Can you abruptly stop taking wellbutrin

Wilson E, et al. A review of the management of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.

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Wallace Video Parathyroid Caffeine and depression: Is there a link? The role of diet and exercise in preventing Alzheimer's disease Can music help someone with Alzheimer's? Talking to a therapist can help you cope with challenges such as mood swings, agitation, and feelings of hopelessness. If you were taking Wellbutrin to quit smoking, you may want to keep a nicotine patch or some nicotine gum on hand.

This will help reduce potential nicotine cravings and any associated agitation. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor.

If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Suicidal feelings are more common among children and young adults age 24 and under, but they can happen to anyone. Seek emergency medical care if you are experiencing:. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is small, but it does happen to some people.

Before you stop taking Wellbutrin, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. If you decide to stop your dose, a short taper may be the best way to go. The safest way to stop taking antidepressants is to slowly taper down your dose. Wellbutrin tapering schedules are usually fairly short. Working with your doctor, you can make a schedule to incrementally reduce your dose over the course of one or two weeks. After your Wellbutrin taper, any long-term treatment will be directed towards treating the condition that led you to take Wellbutrin in the first place.

It can take several tries before you find the right medication or combination of medications. Depression is a complex disease that requires a multi-pronged treatment approach. Medication can only do so much on its own. Psychotherapy may be an important part of your recovery from depression.

Scientific research has concluded that a combination of psychotherapy and medication works better for depression and anxiety than medication alone. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a long-term process in which you work to better understand yourself. You will explore the reasons why you do the things you do and feel the way you feel. Together with a qualified therapist, you will learn how to work towards the life you want by reforming the unhealthy patterns standing in your way.

Therapy is an essential part of depression treatment. Typically, insurance companies have a list of local providers who accept your insurance. Depression is a stubborn disease. Just keep moving forward and try not to lose hope when you bump into walls and trip over your own feet.

And if you are not in psychotherapy, find a therapist in the directory and schedule some appointments. After some time, things will likely feel more hopeful. Everything feels more challenging when you're dealing with depression. Get our free guide when you sign up for our newsletter. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you've had three or more recurrences of depression, make that at least two years.

Talk to your clinician about the benefits and risks of antidepressants in your particular situation, and work with her or him in deciding whether and when to stop using them. Before discontinuing, you should feel confident that you're functioning well, that your life circumstances are stable, and that you can cope with any negative thoughts that might emerge. Don't try to quit while you're under stress or undergoing a significant change in your life, such as a new job or an illness.

Make a plan. Going off an antidepressant usually involves reducing your dose in increments, allowing two to six weeks between dose reductions. Your clinician can instruct you in tapering your dose and prescribe the appropriate dosage pills for making the change.

The schedule will depend on which antidepressant you're taking, how long you've been on it, your current dose, and any symptoms you had during previous medication changes. It's also a good idea to keep a "mood calendar" on which you record your mood on a scale of one to 10 on a daily basis.

Consider psychotherapy. In a meta-analysis of controlled studies, investigators at Harvard Medical School and other universities found that people who undergo psychotherapy while discontinuing an antidepressant are less likely to have a relapse. Stay active.

Bolster your internal resources with good nutrition, stress-reduction techniques, regular sleep — and especially physical activity. Exercise has a powerful antidepressant effect.

It's been shown that people are far less likely to relapse after recovering from depression if they exercise three times a week or more. Exercise makes serotonin more available for binding to receptor sites on nerve cells, so it can compensate for changes in serotonin levels as you taper off SRIs and other medications that target the serotonin system.

Seek support. Stay in touch with your clinician as you go through the process. Let her or him know about any physical or emotional symptoms that could be related to discontinuation. If the symptoms are mild, you'll probably be reassured that they're just temporary, the result of the medication clearing your system.

A short course of a non-antidepressant medication such as an antihistamine, anti-anxiety medication, or sleeping aid can sometimes ease these symptoms. If symptoms are severe, you might need to go back to a previous dose and reduce the levels more slowly. If you're taking an SRI with a short half-life, switching to a longer-acting drug like fluoxetine may help.

You may want to involve a relative or close friend in your planning. If people around you realize that you're discontinuing antidepressants and may occasionally be irritable or tearful, they'll be less likely to take it personally. A close friend or family member may also be able to recognize signs of recurring depression that you might not perceive.

Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein.

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Advocacy State Fact Sheets. Advocacy Public Policy Reports. Bupropion Wellbutrin. Know the warning signs Learn the common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents. Mental health conditions Learn more about common mental health conditions that affect millions. Caution is advised with breastfeeding since bupropion does pass into breast milk. Symptoms of your condition that bother you most If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your provider.

Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require an adjustment in the medication. Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have, including a history of bipolar disorder All other medications you are currently taking and any medication allergies you have.

This will help your prescriber assess for potential drug interactions. Other non-medication treatment you are receiving such as psychotherapy i. Your provider can explain how these different treatments work with the medication.