Wellbutrin may be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. Take doses at regularly scheduled times each day. Do not take more or less Wellbutrin than prescribed and follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Taking more than the recommended dose of Wellbutrin (bupropion) will increase your risk of having a seizure. Do not stop taking Wellbutrin without notifying your doctor. Since Wellbutrin may cause sleeplessness at first, it is best not to take this near bedtime. It may take 4 weeks or more before the full effects of Wellbutrin are noticed.

Before taking Wellbutrin (bupropion), tell your doctor if you have: history of seizures or head injury or brain tumor, heart disease, liver or kidney disease, eating disorder, diabetes, alcohol dependence, any allergies, the intent to quit smoking. Because of the possibility Wellbutrin will make you dizzy and affect coordination, do not drive or operate machinery until you get used to the drug's effects. Limit or avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages; alcohol can increase your risk of seizures. Chronic alcohol users who suddenly stop the intake of alcohol while taking Wellbutrin (bupropion) may increase the risk of having seizures. Suddenly stopping certain tranquilizers (e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide) is not recommended because doing so may increase the risk of having seizures. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of Wellbutrin. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Wellbutrin is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Wellbutrin is generally well tolerated. Dry mouth, headache, increased sweating, nausea/vomiting, constipation, anxiety, fatigue and blurred vision may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Report promptly: unusual weight loss or gain, palpitations, agitation, trouble sleeping. Unlikely but report promptly: tremor, dizziness, fainting, mood changes, slowed movements, difficulty urinating, decreased sex drive, drowsiness. Very unlikely but report promptly: seizures, mental problems, fever, muscle aches, yellowing of the eyes or skin. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to Wellbutrin, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms may include trouble breathing, rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Before taking Wellbutrin (bupropion) tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medications you may use especially: MAO inhibitors (e.g., isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, pargyline, selegiline, linezolid, furazolidone), levodopa, ritonavir, corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone), sedatives, adrenaline-like stimulants (e.g., ephedrine), products containing nicotine (e.g., patches or gum). Also report use of drugs which might increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) such as: phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), isoniazid (INH), theophylline. Excess caffeine intake can increase the chance of seizures with this drug. Check all nonprescription/prescription drug labels for caffeine. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. A certain product used to help quit smoking contains Wellbutrin (bupropion). Do not take that product while using Wellbutrin. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

If overdose of Wellbutrin is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of Wellbutrin overdose may include seizures, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, and loss of consciousness.

Take any missed dose of Wellbutrin as soon as possible but not if it is within 4 hours of the next dose. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose of Wellbutrin.

More Anti-Depressants

Celexa is a drug that was released by the Forest Pharmaceuticals corporation aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Celexa on July 17, 1998. Celexa is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells. The effects of this medication can usually be seen in two to three weeks, though some patients may require four or more weeks to feel better.

Lexapro [escitalopram] is an antidepressant that works by boosting levels of serotonin, one of the chief chemical messengers in the brain. The drug is a close chemical cousin of the antidepressant medication Celexa. Other antidepressants that work by raising serotonin levels include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.

Luvox is the brand name for Fluvoxamine, an antidepressant and antiobsessional drug. Luvox is a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). It is often prescribed for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This drug is used to relieve anxiety and unpleasant thoughts that cause a person to repeat certain tasks.

Paxil (Paroxetine) is an antidepressant used to treat major depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and generalized anxiety disorder.

Prozac is an antidepressant often prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity.

Remeron is a medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in June 1997. Remeron was the first drug in a new class of antidepressants with a unique ability to target specific serotonin receptors. Along with its efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe depression, Remeron has proven to be effective for treating anxiety, motor retardation, and cognitive and sleep disturbances associated with depression.

Wellbutrin is a relatively new antidepressant medication and is prescribed to help relieve certain kinds of major depression. As with other antidepressants, it is unknown exactly how Wellbutrin works. Scientists believe that Wellbutrin treats depression by affecting two chemicals in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. These are two of the chemicals that are believed to help regulate your mood.

Zoloft is an antidepressant drug that was released by the Pfizer corporation in 1991 which aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Zoloft in October of 1997. Zoloft is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells.