Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant medication that works in the brain). It is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in adults. It is also used to help people stop smoking.

Wellbutrin may also be helpful when prescribed “off-label” for bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sexual dysfunction due to SSRI antidepressants). “Off-label” means that it hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this condition. Your mental health provider should justify his or her thinking in recommending an “off-label” treatment).

After starting Wellbutrin, symptoms gradually decrease over a period of weeks. In MDD and SAD, sleep and other physical symptoms may improve before there is noticeable improvement in mood or interest in activities. Once symptoms are under control, MDD usually requires long-term treatment to help prevent the return of depressive symptoms. If you are using Wellbutrin for SAD or smoking cessation, the length of your treatment may be shorter).

It is important to note that Wellbutrin should not be taken with or within two weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) ). These include phenelzine (Nardil®), tranycypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), and selegiline (Emsam®). Additionally, Wellbutrin may interact with other medications, so it is important to notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medications).

The dosage and administration of Wellbutrin depend on the form of the medication. The regular tablet (Wellbutrin) is usually taken three times a day, with doses at least 6 hours apart, or four times a day, with doses at least 4 hours apart. The sustained-release tablet (Wellbutrin SR, Zyban) is usually taken twice a day, with doses at least 8 hours apart. The extended-release tablet (Aplenzin, Wellbutrin XL) is usually taken once daily in the morning.