Does Wellbutrin-induced joint pain go away?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Does Wellbutrin-induced joint pain go away?
Wellbutrin-induced joint pain as an early side effect does start to go away within a few weeks, as your body adjusts to the medication. Wellbutrin does not commonly cause joint or muscle pain, but every individual responds differently to this antidepressant.
Some people may experience joint pain in the early course of their treatment. This usually happens because Wellbutrin affects your brain, and your body may respond in a number of different ways as long as it’s trying to adjust.
Such side effects do fade away as your treatment continues and some changes like dose reduction can help you with the pain.
The incidence of joint pain with Wellbutrin
The incidence of joint pain as a side effect of Wellbutrin varies among individuals. It is not a common side effect, but some people may experience joint pain while taking the medication. (1,2)
While the exact mechanism by which Wellbutrin induces joint pain is not fully understood, research suggests that it may be related to the drug’s effects on the central nervous system and its impact on neurotransmitters.
Wellbutrin can affect the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which could potentially contribute to joint pain (3,4). However, it’s important to note that not everyone who takes Wellbutrin will experience this side effect, and the severity and duration of joint pain can vary.
Some other antidepressants that can be paired with Wellbutrin, like Venlafaxine, Escitalopram, etc can also cause joint pain. Just make sure you are not taking any two antidepressants together without a prescription.
What to do if Wellbutrin causes joint pain?
Wellbutrin-induced joint pain may begin to get better on its own within a few weeks, and it’s best to discuss this side effect with your healthcare provider. As I discussed in the previous section, some doctors may try dose reduction at first to help you with the pain.
Wellbutrin is generally considered a dehydrating antidepressant which may contribute to this side effect. In that case, drinking plenty of water can help you.
However, several surveys have revealed that Wellbutrin may cause unbearable joint and muscle pain in some people which may not get better as long as the treatment continues.
In such cases, people may discontinue the drug abruptly, which can lead to further complications depending on how long they have taken Wellbutrin.
Long-term users can suffer from disturbing consequences if they stop Wellbutrin cold turkey. This is why you should consult your doctor. You can also take OTC medications like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen to help with your joint pain.
If Wellbutrin is affecting your joints or causing your bones to become weak or nutrient deficient, your doctor will properly taper you off Wellbutrin to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Some tips to manage Wellbutrin-induced joint pain
Here are some helpful tips to manage joint pain potentially caused by Wellbutrin:
Some important tips to manage Wellbutrin-induced joint pain
Here are some important tips to manage Wellbutrin-induced joint pain:
- Apply heat or cold packs: Applying heat or cold packs to the affected joints can help reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief. Experiment with both methods to see which works best for you.
- Gentle exercise: Engaging in low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, or stretching can help alleviate joint pain. These activities promote flexibility, strengthen muscles, and reduce stiffness.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight can put additional stress on your joints, worsening joint pain. Focus on maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Pain management techniques: Explore non-medication pain management techniques, such as relaxation exercises, meditation, or acupuncture. These methods can help reduce stress and promote overall well-being.
- Monitor your pain: Keep track of the severity and duration of your joint pain. This information can help your doctor in assessing your condition and making any necessary adjustments to your medication.
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References
1.-
Ornetti P, Disson-Dautriche A, Muller G, Cherasse A, Tavernier C, Besancenot JF, Sgro C, Maillefert JF. Joint symptoms in patients on bupropion therapy. Joint Bone Spine. 2004 Nov;71(6):583-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2003.10.004. PMID: 15589445. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15589445/
2.-
Yuan W, Williams BN. Monoarthritis Induced by Bupropion Hydrochloride. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2011 May 15;44(2):85-87. PMID: 27738357; PMCID: PMC5044482. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5044482/
3.-
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
4.-
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/
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