Wellbutrin (Bupropion) Withdrawal

Written by Keri Wiginton
Medically Reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD on June 12, 2025
9 min read

Wellbutrin withdrawal is what happens when your brain and body react to stopping bupropion, the active ingredient in this antidepressant. 

Not everyone gets symptoms, but you might notice some short-term physical or emotional changes if you quit suddenly. 

“We usually call it discontinuation syndrome,” says Paula Zimbrean, MD, a professor and psychiatrist with Yale School of Medicine and Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut.    

What happens during discontinuation syndrome? 

Antidepressants change how nerve cells talk to each other. When you stop taking them, your brain needs time to find its balance. You may notice withdrawal symptoms during this period. Not just because the drug is gone, but because antidepressants typically affect more than one brain receptor. 

Here’s a simple way to think about it: 

  • You take a drug like bupropion.
  • Your brain responds to the way it changes certain chemicals. 
  • When you stop, your nervous system has to adjust to life without the drug. 
  • That shift can bring on withdrawal symptoms as your brain recalibrates.   

Bupropion is considered an “atypical” antidepressant. It works differently than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It targets dopamine and norepinephrine, not serotonin. That’s why bupropion withdrawal symptoms are usually gentler, if they happen at all. 

How common is Wellbutrin withdrawal?

There isn’t much research on this. But based on what doctors see in their patients, it seems pretty rare. Zimbrean says most people can stop taking the medication with no problems.  

Other experts agree, including Awais Aftab, MD, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. 

“While I have heard about distressing withdrawal symptoms with SSRIs/SNRIs,” Aftab says, “I’ve yet to hear about bupropion withdrawal from a single patient of mine.” 

That doesn’t mean bupropion withdrawal never happens. But when it does, symptoms may fly under the radar or get mistaken for something else, like the flu.  

Is Wellbutrin addictive?

Not in the way most people think. If you’ve taken an antidepressant like bupropion for more than six weeks, you might feel off if you stop too suddenly. That’s a normal part of withdrawal. It’s not the same as addiction. 

Here’s the difference: 

  • Withdrawal means your body got used to the medicine. 
  • Addiction means your brain thinks it needs the drug, even if it causes harm. 

In other words, antidepressants like bupropion don’t trigger cravings or compulsive use the way substances like opioids or alcohol can. 

Most people stop bupropion without any major issues. But in some cases, your body and brain may react to the shift. If symptoms do show up, they’re usually mild and fade within a few days.  

Most common bupropion withdrawal symptoms 

You may notice: 

  • Anxiety or irritability
  • Feeling more tired than usual
  • More hunger than normal
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Headaches
  • General body aches or muscle pain

Less common bupropion withdrawal symptoms

In rare cases, people report more intense reactions. 

One 47-year-old man developed muscle movements he couldn’t control. A 27-year-old woman described a sensation of wanting to “crawl out of” her skin when she stopped bupropion suddenly. These types of symptoms are unusual, but they’ve been noted in case studies (scientific studies on one person). 

Is it Wellbutrin withdrawal or something else?

Say you started bupropion to quit smoking or boost your energy and focus. After stopping, your nicotine cravings or fatigue and lack of motivation return. Is that withdrawal? It could be. But it might also be: 

Rebound. A short-term return of symptoms, often stronger than before.

Relapse. When the original symptoms you’re treating come back and stick around. 

Rebound symptoms usually go away after a few days. A relapse tends to build slowly and last longer. If you’re not sure what you’re feeling, check in with your doctor.  

If you’re taking a low dose, you may be able to stop cold turkey. But you should still talk to your doctor before you make any changes. They’ll help you decide whether to lower your dose slowly (called tapering) or stop all at once. 

Here’s a general idea of how to taper off Wellbutrin: 

  • If you’re taking 300 milligrams or more, you drop to 150 milligrams for a week or two.
  • If you’re taking 150 milligrams or less, you may not need a taper. 
  • If you’re taking bupropion SR or XL, your taper may depend on the release type. 

Tapers can take a few days or a few weeks. It depends on your dose, how long you’ve been taking it, if you’re on other medications, and how your body reacts to medication changes. 

Tapering is different from switching medications. In some cases, doctors use bupropion to help people come off serotonin-based antidepressants or other stimulants more smoothly. This is called a “bridge” strategy, not a taper. 

Tips to ease Wellbutrin withdrawal:

  • Stick to a regular sleep schedule.
  • Move your body each day, even if it’s just a walk.
  • Keep a steady routine.
  • Plan your stop during a low-stress week or weekend.

Ask your doctor about short-term support if your mood shifts. This might include non-antidepressant meds, like the antihistamine hydroxyzine, to ease anxiety. 

Bupropion is a mild stimulant, so it’s normal to feel foggy or have low energy when you first quit. If you use it for depression, ADHD, or to stop smoking, talk to your doctor about how to keep long-term symptoms from coming back or handle them if they return. Therapy or lifestyle changes might help. 

In general, withdrawal symptoms tend to start once most of the drug has left your system. Since bupropion has a half-life of about 21 hours, most of it is gone within four to five days.

What does “half-life” mean? 

Half-life is how long it takes for your body to get rid of half of a drug. If a medication has a short half-life (meaning it leaves fast), your brain can feel the drop more suddenly. That’s one reason some meds cause stronger withdrawal effects than others.

For example: 

  • Venlafaxine (Effexor) has a five-hour half life and is known for strong withdrawal symptoms. 
  • Fluoxetine (Prozac) lasts much longer (four to six days) and tends to cause fewer problems.  

Bupropion is in the middle and doesn’t affect serotonin. That’s why most people don't get strong withdrawal symptoms from it. 

If you do get symptoms, here’s what that might look like:   

Days 1-3: 

  • Most people feel fine as the drug wears off slowly. 
  • Some notice brain fog or low energy. 

Days 4-7: 

  • If symptoms happen, this is when they usually peak. 
  • You might feel more scattered or tired than usual.
  • You might get flu-like symptoms such as headache or muscle aches.
  • Cravings, sleep issues, or mood shifts may show up. 

Week 2: 

  • Most withdrawal symptoms fade by now. 
  • Your nervous system starts to settle again. 

Week 3 and beyond: 

  • Lingering symptoms are rare. 
  • If you still feel off, it may be your original condition, not withdrawal.

Even though bupropion is easier to stop than many antidepressants, it’s still best to check with your doctor before you quit. They can help lower the chances of withdrawal.  

Bupropion usually doesn’t cause big problems. But if you stop too quickly, especially at high doses, you might have a few days of symptoms like trouble sleeping, low energy, or concentration issues. These effects aren’t usually dangerous, but they can be annoying or disruptive if they catch you off guard. 

The bigger concern is that your original symptoms might come back. That’s not true withdrawal, but it’s worth preparing for. 

Wellbutrin and post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS, is when you have psychological or emotional symptoms that drag on for weeks or months after stopping a drug. It shows up more often with substances like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines like Xanax.  

There’s no strong link between PAWS and bupropion. It works differently, so it doesn’t usually trigger a long, drawn-out withdrawal.

That said, some people do report brain fog, fatigue, or cravings after stopping bupropion. But if that happens, it’s more likely a sign that the condition you were treating – like depression, ADHD, or nicotine addiction – isn’t fully gone or is coming back. 

Most people don’t need to do much to avoid withdrawal from bupropion. But to play it safe, talk to your doctor before you suddenly stop. 

“It’s always a good idea to taper a medication slowly, especially after taking it for a long time,” Zimbrean says. 

You may want to taper if: 

  • You take 300 milligrams or more per day.
  • You’ve been taking it for six weeks or longer.
  • You’re sensitive to medication changes.
  • You’re stopping other mental health meds at the same time.

Tapering isn’t always needed, especially if you’ve been on an antidepressant for less than a month. But stopping slowly can make things easier on your nervous system. 

Most people stop bupropion without trouble. But if something doesn't feel right, or your symptoms hit harder than you expected, check in with your doctor. 

Here’s when to get help:  

  • Your symptoms get worse after a week or two.
  • Your mood shifts in a way that scares you.
  • You can’t sleep for days.
  • You have brain fog or low energy that makes daily life hard.

Call 911 or get medical help right away if: 

  • You feel panicked.
  • You think you might hurt yourself.

Even if you stopped from a low dose, don’t tough it out. Your doctor might suggest restarting a small dose of bupropion and tapering more slowly. 

Wellbutrin withdrawal can happen when you stop taking Wellbutrin, but it’s not common. Most people come off bupropion without much trouble. And if symptoms show up, they usually pass fast.  

Everyone’s brain and body are different, so your experience may not match someone else’s. The key is to go slow, listen to your body, and stay in touch with your care team. 

How hard is it to stop Wellbutrin?

Most people stop bupropion without a problem, especially if you’re already taking a lower dose like 75-150 milligrams. Withdrawal, or discontinuation syndrome, is much more common with antidepressants that affect serotonin, like SSRIs or SNRIs. 

What happens if I forget to take Wellbutrin for a few days?

You might not notice a big difference. Many people miss doses without feeling the effects. But if you miss several days, your original symptoms (like low mood, fatigue, lack of focus, or nicotine cravings) might come back.

Can Wellbutrin withdrawal cause brain zaps?

Brain zaps are sudden, brief, electric shock-like sensations. As a withdrawal symptom, you’re more likely to get them when you stop taking antidepressants that affect serotonin, like SSRIs or SNRIs. Since bupropion doesn’t act on serotonin, brain zaps aren’t likely. 

How long does it take to get Wellbutrin out of your system?

Bupropion has a half-life of about 21 hours. That means most of the drug will be out of your body within 4 to 5 days after your last dose. 

What is the timeline for Wellbutrin withdrawal?

If they happen at all, bupropion withdrawal symptoms usually start within a few days and last less than a week. Issues that linger beyond that might point to a relapse, or when symptoms of your original condition come back. 

Will I gain weight after stopping Wellbutrin?

That depends. Did you lose weight when you started taking it? If so, you might gain it back when you stop. That’s because bupropion can help curb appetite and boost energy. But not everyone experiences weight changes.

Which antidepressant is the hardest to stop?

Venlafaxine (Effexor) is often ranked the toughest. It’s an SNRI with a short half-life. It can cause flu-like symptoms, brain zaps, and strong mood swings when stopped. Doctors sometimes switch you to fluoxetine (Prozac) before stopping to ease the transition.