Wellbutrin for Anxiety: All You Need to Know

Does Wellbutrin Help with Anxiety?

Yes — for some people, Wellbutrin can be beneficial in relieving or reducing anxiety symptoms. As noted, it can be particularly effective for people who have depression and anxiety. For them, or for anyone who has difficulty remaining motivated as a result of their anxiety, certain medications, including Wellbutrin, might be helpful in reducing anxiety levels.

Recent research also suggests that using Wellbutrin for GAD may be effective when people with generalized anxiety disorder haven’t had success with more traditional anxiety medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

At one time, there was concern that Wellbutrin might potentially increase anxiety, but more recent research has all but debunked this. While anxiety is a listed side effect of Wellbutrin, certain studies show that it’s actually one of the rarest. 

How Long Does Wellbutrin Take to Work for Anxiety?

How long it takes Wellbutrin to work when treating anxiety can depend from person to person. It can take weeks before symptoms improve when using Wellbutrin for depression, and when treating anxiety, a similar timeline might be expected. 

According to some research, people taking Wellbutrin can experience improvements in energy, sleep, and appetite within 1 – 2 weeks.

Side Effects to Expect When Taking Wellbutrin for Anxiety

Like any medication, Wellbutrin treatment can cause side effects. It’s important to be aware of them so you can talk to your healthcare provider if necessary — especially if any side effects become so uncomfortable that you want to discuss adjusting your treatment plan.

Most of the common Wellbutrin side effects are mild and often resolve as the body adjusts to the new antidepressant medication.

Common Wellbutrin side effects can include:

• Nausea
• Insomnia or sleep disturbances
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Increased heart rate
• Agitation
• Anxiety or excitement
• Dizziness
• Gastrointestinal issues like nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite or weight loss on Wellbutrin
• Constipation

Some side effects can be more severe and should be discussed with your primary care doctor immediately:

• Confusion or hallucinating
• Increased suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm 
• Irrational fears
• Seizures
• Pounding or irregular heartbeat
• Muscle or joint pain
• Allergic reaction — fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or chest pain

Wellbutrin Dosage for Anxiety

Wellbutrin dosage for anxiety generally starts low and can be gradually increased over time. Unlike depression, there isn’t a straightforward or standard dose for anxiety treated with Wellbutrin.

Although doctors might prescribe a dose that ranges anywhere from 75 mg to 150 mg per day to start when treating depression, anxiety dosages will likely be much smaller. Adjustments can be made based on your response and tolerance.

Like any drug, it’s vital to follow a medical professional’s dosing instructions exactly as they’re given. Be sure to note and report any side effects if dosage recommendations change.

Considerations for Taking Wellbutrin for Anxiety

Before you take Wellbutrin for anxiety, you should discuss the following considerations with a medical professional. They can evaluate your specific symptoms and your medical and medication history. Because Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that’s used off-label for anxiety, it’s even more important to be aware of the following considerations. 

• It’s an off-label use: Keep in mind that Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that lists anxiety as a side effect, so for some people, it might not be as effective as other types of anxiety medication.
• Consultation with your healthcare provider is critical: Your primary care doctor can help you evaluate potential risks vs. benefits if you’re considering taking Wellbutrin for anxiety.
• Monitor side effects closely: It’s important to monitor and share any side effects that exacerbate your anxiety, especially during the initial stages of taking Wellbutrin.
• Remember, individual responses can vary: It can take time to determine how effective Wellbutrin is in treating your anxiety. Try to be patient and keep an open line of communication with your doctor for the best results.
• Schedule and attend regular follow-ups: Make and attend all follow-up appointments to assess how Wellbutrin is working.
• Note potential interactions: Make sure your doctor knows about any other medication you’re taking and your health history, including previous or current conditions.
• Consider combined treatment: Combining medication with therapy for anxiety, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can offer optimal results when treating most mental health conditions.

Wellbutrin vs. Other Anxiety Treatments

Wellbutrin isn’t the only option you have to treat symptoms of anxiety. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to anxiety treatment. A drug that might work well for one person may not work at all for someone else. Fortunately, you have dozens of options when it comes to treating anxiety via therapy and or other drugs.

Therapy for anxiety

Many types of therapy can effectively treat anxiety symptoms. Types of therapy that are known for their efficacy in treating anxiety include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is an evidence-based therapy that’s well-known for its ability to treat a wide variety of anxiety disorders. CBT for anxiety focuses on identifying problematic or unhelpful thought and behavior patterns so you can change them.
• Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy is also used to treat anxiety. The process works by introducing you to anxiety-inducing situations gradually so you can overcome your fear in a controlled environment, reducing the anxiety you experience over time.
• Mindfulness-based therapy: Mindfulness therapy focuses on developing awareness and acceptance of thoughts, behaviors, and situations that would otherwise create anxiety.

Alternative medications

Anti-anxiety medications are available and can be very effective in treating symptoms of anxiety. Popular drugs used to treat anxiety include:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRIs work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain to reduce or relieve symptoms of anxiety. Popular SSRIs used to treat anxiety include Zoloft, Lexapro, and Prozac.
  
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Like SSRIs, SNRIs also affect neurotransmitter levels in the brain. However, SNRIs increase levels of norepinephrine in addition to serotonin for additional anxiety relief. Commonly prescribed SNRIs to treat anxiety include Effexor and Cymbalta
  
• Benzodiazepine: Benzos are fast-acting and offer near-immediate relief from anxiety. Common benzos include Xanax, Ativan, andKlonopin

*Note: Benzos are generally only prescribed for short-term use and have a risk of tolerance and dependency.

Start Online Anxiety Treatment

Talkspace offers convenient, affordable, and readily accessible online anxiety treatment. It allows you to connect with an online psychiatrist to discuss your medication and treatment options for individualized anxiety treatment and medication management. If you’re wondering about taking Wellbutrin for anxiety, Talkspace has you covered. 

Contact Talkspace today to learn how to get anxiety medication, like Wellbutrin, online.