Bupropion is one of the better tolerated antidepressants, but concerns about anxiety, insomnia, and seizures have dampened its popularity. Bupropion ranks fourth in the more frequently prescribed antidepressants, and has always lagged behind the serotonin agents SSRIs and SNRIs in popularity. The reason may have more to do with a few myths about bupropion than the actual evidence. Bupropion lacks many of the side effects that can hinder adherence to SSRIs: sexual side effects, weight gain, apathy, sedation, and withdrawal problems.
Released in , it soon became associated with an alarming rate of seizures, particularly in patients with bulimia. It was withdrawn from the market soon after, and rereleased in with a lower maximum dosage: mg per day instead of mg per day. By that time, Prozac fluoxetine had already come out in and was rapidly becoming one of the biggest blockbusters in psychiatry.
Bupropion had lost ground, and never regained it. In a meta-analysis of articles from , it was clomipramine that came out with the highest seizure risk, and bupropion was not even at the top. Yes it can, but the rate of anxiety as a side effect to bupropion are about the same as that of other antidepressants, according to several analyses of controlled FDA-registration trials.
I also use this strategy when starting bupropion in a patient with bipolar depression. Although I try to avoid antidepressants in that population bupropion does have a lower risk of causing manic switches. I have reason to doubt this one. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice.
Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Insider tips, early access and more. What We Treat. Sexual health. Mental Health. Top treatments. Read on to learn more about Wellbutrin vs. Lexapro, and how each medication works in detail.
What is Wellbutrin Bupropion? What is Lexapro Escitalopram? Wellbutrin vs. Type of Antidepressant Although Wellbutrin and Lexapro are both antidepressants, they belong to different medication classes and function in different ways inside your body. Dosage of Wellbutrin vs Lexapro Although both medications typically come in tablet form, Wellbutrin and Lexapro are prescribed at different doses.
This is typically split into two separate doses of one mg tablet each. Major Depression. Bupropion-sustained release as a treatment for SSRI-induced sexual side effects. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Changes in body weight during pharmacological treatment of depression. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.
Effects of antidepressant and antipsychotic use on weight gain: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews. Bupropion SR enhances weight loss: a week double-blind, placebo- controlled trial. Obesity Research. Bupropion extended release compared with escitalopram: effects on sexual functioning and antidepressant efficacy in 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Remember, when you look at Wellbutrin vs Lexapro, keep in mind what is most important in your health care.
Wellbutrin is the brand name of the generic drug bupropion. Zyban is another brand name the drug bupropion goes by, used especially to help people stop smoking in lower doses than for treating depression. Wellbutrin was approved in and is used most commonly to treat depression, major depressive disorder MDD , and seasonal affective disorder SAD. It can also help with smoking cessation. Many people who use Wellbutrin report feeling improvement within weeks after starting on an initial dosage; improvement from more severe states of depression can take weeks.
The dosage a person is on may also affect its onset of action. Wellbutrin can be taken for conditions such as social anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder. The preparation of Wellbutrin you take will determine how long it stays in your body and brain. Its duration of action is a factor in how long it will affect you. The common side effects of Wellbutrin include headache, weight loss, dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, and constipation. You might also experience an irregular or fast heart rate, moodiness, or restlessness.
Less common but more severe side effects could include seizures, cardiovascular heart and blood vessel problems, or worsening depression. Those taking Wellbutrin for smoking cessation might notice a change in their mood, for better or worse. Talk to your doctor about any worsening of your depressive symptoms or the onset of panic attacks or suicidal thoughts. The severity of side effects also may depend on certain existing medical conditions you may have, including high blood pressure, irregularities in your heartbeat, a brain tumor, liver disease, substance use disorder, or eating disorders.
Be sure to talk with your doctor before taking Wellbutrin if you have a history of any of these conditions. You can also discuss any concerns with one of the professionals at Minded. The FDA has put Wellbutrin in category B for pregnancy, meaning that animal studies have not shown risk to the fetus.
There are no adequate studies on its effect on humans, so we cannot rule out the risk of taking Wellbutrin if you are pregnant. Because depression can negatively impact your pregnancy or the care of your infant, it is essential for you and your doctor to consider the risks and benefits of using it. Wellbutrin is carried by breast milk to a nursing child. If you are prone to seizures, drinking alcohol with Wellbutrin can increase the risk of having them.
Consult with your doctor or a Minded clinician about any other medications you are taking to consider if Wellbutrin will cause any adverse problematic drug interactions. Try the SingleCare prescription discount card. Wellbutrin and Lexapro affect the levels of different neurotransmitters. While their potential to cause certain side effects may be similar, there are some key differences.
Lexapro, like other SSRIs, has the potential to cause decreased libido or sex drive. Wellbutrin had no reported incidence of decreased libido. Wellbutrin causes headache in as much as a quarter of the patients who take it, while headaches were not reported with Lexapro. Wellbutrin and Lexapro both may cause nausea, vomiting, sweating, and diarrhea. The following list is not intended to be a complete list of adverse events.
Please consult a pharmacist, doctor, or another medical professional for a complete list of possible side effects. If co-administration of Wellbutrin and a CYP2D6 substrate is needed, it may be necessary to decrease the dose of the 2D6 substrate. Some examples of CYP2D6 substrates include fluoxetine, sertraline, haloperidol, risperidone, and metoprolol. The use of Lexapro with tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, may increase the risk of QT prolongation and serotonin syndrome.
In general, this combination should be avoided. The following list is not intended to be a complete list of drug interactions. It is best to consult your provider or pharmacist for a complete list. Patients with MDD may experience a worsening of depression or suicidal thoughts whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications.
These conditions may worsen until remission is achieved. Wellbutrin and Lexapro therapy may increase suicidal ideation and thoughts among teens and young adults, especially in the early stages of treatment before any type of remission is achieved.
These patients must be monitored closely if this treatment is deemed medically necessary. A therapy change may be necessary if symptoms suddenly arise or get worse.
Patients taking bupropion products for smoking cessation and who have no previous history of depression, may experience mental changes when they initiate therapy. These can include mood changes, hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, aggression, and anxiety. If this occurs, speak with your healthcare provider immediately. In the case of both Wellbutrin and Lexapro, depression symptoms do not start to resolve immediately. Typically, changes in symptoms take a minimum of two weeks to observe, with most patients needing at least four to six weeks to see if the drug is having an impact on their symptoms.
Wellbutrin can increase the risk of seizure. This increased risk is dose-dependent, and the maximum total daily dose should not exceed mg. Wellbutrin may also be responsible for increased cardiovascular events. Patients on Wellbutrin may experience increased blood pressure, leading to hypertension, even if they had no previous cardiovascular diagnoses. This is a condition related to abnormally high levels of serotonin and can result in the patient feeling agitated, dizzy, and having an increased heart rate.
This can be brought on by the use of two serotonergic drugs together. Wellbutrin is a prescription antidepressant medication.
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