Learn About Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Bupropion is an excellent medication. Ladies, this prescription is often sold as Wellbutrin! It's offered in tablets that release immediately or over time. If you get the immediate-release tablets? Ladies, expect two doses of 100 milligrams each every day for depression. This is standard! Maintenance doses are about 300 milligrams daily. The max? 400 milligrams! Of course, liver and kidney issues mean you'll need a lower dose.
Yes, ladies, this med is a significant depression treatment. It'll play very well with therapy for depression. Expect some cognitive behavioral therapy! You'll also want to ask your doctor about mindfulness for depression. After all, it's a phenomenal natural remedy for depression! Just remember, with bupropion? Understand it before you take it!
How It Works
Ladies, this med is an antidepressant! In fact, it's part of the group of aminoketones. The big difference, though, is that its chemical structure is different from other antidepressants. This includes tricyclic antidepressants! That said, it's close to diethylpropion in this way. It's also water-soluble. Ladies, some research says this med is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor. So, it'll stop the body from reabsorbing these two chemicals! Ladies, it'll also cause the presynaptic neuron to release them. This particular med also binds to certain receptors in the body that affect nicotine cravings. It activates them, and yes, it helps reduce the cravings!
Uses And Benefits
Bupropion is an incredible treatment for major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. Ladies, one brand is even approved to help you quit smoking once and for all! It'll keep withdrawal symptoms at bay, and even reduce cravings for nicotine. But there are even more uses and benefits for this medication. Ladies, 'off-label' uses exist! Doctors prescribe it 'off-label' for bipolar disorder and even attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Be sure to ask about the risks and benefits of this med, ladies. This is even more important if it's for an 'off-label' use! Yes, approved meds should be used before this one, if possible. Also, be ready for close monitoring, ladies. Your doctor will keep you safe and healthy!
Side Effects
Ladies, you need to know about the side effects of bupropion. This med has a lot of them. Good news? Many of them are mild! Ladies, common side effects are dry mouth, weight loss, ringing in the ears, and sweating. You'll often experience a sore throat, nausea, and some insomnia with this med too. Be on the lookout for increases in how often you pee, your heart rate, tremors, and constipation too! Feeling a bit agitated in the first few weeks of taking this med happens too. It'll taper off, though!
Of course, there are less common side effects too! Examples are chest pain, migraines, hot flashes, and twitching. Other possibilities are hives, flushing, arthritis, and some swallowing problems. Urinary tract infections can happen, but not often. Ladies, the rare effects of this med include increased suicidal thoughts, seizures, and hallucinations. Your blood pressure might rise too! Talk to your doctor about side effects. They'll help you handle them!
Precautions
Take precautions with this medication. If you have epilepsy or another condition that triggers seizures, this one's not safe for you! Ladies, talk to your doctor about your medical history. Eating disorders make this medication an iffy one. It's likely not going to be the right choice! If you've stopped meds for seizures or sedatives suddenly in the past? Ladies, you need to tell your doctor. Bupropion isn't the best choice if that applies to you. Another big precaution, ladies, is to only take this med for one condition at a time. It's not good to help you quit smoking and treat depression at the same time. Take it slow!
Other pieces of your medical history that connect with this med include if you have had seizures, brain tumors, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Head injuries, kidney disease, and heart disease matter too! Ladies, talk about any liver issues you have had. And if you're pregnant, or want to be? Discuss that with your doctor! If you have to take this med, you'll need to be monitored very closely. Don't crush or chew the extended-release tablets. Take them whole! Under eighteen? This med's not appropriate. Of course, you need to stop this one gradually. Your doctor will help you stop it safely! Keep an eye on your blood pressure and remember, this med can cause a false-positive result on a drug test. Tell the staff you take this med before a test!
Medication Interactions
Medication interactions with bupropion are important to consider. Ladies, make a list of the meds you take. Share it with your doctor and pharmacist! There are over 400 interactions to think about, including 200 major ones! Ladies, exercise extreme caution if you have to take this med along with epilepsy meds. Some of them will reduce bupropion's effectiveness! You'll need an alternative if you're stopping these meds as well. Your doctor will recommend one! Ritonavir has a big interaction with this one too. This HIV med reduces the concentration of bupropion by 66 percent! Want to avoid serious side effects? Wait 14 days after stopping MAOIs before taking this med.