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Wellbutrin SR Alternatives

Although most people tolerate Wellbutrin SR well, the medicine may cause bothersome side effects or may not work as well as intended. If Wellbutrin SR does not work for you, there are several Wellbutrin SR alternatives, including psychotherapy, alternative therapies, electroconvulsive therapy, and other antidepressants. Some other medications that can be used as alternatives to Wellbutrin SR include SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclic antidepressants.

 

Wellbutrin SR Alternatives: An Overview

Wellbutrin SR® (bupropion SR) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression). For the most part, Wellbutrin SR is well-tolerated and is effective at treating depression symptoms. However, as with all medicines, it is possible that side effects will occur during treatment with Wellbutrin SR or that the medicine may not adequately control a person's symptoms. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to Wellbutrin SR for depression treatment, including
 
  • Therapy
  • Other depression medications (also known as antidepressants)
  • Electroconvulsive therapy
  • Alternative (natural) therapies.
 

Therapy as a Wellbutrin SR Alternative

Many forms of psychotherapy, including some short-term (10 weeks to 20 weeks) therapies, can help people with depression. "Talk" therapies help patients gain insight into, and resolve, their problems through verbal exchange with the therapist -- sometimes combined with "homework" assignments between sessions. Behavioral therapists help patients learn how to obtain more satisfaction through their own actions and how to unlearn the behavioral patterns that contribute to, or result from, their depression.
 
(Click Psychotherapy for Depression to learn more about this depression treatment option.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;