Stopping Wellbutrin XL

The chance of developing Wellbutrin XL withdrawal symptoms may increase if you abruptly stop taking the medication. Therefore, if you are going to be taken off Wellbutrin XL, your healthcare provider may slowly decrease your dose to help minimize the symptoms of withdrawal. Symptoms associated with this type of withdrawal include dizziness, headaches, and insomnia.

Wellbutrin XL Drug Information

Stopping Wellbutrin XL: An Overview

Stopping Wellbutrin XL^® (bupropion XL) abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Although the manufacturer does not warn about the possibility of a Wellbutrin XL withdrawal, it is still possible for symptoms to occur.

Symptoms of Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants, including Wellbutrin XL, can include:

Irritability
Agitation
Dizziness
Burning or tingling sensations
Anxiety
Confusion
Headaches
Insomnia
Tiredness.

In most people, these symptoms improve with time, without the need for any treatment.

Recommendations for Stopping Wellbutrin XL

If you are going to be taken off of Wellbutrin XL, your healthcare provider may wean you off slowly to minimize the risks of developing Wellbutrin XL withdrawal.

If symptoms do occur, your healthcare provider may return you to your previous Wellbutrin XL dosage and then wean you off the medication even more gradually.

When people take Wellbutrin XL for seasonal affective disorder (during autumn and winter), it is recommended that they begin stopping Wellbutrin XL in early spring. The recommended dose for seasonal affective disorder is 300 mg, once daily. The dosage is typically reduced to 150 mg a day for two weeks before stopping the drug altogether.