Short-Term Side Effects

Side effects like changes in mood or behavior, anxiety attacks, panic attacks, difficulty in sleeping and feelings of impulsiveness, agitation, irritability and aggressiveness are considered as short-term. However, these symptoms require medical attention if they persist. The same goes for other short-term side effects like hyperactivity, more depression, and suicidal tendencies or thoughts.

Immediate medical attention is needed if a user experiences convulsions, faster heartbeats, fever, rashes, joint pain, itching and generally ill feeling. There is also a risk that the user will suffer from severe skin reaction characterized by fever, sore throat, swelling of the tongue or face, burning sensation in the eyes, skin pain and purple skin rash.

Long-Term Side Effects

Chronic use of Wellbutrin can lead to long-term side effects like stomach pain, nausea, dry mouth, ringing sensation in the ears, dizziness and headache. Some users of this medication also say they have completely lost their interest in sex while others complain of sore throat and muscle pain.  There are also risks of mild itching or skin rashes, frequent urination, increased sweating, change in appetite, and obvious weight loss or gain.

Interactions

Many drugs can interact with Wellbutrin, which can negate its effectiveness and increase the risks of side effects. It is important for people who are prescribed with this drug to immediately tell their doctor if they are using medications for prevention of blood clots like clopidogrel, ticlopidine and tirofiban as well as drugs for heart or blood pressure such as flecainide, metoprolol, propafenone and propranolol.
Wellbutrin should not be used by anyone who is also taking HIV or AIDS medication like ritonavir, or anti-seizure drugs like phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital. There is an increased risk of seizures if Wellbutrin is used with other medications like other antidepressants, antibiotics like amoxicillin, cephalexin and penicillin as well as  antihistamines and asthma medications or bronchodilators.

How It Works

Wellbutrin is a NDRI (norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor) that affects two chemicals in the brain- norepinephrine and dopamine. By blocking the reuptake of these chemicals, it prevents the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain to prevent depression.

Generic Alternatives

If Wellbutrin is not recommended for a user who experiences a lot of side effects while taking the drug, other medication alternatives like therapy and electroconvulsive therapy may be taken.