prescribe Wellbutrin for you. Studies have shown a higher rate of seizures in people with these conditions who were taking Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin may also cause weight changes, which could make your eating disorder worse.

Seizure disorder. Your doctor will likely not prescribe Wellbutrin for you if you have a seizure disorder or other factors that increase your risk of a seizure. These include severe head injury or a brain tumor. Before starting Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor about factors, conditions, and drugs that could increase your risk of seizure.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Wellbutrin or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Liver problems. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Wellbutrin if you have liver problems. These include alcohol-related liver disease or liver failure. To find out the severity of your liver problems, your doctor may order a liver function test. Then they’ll determine your Wellbutrin dosage accordingly.

Kidney problems. If your kidneys aren’t functioning effectively, your doctor will likely order kidney function tests. Based on the results of these tests, they may prescribe a lower dosage of Wellbutrin for you. This can mean taking a lower dose every day or taking a usual dose every other day.

Glaucoma. If you have closed-angle glaucoma, Wellbutrin can cause a severe reaction in your eyes called a closed-angle attack. This causes severe pain or pressure in the eye. You may also have blurry vision, nausea, and vomiting. A closed-angle attack is a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Mental health conditions. Tell your doctor if you have a mental health condition, such as anxiety or bipolar disorder, before starting Wellbutrin. This drug can worsen certain mental health conditions. In studies, people with bipolar disorder who took Wellbutrin had an increased risk of having a manic episode.

Also, some drugs used to treat certain mental health conditions can be dangerous when taken together with Wellbutrin. For example, when taken with Wellbutrin, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can cause severe high blood pressure.

Quitting smoking. Wellbutrin isn’t prescribed for quitting smoking. But another drug called Zyban, which has the same active ingredient* (bupropion), is prescribed for this purpose. Some people who have taken Wellbutrin while trying to stop smoking have developed new mental health conditions, including:

  • depression
  • mania (episodes of excessive excitement and high energy)
  • hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)
  • panic

If you’re thinking about quitting smoking while taking Wellbutrin, tell your doctor. They’ll monitor you closely for mood changes.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Stopping treatment with epilepsy drugs, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. Stopping certain substances while taking Wellbutrin can cause seizures. You should not take Wellbutrin if you’ve stopped or will soon be stopping any of the following drugs:

Alcohol and Wellbutrin

Doctors recommend that you minimize or avoid alcohol during treatment with Wellbutrin. If you want to drink alcohol while taking Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor first. They may ask you how often and how much alcohol you consume. And they’ll tell you how much, if any, is safe to drink with this drug.

Wellbutrin can cause seizures. And for those with alcohol use disorder, suddenly quitting drinking can also cause seizures. Due to this risk, you should not take Wellbutrin if you drink heavily or plan to stop drinking while taking it.

Studies show that some people have a lower tolerance to the effects of alcohol while taking Wellbutrin. And some people may have an increased risk of mood problems when drinking alcohol during treatment with Wellbutrin.

If you have alcohol-related liver disease, your doctor may need to adjust your dose of Wellbutrin. Tell them if you have any liver problems before starting this drug.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Wellbutrin

It’s important to understand the risks and benefits of taking antidepressants during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Pregnancy

Studies of pregnant people taking Wellbutrin in their first trimester of pregnancy didn’t show an increased risk of problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects). But untreated depression has many risks during pregnancy, including stillbirth, low birth weight, and preterm birth.

A pregnancy registry exists for people to report side effects of antidepressants taken during pregnancy. Consider enrolling in the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants by calling 844-405-6185 or visiting the website. Reporting effects of Wellbutrin during pregnancy helps researchers to better understand the drug’s risks when taken during this time.

Breastfeeding

Bupropion (the active ingredient* in Wellbutrin) was found in the breast milk of nursing people who were taking the drug in studies. But data on the effects of Wellbutrin in breast milk is lacking. And no clear side effects in children who are breastfed by someone taking Wellbutrin have been reported.

If you’re breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding your child while taking Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor first. They can help you decide whether the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any possible risks to your child. Or they can suggest a different treatment for your condition.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Mild side effects are common with Wellbutrin. But not everyone will experience side effects from this drug. Your doctor will monitor you for signs and symptoms of severe side effects. Your doctor will likely do a full review of your medical history to be sure Wellbutrin is safe for you.

Some questions you might want to ask them about Wellbutrin’s side effects include:

  • How can I safely stop taking Ativan (lorazepam) while taking Wellbutrin?
  • Can I drive while taking Wellbutrin?
  • Are females* more at risk of changes in libido (sex drive) with Wellbutrin than males?*
  • How can I safely stop smoking while taking Wellbutrin?
  • Can Wellbutrin make me feel “high”?

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

If you’re concerned about side effects of Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To learn more about Wellbutrin, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.