• Anxiety
• Depression

Your Guide to Wellbutrin Dosage: Strengths, Uses, and Best Practices

Whether you’ve recently started using Wellbutrin or are adjusting your existing dosage, it can be confusing to make sense of all the formulations. 

Understanding the medication’s strengths and usage guidelines can make a big difference in achieving effective results and minimizing side effects.

This article covers recommended Wellbutrin doses, forms, and factors that could impact your dose long-term.

What is Wellbutrin and How Does it Work?  

Wellbutrin is an FDA-approved medication used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 

In some cases, Wellbutrin may be prescribed off-label for anxiety disorders, antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction, bipolar disorder, and smoking cessation. 

It’s often referred to by its generic name — bupropion hydrochloride — and belongs to a class of antidepressants known as norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs). 

Wellbutrin is designed to improve mood and energy levels by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain. 

By stopping these chemicals from being absorbed too quickly, they can stay active in the brain longer, leading to mood stabilization and a greater sense of well-being. 

This makes Wellbutrin especially helpful for people who experience low energy or lack of motivation as part of their depression.

What are the Different Forms of Wellbutrin, and How Do They Affect Dosage Frequency? 

Wellbutrin is available in three main forms, each designed to release the medication into your body at a different rate. 

The type of formulation your doctor prescribes will influence how often you take Wellbutrin and the specific dosage. 

Immediate-release (IR) 

This form of Wellbutrin dissolves quickly, meaning the medication starts working soon after you take it. Since IR tablets get processed by the body faster, the effects only last a few hours. 

IR Wellbutrin is typically taken two or three times daily to maintain steady levels of the medication in your system. 

Sustained-release (SR) 

These tablets release Wellbutrin gradually, allowing the medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream at a slower rate.

The effects of Wellbutrin sustained-release tablets are designed to last longer, which means it typically only needs to be taken twice a day. 

Extended-release (XL)

This version of Wellbutrin has the slowest release and is intended to stay in the body for a full 24 hours — meaning it only needs to be taken once daily to provide all-day effects. 

What Dosage of Wellbutrin is Typically Prescribed? 

If you’re prescribed Wellbutrin, your doctor will generally start you on a lower dose to minimize potential side effects. 

Over time, your healthcare provider will likely increase the Wellbutrin dosage to find the amount that works best for your symptoms, as it can take a few weeks to feel the full effects.

It’s important to note that the dosages below are commonly recommended for these conditions, but always follow the exact dose your doctor prescribes to suit your individual needs. 

Dosage for MDD 

Wellbutrin SR and XL are often prescribed for MDD because they provide more consistent symptom relief compared to IR tablets, which dissolve quickly and tend to wear off sooner. 

Each formulation of Wellbutrin has recommended dosage guidelines for this condition:

Sustained-release Wellbutrin

The typical starting dose is 150 mg once per day. Your doctor may increase it to 150 mg twice daily — taken at least eight hours apart — if your body adjusts to the medication effectively. 

If your symptoms do not improve, the dose may be increased to 200 mg twice daily, with 400 mg being the maximum recommended amount for SR Wellbutrin. 

Extended-release Wellbutrin 

Most people begin with 150 mg once per day — usually taken in the morning. If this initial dose is well-tolerated, your doctor may increase it to 300 mg once daily. 

This is also the typical long-term dose for managing MDD. In some cases, your doctor may increase the maximum dose up to 450 mg, but only under close medical supervision. 

Dosage for seasonal affective disorder

Extended-release Wellbutrin is the only formulation approved to prevent seasonal affective disorder. 

If you’re prescribed Wellbutrin for SAD, you will generally start taking the medication before you begin experiencing symptoms. 

The starting dose for SAD prevention is 150 mg once daily and taken in the morning. 

Your healthcare provider may increase your maximum dosage to 300 mg once daily after a few days if you tolerate the medication well. 

Since seasonal affective disorder is tied to specific times of the year, your doctor may gradually start decreasing your dosage as spring approaches to prevent withdrawal effects. 

Can Wellbutrin Be Used Long Term?

Whether Wellbutrin is used short or long-term depends on the condition being treated and your individual response to the medication. 

Here’s a closer look at how long Wellbutrin is usually prescribed for different conditions: 

• Major depressive disorder: Wellbutrin SR and XL are often prescribed as long-term treatments for MDD. Many people with MDD use Wellbutrin as part of an extended treatment plan — sometimes for several years — if they experience consistent symptom relief with minimal adverse effects. 

• Seasonal affective disorder: Wellbutrin XL is used as a short-term treatment for SAD, starting in early autumn (when symptoms are most likely to occur) and continuing into early spring. The medication is then gradually tapered off as symptoms begin improving with seasonal changes. 

Deciding to continue using Wellbutrin long-term should always involve regular check-ins with your doctor. 

This will allow them to monitor the medication’s effectiveness and adjust the dosage to ensure it continues to manage your symptoms. 

It’s also important not to stop taking your Wellbutrin tablets without speaking to your doctor first. 

This will ensure that stopping the medication doesn’t negatively affect your mental health, causing withdrawal symptoms and uncomfortable mood changes. 

Are There Any Health Conditions that Can Affect Wellbutrin Dosage? 

As mentioned earlier, your Wellbutrin dosage will depend on the type of mental health condition your healthcare provider is managing and the formulation of the medication you’re prescribed. 

However, certain health conditions will influence your dosage because they can impact how Wellbutrin is processed in the body. 

If you have any of the health conditions listed below, inform your doctor before starting Wellbutrin. They might suggest a different treatment or adjust your dose to minimize potential risks.

Kidney and liver issues 

Both of these organs play an important role in processing Wellbutrin. 

If either the kidneys or liver are not functioning optimally to metabolize the medication, it may lead to excessive concentrations of it in the body — resulting in adverse health effects.  

In these instances, doctors will prescribe a lower dosage of Wellbutrin or extend dosing intervals to give both organs more time to process the medication and minimize the risk of side effects. 

Seizure disorders

Wellbutrin has been known to increase the risk of seizures, especially at higher dosages. 

Individuals with a history of seizure disorders like epilepsy are prescribed Wellbutrin with extreme caution — starting with the lowest possible dose. 

If the risk of seizures is too high, your doctor will recommend an alternative medication that is more suited to your condition. 

Cardiovascular conditions

Hypertension — also known as high blood pressure — and heart disease will also impact Wellbutrin dosing. 

The medication has a mild stimulating effect, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. 

If you have any pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, doctors may prescribe a lower Wellbutrin dose and monitor your blood pressure and heart rate closely. This is to keep track of any significant changes and prevent potential strain on the heart. 

What Usage Guidelines Should I Follow When Taking Wellbutrin?

To ensure Wellbutrin works safely and effectively, it’s important to be aware of the guidelines below for managing doses, avoiding interactions, and staying on track with your treatment. 

Handling missed doses 

If you forget to take a dose of Wellbutrin, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and stick to your regular schedule.

Ensure that there are at least eight hours between doses to avoid taking too much Wellbutrin at once, and don’t double up on doses to make up for a missed one. 

Avoiding overdose risks 

Taking more Wellbutrin than your doctor prescribed can lead to serious side effects, including: 

• Hallucinations

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

• Seizures

• Fever 

• Loss of consciousness 

To avoid an accidental overdose, always stick to the exact dose and schedule provided by your healthcare provider. 

If you develop severe symptoms, call 911 — or your local emergency number — or go to the nearest emergency room.  

Drug interactions 

Before you start using Wellbutrin, let your doctor know about any other medications you use, as some can interact with the drug and affect your dosage. 

For example, combining Wellbutrin with other antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants, and beta-blockers can increase your risk of adverse side effects. 

Your healthcare provider will consider your use of these medications and may adjust your Wellbutrin dosage to keep it safe and effective. 

Where Can I Learn More About Wellbutrin and Similar Medications?

If you’re looking for support with depression, anxiety, or medication management, LifeMD can help. 

We can connect you with a team of healthcare professionals who can provide expert advice, personalized treatment, and medication options. 

Make an online appointment today and take control of your health.

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