Side Effects of Taking Wellbutrin and Celexa
Both Wellbutrin and Celexa are medications in a class of drugs known as antidepressants 12. They are used for the treatment of depression and may also be recommended for the treatment of other types of mental illness and smoking cessation. These medications are available by prescription only and should be taken only by those under the direct care of a physician. Some side effects are associated with both Wellbutrin and Celexa 1.
Changes in Behavior and Mood
Some patients taking antidepressant medications such as Wellbutrin or Celexa may experience changes in behavior and mood, which can lead to the development of suicidal thoughts 1. Patients should be under the close supervision of a physician for the first several months of treatment and following any change in dosage. According to Drugs.com, patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their doctor, such as mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if they feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive, more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting themselves 12. The use of alcohol while taking antidepressants may worsen these effects and should be avoided.
Sexual Dysfunction
Bad Side Effects From Wellbutrin
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Wellbutrin and Celexa may lead to sexual dysfunction in some users 1. Patients may experience a loss of interest in sex, decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm, reports Drugs.com 12. Patients should discuss these side effects with their physician, who may recommend a change in medication or dosage or prescribe a medication intended for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. These side effects may be temporary and lessen over time as the body adjusts to antidepressant treatment.
Insomnia
Insomnia may occur in patients taking Wellbutrin or Celexa 1. Insomnia is having difficulty falling or remaining asleep throughout the night. Natural remedies to induce sleep can include a warm shower or bath, warm milk and relaxation techniques such as meditation. If insomnia begins to negatively impact one's lifestyle, a doctor may prescribe a nightly sleep aid.
- Insomnia may occur in patients taking Wellbutrin or Celexa 1.
- If insomnia begins to negatively impact one's lifestyle, a doctor may prescribe a nightly sleep aid.
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References
- Drugs.com: Wellbutrin
- Neumann ID, Landgraf R. Balance of brain oxytocin and vasopressin: implications for anxiety, depression, and social behaviors. Trends Neurosci. 2012;35(11):649-59. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2012.08.004
- Food and Drug Administration. Celexa label.
- Food and Drug Administration. Revisions to Product Labeling.
- Silverman HM. The Pill Book. 14th ed. Bantam Books; 2011.
- Food and Drug Administration. Wellbutrin (buproprion hydrochloride) tablets prescribing information. June 2009.
- Verbeeck W, Bekkering GE, Van den Noortgate W, Kramers C. Bupropion for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10:CD009504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009504.pub2
- Armstrong C. ACOG guidelines on psychiatric medication use during pregnancy and lactation. Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(6):772-778.
- Stahl SM, Pradko JF, Haight BR, Modell JG, Rockett CB, Learned-coughlin S. A Review of the Neuropharmacology of Bupropion, a Dual Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;6(4):159-166.
- College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. Bupropion (Wellbutrin). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Updated December 2018.
- GlaxoSmithKline. Wellbutrin Prescribing Information. Updated November 2019.
Writer Bio
Laura Candelaria is a family nurse practitioner and assistant professor of nursing and nutritional science. Her experience includes neonatal and pediatric intensive-care, women's oncology, gynecology, obstetrics, lactation, nutrition and infertility. She has been published in "Nursing Spectrum," "Newsday" and on various websites.