Does Wellbutrin cause hives? 

Does Wellbutrin cause hives? 

No, Wellbutrin does not generally cause hives or other skin-related side effects. If you begin to notice hives on your skin right after taking your first Wellbutrin dose, this could be a sign of an allergic reaction to this antidepressant. 

A small number of individuals are allergic to Wellbutrin and they can’t really know until they actually take the medication. An allergic reaction is commonly associated with the following signs and symptoms: (1)

  • Skin rash, hives, itching, burning sensation, blue-purple patches, painful blisters, etc. 
  • Tightness of chest, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness, etc. 
  • Swelling of tongue, lips, face, eyes, or throat. 

What side effects are common with Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin, although it does not commonly cause hives, may cause some side effects. (2,3)

Common side effects

Serious and less commonly reported side effects

  • Seizures (particularly at higher doses)
  • Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness or difficulty breathing)
  • Mood changes (anxiety, anger, agitation, panic attacks)
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviours
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Irregular heartbeat or chest pain
  • Hallucinations or delusions
  • Renal side effects
  • Severe skin reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
  • Severe headache or blurred vision
  • Severe restlessness or trouble sleeping

Some Wellbutrin-induced side effects could be unusual or rarely reported. Some side effects may make you feel like you are ageing.

What to do if Wellbutrin causes hives? 

You should seek immediate medical attention if you observe hives or rash on your skin after taking Wellbutrin. Allergic reactions usually range from mild to severe and are easily distinguished because severe allergy causes breathing difficulties and swelling of the face and throat. 

Your hives could be unrelated to an allergy as people respond differently to medications, but it’s always best to talk to your doctor about them. If it’s just a side effect and you’re not allergic to Wellbutrin, it may subside on its own with time. 

You can also take antihistamines to manage hives, such as Benadryl, Claritin, etc. Medications like Benadryl can also be combined with Zantac for greater symptomatic relief (4).

However, if you’re allergic to Wellbutrin, your doctor will switch you to another antidepressant. Make sure you don’t make any changes to your prescription on your own. 

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References

1.-

Gutierrez N, Malik S, Cohen PR, Winn AE. Bupropion-Associated Delayed Onset Urticaria. Cureus. 2021 Sep 26;13(9):e18297. doi: 10.7759/cureus.18297. PMID: 34722072; PMCID: PMC8547370. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8547370/

2.-

Huecker MR, Smiley A, Saadabadi A. Bupropion. 2023 Apr 9. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29262173. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470212

3.-

Dhillon S, Yang LP, Curran MP. Bupropion: a review of its use in the management of major depressive disorder. Drugs. 2008;68(5):653-89. doi: 10.2165/00003495-200868050-00011. Erratum in: Drugs. 2008;68(7):980. PMID: 18370448. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18370448/

4.-

Fedorowicz Z, van Zuuren EJ, Hu N. Histamine H2-receptor antagonists for urticaria. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Mar 14;2012(3):CD008596. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008596.pub2. PMID: 22419335; PMCID: PMC7390502. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22419335/#:~:text=A%20combination%20of%20ranitidine%20with,CI)%201.07%20to%202.36).

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