Weight gain is a common problem for many people. It becomes even worse when a person is consuming antidepressant medicines. But not all antidepressant medicines have weight gain side effects. Wellbutrin has unusual weight-reducing properties.
Among all antidepressants, Wellbutrin weight loss properties have helped it in standing out from the crowd. There are many studies and reports that prove the weight loss effect of Wellbutrin. However, it is not necessary that Wellbutrin will cause weight loss in everyone. No one should consume this medicine for the purpose of weight loss.
Wellbutrin is available in two formulations Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR. They are the formulations of bupropion antidepressant drugs. They have both weight gain and weight loss effects but the most common effect is weight loss.
If you are curious to know the cause of Wellbutrin weight loss then you are at the right place. Here, we will tell you how Wellbutrin causes weight loss.
What is Wellbutrin
Wellbutrin is the brand name for drug class bupropion. It is an atypical antidepressant that functions differently from the rest of the antidepressant drug class. The most common antidepressants are SSRIs that balance the brain’s serotonin level to treat memory, cognition, mood, and psychological issues.
Bupropion is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor NDRI. Its function is to boost the performance of norepinephrine and dopamine which are neurotransmitters associated with sleep, regulation of energy, and alertness.
It is a prescription drug that is considered the last option for antidepressants. When no other antidepressant works on the body, doctors prescribe it. Bupropion is prescribed in a calculated dose and upon a sudden stop in the medicine, it can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Side effects of Wellbutrin
Following are the common side-effects of Wellbutrin
- Mood swing
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Hallucination
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Hypertension
- Allergic reaction
Does Wellbutrin cause weight loss?
Weight alteration is among the common side-effects of many antidepressants. Although each body is different and reacts to antidepressants differently. Most people gain weight due to such medicines but Wellbutrin weight loss effects are more common as compared to weight gain.
The most common reason for Wellbutrin weight loss is its impact on norepinephrine and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for the regulation of satiety, appetite, and feeding behavior. When these neurotransmitters increase in the body, ultimately impact the eating and sleep cycle.
Following are some of the researches about Wellbutrin weight loss effects.
- Wellbutrin is not a weight loss drug. Since the weight loss effects are not much prominent and in some people, it does not cause any weight loss. therefore Wellbutrin is not an FDA-approved obesity drug.
- In 2016, a clinical trial was done in which people lost 5% of their body weight. In 16 weeks due to Wellbutrin, they lost 5% weight.
- when people take Wellbutrin in a combination with exercise and a 500 cal diet plan, they can lose a 5% body weight in only 10 to 15 weeks.
- People taking 300 to 400 mg of Wellbutrin SR for 24 weeks along with diet and exercise lost 7 to 10% of their body weight.
Is Wellbutrin good for weight loss?
No, you should never take Wellbutrin as a weight loss drug. It is not an FDA-approved drug for losing weight. For some people, it may give side effects of weight loss but many people do not have any impact on their weight.
It is prescribed antidepressant medicine which can cause toxic affect when taken in combination with other drugs. There is no surety that this medicine will reduce weight. If you do not have depression or anxiety issues it can cause problems in your body system.
If you do not have any psychological disease the best option for you is to make lifestyle changes. Following are some of the tips which can help you in losing weight without consuming antidepressants.
- Reduce your calorie intake.
- Do not eat junk food or processed food.
- Take a well-balanced nutritious diet including lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and whole grains.
- Reduce or completely stop alcohol consumption.
- Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water to keep yourself hydrated.
- Increase your daily physical activity.
- Tika 6 to 8 hours of sleep.
Bottom line
Wellbutrin weight loss is a common effect of this class of antidepressant drugs. However, it doesn’t mean that people should misuse Wellbutrin for weight loss. Antidepressant drugs impact neurotransmitters controlling the different functions of the body and they are doctor-prescribed medicines.
If you desire to use Wellbutrin for weight loss. There is no guarantee that it will affect your body in a way that you will get rid of body fat. To lose weight the best way is to make lifestyle changes rather than look for shortcuts. Since sometimes shortcut leads to drastic results.
