You typically take Wellbutrin once or twice daily, depending on the prescribed formulation. However, the specific time of the day and frequency may vary depending on your needs.
Wellbutrin is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating major depressive and seasonal affective disorders.
Although Wellbutrin is mainly indicated for these conditions, healthcare professionals sometimes prescribe it for other reasons, such as stopping smoking, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety disorders.
You can find Wellbutrin in generic form as bupropion, which doctors prescribe for the same purposes.
Wellbutrin belongs to the class of antidepressant medications known as aminoketones that help with the reabsorption of norepinephrine and dopamine. These are brain messengers involved in mood regulation.
It is available as:
immediate-release tablets
sustained-release tablets
extended-release tablets
The dosage of Wellbutrin may vary depending on your needs.
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The best time to take Wellbutrin may vary depending on medical recommendations and the specific formulation of Wellbutrin you take.
If you take Wellbutrin once per day, you may have it at any time of the day.
However, some people may find it helpful to take Wellbutrin in the morning to minimize any potential interference with sleep. Sleep disturbances, like insomnia, are a reported side effect.
You can take Wellbutrin with or without food, but taking it with food may help reduce the likelihood of stomach upset.
Your dosage may vary depending on your symptoms and types of tablets.
A standard starting dose for Wellbutrin may be between 150 mg and 200 mg, taken as one or two daily tablets. Your healthcare professional may recommend spacing these doses at least 6 hours apart, likely 12 hours. In this case, you may have to take Wellbutrin in the morning and afternoon.
After 3–4 days on Wellbutrin, your dose may change to 300 mg per day. Your healthcare professional may recommend taking three daily doses of 100 mg each, with at least 6 hours between doses, or one daily dose of 300 mg.
The maximum daily dose of Wellbutrin is typically 450 mg.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose of Wellbutrin, do not worry.
If your next dose is at least 4 hours away, you may take your regular dose and then continue your schedule.
If your next dose is within 3–4 hours, do not take the missed dose and wait until the next scheduled time to continue with your routine treatment plan.
Do not take two Wellbutrin doses to make up for the missed dose. It’s important to maintain consistency in your medication schedule, so try to take your doses at the same time(s) each day to make sure it is as effective as possible.
Does Wellbutrin make you sleepy?
Wellbutrin is known for its stimulating effects and is less likely to make you sleepy than other antidepressants. If you take it too close to bedtime, it may keep you alert and awake at night.
Wellbutrin may lead to other side effects, including:
headaches
dry mouth
nausea or vomiting
increased sweating
increased heart rate or palpitations
changes in appetite or weight
Not everyone experiences these side effects, and the severity may vary if you do experience them.
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After taking Wellbutrin for the first time, you may not feel an immediate change in your symptoms.
Signs Wellbutrin is working may include changes in your mood, appetite, and energy levels.
The exact timeframe for symptom relief may vary from person to person. Some people might start feeling the effects of Wellbutrin within 1-2 weeks. For others, it could take 6–8 weeks of consistent use to experience the full therapeutic effects of the medication.
Wellbutrin is available in various formulations, and how long each dose stays in your body may vary. Extended-release tablets will last longer in your body compared to immediate-release formulations.
Although the exact duration may vary slightly, sustained-release and extended-release formulations have a half life of about 21 hours. The half life of a medication refers to how long it takes for the amount in your blood to reduce by 50%.
Even past that half life, Wellbutrin continues to work on your body for a few more hours. If you were to not take the following dose, Wellbutrin would still be effective for about 1–2 days.
Alternative meds to Wellbutrin
If Wellbutrin isn’t working for you or you cannot tolerate its side effects, your healthcare professional may recommend a different medication, depending on your diagnosis.
Depression
Commonly prescribed medications for depression include:
When to take Wellbutrin may depend on your diagnosis, formulation, and tolerance to side effects. While individual preferences and needs may vary, maintaining a regular schedule and following a healthcare professional’s advice is essential. Consistency when taking Wellbutrin is crucial to get the best possible effects however you take it.
