But you might’ve also wondered at some point, Do I still need to take these if I’m feeling good? Or maybe you’re just curious about what the game plan is for coming off your antidepressants, but you don’t know how to raise it with your doctor. When you stop taking an antidepressant cold turkey, your brain doesn’t have time to adjust its chemical balance properly—an unwelcome surprise party if there ever was one. The resulting turmoil is what triggers antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Lengthier use of Wellbutrin will likely produce more intense withdrawal symptoms than short-term consumption.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Keep yourself hydrated by having a container of water close at how to get off of wellbutrin all times to stop your symptoms from worsening due to dehydration. By blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, Wellbutrin increases their availability in the synaptic cleft. Doing this increases the availability of these neurotransmitters in your synaptic cleft – that small gap between nerve cells where chemical messages are sent. If Wellbutrin was prescribed to help you quit smoking, you could try nicotine patches or nicotine gum.

Only trained and licensed medical professionals can provide such services. If you or anyone you know is undergoing a severe health crisis, call a doctor or 911 immediately. Although Wellbutrin is not generally considered addictive, cases of Bupropion abuse have been reported. When individuals misuse or abuse Wellbutrin, they may develop a dependence on the drug, leading to Bupropion withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. In cases of overdose, whether accidental or intentional, Bupropion can lead to serious medical consequences.

Outpatient Treatment

For instance, withdrawal typically becomes more difficult the longer Wellbutrin is taken. Irrespective of whether you have been misusing Wellbutrin or taking it on a prescription as suggested by your physician, your body may have become accustomed to it over long-term consumption. If you have become addicted in either case, withdrawal symptoms will follow.

Wellbutrin Taper Schedule

Your doctor is there to guide you through this process, and you don’t have to manage it alone. Detox may become dangerous if you try to stop taking Wellbutrin cold-turkey or without first seeking medical guidance from a health care professional. ?? Wellbutrin is a slow-acting drug with a half-life of about 21 hours. On average, it takes about four and a half days for 99% of the drug to fully leave the body. Doctors often recommend tapering off Wellbutrin gradually, especially for those who have been taking a high dose of Wellbutrin for a long time. The length of Wellbutrin withdrawal, or the amount of time it takes to fully detox, may be longer for people who have been taking Wellbutrin for years.

If you want to stop taking your current antidepressant but you don’t mind starting a different one, cross-tapering may be an option for you. The Wellbutrin withdrawal side effects are usually mild but can nonetheless be difficult to deal with. The withdrawal journey from Wellbutrin doesn’t end right after the acute phase. There’s more to it, which includes rebound symptoms and post-acute withdrawal. Harvard Health explains that having more mood-regulating chemicals floating around can reduce depressive symptoms and improve mood. The drug works by altering the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain.

This timeline can vary for different users, and symptoms can last from around a few days to a few weeks. Consulting your doctor about a safe plan is your best bet for weaning off Wellbutrin without serious side effects. If you only take small doses, tapering off the medication may not always be necessary. Before stopping completely, doses greater than 300 milligrams typically need to be halved – they should be reduced to 150 milligrams for at least two weeks. If you have been taking Wellbutrin for a long time, chances are you have become used to it, if not medically addicted. This means that it is likely that your brain feels the need for the drug to function normally, as it greatly impacts the brain’s chemical activity.

They may then feel compelled to take another dose of the drug just to relieve themselves of the symptoms. It is important to note that when taken orally, as prescribed, Wellbutrin is not addictive. It does not produce the euphoric ‘high’ that people who abuse other substances feel. However, if the pills are crushed and snorted, it can produce a ‘high’ feeling that is addictive. Bupropion, commonly marketed as Wellbutrin, is used to treat depression and help people stop smoking.

Wellbutrin Withdrawal Symptoms: Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

Wellbutrin is a prescription medicine that is being misused more and more across the country. The brand name for bupropion, Wellbutrin is commonly administered to patients with depression. It’s also used to help individuals trying to quit smoking and for a few other conditions like seasonal affective disorder. In the process, many experience antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, also known as withdrawal. This is a particular risk with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which affect a brain neurotransmitter called serotonin.

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

• Call us today to learn more about Wellbutrin detox and to find detox options at a treatment center that’s right for you.
• For every past depressive episode, the likelihood of having another one goes up.
• If you want to stop Wellbutrin, always work with your doctor to develop a safe plan.
• Additionally, if you are not taking a new medication, your depression will continue to cause symptoms.

The safest way to stop taking Wellbutrin is to slowly reduce your dose 7, a process called tapering. Tapering helps your body adjust to having less of the medication and can prevent withdrawal symptoms. Wellbutrin tapering schedules are usually short, often lasting one to two weeks. Experienced healthcare professionals commonly recommend gradually tapering off the drug over an extended period to minimize possible withdrawal symptoms. In general, it is best to consult a doctor aware of your medical history before stopping the consumption of Wellbutrin. If you do experience unpleasant symptoms due to ADS, your doctor or healthcare professional may focus on a treatment plan suitable for you.

• While everybody experiences depression differently, in general depression causes people to feel tired, have a persistent low mood, feelings of hopelessness, and problems with appetite and sleeping.
• During the tapering process they will adjust the regimen if you experience unwanted side effects or symptoms.
• These symptoms require more intense management methods that a mental health professional can guide you through.

Detox programs provide a safe and supportive environment to help you stop taking Wellbutrin and begin your recovery journey. Getting help early can make the process of stopping Wellbutrin easier and safer. Your doctor can provide the support and guidance you need to streamline the process and reduce discomfort.

Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body. Alcohol detox at the luxurious rehab addiction centers at Gratitude Lodge leeches your body of these toxins in preparation for successful treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse. Alcohol detox may not take as long or produce severe withdrawal symptoms, but it is still an essential beginning to your recovery. If you or a loved one suffers from a substance use disorder, it’s time to seek help.

Some people also experience changes in appetite or sleep patterns. These may include emotional changes, physical discomforts, and cognitive issues. Understanding these signs is the first step towards managing them effectively. When someone suffers from depression, they often have a deficiency in the norepinephrine and dopamine chemicals in the brain. It helps increase the volumes of these two chemicals and lets them remain in the brain for an extended period. Unfortunately, this can sometimes become a prominent cause of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome or Wellbutrin withdrawal.

Think of these chemicals as messengers carrying notes between brain cells. When this communication gets disrupted, you might feel down or not yourself. If you want to know more about how The Forge Recovery Center can help you detox safely from Wellbutrin, please reach out to us today.

If you are experiencing something like this, do not try to increase the dose yourself to feel the effect of the medication. Instead, speak to a doctor to get help in adjusting your dosage of the Wellbutrin medication. When a person suddenly stops using Wellbutrin without tapering off, a person may experience rebound depression – their symptoms come back. In some cases, rebound depression symptoms can be even more severe. Before taking the drug, patients should be made aware of possible side effects and closely watched for signs of misuse, abuse, or addiction when the drug is taken regularly.

Although Wellbutrin is most commonly used to treat depressive disorders, some people may misuse it in order to get high. They may abuse bupropion by crushing the pills and snorting the powder, although some people also inject this antidepressant too 5. After your Wellbutrin taper, any long-term treatment will be directed toward treating the condition that led you to take Wellbutrin in the first place.