Does Wellbutrin slow gastric emptying? (+5 factors)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss the factors that impact Wellbutrin on gastric emptying. We will look at the efficiency of Wellbutrin in emptying the stomach. Furthermore, we will figure out the factors and conditions that slow down the gastric emptying process.
Does Wellbutrin slow gastric emptying?
No, Wellbutrin is not associated with slowing down the gastric emptying process. Welbutrin is an atypical antidepressant that is not generally linked with gastrointestinal issues.
However, if taking Wellbutrin is causing any effects on your gastric emptying process, then you need to seek medical attention. This is not commonly associated with Wellbutrin hence you need to discuss this with your doctor.
Gastric emptying is the process of releasing gastric components into the intestine for further metabolism. Many drugs and conditions may impact this process however, Wellbutrin is not directly linked with it but may affect it depending on the patient’s medication response.
The potential impact of Wellbutrin on gastric emptying
The potential impact of Wellbutrin on gastric emptying or gastroparesis has not been studied very extensively. However, there are not very well-researched results or reports of the effect of Wellbutrin on gastric emptying.
Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant that has been approved by the FDA for smoking cessation. There are other off-label uses of Wellbutrin such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and ADHD which are approved by the FDA as well (1).
Wellbutrin is an aminoketone drug known to inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. It is also known to inhibit the uptake of serotonin and nicotine to a lesser extent (1).
Based on the mechanism of action of Wellbutrin, it may be associated with various side effects such as dry mouth, tachycardia, tremors, nausea, weight changes, and constipation (1).
However, as mentioned earlier, Wellbutrin is rarely linked with delayed gastric emptying. If you experience any gastric side effects due to the use of Wellbutrin, you should seek immediate medical help.
What factors may affect gastric emptying with Wellbutrin?
The factors that may affect gastric emptying while taking Wellbutrin are (2,3):
Concomitant drugs and pre-existing conditions
Some drugs may impact gastric motility and cause delayed emptying. Among them, opioids, anticholinergic agents, and some tricyclic antidepressants are known to delay gastric emptying in some patients.
Delayed gastric emptying can be due to some underlying health conditions. It was observed that patients with diabetes, autoimmune diseases, Parkinson’s disease, and obesity may have difficulty in gastric emptying (3).
Moreover, it is reported that patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders have shown delayed gastric emptying. Gastric inflammation and gastroenteritis may alter basic gastric physiology and delay stomach emptying in some patients.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and meals can have a huge impact on gastric emptying or gastroparesis. Highly-fibrous foods, and large, fatty meals may extend the emptying time from the stomach. Gastric emptying also varyingly depending upon the meal time and volume consumed.
What to do if Wellbutrin slows gastric emptying?
If you feel that Wellbutrin is affecting your gastric motility and causing symptoms of delayed gastric emptying, then you should report it to your doctor. Your doctor might suggest an alternate antidepressant based on your condition or might suggest altering your Wellbutrin dose.
Based on your symptoms, your doctor might suggest some dietary modifications to help improve your gastric motility. Your doctor may suggest you to consult a dietician for improvement and changes in your diet.
You should also consider some lifestyle modifications that would help improve your gut motility such as exercising, yoga, or meditation. You can also consider doing some stress-relieving activities.
Your doctor should consider changing the timing of Wellbutrin. You should be advised to take Wellbutrin with or without a meal to alter the gastric effects of the medication.
Conclusion
In the above article, we have successfully discussed the effects of Wellbutrin in gastric emptying. We have discovered some factors and conditions that alter gastric emptying and discussed some ways to manage this delay.
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References
1.-
Huecker MR, Smiley A, Saadabadi A. Bupropion. [Updated 2023 Apr 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470212/
2.-
Jacoby, H. I. (2017). Gastric Emptying. Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.64921-8
3.-
Noveloso, Bernard MD. What causes delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) besides diabetes?. Evidence-Based Practice 17(12):p 10-11, December 2014. | DOI: 10.1097/01.EBP.0000540860.00455.2d https://journals.lww.com/ebp/abstract/2014/12000/what_causes_delayed_gastric_emptying.13.aspx
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