13 Wellbutrin Side Effects to Know About — and How to Manage Them

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant medication used to treat depression. The active ingredient in Wellbutrin, bupropion, is available in a few different orals forms, including immediate-release (IR), sustained-release (Wellbutrin SR), and extended-release (Wellbutrin XL, Forfivo XL) tablets. The extended-release tablets are also approved to prevent seasonal affective disorder.

Wellbutrin works well for some people. It’s also less likely to cause sexual problems, sleepiness, and weight gain compared to some other antidepressants. But it can cause other side effects.

Wellbutrin side effects at a glance

Wellbutrin side effects are usually mild and improve after your body gets used to the medication. Examples include:

• Tremors

• Mood changes, including agitation

• Trouble sleeping

• Fast heartbeat

• Nausea

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Increased sweating

• Dry mouth

• Weight loss

More severe side effects can also occur. These are rare, but they’re still possible. Examples include:

• Seizures

• High blood pressure

• Severe mental health changes like confusion, hallucinations, and aggression

• Eye problems, like angle-closure glaucoma

• Suicidal thoughts or behavior

Here’s an in-depth look at 13 Wellbutrin side effects that are worth knowing about.

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1. Tremors

Tremors, or shakiness, are a possible Wellbutrin side effect. It’s much more common with the IR tablets than long-acting products.

Tremors often show up as a shakiness in your hands and arms. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience this side effect. You may need a lower Wellbutrin dose or to switch to another antidepressant.

2. Agitation, mania, and other unusual behaviors

Wellbutrin can make you feel more agitated, anxious, and irritable. These mood changes may be more common with IR tablets than with the SR or XL tablets.

Wellbutrin may also trigger a manic or hypomanic episode in certain people. A manic episode is an extreme change in mood where you experience racing thoughts and excessively high energy levels for at least 7 days. A hypomanic episode is a milder form of this. This risk tends to be higher in people with bipolar disorder or who have risk factors for bipolar disorder (like family history).

In rare cases, Wellbutrin can cause more severe psychiatric symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, and confusion. The risk may be higher if you’re taking Wellbutrin to help you quit smoking.

Let your healthcare provider know right away if you’re experiencing unusual thoughts or behaviors during Wellbutrin treatment. They may lower your Wellbutrin dose or have you switch to another antidepressant altogether.

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3. Dry mouth

Many antidepressants can cause dry mouth. This is also one of the most common Wellbutrin side effects. And it’s more likely if you take higher doses.

Dry mouth can lead to discomfort and altered taste sensations. Some helpful tips to improve dry mouth symptoms include:

• Drink plenty of water.

• Chew sugarless gum.

• Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages (such as coffee, tea, and some sodas).

• Avoid eating spicy foods.

• Avoid tobacco and alcohol.

If these tips don’t help, talk to your healthcare provider about managing your dry mouth. They may recommend trying saliva substitutes, reducing your Wellbutrin dosage, or switching to another antidepressant.

4. Constipation

Constipation is a common Wellbutrin side effect. The risk may be higher if you take Wellbutrin with other medications that can cause constipation, including opioids and iron supplements. Simple ways to manage constipation include drinking enough water, adding fiber to your diet, and exercising routinely.

If this doesn’t work, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about trying an over-the-counter (OTC) laxative or stool softener, like docusate (Colace).

5. Increased sweating

Wellbutrin is one of many antidepressants that can cause you to sweat more than usual. It’s more common with Wellbutrin IR than Wellbutrin SR or Wellbutrin XR.

While it’s not physically harmful, heavy sweating can impact your social life and affect your mental health. If you’re bothered by sweating while taking Wellbutrin, let your healthcare provider know. They can discuss which antidepressants may be less likely to cause this side effect. But don’t stop taking Wellbutrin without talking to them first. This can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms or the return of depression symptoms.

6. Dizziness

Wellbutrin can make you feel dizzy. So when you first start taking it, it’s a good idea to avoid activities that require alertness. This includes driving. Once you see how Wellbutrin affects you, you’ll be able to decide if you can do these activities safely.

If you’re feeling dizzy after taking Wellbutrin, make sure you’re moving around carefully. Move slowly when switching positions (like going from sitting to standing). If your dizziness is getting worse or not improving, let your healthcare provider know. This may be a sign that something else is going on.

Good to know: Wellbutrin can cause blurry vision, too. This can also make it dangerous to engage in daily activities like driving. If you experience blurry vision, let your provider know. You may need to switch to another antidepressant.

7. Sleeping problems

Wellbutrin works by affecting the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine. This can cause sleeping problems (insomnia). In fact, it’s one of the most likely antidepressants to cause insomnia. This tends to happen more often in people taking higher doses.

Compared to other Wellbutrin formulations, Wellbutrin XL may be a good option if you’re experiencing insomnia. Taking your dose in the morning can help lessen the stimulating effects when you’re trying to go to sleep at night. 

You can also try to set up good sleep habits, like making your room dark when you sleep and avoiding caffeine at least 6 hours before you sleep. But if you continue to experience insomnia, let your healthcare provider know.

8. Loss of appetite and weight loss

Wellbutrin can cause weight loss. This effect may be more likely in people who are considered overweight or obese. Wellbutrin is even part of a weight-loss drug called Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion).

Weight gain is also possible with Wellbutrin, but it’s not as common. In fact, Wellbutrin is one of the least likely antidepressants to cause weight gain. So it may be a good option if this is a concern of yours.

If you notice significant weight changes while you’re taking Wellbutrin, let your healthcare provider know. They’ll probably want to explore whether Wellbutrin is the cause or if something else in your life has changed, including your diet or exercise habits.

Keep in mind: Weight or appetite changes are also common symptoms of depression. So if you’re experiencing weight loss or weight gain after starting Wellbutrin, it may be hard to tell if it’s a side effect of Wellbutrin or a symptom of depression.

9. Nausea and vomiting

You may experience nausea from Wellbutrin. But this tends to improve over time for most people.

Taking Wellbutrin with food can help decrease nausea. Staying hydrated, avoiding fatty and spicy foods, and eating smaller but more frequent meals may also help.

Talk to your healthcare provider if your nausea persists or gets worse. And if you have any vomiting from Wellbutrin, let your provider know right away. Vomiting is less common than nausea, but it can happen.

10. Headache

Headaches can happen with Wellbutrin. Migraines can happen, too. But they’re less common.

Headaches were one of the most commonly reported Wellbutrin side effects in clinical trials. But headaches were almost as common in people taking a placebo (a pill without any medication in it).

Headaches from Wellbutrin generally improve over time as your body adjusts to the new medication. Taking OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may help. But these might not be safe for everyone to take, so you should check with your healthcare provider first. And let them know if your headaches don’t go away or get worse.

11. Seizures

Wellbutrin may lower the seizure threshold. This means that it can increase your risk of having a seizure. The risk is greater with higher doses. So your healthcare provider will typically start you on a lower dose and gradually raise it over time.

Due to Wellbutrin’s seizure risk, some people should avoid taking it altogether. This includes people with an existing seizure disorder or a history of an eating disorder. So make sure your healthcare provider knows your full medical history before starting Wellbutrin. 

You should also make sure your provider and pharmacist have a list of all the medications you take. They can check to see if you take other medications that lower the seizure threshold. Taking multiple medications that increase your likelihood of having seizures can be dangerous.

Good to know: People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol or stop drinking suddenly while taking Wellbutrin have a higher risk of seizures. So it’s best to minimize or avoid alcohol while taking Wellbutrin.

12. High blood pressure

Wellbutrin may cause high blood pressure. This is an uncommon side effect, but your risk is increased with higher doses or if you already have high blood pressure. Studies have also shown that the risk is greater if you’re using a nicotine patch along with a bupropion product. This is common in people trying to quit smoking.

Your healthcare provider may monitor your blood pressure before you start Wellbutrin and periodically during treatment. And if you have signs of high blood pressure, like headache and tiredness, let your provider know.

Good to know: Some medications shouldn’t be taken with Wellbutrin since the combination may cause dangerously high blood pressure. These medications include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), linezolid (Zyvox), or methylene blue.

13. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Studies have shown a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people under 25 years old taking antidepressants. So the FDA requires all antidepressants, including Wellbutrin, to have a warning about this in the product information.

Wellbutrin is only approved for use in adults ages 18 and older. But everyone taking it should watch for changes in mood and behavior. This is particularly important when starting the medication and after dosage changes. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you notice your depression getting worse or if you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts. 

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone, and help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

When should you contact your healthcare provider about Wellbutrin side effects?

As mentioned above, there are a few serious side effects that warrant a discussion with your healthcare provider. In some cases, they may lower your dose or have you stop taking the medication. Other situations, like allergic reactions, require immediate medical attention.

Common side effects, like headache and nausea, usually improve over time. But if they continue or worsen, let your healthcare provider know.

Notify your healthcare provider right away if your mood or behavior suddenly changes or if your depression symptoms get worse at any point. They may switch you to a different medication if Wellbutrin isn’t helping to improve your symptoms.

Why trust our experts?

Written 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:

Daphne Berryhill, RPh

Daphne Berryhill, RPh, has two decades of experience as a clinical pharmacist. She spent most of her career in the Chicago area practicing in-home infusion.

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