Can Wellbutrin make you tired? 

Can Wellbutrin make you tired? 

Wellbutrin (Bupropion) does not generally cause tiredness or fatigue and it is not listed as a common side effect of this antidepressant. In fact, Wellbutrin is known as the best antidepressant for energy and motivation as it increases your mental alertness and spikes your energy levels. 

However, it may cause tiredness in very few people and only during the early course of their treatment. With time as the body adjusts to the medication, these side effects begin to go away. In general, Wellbutrin increases energy levels when it starts working.

What to do if Wellbutrin is making you tired? 

You can try a few things if you think Wellbutrin is decreasing your energy levels. These are:

Talk to your healthcare provider 

It’s best to talk to your healthcare provider if you think Wellbutrin is making you feel tired or sleepy. Although it is highly unlikely for Wellbutrin to cause such a side effect, it could affect a few people. 

Your doctor will determine the best possible way to prevent this side effect and will make sure whether or not Wellbutrin is the best choice of antidepressant for you. 

Try taking your Wellbutrin at nighttime

If you think Wellbutrin is causing fatigue as a side effect, try taking it before bedtime. Although Wellbutrin can cause insomnia in some people because of the stimulatory effects it has, taking it at bedtime may help you deal with the tiredness it causes. 

If you find nighttime to be the best time to take your antidepressant, you can continue taking it that way. However, it’s still best to ask your healthcare provider before switching the timing. 

Avoid activities that require your full mental alertness 

If you think Wellbutrin is making you tired, it’s best to avoid any activity that requires your full mental alertness, like driving or operating heavy machinery. 

If you’re new to Wellbutrin, I would suggest not taking Wellbutrin in the morning before going to work or anything until you are not sure how the medication makes you feel. 

Make sure you’re not taking any other medication concomitantly with Wellbutrin 

If you’re taking any other medication along with Wellbutrin that may counteract the stimulatory effects of your antidepressant and cause sedation instead, you may not feel the full effects of Wellbutrin. 

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have other prescription medications to make sure they are compatible with Wellbutrin. 

It is also important to limit the use of alcohol while you’re being treated with Wellbutrin or any other antidepressant. Alcohol is a depressant and can interact with antidepressants. 

Additional side effects of Wellbutrin

Wellbutrin is also associated with some additional side effects, including:

  • nausea
  • sore throat
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth – which can lead to bad breath
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • constipation
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • excessive sweating – which can lead to bad body odor
  • ringing in the ears/tinnitus
  • changes in your sense of taste
  • frequent urination
  • uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • anxiety
  • excitement
  • headache
  • drowsiness

Some rare and potentially serious side effects include:

Make sure to keep a close eye on your side effects and report them to your healthcare provider. Wellbutrin may worsen mania or psychosis, and cause symptoms like paranoia, anger outbursts, skin picking, etc.

Wellbutrin can not help with psychosis or some other conditions like OCD. So, make sure you are taking Wellbutrin for the right reasons.

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References

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MedlinePlus. Alprazolam [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Apr 15; cited 2023 Jan 3]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601054.html.

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