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Wellbutrin Alternatives

If Wellbutrin is causing bothersome side effects or is not working for you, there are a number of Wellbutrin alternatives available for treating depression. Behavioral therapists can help patients learn how to unlearn the behavioral patterns that contribute to, or result from, their depression. Among the other medications that can be used as alternatives to Wellbutrin are SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclic antidepressants. Some people may also consider alternative treatments for depression.

Wellbutrin Alternatives: An Overview

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

 

(The information in this article refers specifically to short-acting, immediate-release Wellbutrin, not the longer-acting Wellbutrin SR® or Wellbutrin XL®.) 
 

Therapy as a Wellbutrin Alternative

Many forms of psychotherapy, including some short-term (10 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
 
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