Can you take Wellbutrin at night instead of morning? (An Overview)

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “Can you take Wellbutrin at night instead of morning?”. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant in nature and it can also be used for other conditions. 

The time at which you take this med is very important in order to manage the side effects it causes. This blog will talk about the best time to take Wellbutrin. 

Can you take Wellbutrin at night instead of morning? 

Yes, you can take Wellbutrin at night instead of morning if it does not cause any sleep disturbances. Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant and has a different mechanism of action than other usual antidepressants, but it is also associated with insomnia or inability to fall asleep. 

This makes Wellbutrin unsuitable to take at bedtime and morning is the most preferred time to take this antidepressant. It is extremely difficult to predict how your body will react once it is exposed to this antidepressant. 

This is exactly why the treatment is started from the lowest possible dose. The first week of your treatment is always crucial because you don’t know how the medication will make you feel. If you seem to tolerate it well, your dose is adjusted. 

Wellbutrin is usually preferred to be taken in the morning because of its inability to fall asleep, but again, this med causes different types of effects in different individuals. 

One survey revealed that there are plenty of people taking this antidepressant at bedtime without having any difficulty in falling asleep or nighttime wakefulness. 

However, some people suffer terribly. The insomnia associated with Wellbutrin has gotten so bad in some people that they are forced to discontinue the treatment. 

What is Wellbutrin and how does it work? 

Wellbutrin, brand name for bupropion, is an atypical antidepressant in nature. Its mechanism of action is entirely different from that of usual antidepressants including SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs and MAOIs. 

The exact mechanism of action of bupropion is still a topic of research. However, it increases the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine inside your brain and counteracts the symptoms associated with depression. 

This antidepressant is available in various forms. The normal Wellbutrin is like every other medication. Its doses can be divided 3,4 times in a day. However, it is also available in sustained release form known as Wellbutrin XL. 

It should be taken in the morning once a day because such tablets should have a 24-hour gap between the doses. This Wellbutrin XL is used to treat seasonal affective depression, which is associated with depression symptoms that occur at some time or season of the year. 

Wellbutrin is also used for the treatment of mania comorbid with depression. It can help control the manic episodes during which people act crazily or erratically. It can also be used for smoking cessation in chain smokers who can’t seem to quit smoking on their own. 

It is a prescription medication so should only be used if prescribed by your healthcare provider. It is not recommended to start using someone else’s prescription medications. Such meds make changes in your brain and they should never be used excessively. 

What are the side effects associated with the use of Wellbutrin? 

Wellbutrin (Bupropion) is associated with the following side effects:

• Anxiousness 
• Unexplainable excitement and happiness 
• Insomnia or inability to fall asleep 
• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Dizziness 
• Drowsiness 
• Nausea with or without vomiting 
• Abdominal pain 
• Headache 
• Tremors 
• Weight loss 
• Loss of appetite 
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ears 
• Excessive sweating 
• Altered sense of taste and smell
• Constipation 
• Throat infection 
• Increased frequency of urination

Wellbutrin is also associated with some serious and rare side effects. These include:

• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches etc. Symptoms associated with the respiratory system include tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Seizures 
• Auditory or visual hallucinations 
• Fear 
• Joint rigidity and pain
• Muscle aches
• Arrhythmia 
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.

These side effects can vary from person to person. As stated earlier, some people get away with mild side effects that begin to go away with time when the body starts adjusting to the medication. 

However, some people may not be able to tolerate Wellbutrin at all and may discontinue the use of this antidepressant. Make sure you only use this if prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

Do not deviate from the recommended dose as higher doses or overdoses come with more disturbing and intense side effects. 

What are the warnings associated with the use of Wellbutrin? 

Wellbutrin comes with a few black box warnings and the activity of this drug should be monitored in some patients. Following are the warnings that comes with Wellbutrin:

Risk of suicidal behaviour 

Wellbutrin comes with a black-box warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This antidepressant is capable of causing abnormal and suicidal behavior in people less than 24 years of age. 

This effect is much more pronounced in children under 12 years of age and they should be closely monitored. Experts believe that this suicidal behavior could be dose dependent. 

Lower doses may not possess threat, as long as the med is taken properly and all the precautionary measures are followed. 

Several research studies indicate that wellbutrin can cause children and young adults to feel worthless, hopeless and they may take everything negatively. They may start to push their parents away and stop engaging in their favourite activities. 

This is an alarming sign and parents should never avoid this behavior, as this hopelessness grows into an urge to commit suicide and put an end to the misery. Children have innocent minds and every child should be protected at all costs. 

As far as users in their 20’s are concerned, their behaviour should also be monitored. Psychotherapy in such patients can help make some positive behavioural changes. 

However, If you have someone who shows suicidal behavior or you see hopelessness in them, make sure you keep an eye on them and get medical attention as soon as you can. 

Risk of convulsions 

One of the serious side effects of Wellbutrin is seizures. This can become life threatening for patients already suffering from epilepsy. This is exactly why Wellbutrin is contraindicated to be used in patients who have health problems associated with convulsions. 

This warning is of great importance for people who often misuse medications. Taking more does not mean that you will gain more benefits and the higher dose will help your condition because in actual practice, the exact opposite happens. 

When you take more than you are supposed to, you invite nerve-racking side effects to come and hit you. They not only make your existing condition worse, but can also make you go through new symptoms that you may have never experienced before. 

Seizures are one of those new disturbing symptoms that you might get when you overuse Wellbutrin. It is also important to limit the use of alcohol because alcohol acts as a fuel for the fire. 

Risk of mania or irrational excitement 

Another warning associated with the use of Wellbutrin includes excessive excitement that eventually takes the form of mania. This side effect is more commonly found in people who have some underlying personality disorder like bipolar disorder. 

Sometimes, depression is comorbid with these undiagnosed conditions that come into the light when they start interacting with your drugs, an interaction known as ‘Drug-Disease’ interaction. Make sure you have no underlying personality disorder. 

How to ensure the proper use of Wellbutrin? 

• Take as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose. 
• If you fail to understand how to use the drug properly or have any other question, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• In case of overdose, immediately reach out to the hospital. Make sure you properly guide them about how much drug you have taken and when.
• If you have missed a dose and you’re way past the usual time at which you take your med, do not take it. It will cause you to overdose when you take your next dose, which is not too far away. It’s better to skip the missed dose and take the next one. If you remember your missed dose earlier, it’s safe for you to take it.
• Report any problems with bleeding or bruising to your doctor. If you see any unexplained blisters or rashes on your body, or experience any problems with urination, or if you feel changes in your vision, immediately report to your healthcare provider. 
• Ask your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or if you are a breastfeeding mother. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed the use of Wellbutrin at night instead of the morning. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant in nature and it can also be used for other conditions. The time at which you take this med is very important in order to manage the side effects it causes. 

You can take this antidepressant at night if it does not cause any sleep disturbances. Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant and has a different mechanism of action than other usual antidepressants, but it is associated with insomnia or inability to fall asleep. 

This makes Wellbutrin unsuitable to take at bedtime and morning is the most preferred time to take this antidepressant. 

FAQs: Can you take Wellbutrin at night instead of morning 

Can I take Wellbutrin at bedtime?

Yes, you can take Wellbutrin at night instead of morning if it does not cause any sleep disturbances. Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant and has a different mechanism of action than other usual antidepressants, but it is associated with insomnia or inability to fall asleep.

Is it better to take Wellbutrin XL at night or in the morning?

It is recommended to take Wellbutrin XL in the morning. Extended release tablets should have at least 24 hours of gap between them. However, if the drug makes you feel sleepy or tired, you can take it at night. If it causes insomnia or inability to fall asleep then it’s best to take this antidepressant early in the morning. 

Can I take antidepressants at night instead of morning?

It depends on the type of side effects your antidepressant causes in you. If it causes loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness or fatigue, it is best to take such meds at bedtime. However, if it causes loss of libido, insomnia and urinary problems, then it is best to take it early in the morning. 

Can I take Wellbutrin in the afternoon?

Yes, you can take Wellbutrin in the afternoon. Make sure you ask your healthcare provider about the most appropriate time for you to take this antidepressant. Do not take more or less than your prescribed dose. 

How fast is weight loss on Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is not a weight loss pill and is not meant to be used to lose weight. However, it may cause weight loss as a side effect. The people who suffer from it usually begin to notice weight loss by the end of week 7 or 8. One thing to bear in mind is that it may not cause this side effect in every individual. 

Can you drink coffee on Wellbutrin?

You can drink coffee on Wellbutrin, but not too much. Excessive caffeine intake can make your side effects much worse, especially Wellbutrin induced anxiety and agitation. If caffeine is consumed in the evening or at nighttime, this can make Wellbutrin induced insomnia much worse. 

References 

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR) https://www.goodrx.com/bupropion/what-is
• Bupropion Hcl – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-13507-155/bupropion-hcl-oral/bupropion-oral/details 
• National Library of Medicine – Bupropion https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695033.html 
• Timothy R. Berigan, D.D.S., M.D. (2002) – The Many Uses of Bupropion and Bupropion Sustained Release (SR) in Adults https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC314381/#__ffn_sectitle