What Pharmacists Say About When to Take Wellbutrin (Plus 4 More Tips)

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is part of a group of medications known as atypical antidepressants. It comes in three forms: immediate-release (IR), sustained-release (SR), and extended-release (XL) tablets. Two other brand-name XL formulations are also available: Forvivo XL and Aplenzin.

Wellbutrin products are FDA approved to treat depression in adults. And Wellbutrin XL is also approved to prevent seasonal affective disorder. Learn more about Wellbutrin with these five tips on how and when to take it, what side effects you might experience, and more.

Good to know: Brand-name Wellbutrin IR is no longer available. The medication is only available as bupropion IR. But since the brand name Wellbutrin is well known, we’ll use that name throughout the article.

1. When to take Wellbutrin depends on what product you’re taking 

Can you take Wellbutrin at night, or is it better to take it in the morning? It depends on what product you’re taking.

Wellbutrin IR is typically taken three times a day, and Wellbutrin SR is typically taken twice daily. So, if you’re taking one of these forms, you may take your medication in the morning and evening. However, Wellbutrin XL is taken only once daily.

If you’re taking Wellbutrin IR, space your doses by at least 6 hours. This lowers the risk of having too much of the medication in your system, which increases your risk of side effects. If you’re taking Wellbutrin SR, separate your doses by at least 8 hours.

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Trouble sleeping is a common Wellbutrin side effect. If you have trouble sleeping, try to avoid taking your last dose of the day too close to bedtime. This may be challenging if you take three doses a day, but taking your first dose of the day as soon as you wake up can help. If you’re prescribed Wellbutrin XL, take your dose in the morning, as well.

2. You can take Wellbutrin with or without food, but taking it with food may help prevent nausea

All Wellbutrin products can be taken with or without food. But nausea is a common side effect of the medication. If you experience nausea, try taking Wellbutrin with food. But avoid fatty, fried, or spicy foods, since these foods can make nausea worse.

3. You can take Wellbutrin with other medications

Generally, you don’t have to worry about taking Wellbutrin at the same time as other medications. While drug interactions are possible, they can occur regardless of when you take your medications. 

Wellbutrin can interact with other antidepressants, including:

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like nortriptyline

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like selegiline

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa) 

• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine (Cymbalta)

While this is not a full list, other medications Wellbutrin can interact with are:

• Antipsychotics like aripiprazole (Abilify)

• Heart rhythm medications like propafenone 

• Medications that raise your risk of seizures, such as tramadol

• Medications that raise dopamine levels, such as carbidopa / levodopa (Sinemet)

Additionally, Wellbutrin can interact with alcohol. This combination can cause dizzines and difficulty concentrating, and it can increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts. So avoiding alcohol while you’re taking Wellbutrin is the safest option. 

It’s a good idea to give your healthcare provider and pharmacist a current list of all the medications, supplements, and herbal products you take. This list can help them check for potential Wellbutrin interactions.

4. If you miss a dose of Wellbutrin, you should skip the missed dose

If you miss a dose of Wellbutrin, skip the missed dose. Then, take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Taking doses too close together can raise the risk of side effects, including seizures.

Most people won’t notice any side effects from missing a dose of Wellbutrin. But missing multiple doses can cause side effects, including antidepressant withdrawal (known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome). The symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal may include:

• Headache

• Upset stomach and nausea

• Tiredness

• Muscle aches

• Anxiety

• Irritation

If you miss multiple Wellbutrin doses in a row, contact your healthcare provider. And if you’re regularly having trouble remembering to take your Wellbutrin, consider putting written reminders in places you can see them or adding your medication schedule to the calendar on your phone. There are also a few medication reminder apps you can try if you have a smartphone.

5. You should know about the side effects Wellbutrin may cause

Like most medications, Wellbutrin can cause side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience side effects that are affecting your quality of life. Your provider may recommend lowering your dose of Wellbutrin or switching to another antidepressant. 

Some of the most common Wellbutrin side effects include:

• Tremors

• Anxiety

• Headache

• Nausea

• Trouble sleeping

• Dizziness

• Dry mouth

• Constipation

• Sweating more than usual

• High blood pressure

In rare cases, Wellbutrin can cause more serious side effects. These include:

• Seizures

• Suicidal thoughts or actions

• Extreme changes to energy levels, including periods of very high energy for people with bipolar disorder (mania)

If you experience any of these serious side effects, reach out to your healthcare provider immediately. If the side effects are severe, like difficulty breathing or having seizures, seek emergency care or call 911. This also applies if you experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including unusual swelling or difficulty breathing. 

How to save on Wellbutrin

All Wellbutrin products are available as lower-cost generic medications. GoodRx may be able to help you save over 80% off the average retail price of the generic version of Wellbutrin products. With a free GoodRx coupon:

• Generic Wellbutrin IR may be as low as $16.20 for 90 tablets.

• Generic Wellbutrin SR may be as low as $9.30 for 60 tablets.

• Generic Wellbutrin XL may be as low as $7.29 for 30 tablets.

And if you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $5 for a 30-day supply of brand-name Wellbutrin XL using a manufacturer savings program.

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Written by:

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP, has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist, professor, and researcher. She was a full-time clinical professor in the pharmacy practice department at D’Youville School of Pharmacy before subsequently joining the faculty of the pharmacy practice department at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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