Wellbutrin is a brand of Bupropion used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD; episodes of depression that occur at the same time each year usually in the fall and winter but rarely may occur in the spring or summer months) Bupropion is also sold under the brand names Zyban, Aplenzin among others.
Bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking. Bupropion is in a class of medications called antidepressants. It works by increasing certain types of activity in the brain.
Wellbutrin may also be helpful when prescribed “off-label” for bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, and sexual dysfunction due to SSRI antidepressants). “Off-label” means that it hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this condition. Your mental health provider should justify his or her thinking in recommending an “off-label” treatment. They should be clear about the limits of the research around that medication and if there are any other options.
How should Wellbutrin be used?
Bupropion comes as a tablet and a sustained-release or extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. The regular tablet (Wellbutrin) is usually taken three times a day, with doses at least 6 hours apart, or four times a day, with doses at least 4 hours apart. The sustained-release tablet (Wellbutrin SR, Zyban) is usually taken twice a day, with doses at least 8 hours apart. The extended-release tablet (Aplenzin, Wellbutrin XL) is usually taken once daily in the morning; doses of the extended-release tablet should be taken at least 24 hours apart. When bupropion is used to treat seasonal affective disorder, it is usually taken once a day in the morning beginning in the early fall, continuing through the winter, and stopping in the early spring. Sometimes a lower dose of bupropion is taken for 2 weeks before the medication is stopped. Take bupropion with food if the medication upsets your stomach. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, do not take bupropion too close to bedtime. Take bupropion at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take bupropion exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the sustained-release and extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of bupropion and gradually increase your dose.
It may take 4 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of bupropion. Continue to take bupropion even if you feel well. Do not stop taking bupropion without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may decrease your dose gradually.
Why do people abuse Wellbutrin?
People abuse Wellbutrin because it appears capable of producing stimulant-like effects if taken in doses far higher than those prescribed for medical purposes 2,6. The maximum daily dose of bupropion is 450 mg, but reported cases of abuse have involved ingesting from 600 mg to 1200 mg of the drug.
Most people who abuse Wellbutrin take this drug by crushing and snorting (insufflating) the pills. This route of ingestion delivers a high dose of bupropion directly to the bloodstream and defeats the slow-release mechanism built into some types of bupropion tablets (e.g., Wellbutrin XL, Forfivo XL, Aplenzin). Other reported methods of bupropion abuse include taking more pills than prescribed, and even dissolving pills in water, and then injecting the solution.
Individuals who’ve abused the drug have described the high from bupropion abuse as similar to that of stimulants such as cocaine or amphetamine. In at least one case, a man complained of hearing multiple voices and told clinic staff the voices started when he began abusing bupropion.
Some other common signs and symptoms of stimulant abuse include:
• Euphoria.
• Sense of exhilaration.
• Increased sense of self-esteem.
• Heightened energy and activity.
• Loss of appetite.
• Long periods of wakefulness/insomnia.
In addition to displaying the physical effects of stimulant abuse while high, bupropion abusers may also engage in unusual behaviors connected with obtaining the drug or hiding use from others. These may include requesting Wellbutrin specifically from a physician despite never being prescribed the drug previously or obtaining multiple prescriptions from different doctors (doctor shopping).
Can snorting Wellbutrin kill you?
Yes, Wellbutrin side effects are very common, there have been reports of 19 deaths (including 1 case of liver failure, 1 case of myocarditis, 3 cases of suicide), 172 reports of seizures or convulsions, and 37 reports of serum-sickness-like reactions according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, a peer-reviewed general medical journal published by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).
Recently, a 16-year-old Maryland boy suffered a seizure after snorting six crushed tablets of the antidepressant Wellbutrin, doctors say. Dr. Christopher J. Welsh, a University of Maryland psychiatrist who treated the boy, says the youth told him several of his friends had also tried to crush and snort the mood pill. One even injected the drug, which acts somewhat like a stimulant.
Snorting Wellbutrin, or any medication intended for oral use, can be extremely dangerous and is considered an abusive and potentially harmful practice. Snorting Wellbutrin can have several dangers and adverse effects, including:
1. Damage to Nasal Passages: Snorting Wellbutrin can cause significant damage to the delicate tissues and structures in the nasal passages. The medication is not intended to be absorbed through the nasal mucosa, and snorting it can irritate and inflame the nasal lining, leading to nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and long-term damage to the nasal passages.
2. Increased Risk of Overdose: Snorting Wellbutrin can bypass the intended slow-release mechanism of the medication, causing a rapid and higher absorption rate into the bloodstream. This can increase the risk of an overdose, as the body may be exposed to a higher concentration of the drug than it can handle. Wellbutrin overdose can result in seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, hallucinations, agitation, confusion, and in severe cases, life-threatening complications.
3. Intensified Side Effects: Snorting Wellbutrin can lead to an intensification of the drug’s side effects. Common side effects of Wellbutrin include nausea, headache, insomnia, increased heart rate, dry mouth, and agitation. Snorting the medication can exacerbate these side effects and potentially cause new or more severe adverse reactions.
4. Addiction and Dependence: Misusing Wellbutrin by snorting it can increase the risk of developing an addiction or dependence on the medication. Wellbutrin, like other antidepressants, affects the brain’s chemistry and can lead to changes in neurotransmitter levels. Snorting the medication can heighten its pleasurable effects and reinforce addictive behaviors, leading to a cycle of drug-seeking behavior and potential dependence.
It is essential to take medications as prescribed by a healthcare professional and to never alter the intended route of administration. If you have concerns about your medication or its effectiveness, it is crucial to consult with your healthcare provider. They can address your concerns, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or explore alternative options to ensure your safety and well-being.
