Does Wellbutrin-induced anger go away? (3+ factors at play)
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OptimistMinds
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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
In this article, we will discuss Wellbutrin-induced anger and how long it typically takes to subside. We will also discuss what research suggests and what one should do if Wellbutrin-induced anger or irritability persists.
Does Wellbutrin-induced anger go away?
Wellbutrin-induced anger or agitation does go away as your body adjusts to the medication.
It is essential to note that anger is not a common side effect of Wellbutrin, and not many such cases have been reported. Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant primarily used for major depressive disorder (MDD) and smoking cessation (1).
While Wellbutrin is generally well-tolerated, some individuals may experience unusual or rare side effects. Anger and agitation, in general, are not commonly associated with Wellbutrin. However, individuals vary and Wellbutrin can affect them differently.
It’s crucial to understand that antidepressants take time to work, and during the initial stages when they impact the excitatory system of the brain, specifically neurotransmitters, it can trigger different responses in people.
Some may not respond well to the increased availability of certain monoamine excitatory neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, potentially causing anger or irritability early in the course of Wellbutrin treatment (1).
Fortunately, this tends to improve as the body gets used to that effect and adjusts to it. In exceptional cases, anger may be linked to an underlying health condition or external factors such as life hardships or instability.
Therefore, it’s important to monitor side effects and promptly report them to your doctor. Sometimes, the side effects may not be directly related to the medication itself. Your doctor can help figure that out and guide you accordingly.
What does research suggest?
There is limited research on Wellbutrin-induced anger and it is not a known side effect. However, research suggests that Wellbutrin triggers anger or aggressive behaviour when paired with alcohol (2).
This indicates that using Wellbutrin with alcohol can trigger violent behaviour and anger outbursts but the drug itself may not potentiate this effect (2). One research study indicated that Wellbutrin might be able to unmast psychosis by aggravating manic episodes (3).
This happens when a person has undiagnosed bipolar disorder and taking an antidepressant starts worsening the symptoms (3).
This study indicates that if someone starts to show signs of anger and agitation after taking Wellbutrin should be monitored properly and conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia should be ruled out (3).
What factors can contribute to anger while taking Wellbutrin?
Some factors can contribute to Wellbutrin-induced anger, including:
Underlying psychosis
As stated earlier, individuals with underlying psychosis may face challenges with medications that affect neurotransmitters. Wellbutrin increases the availability of norepinephrine and dopamine.
For those with underlying psychotic conditions, altering these neurotransmitters could potentially lead to aggravation of symptoms, including increased anger and agitation (3).
Aggressive personality
People with aggressive personalities may respond differently to medications that influence neurotransmitter levels and are more susceptible to medication-induced anger.
Even a slight inconvenience can make them angry and they tend to act like a ticking time bomb. Such individuals may exhibit signs of excessive anger when they start taking any antidepressant, including Wellbutrin.
Hardships in one’s life
Life’s challenges, stressors, and hardships can significantly impact mental health. These external factors may contribute to increased feelings of anger and agitation while taking Wellbutrin. In such cases, therapy or counselling helps manage overwhelming emotions.
Poor response to Wellbutrin
Despite its efficacy for many, not everyone responds well to Wellbutrin. Factors such as genetic variations or individual biochemistry can affect the body’s way of processing and responding to the medication.
If Wellbutrin fails to help manage your symptoms, you need to discuss an alternative approach with your doctor.
What to do if Wellbutrin makes you angry?
If Wellbutrin is making you feel angry or agitated, discuss it with your healthcare provider. As mentioned earlier, Wellbutrin can unmask psychosis by aggravating it, which should not be ignored. Unmanaged psychotic illnesses can be life-threatening.
If you notice becoming upset over minor things while taking Wellbutrin, your doctor will help rule out any underlying psychotic illness and ensure your safety and well-being.
If a psychotic illness is diagnosed, your doctor will alter your treatment regimen accordingly. Atypical antipsychotics are commonly preferred for psychosis as they have lesser chances of causing extrapyramidal side effects compared to typical antipsychotics (4).
In cases where depression is comorbid with psychosis, doctors may combine an antidepressant with an antipsychotic medication to manage both symptoms.
However, if your anger is not linked to underlying psychosis, your doctor will try and adjust your dose or safely switch you to another antidepressant. It is important to make sure that you do not make any changes to your prescription on your own.
As a pharmacist, I have seen medications affecting people differently. We all have unique physiological makeup and medications like Wellbutrin that can affect our brains and trigger different responses.
However, you should always keep an eye on how Wellbutrin affects you and discuss any concerns with your doctor promptly. Close monitoring can help make your treatment plan comfortable for you and prevent potential adverse events.
References
- 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
- Chandler P, Herxheimer A. Unexpected aggressive behaviour: interaction of bupropion and alcohol. Int J Risk Saf Med. 2011;23(3):133-7. doi: 10.3233/JRS-2011-0533. Erratum in: Int J Risk Saf Med. 2011;23(4):257. PMID: 22020393. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22020393/
- Grover S, Das PP. Can bupropion unmask psychosis. Indian J Psychiatry. 2009 Jan;51(1):53-4. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.44907. PMID: 19742195; PMCID: PMC2738405. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738405/
- Crossley NA, Constante M, McGuire P, Power P. Efficacy of atypical v. typical antipsychotics in the treatment of early psychosis: meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2010 Jun;196(6):434-9. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.109.066217. PMID: 20513851; PMCID: PMC2878818. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20513851/