Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets are used for:
Treating depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets are an antidepressant. It works in the brain to treat depression. Exactly how it works is not known.
Do NOT use Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets
you are taking any other medicine that contains bupropion
you have a history of an eating disorder (eg, anorexia, bulimia) or seizures (eg, epilepsy)
you are suddenly stopping the use of alcohol or sedatives (eg, benzodiazepines) after long-term use
you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days
Contact your doctor right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets:
Some medical conditions may interact with Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you or a family member has a history of bipolar disorder (manic depression), other mental or mood problems (eg, depression), suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or substance abuse
if you have diabetes, kidney problems, liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), high blood pressure, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), or a recent heart attack
if you have a history of seizures, a head injury, or a tumor in the brain or spinal cord
if you are taking nonprescription weight loss medicines or stimulants
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Amantadine, other antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline, fluvoxamine), antipsychotics (eg, haloperidol, risperidone), clopidogrel, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), cyclophosphamide, efavirenz, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, nelfinavir), insulin, levodopa, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), nicotine patches, oral hypoglycemics (eg, glipizide), orphenadrine, sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), theophylline, thiotepa, tiagabine, or ticlopidine because they may increase the risk of Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets's side effects
Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, or ritonavir because they may decrease Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets's effectiveness
Antiarrhythmics (eg, flecainide, propafenone), beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, nortriptyline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your doctor if Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your doctor before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets:
Use Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets refilled.
Take Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
Swallow Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets whole. Do not break, crush, divide, or chew before swallowing.
Several weeks may pass before your symptoms get better. Do not stop taking Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets without checking with your doctor.
Take your doses at the same time each day, at least 24 hours apart. This may help to decrease the risk of seizures with Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets.
Continue to take Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
If you miss a dose of Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than 1 dose within 24 hours. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your doctor any questions you may have about how to use Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets.
Important safety information:
Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets may increase your risk of seizures. Your risk may be greater if you also have certain medical conditions, use certain medicines, or if you use a lot of alcohol. Talk to your doctor to see if you may have a greater risk of seizures while taking Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets.
If you already drink alcohol or use sedatives, do not suddenly stop them without first checking with your doctor. Suddenly stopping them may increase your seizure risk.
Do not take decongestants (eg, pseudoephedrine), stimulants, or diet pills while you are taking Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets without first checking with your doctor. They may increase your risk of seizures.
The risk of seizures may be greater if you take Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets in high doses or for a long time. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
You may notice the tablet shell in your stool. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
If you have trouble sleeping, you may be taking your dose too close to bedtime. Talk with your doctor about changing your dosing schedule.
Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets has the same ingredients in it as Zyban, a medicine used to help stop smoking, and Aplenzin, another medicine used to treat depression. Do not take Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets if you are also taking Zyban or Aplenzin. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
Use Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets while you are pregnant. Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets are found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets.
Possible side effects of Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushing; gas; headache; increased sweating; increased urination; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; restlessness; ringing in the ears; stomach pain; taste changes; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness; weight changes.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, unusual hoarseness); chest pain; confusion; dark urine; delusions; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; hearing problems or ringing in the ears; menstrual changes; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, concentration problems, depression, panic attacks, aggressiveness, agitation, anxiety, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, inability to sit still); pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent joint or muscle pain; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; severe or persistent nervousness, restlessness, or trouble sleeping; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; unusual swelling; vision changes; worsening depression; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Proper storage of Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets:
Store Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tight, light-resistant container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.
