Life

Does Wellbutrin Cause Weight Gain Or Loss In Women? What You Need To Know.

February 18, 2023

The medicine Wellbutrin, also marketed under the names Wellbutrin XL, SR, and IR, is used to treat major depressive disorder. Wellbutrin is additionally prescribed to treat nicotine addiction symptoms. In the United States, 5 million patients used Wellbutrin in 2018. We’ll talk about “Does Wellbutrin Cause Weight Gain Or Loss In Women?” in this blog post.

Moreover, alterations in a patient’s body mass are thought to be the cause of one of this medication’s negative effects. Although the primary side effect of this medication is weight loss, some patients may experience weight gain while using Wellbutrin. The association between Wellbutrin and weight gain, loss, and its safety as a diet drug will be discussed in this article.

What Is Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is the brand name for the norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor drug Wellbutrin, which is used to treat depression (NDRI).

Simply said, this lengthy word refers to medications that raise the brain’s concentrations of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.

Its growth might lessen depressive symptoms in the long run.

Wellbutrin uses

The most common conditions for which wellbutrin is given are major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Doctors often recommend it to patients who are trying to give up smoking in order to lessen their cravings for nicotine.

Wellbutrin has other off-label uses that include:

ADHD
Eating disorders
Bipolar disorder

How Wellbutrin works?

The way that Wellbutrin works is by raising the brain’s dopamine and norepinephrine levels.

Wellbutrin may aid with mood improvement and other depressed symptoms since low levels of these neurotransmitters are linked to depressive symptoms.

People who use Wellbutrin for depression often don’t start to feel significantly better for a few weeks to a few months.

Common Wellbutrin Side Effects

In comparison to other antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Wellbutrin often has lower adverse effects (SSRIs).

As your body gets used to the medication, side symptoms also usually get better.

Typical negative effects of Wellbutrin include:

Constipation
Insomnia
Dry mouth
Nausea
Headache
Dizziness
Rapid pulse
Sore throat

If you experience any new or worsening adverse effects while taking Wellbutrin, let your doctor know.

Does Wellbutrin Cause Weight Gain Or Loss In Women?

Patients with obesity disorders saw body mass loss while taking Wellbutrin, according to studies based on clinical observation. However keep in mind that Does Wellbutrin Cause Weight Gain or loss is only a side effect of the medication’s therapy. This occurs because an elevated dopamine and norepinephrine level in the brain, especially in obese people, may reduce appetite. This is conceivable because, for example, a patient who smokes heavily or has depression might be consuming too much food or drink while taking Wellbutrin as a result of these conditions.

How Fast Does Wellbutrin Cause Weight Gain or Loss?

According to a preliminary study by North Carolina doctors comparing the effectiveness of Wellbutrin and a placebo pill in causing body mass loss, the former is actually more successful than the latter in this regard. Obese adult women who started taking Wellbutrin 8 weeks ago reported weight loss compared to those who took a placebo, who showed no changes.

According to a study done by several specialists in the US, individuals using Wellbutrin SR 300 mg and 400 mg lost 7.2% and 10%, respectively, of their body mass. Yet, the same study also showed that Wellbutrin XL weight loss was feasible. Individuals on Wellbutrin XL reported that during the first week of treatment, they had lost about 5% of their body mass.

Does Wellbutrin Cause Weight Gain?

For those who are curious, the answer to the question is yes. Indeed, it is the answer. Wellbutrin weight gain is conceivable but extremely uncommon, in contrast to Wellbutrin weight loss, which is highly common. The XL version of Wellbutrin was introduced by the FDA in 2003, and it was noted in this announcement that there is a very low chance that this medication could cause weight gain or sexual side effects. Patients with depression and anxiety disorders have a wide range of symptoms, much like the causes of their body mass loss.

Having stated that, it is crucial to realize that different people experience and suffer from sadness, anxiety, and quitting smoking in different ways. During experiencing an episode, some individuals may be more likely to consume more, which could result in body mass gain, while others might not eat at all, which may cause body mass loss.

Dealing With Changes In Weight While On Wellbutrin

In fact, Wellbutrin is associated with changes in body mass, and in order to deal with this, a patient should be aware of how the medicine affects them personally: Will it be okay if the patient loses weight while taking Wellbutrin XL? The following health advice may be taken into account if the patient has concerns about the link between Wellbutrin and weight reduction while taking Wellbutrin:

Protein smoothies – Protein smoothies are a simple and healthful way to snack while gaining lean body mass.
Carbohydrates – Consuming carbohydrates like rice is a wise choice for patients looking to develop muscle mass.
Nuts and peanut butter – Both nuts and peanut butter are calorie-dense meals that are simple to prepare and eat.
Red meat, salmon, and oily fish – Red meat, salmon, and oily fish are all great sources of protein and should be consumed in moderation if one wants to increase muscle growth.

Although some patients may tolerate losing body mass, it is crucial to conduct mass monitoring to ensure that this medicine does not have an adverse impact on the immune system or general health.

Taking Wellbutrin For Weight Gain or Loss

Some have decided to use Wellbutrin with the intention of either gaining mass or reducing body mass because of the drug’s widespread appeal and its mass-altering effects. This is so that regular meal intake is either entirely permitted or helps to reduce food cravings. Patients may benefit from using this drug to help them lose body mass, but if they stop taking it, it’s possible that they can start gaining weight again. This is so because Wellbutrin increases the brain’s reactivity to the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine.

If a medicine was taken to treat depressive symptoms and a loss of body mass was observed at that time, it does not necessarily follow that the medication should be avoided because of these consequences. This medicine may function as a tablet to reduce or raise body mass while a patient is taking it if they also have mental health disorders and weight concerns. Also, one should be aware that discontinuing Wellbutrin could have the reverse effect.

Is It Safe To Take Wellbutrin for Weight Gain or Loss?

Patients with anorexia, bulimia, or a history of seizures are not advised to take bupropion since it may increase their risk of seizures. The FDA states that this medicine may cause seizures, which may worsen the patient’s medical condition. The possibility of Bupropion-induced hypersexuality was raised in one study, but it was later determined that SSRIs, not Bupropion, are to blame. Does Wellbutrin increase your libido, then?

Moreover, it is possible to overdose on bupropion because taking more than the recommended amount each day can result in a patient having a deadly reaction. According to studies, a dosage might result in anything from hypoxia and convulsions to the patient’s death.

The drug and its substitutes, such as Zoloft vs. Wellbutrin, were developed to help treat depression, NOT for body weight growth or loss. Overall, patients with depression or anxiety may be able to safely take Wellbutrin as a diet tablet. It might not be safe to use it solely to change body mass. Individuals who desire to utilize this medication to acquire or lose mass are recommended to speak with a doctor and request a prescription for an appropriate body mass loss medication. Also, patients must be aware of any risks and side effects related to drug use, such as hair loss caused by bupropion.