How Long does Wellbutrin Stay in Your System?

How Long does Wellbutrin Stay in Your System?

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Picture of Arooj Anjum

Arooj Anjum

Biomedical Engineer

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How Long does Wellbutrin or Bupropion Stay in Your System?

 

How long does Wellbutrin stay in your system depends on the half-life of Wellbutrin, which is around 21 hours. Expect around 4 to 5 days for the complete drug to leave your body.
Wellbutrin is a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of major depressive disorder. It is available as Wellbutrin IR, Wellbutrin SR, and Wellbutrin XL extended-release tablets. Wellbutrin is the brand name of the antidepressant drug bupropion, which is the generic version. 

 

Apart from treating depression, bupropion is used off-label to treat seasonal affective disorder, social anxiety, and smoking cessation. This blog will cover more about the drug itself and some key points like how long does Wellbutrin stays in your system, what depression symptoms look like, and when to seek help.

 

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What is Wellbutrin?

 

Bupropion belongs to a class of antidepressants called norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors or NDRIs. In some ways, it resembles selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

 

Available in tablet form, Wellbutrin works by boosting the different types of brain activities, helping in the treatment of depression and seasonal affective disorder. It also helps reduce the cravings and symptoms of withdrawal in people who want to quit smoking, making it easier for people to stop using products containing tobacco.

Wellbutrin’s Mode of Action

 

With the correct drug administration, bupropion alters how your body produces dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that enhance mood. Neurotransmitters are simply mechanical messengers that our body uses to convey messages between neurons and other tissues. The neurotransmitter norepinephrine helps keep our body alert and focused, increasing our heart rate, which helps obtain this result. In contrast, dopamine enhances learning retention, mood, sleep, and pleasure.

 

Let’s find out more about how Wellbutrin treats depression and helps people stop quitting before we delve into how extended bupropion stays in your system. Find out how you will know that Wellbutrin is working for you.

Treating Depression with Wellbutrin

 

Depressive symptoms occur because people usually have low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. When someone takes bupropion for depression, the reabsorption of these neurotransmitters is canceled, increasing their concentration in the blood. Wellbutrin takes time to show visible results. However, you will notice a decline in some symptoms right away.

For Cessation of smoking

 

The exact mechanism of how Wellbutrin helps in the cessation of smoking is not confirmed yet. However, some studies suggest that Wellbutrin enhances the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Just like depression, it can take several weeks for the results to be visible.

How to Take Bupropion?

 

Always follow your prescribing doctor’s instructions when taking prescription drugs. Do not exceed the required dose, and make sure you know how long Wellbutrin stays in your system so that if you want to quit, you know how long it will take for the medicine to leave your body.

 

Wellbutrin is available as a tablet to swallow whole with water. The usual dosage is twice daily. Ensure you take the doses simultaneously daily and give at least eight 8-hour gaps between doses. For Wellbutrin XL, take one dose/day, usually in the morning.

How long does Wellbutrin stay in your system?

 

Do not stop taking any antidepressant medication out of the blue. If you feel your symptoms of depression are settling after taking Wellbutrin, contact your healthcare professional. Stopping bupropion without prior notice is not a good idea because it comes with some adverse withdrawal symptoms. It’s always recommended to discuss it with your healthcare provider. They can then taper the medication slowly. If you think stopping the medication abruptly will also cease the side effects, you are wrong. You should know how long Wellbutrin stays in your system depends on different factors.

 

The withdrawal symptoms from all the antidepressants resemble the symptoms of depression along with the psychological symptoms of low mood and reduced focus; you may experience digestive problems and dizziness.

 

Coming back to how long Wellbutrin stays in your system, the answer is dependent on its half-life. The half-life of Wellbutrin is 21 hours, which means it takes 21 hours for half of the medication to leave your system. According to experts, all traces of Wellbutrin leave your body after 4 1/2 days of your last dosage.

 

It is similar to the half-life of paroxetine, which is out of the system by 4 1/2 days.

 

Factors contributing to how long Wellbutrin stays in your system include;

  • how healthy your liver and kidneys are. If they are healthy,  the drug leaves faster out of your body.
  • If your body weight is more, and you carry excess fat, you are likely to expel the drug slower
  • Some genetic conditions make the processing of the drugs faster or slower
  • If you drink alcohol on a regular regular basis, you are more likely to process the drugs slower than usual.

How Long Does Wellbutrin Stay in the Lab Results?

 

Traces of urine can show up in the following tests

  • blood 4 to 9 days
  • Urine for 4 to 5 days
  • Saliva no testing method
  • Hair for about 12 weeks

Factors like the amount, potency, and dosage of Wellbutrin impact the results.

Wellbutrin Overdose

 

Taking more than one tablet at the same time or more than the recommended dosage can cause serious side effects. Follow the doctor’s instructions, and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact them.

 

In case you think you overdosed on Wellbutrin, contact a medical emergency. Look out for the following symptoms;

  • Hallucinations
  • Physical symptoms that confirm the risk of Seizures
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Loss of consciousness
  • And overactive reflexes

Although rare, some overdoses can lead to death. In an emergency, contact your nearest healthcare provider immediately.

FDA Black Box Warning for Wellbutrin

 

Like most of the antidepressants with bupropion, Wellbutrin comes with a black box warning for the safety of the people. It is the most severe type of warning proposed by the FDA. 

 

This warning states that bupropion increases suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults and children alike. Some short-term studies show this risk is not for people over 24. If your medical health provider prescribes bupropion and you notice changes in your behavior and thinking, contact emergency immediately.

 

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Potential Side Effects of Wellbutrin

 

Unlike other antidepressants like SSRIs or SNRIs, Wellbutrin does not cause any severe side effects like weight gain, sexual side effects, and drowsiness. 

 

However, some minor side effects are

  • agitation
  • Abnormal dreams
  • Constipation
  • Blurred vision
  • Edema
  • Dry mouth
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • And excessive sweating

Regardless of the minor reactions, it is always better to consult your medical professional and seek medical advice. Discuss the side effects you’re experiencing due to Wellbutrin with the doctor. Do not hesitate to discuss your concerns and ask any questions you have.

 

Although rare, adverse effects are;

  • Panic attacks and fluctuations in mood worsened depression and anxiety.
  • Hypertension. If you suffer from high blood pressure, remember to tell your healthcare provider before starting the bupropion treatment plan.
  • Increased risk of seizure, although it occurs in less than one percent of people taking the medication.

Note: make sure you tell your doctor about any history of seizures

Is Wellbutrin Medication Right for Me?

 

The answer could be yes, or the answer could be no. It all comes down to your medical conditions; only medical doctors can diagnose you. They will assess your situation and tell you the treatment options and whether Wellbutrin is correct. If Wellbutrin suits you, they will further lay down the potential benefits of the drug for educational benefits. 

 

In any case, do not use Wellbutrin without a prescription because it is a prescription medication used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder. Now, how long does Wellbutrin stay in your system? It depends on its half-life, which is 21 hours, so expect the old medicine to leave your body in 4 to 5 days per day.

The Bottom Line

 

If you or a family member is suffering from depression or any other mental health disorder, contact help. If you want to start taking Wellbutrin, check with your healthcare provider first. Finding out the complete information about the drug( like dose, drug interactions, side effects, and how long Wellbutrin stays in your system) before starting the treatment is always recommended. Compared to other antidepressants, it has mild side effects and a low addiction rate, thus a feasible option for all.

 

Contact online medical centers like Therapy Fleet. Contact us or any telemedicine platform immediately for all your questions, concerns, and diagnoses.

 

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Medical Disclaimer:

 

At TherapyFleet, we strive to enhance the quality of life for those dealing with mental health issues. Our licensed medical professionals meticulously research, edit, and review all content before publication. Nonetheless, this information should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical guidance, please consult your physician or reach out to TherapyFleet’s qualified staff.

 

Remember that progress is often gradual, and setbacks are a natural part of any journey. Stay patient with yourself and keep moving forward one step at a time.

FAQs

1. How long does Wellbutrin stay in your system?

 

The half-life of Wellbutrin is 21 hours, meaning it takes this much time for half of the medicine to leave your system. So, the answer to how long Wellbutrin stays in your system is 4 to 5 days after the last dose of bupropion.

2. What is the peak time of Wellbutrin?

 

There are different formulations of Wellbutrin, and the peak time for all varies;

Wellbutrin IR- 2 hours

Wellbutrin ER- 5 hours

Wellbutrin SR- 3 hours

3. Does Wellbutrin show effect instantly?

 

No, unlike antipsychotic drugs like Xanax, Wellbutrin takes time to reach therapeutic levels and show visible results.

4. What is the best time to take Wellbutrin?

 

The doctor will prescribe the best time. However, Wellbutrin IR is taken 2 to 3 times daily, and the timings between the doses should be equally divided. Wellbutrin XL is taken once a day, preferably in the morning.

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