Does sweating from Wellbutrin go away? 

In this brief article, we are going to answer the question “Does sweating from Wellbutrin go away?”, as well as some other topics related to this subject.

Does sweating from Wellbutrin go away? 

Yes, sweating caused by Wellbutrin starts to diminish within a few days or weeks, as your body adjusts to the medication. Sweating is a common side effect of Wellbutrin and other antidepressants. It may affect some people more severely than others (1,5). 

If episodes of excessive sweating persist, consider reporting it to your healthcare provider so they can address treatment for the symptoms.

What does research say about Wellbutrin-induced sweating?

Research reports that excessive sweating has been associated with antidepressants including Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (2). 

Studies showed approximately 10% of patients on SSRIs may develop excessive sweating (2).

Most patients who experience increased sweating while taking an antidepressant do not require a change in therapy (1). 

However, there have been case reports of antidepressant-induced sweating requiring intervention that includes dose reduction, therapeutic substitution, addition of a pharmacologic agent to treat the symptom, and discontinuation of antidepressant therapy (1). 

However, in some cases, sweating can be more severe and may lead to discomfort or embarrassment.

Adrenergic actions of antidepressants are implicated in causing antidepressant-induced excessive sweating (ADIES), with antidepressants like venlafaxine and bupropion having a higher propensity. This means that these medications can increase sweating in some individuals (5).

What to do if Wellbutrin causes sweating? 

If Wellbutrin is causing uncomfortable sweating it’s better talk to your healthcare provider. Although this side effect begins to subside on its own with time as your body adjusts to the medication, some people may not recover that quickly (1,5). 

If Wellbutrin causes significant sweating, your doctor may consider dose reduction, especially if you’re new to the medication.  This approach allows your body to adapt and enables a gradual increase in dosage.  As you gradually adjust to the medication, this indicates that Wellbutrin is working and your body is accepting it while recovering from the side effects (2,4,5)However, in case of severe sweating, your doctor may prescribe you medications like Terazosin, Benztropine, or Glycopyrrolate to control your sweating (3,4,5). Make sure you don’t use any medication with Wellbutrin without talking to your doctor first. 

Conclusions

‌As mentioned previously, sweating induced by Wellbutrin typically resolves within a few days or weeks for the majority of patients. However, if excessive sweating persists and takes longer to subside, we also discussed the appropriate course of action.

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References

1.-

Marcy TR, Britton ML. Antidepressant-Induced Sweating. Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2005 Apr;39(4):748–52.

2.-

Wang SM, Han C, Bahk WM, Lee SJ, Patkar AA, Masand PS, et al. Addressing the Side Effects of Contemporary Antidepressant Drugs: A Comprehensive Review. Chonnam Medical Journal. 2018;54(2):101.

3.-

Mago R, Monti D, Jindal S, Gonzalez G. Antidepressant-induced excessive sweating: clinical features and treatment with terazosin. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2013 May;25(2):127-33.

4.-

Lee HH, Kim DW. Efficacy of glycopyrrolate in primary hyperhidrosis patients. Ann Dermatol. 2012 Nov;24(4):419-22.

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