WELLBUTRIN XL 150MG (90 TABLETS)

Generic Name: bupropion extended release
Brand Name: Wellbutrin XL
Drug class: Antidepressants

WHAT IS THE DOSAGE OF THIS MEDICATION?

Wellbutrin XL and its generic bupropion hydrochloride XL/ER is available in the strengths of 150 mg and 300 mg tablets.

WHAT IS THIS MEDICATION USED FOR?

Bupropion belongs to the family of medications known as antidepressants. It is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD; episodes of depression that occur at the same time each year).

Bupropion works by affecting the balance of noradrenaline and dopamine, chemicals that occur naturally in the brain and affect mood. This medication is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor as it binds to the sites on the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and the dopamine transporter (DAT) blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, respectively, from the synaptic cleft of serotonergic neurons. This may improve your energy levels, mood, appetite, sensation of anxiety/nervousness, and eventually overall general quality of life.

For the treatment of depression, the full effects of the medication may not be seen until after several weeks of treatment.

The recommended starting dose of bupropion extended-release tablets for treatment of major depressive disorder is 150 mg daily, taken in the morning. This dose may be increased to 300 mg daily after 1 week at the lower dose.

For prevention of seasonal depression, this medication should be started in the autumn before symptoms of depression develop and continued through the winter. The usual starting dose is 150 mg taken once daily in the morning. It may be increased to 300 mg taken once daily after 1 week at the lower dose. For people taking 300 mg daily, the dose should be reduced to 150 mg daily for 2 weeks prior to stopping this medication in the spring.

Bupropion extended-release tablets should be swallowed whole with fluids. They should not be chewed, crushed, or halved, as this may affect how this medication is absorbed by the body and result in unwanted side effects.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION

Do not take bupropion extended release if you:

• are allergic to bupropion or to any of the ingredients of the medication

• are having abrupt withdrawal issues from alcohol, benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam) or other sedatives (e.g., phenobarbital)

• are taking another medication that contains bupropion (e.g., Zyban® or Wellbutrin® SR)

• have a seizure disorder or a history of seizures

• have or have had an eating disorder (bulimia or anorexia nervosa)

• have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI; e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) within the last 14 days

• have taken thioridazine (an antipsychotic medication) within the last 14 days

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POTENTIAL INTERACTION WITH OTHER MEDICATION

The following medications could potentially interact with bupropion extended release:

• alcohol

• amphetamines (e.g., amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine)

• antihistamines (e.g., doxylamine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine)

• anti-malarial medications (e.g., chloroquine, mefloquine, primaquine)

• anti-Parkinson medications (e.g., amantadine, apomorphine, bromocriptine, levodopa, pramipexole, ropinirole) – dopamine agonists

• antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, risperidone)

• atomoxetine

• beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol, propranolol, timolol)

• caffeine

• carbamazepine

• clopidogrel

• codeine

• cyclophosphamide

• dabrafenib

• dexmethylphenidate

• dextromethorphan

• digoxin

• doxorubicin

• duloxetine

• efavirenz

• eliglustat

• fesoterodine

• flecainide

• galantamine

• gefitinib

• hydrocodone

• linezolid

• lithium

• lumacaftor and ivacaftor

• meperidine

• methylphenidate

• metoclopramide

• mexiletine

• mifepristone

• mirtazapine

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI; e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide, rasagiline, selegiline) – bupropion should not be started until at least 14 days after MAO inhibitors are stopped

• nelfinavir

• nicotine replacement therapy (e.g., nicotine patch)

• phenobarbital

• phenytoin

• primidone

• promethazine

• propafenone

• rifampin

• ritonavir

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)

• tamoxifen

• tamsulosin

• tetrabenazine

• theophylline

• ticlopidine

• tolterodine

• tramadol

• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., nortriptyline, imipramine, desipramine)

• venlafaxine

• vilazodone

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS MEDICATION?

Possible side effects include:

• appetite changes

• bloating

• constipation

• dizziness

• dryness of mouth

• headache

• migraine

• nausea or vomiting

• trouble sleeping

• weight changes

• aggression

• agitation

• anxiety

• confusion  

• false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts

• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not actually there)

• inability to urinate

• increased blood pressure

• low sodium levels in the blood (e.g., tiredness; weakness; confusion; with achy, stiff, or uncoordinated muscles)

• new or worsened emotional or behavioural problems

• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, skin itching, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)

• symptoms of high blood sugar (e.g., frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive eating, unexplained weight loss, poor wound healing, infections, fruity breath odour)

• skin rash, hives or itching

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