Wellbutrin for Anxiety: All You Need to Know

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant in the s an bupropions norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRI) drug class. NDRIs exert their effect in the brain by changing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine to help improve mood and response to stress, among other effects. Wellbutrin is commonly prescribed for depressive disorder, yet it can also be used for anxiety. Indeed, some research even indicates that it is as effective as its more commonly prescribed cousin the SSRIs when anxiety accompanies depression.

If you have anxiety and it is getting in the way of things you want to do, of relationships you want to have, and makes living day-to-day hard, it’s time to get some help. Anxiety medications may or may not be the thing that works for you, and that’s something that only you and a doctor (or other psychiatric provider) can determine, but don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Read on to learn about the potential for Wellbutrin to help you manage your anxiety, how it might help, how long it takes to work, what side effects it might cause, how it is dosed, and other considerations.

Related: Hydroxyzine for Anxiety: How It Works, Side Effects, and Dosages

What is Wellbutrin and how does it work?

Wellbutrin can be an effective, non-habit-forming alternative for many individuals trying to manage anxiety or avoid its more serious side effects. And, as you’ve heard, this can be especially useful if you’re dealing with depression and anxiety. That said, for people with anxiety being a road block to follow-through, there are medications (like Wellbutrin) which may do a good job at reducing anxiety.

There are studies that have also shown that Wellbutrin can work for GAD in instances where individuals have been unresponsive to more traditional anxiety treatment options like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

There used to be some concern that Wellbutrin might tend to exacerbate anxiety, but more recent studies seems to have all-but-discredited this. Although anxiety is listed as a potential side effect of Wellbutrin, some studies suggest that it is one of the least common.

Does Wellbutrin Help with Anxiety?

There’s not much research on whether bupropion works for anxiety disorders but one 2008 pilot study showed some promise for bupropion and a 2023 review suggested it might be a good choice for people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) who don’t respond to other medications, such as SSRIs.

Wellbutrin might be preferential to particular drugs because, even if it has side effects, it isn’t associated with drowsiness or weight gain.

Well, drugs such as Wellbutrin have been a bit of a paradox in the world of anxiety, since these drugs in fact impact the level of the same neurotransmitters that are increased in the brain during anxious episodes, norepinephrine (noradrenaline). A second 2023 study found that not to be the case either, and determined that people who took bupropion had no greater likelihood of increased symptoms of anxiety than people who took other kinds of antidepressants. This study also determined that bupropion assisted with a decrease in anxiety symptoms for those with MDD.

How Long Does Wellbutrin Take to Work for Anxiety?

It may take up to 4 weeks for Wellbutrin to have an effect for depression patients. It will most likely works in a comparable amount of time for a person using it for panic attacks, however, you do not have enough facts. Your doctor will work with you to determine how best to keep track and evaluate how Wellbutrin is working for you. Your doctor may recommend charting your symptoms on a weekly or daily basis to help judge the effectiveness of the medication.

Even if the medicine was not helping your symptoms as you thought it should, it is still critical to take your medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Stopping it suddenly can be dangerous, and cause adverse side effects.

Related: Gabapentin for Anxiety: Dosing, Side Effects, and More

Side Effects to Expect When Taking Wellbutrin for Anxiety

And, like all drugs, Wellbutrin carries a risk of side effects. The prospect of potential side effects can be frightening, but your doctor can work with you to reduce your chances of developing them. The majority of the side effects are mild and/or rare and they disappear as your body gets used to the medicine.

Here are a few of the more common Wellbutrin side effects to be on the lookout for:

• Drowsiness
• Anxiety
• Excitement
• Trouble trying to get to sleep or stay asleep
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Headache
• GI issues: nausea, vomiting
• Bodily tremors that cannot be stopped
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Excessive sweating
• Ringing in the ears
• Altered taste in your mouth
• Frequent urination
• Sore throat

If it happens to you while you are taking Wellbutrin, consult your doctor. They might need to work with your medication.

Some individuals also experience adverse side effects when taking Wellbutrin, in addition to mild side effects. Although uncommon, these are some side effects to be aware of.

Serious side effects include:

• Thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself, especially in a child or young adult.
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
• Irrational fears
• Muscle or joint pain
• Rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• Agglutinative reaction (fever, blister, rash, pruritus, giant hive, edema, hoarseness, dyspnea, difficulty in taking a breath, chest pain)

If you’re noticing any of the symptoms above, call your doctor or a health professional, or seek emergency medical treatment.

Related: Propranolol for Anxiety: What to Know

Wellbutrin Dosage for Anxiety

Wellbutrin dosage for anxiety is usually low initially and can be increased slowly. For anxiety that’s being treated with Wellbutrin, there’s no one-size-fits-all or standard dose like there is with depression.

While doctors may start at a dose of between 75 and 150 mg, in the treatment of depression, anxiety dosages are likely much smaller. Dosages may be modified depending on your response and tolerability.

Like any medication, it’s important to take a doctor’s dosing instructions as prescribed. However, new dosage specifications may occur, notify of any side effects.

Things to Consider for Using Wellbutrin for Anxiety

Before Using Wellbutrin for Anxiety Make sure to discuss the following points with your medical provider before tacking Wellbutrin. They can assess your individual symptoms and your medical and medication history. And because it is an antidepressant that’s sometimes used off label to treat anxiety, you’ll want to know everything you can about the following:

It’s an off-label use Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that lists anxiety as a possible side effect, so it’s possible that for some people, this medication might not work as well as other types of anxiety medications (such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) to ease anxiety.

• Consultation with your doctor is key: Discussing the potential risks and benefits of taking Wellbutrin for anxiety with your primary care doctor can help you make an informed decision.
• Monitor side effects closely: It is crucial to monitor͞and report to your prescriber͞any side effects that increase with anxiety, particularly soon after beginning Wellbutrin.
• Keep in mind, individual responses to medication can be unpredictable: It may take some trial and error before your doctor finds an effective treatment for your anxiety in Wellbutrin. And try to be patient and maintain an open line of communication with your doctor for the very best possible results.
• Follow up such appointments: Schedule and keep follow up appointments to see how well Wellbutrin is working.
• Be aware of potential interactions: Inform your doctor of any other medication you’re taking, and give them your health history, including any previous or current conditions.
• Think about concurrent treatment: Most mental health conditions respond best to a combination of medication and treatment for anxiety, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Related: The Best Time to Take Lexapro for Anxiety, Written by a Pharmacist

Optimal dosing of Wellbutrin for anxiety

There are a handful of kinds of Wellbutrin, such as Wellbutrin SR (slow release) and Wellbutrin XL (extended release). Dosage of Wellbutrin The dose of Wellbutrin depends on the formulation you take, the purpose for which it’s prescribed, your age, other medical conditions you have, and other medications you may be using. And don’t forget to heed the instructions that come with the medication from your prescribing doctor and pharmacist. If you don’t know how the medication is to be taken — ask.

Before you bring your prescription home, you should understand how to take it, which side effects to watch for, what to do if you have side effects and the medication’s potential benefits.

How much does Wellbutrin cost?

While you will always be required to get a prescription before starting Wellbutrin, you have the choice of whether or not you’d like to use your insurance to help cover the cost. The price of Wellbutrin will vary depending on your dosage, the pharmacy you use, and the specifics of your insurance plan. If you’re paying out of pocket for your meds and interested in how so much money will leave your wallet, just give your pharmacy a call.

What other drugs treat anxiety?

Wellbutrin is one of many options for treating anxiety. Your treatment plan also might involve therapy, a different medication or both. Other medications that have proven useful in treating anxiety are antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs); atypical antidepressant, Viibryd; beta-blockers; and benzodiazepines.

Wellbutrin vs. Other Anxiety Treatments

There are other options to treat symptoms of anxiety other than Wellbutrin. Anxiety doesn’t have a one size fits all treatment. A drug that works well for one person might not work at all for another. Luckily, there are dozens of ways out there to treat anxiety with talk therapy and or other drugs.

Therapy for anxiety

Many therapies can help anxiety symptoms. Here are the types of therapy that have been shown to work for anxiety:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a widely recognized evidence-based treatment that’s highly effective in helping people with many different types of anxiety disorders. CBT for anxiety involves recognizing problematic or unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior so you can begin to change them.

Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy is also one of the tools for anxiety treatment. It’s about slowly exposing you to experiences that make you anxious so that you can learn to face and eventually conquer your fear in a safe, controlled setting decreasing the amount of anxiety you feel over time.

Mindfulness-based therapy: Mindfulness therapy is designed to increase awareness and acceptance of thoughts, behaviors, and situations that would normally cause anxiety.

Alternative medications

Anxiolytics are available and can be very effective in treating anxiety symptoms. Common drugs for treating anxiety are:

SSRIs: SSRIs increase serotonin in the brain in order to help lessen or alleviate symptoms of anxiety. Common SSRIs prescribed to treat anxiety are Zoloft, Lexapro and Prozac.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): SNRIs, such as those shown above, work in the brain by increasing levels of norepinephrine as well as serotonin. But SNRIs boost not just serotonin, but also norepinephrine, for more anxiety suppression. Two commonly prescribed SNRIs used to treat anxiety are Effexor and Cymbalta.

Benzodiazepine: The fastest-acting thing we have, benzos will bring some near-instant relief from anxiety. Popular benzos include Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin

Summary

Wellbutrin is a medication belonging to the class of medications known as anti-depressants, and is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of MDD. It can also be used for anxiety in some cases. This is an off-label use; the FDA has not approved the drug for this purpose because of scant research. Before you begin a medication, your physician or other health care provider should explain the potential benefits and risk, as well as the evidence – or lack thereof – for the benefits.

Anxiety is complicated — and treatment for it should be, too. Psychiatrists are skilled in identifying and treating complicated mental health problems with medication management.