Wellbutrin SR is an antidepressant drug used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. It belongs to a unique class of drugs called aminoketones. Wellbutrin SR helps to restore balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine.

Always follow your doctor’s instructions and use Wellbutrin exactly as prescribed.

• Take with or without food.

Before taking Wellbutrin SR, inform your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Recently stopped drinking alcohol, taking seizure medications, or sedatives
• Used an MAOI in the last 2 weeks
• Seizures
• Heart disease
• Head, brain, or spinal cord injury
• Diabetes
• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• High blood pressure
• Eating disorders
• Bipolar disorder

Never stop taking Wellbutrin SR without your doctor’s guidance. Suddenly stopping Wellbutrin SR may lead to withdrawal symptoms.

Common side effects of Wellbutrin SR include:

• Dry mouth
• Stuffy nose
• Dizziness
• Joint pain
• Constipation or nausea
• Insomnia

More serious side effects include:

• Seizures or convulsion
• Manic episodes including reckless behavior, extreme mood swings, sleep problems, racing thoughts, increased energy
• Irregular or pounding heartbeat
• Skin reactions: fever, sore throat, swelling, skin pain, red or purple rash, blistering and peeling
• Blurred or tunnel vision, eye pain, halos
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

Can I drink alcohol while taking Wellbutrin SR?

It isn’t recommended that you mix alcohol and Wellbutrin. Doing so may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision. You may also experience lower alcohol tolerance, leading to intoxication or alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol is a depressant that may negatively affect your mental health even if it doesn’t interact poorly with your medication.

What if I’m switching from another antidepressant to Wellbutrin SR?

If you’re currently taking an MAOI (Marplan, Nardil, Emsam), you should wait at least 2 weeks between discontinuing your current drug and starting Wellbutrin. Talk to your doctor about how to gradually taper off your current medication.