According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than eight million people die yearly because of tobacco. More than seven million deaths are from direct smoking, while around one million are from secondhand smoking. For smokers who want to quit, many methods and medications are available to help them. For instance, you can be prescribed Wellbutrin to quit smoking.
Wellbutrin, also known as bupropion, is an antidepressant used for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Bupropion hydrochloride, or bupropion HCL, is also prescribed for attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and sexual dysfunction. However, it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a medication for the latter conditions.
Wellbutrin comes in three forms: Wellbutrin IR (immediate release, Wellbutrin SR (sustained release), and Wellbutrin XL (extended release). Apart from being an antidepressant, Wellbutrin is also effective in helping smokers quit smoking. Wellbutrin SR and bupropion SR, in particular, are marketed for smoking cessation.
Wellbutrin Smoking Cessation Instructions
It is crucial to note that Wellbutrin is not a nicotine replacement therapy. Wellbutrin works by targeting withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. Only psychological health professionals or licensed physicians should prescribe Wellbutrin for smoking cessation.
Patients must take only one product containing bupropion, including those that help quit smoking. Wellbutrin must be taken as prescribed since the medicine increases the risk of seizures. Patients can take Wellbutrin to quit smoking with or without food, and tablets must be swallowed whole.
Patients are usually instructed to start the medication one or two weeks before their “quit date.” If the patient misses a dose, they must take one as soon as they remember. It would help if you took the remaining daily doses four hours apart; patients must never take two doses simultaneously.
Wellbutrin for Smoking Cessation Dosage
Wellbutrin is available in the following forms and dosage options:
Wellbutrin SR 12 hour: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg
Wellbutrin XL 24 hour: 150 mg, 300 mg
Wellbutrin for smoking cessation is usually 150 mg, taken once a day for three days. After the first three days, patients must take it twice a day for seven to twelve weeks.
The Wellbutrin SR dosage to quit smoking depends on the physician’s advice after the patient’s health assessment. The physician can increase or decrease dosage as necessary, and the patient must strictly take them as prescribed.
Smoking Habits and Other Health Conditions
Before cigarettes were introduced in the United States in the early 19th century, people mainly consumed tobacco by chewing, in snuff, pipes, and cigars. In 1864, the FDA imposed a federal tax on cigarettes, and the manufacturing industry was developed shortly. As a result, smoking posed more moral and hygienic concerns than health concerns from 1880 – 1920. However, by the end of the 1940s and the beginning of the 1950s, it was linked to lung cancer and other diseases, triggering a wave of people stopping the drug.
So, why do people smoke in the first place? Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is an addictive alkaloid. Within ten seconds of entering the body, nicotine reaches the brain and causes the release of adrenaline. It brings pleasure and energy that fade quickly, pushing users to seek it again. About 90% of smokers smoke regularly because they are addicted to nicotine.
Some people smoke because it has already become a part of their daily routine or because it is how they cope with stress and mental health issues. When regular smokers quit smoking, they may experience withdrawal symptoms that include:
- Sadness or feeling down
- Sleeping problems
- Trouble with focusing and thinking clearly
- Restlessness
- Hunger and weight gain
- Mood swings
- Slower heart rate
The buzz that smoking creates, unfortunately, causes many health conditions. Smoking has been proven to cause cancer, lung and heart diseases, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. It also leads to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), such as bronchitis and emphysema. Smokers also risk immune system problems, eye diseases, and tuberculosis. Recovery from smoking requires attentive health care to ensure that all of the body’s affected systems are tended to.
Smoking does not only affect direct smokers but secondhand smokers as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 41,000 non-smoking adults and 400 infants die from secondhand smoke exposure. Smoking also contributes to cases of severe asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and more.
Should You Use Wellbutrin to Quit Smoking?
Patients should use Wellbutrin to quit smoking if a licensed medical doctor prescribes the medication. Bupropion is proven effective in helping people stay off cigarettes. It is recommended for smokers who smoke at least half a pack daily; a licensed medical doctor must determine the best dosage for the patient.
Can Wellbutrin Help You Quit Smoking?
Yes, Wellbutrin and other bupropion brands can help people quit smoking. Wellbutrin works by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and reward.
Dopamine and norepinephrine are released when people smoke cigarettes. When these neurotransmitters are released, they create a pleasurable feeling that smokers crave. By inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters, Wellbutrin reduces the satisfying feeling that smokers get from smoking cigarettes.
How Effective is Wellbutrin To Quit Smoking?
According to the National Library of Medicine, bupropion helps about one out of five smokers to stop smoking. Bupropion has gone through several clinical trials, and it has proven efficacy for smoking cessation. Its effectiveness also does not diminish with repeated exposure, which makes the medication a successful antismoking agent. However, there is yet to be an examination of strategies to prevent relapse after discontinuation of treatment.
How Long Does it Take to Quit Smoking on Wellbutrin?
The effect of Wellbutrin, whether as an antidepressant or smoking cessation medication, differs for every person. Patients are instructed to start the medication one or two weeks before the “quit date” so the medicine can build up in the body. The drug continues for seven to 12 weeks after quitting, and patients can take it for up to six months or a year, depending on their doctor’s advice.
Following the doctor’s advice for Wellbutrin is crucial. In addition, patients must be careful to follow all instructions, such as avoiding certain foods and beverages while on bupropion.
Symptoms of Wellbutrin Overdose
Wellbutrin is not addictive when used as prescribed. However, some people abuse it for recreational purposes, which leads to addiction and sometimes overdose. Some signs and symptoms of Wellbutrin addiction include:
- Euphoria
- Loss of appetite
- A sudden increase in self-esteem
- Excessive energy and happiness
People abusing Wellbutrin tend to get multiple prescriptions from several doctors, a growing public health issue. In addition, acute bupropion overdose typically causes seizures a few hours after consumption. Overdosing users may also experience tremors, lethargy, agitation, and vomiting.
Sinus tachycardia is associated with cardiac toxicity. Furthermore, with massive overdose, the QRS complex widens, and the users experience ventricular dysrhythmias and cardiovascular collapse. Wellbutrin overdose can lead to death.
For Wellbutrin overdose cases, call 911 or the poison control center as soon as possible.
What to Avoid While Taking Wellbutrin
Patients taking Wellbutrin for smoking cessation should avoid using illegal drugs and drinking alcohol. Using these substances while on Wellbutrin may decrease the medication’s beneficial effects. It can also increase the risk of uncommon side effects, including:
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Seizures
- Mood and behavioral changes
Wellbutrin may also interact with other medicines and certain diseases. Therefore, if the patient is dependent on any substance, they must inform the licensed medical doctor. They must also disclose conditions and medications to avoid drug interactions and health issues.
Who Should Not Use Wellbutrin?
People with seizures and eating disorders are not allowed to take Wellbutrin. The same applies to people who have suddenly stopped using seizure medications, sedatives, or alcohol. In addition, patients who have used monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in the past 14 days must also not take Wellbutrin or any bupropion brand.
Wellbutrin is also not recommended for patients with diabetes, liver or kidney problems, or high blood pressure. Moreover, the medication has not yet been approved for patients under 18. There are no studies that show Wellbutrin causes harm to pregnant people and developing fetuses, but it is best to avoid drugs during pregnancy.
Patients who often drive and use machinery must know that Wellbutrin may cause tiredness, dizziness, and blurred vision. Therefore, it would be best if you take Wellbutrin with caution.
What Are Other Drugs Available for Smoking Cessation?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA has approved two quit-smoking medicines. Apart from bupropion, people may also take varenicline to quit smoking. Bupropion is marketed as Wellbutrin, Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride) sustained-release tablets, and generics. Varenicline, on the other hand, is sold as Chantix.
Bupropion generally decreases nicotine cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. Varenicline mimics some of the nicotine effects in the brain, reducing the patients’ urge to smoke. Varenicline also reduces the enjoyment of nicotine intake, making it easier for patients to quit smoking. Some phase 3 clinical trials have found varenicline to be more effective than bupropion.
Other first-line agents for smoking cessation include nicotine replacement preparations. The FDA has approved nicotine nasal sprays, inhalers, transdermal nicotine patches, and nicotine gum. Nicotine replacement therapy is also recommended for smoking cessation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, Wellbutrin helps people to quit smoking cigarettes. Wellbutrin, or bupropion, is an antidepressant that treats major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) but also works to stop smoking.
Wellbutrin inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and reward. By inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters, Wellbutrin reduces the pleasurable feeling that smokers get from smoking cigarettes.
The efficacy of Wellbutrin differs for every patient. If the patient does not follow the licensed medical doctor’s prescription and instructions, the medicine’s beneficial effects might be decreased.
Wellbutrin is usually taken one or two weeks before the patient’s “quit date.” This allows the medicine to build up in the body before the patient quits smoking. After that, patients must continue to take Wellbutrin for seven to 12 weeks, and they can continue to take it for up to six months or a year.
Using Wellbutrin for smoking cessation requires a prescription from a licensed medical doctor. Patients are usually prescribed to take Wellbutrin a week or two before they quit smoking so the medicine can build up in the body. After that, they must continue to take medication for seven to twelve weeks, depending on the doctor’s prescription.
Wellbutrin for smoking cessation is usually 150 mg, taken once a day for three days. After the first three days, patients must take it twice a day for seven to twelve weeks. You should follow the doctor’s prescription and instructions is essential to make the medication effective.
Some patients still smoke while on bupropion, but it is not recommended. Wellbutrin inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and reward. By inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters, Wellbutrin reduces the pleasurable feeling that smokers get from smoking cigarettes.
People on Wellbutrin may not enjoy smoking cigarettes anymore, so smoking while on medication becomes less likely. Wellbutrin also decreases withdrawal symptoms, so while the patient is quitting smoking, they will be less likely to crave nicotine. However, patients are recommended not to smoke if they still have the urge while on Wellbutrin.
It would be best if you only took bupropion with a licensed medical doctor’s prescription. It is also essential to inform the doctor about other diseases and medication to ensure the safety of taking bupropion.
Bupropion is best for people who smoke at least ten cigarettes per day. Bupropion for smoking cessation is usually taken one or two weeks before quitting. The medicine will need to build up in the body first, so the beneficial effects will be increased when the patient stops smoking cigarettes.
Patients must continue to take bupropion seven to twelve weeks after the quit date. Then, depending on the doctor’s advice, they may also continue to take medicine for up to six months or a year.
Wellbutrin works by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and reward.
Dopamine and norepinephrine are released when people smoke cigarettes. When these neurotransmitters are released, they create a pleasurable feeling that smokers crave. By inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters, Wellbutrin reduces the pleasant feeling that smokers get from smoking cigarettes.
There has been no examination of strategies to prevent relapse after discontinuation of bupropion. However, the difficulty after discontinuing any medication will differ for every patient. Some users state that the bupropion withdrawal symptoms will depend on how long the patient has been using the substance and their body chemistry.
Generally, discontinuation from bupropion must be guided by a licensed medical doctor. Patients must not suddenly stop taking bupropion or on their own. Instead, doctors usually gradually increase or decrease the dosage to prepare the body for changes. For difficulties after discontinuation, it is best to consult with doctors.
While some past smokers have successfully quit smoking through the cold turkey method, it does not work for everyone. Likewise, the best way to quit smoking differs for every person. Some opt for nicotine replacement therapy or medication, and others for gradual withdrawal. Smokers committed to quitting can ask for advice from a licensed medical doctor, as they can recommend various methods until they determine which is the best fit.
Zyban and Wellbutrin are both bupropion, but Zyban is mainly used for smoking cessation. Wellbutrin also works for smoking cessation, primarily for treating depression. Zyban is often combined with a stop-smoking program so patients can successfully quit smoking.
The FDA has approved bupropion and varenicline as quit-smoking medicines. Bupropion is marketed as Wellbutrin, Zyban, and generics, while varenicline is marketed at Chantix.
Three popular medicines for quitting smoking are Wellbutrin, Zyban, and Chantix. To determine the best medicine to help quit smoking, smokers must consult with licensed medical doctors. Following the doctor’s prescription is crucial to make the medication effective.
Wellbutrin works by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and reward.
Dopamine and norepinephrine are released when people smoke cigarettes. When these neurotransmitters are released, they create a pleasurable feeling that smokers crave. By inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters, Wellbutrin reduces the satisfying feeling that smokers get from smoking cigarettes.
