Quick Answer: Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms have been reported after stopping bupropion, but they appear to be less common and less clearly defined than withdrawal from many SSRIs and SNRIs. Reported symptoms have included irritability, anxiety, sleep problems, headaches, body aches, dizziness, and fatigue, particularly after abrupt discontinuation.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Wellbutrin?
Stopping Wellbutrin changes the amount of bupropion and its active metabolites in the body. Unlike SSRIs, bupropion primarily affects norepinephrine and dopamine rather than serotonin, which is one reason its discontinuation profile does not look exactly like that of medications such as sertraline or duloxetine.
Bupropion also has a comparatively long elimination half-life (roughly 21 hours, with active metabolites that linger longer), so blood levels fall gradually rather than dropping sharply when a dose is missed. Between the non-serotonergic action and the slow clearance, the brain has more time to adjust, which is a large part of why bupropion withdrawal tends to be milder than withdrawal from shorter-acting serotonergic antidepressants.
How Common Is Wellbutrin Withdrawal?
Experts at Yale School of Medicine note that bupropion withdrawal appears to be relatively rare, and that when symptoms do occur, they are generally mild and short-lived compared with withdrawal from SSRIs or SNRIs.
Withdrawal symptoms have been described after abrupt bupropion discontinuation, but the medical literature is much more limited than it is for many serotonergic antidepressants. That makes it especially important not to assume that every symptom appearing after Wellbutrin is stopped is necessarily withdrawal.
Why Your Reason for Taking It Matters
The reason Wellbutrin was prescribed also matters. Someone taking it for depression may experience different concerns after stopping than someone taking bupropion while trying to quit smoking.
What Common Wellbutrin Withdrawal Symptoms Have Been Reported?
Individual differences exist in the severity and length of withdrawal symptoms. Some people may have less pain, while others can have a much more difficult time dealing with the symptoms.
A case report in the Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry noted that after abrupt bupropion discontinuation, symptoms such as irritable mood, anxiety, sleeplessness, headache, and generalized aches can be mistaken for the flu, which is one reason people don’t always connect Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms to changes in the medication.
Physical Symptoms
- Headaches: One of the most common physical symptoms is headaches, which can range from mild to severe.
- Fatigue: A feeling of extreme tiredness and lack of energy is also typical.
- Dizziness: Many individuals report feeling lightheaded or dizzy during withdrawal.
- Flu-like Symptoms: These can include muscle aches, sweating, and chills.
Psychological Symptoms
- Mood Swings: Abrupt changes in mood, including irritability, anxiety, and depression, are common.
- Insomnia: Difficulty sleeping or changes in sleep patterns often occur.
- Cognitive Issues: Some people experience brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.
How Long Does Wellbutrin Withdrawal Last?
Understanding the general Wellbutrin withdrawal timeline can help prepare for what to expect.
Initial Phase (First Few Days)
- Onset of Symptoms: Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms typically start within the first 24-72 hours after the last dose.
- Physical Discomfort: Headaches, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms are common during this phase.
- Mood Changes: Initial mood swings and irritability can occur.
Peak Phase (First Week)
- Intensity of Symptoms: Symptoms often peak during the first week. This is when physical and psychological symptoms may be most intense.
- Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia and changes in sleep patterns are prevalent.
Subside Phase (Second to Third Week)
- Reduction of Symptoms: Many symptoms start to diminish in intensity. Physical symptoms, such as headaches and fatigue, often begin to improve.
- Mood Stabilization: Mood swings and irritability may start to stabilize.
Resolution Phase (Fourth Week and Beyond)
- Minimal Symptoms: For many, most withdrawal symptoms from Wellbutrin have significantly decreased or resolved entirely by the end of the fourth week.
- Lingering Effects: Some individuals may experience lingering psychological effects, such as mild anxiety or mood fluctuations, for a few more weeks.
What Should You Do if Symptoms Start After Stopping Wellbutrin?
If new or worsening symptoms begin after stopping Wellbutrin, contact the clinician managing the medication before making additional changes on your own. The goal is to understand what changed and whether the Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms are related to discontinuation, the original condition returning, nicotine withdrawal, another medication, or a different health concern.
- Tapering Off: Instead of stopping Wellbutrin all of a sudden, lowering the dose slowly can help lessen the signs of withdrawal. Your doctor will make a tapering plan just for you based on your needs.
- Staying Hydrated and Eating Well: Getting enough water and eating a healthy diet can help your body through detox. Some physical complaints can be eased by keeping hydrated and eating healthy.
- Regular Exercise: Being active can make you feel better and give you more energy. While you are in withdrawal, even light workouts like yoga or walking can help.
- Support Systems: Having a network of people who can help can make a big difference. Seek out support groups that know what you’re going through, or talk to a friend or family member who can help you feel better.
How Neurish Wellness Approaches Changes in Medication and Mood
When Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms develop after discontinuing the drug, understanding the medication change is only one part of the assessment. At Neurish Wellness, clinicians can consider why bupropion was originally prescribed, how mood and functioning changed during treatment, when new symptoms appeared, whether depression may be returning, and whether other medications or changes in nicotine use may be contributing.
Sleep, concentration, motivation, anxiety, previous treatment response, co-occurring mental health concerns, and current functioning can provide additional context. Depending on what the assessment shows, care may involve psychiatric support, medication management, individual therapy, or a more structured level of mental health care when appropriate.
For someone whose depressive symptoms are becoming difficult to manage again, Neurish Wellness also provides treatment for major depressive disorder. The goal is to understand what is driving the change rather than assuming every symptom that appears after stopping Wellbutrin has the same cause.
FAQs About Wellbutrin Withdrawal Symptoms
Can you have Wellbutrin withdrawal after missing a dose?
You may notice symptoms after missing a Wellbutrin dose, although this appears to be less common and less predictable than with some SSRIs and SNRIs. If you repeatedly feel different after missed doses, such as increased irritability, anxiety, headache, fatigue, or sleep disruption, tell the prescribing clinician.
Can Wellbutrin withdrawal cause anxiety or irritability?
Yes, anxiety and irritability have been reported after stopping bupropion, particularly after abrupt discontinuation. These symptoms can also overlap with the return of depression, another mental health condition, or nicotine withdrawal, so timing and the broader symptom pattern matter.
Can stopping Wellbutrin make depression come back?
Yes. If Wellbutrin was treating depression, symptoms such as low mood, loss of interest, low motivation, sleep changes, or difficulty concentrating can return after the medication is stopped. A clinician can help determine whether these changes are more consistent with relapse, withdrawal, or another cause.
Can Wellbutrin withdrawal cause brain zaps?
Brain zaps are not a well-established Wellbutrin withdrawal symptom and are more strongly associated with discontinuation of serotonergic antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs. If electric shock-like sensations appear after stopping bupropion, they should still be discussed with a clinician, especially if another antidepressant was also recently reduced or discontinued.
Should you stop Wellbutrin cold turkey?
Do not stop Wellbutrin abruptly without first discussing the change with the prescribing clinician. Although bupropion withdrawal is less clearly established than withdrawal from some other antidepressants, symptoms have been reported after sudden discontinuation, and stopping treatment can also allow the condition being treated to return.
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Cole Dyar is the Executive Director & co-founder of Neurish Wellness. He has been working in the behavioral health field in operational, clinical, organizational, and managerial capacities for thirteen years. He holds a degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz in sociology and is a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC) as recognized by CCAPP. Cole holds a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology including: Organizational Leadership and Design, a Post-Masters in General Marriage and Family Therapy, and is currently a doctoral candidate in MFT with an emphasis in Systemic Administration & Entrepreneurship.