Wellbutrin

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, notify your doctor immediately. Wellbutrin should be taken during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Wellbutrin does pass into breast milk and may cause serious reactions in a nursing baby; therefore, if you are a new mother, you may need to discontinue breastfeeding while you are taking this medication.

Recommended dosage

No single dose of Wellbutrin should exceed 150 milligrams.

ADULTS

Wellbutrin

At the beginning, your dose will probably be 200 milligrams per day, taken as 100 milligrams 2 times a day. After at least 3 days at this dose, your doctor may increase the dosage to 300 milligrams per day, taken as 100 milligrams 3 times a day, with at least 6 hours between doses. This is the usual adult dose. The maximum recommended dosage is 450 milligrams per day taken in doses of no more than 150 milligrams each.

Wellbutrin SR

The usual starting dose is 150 milligrams in the morning. After 3 days, if you do well, your doctor will have you take another 150 milligrams at least 8 hours after the first dose. It may be 4 weeks before you feel the benefit and you will take the drug for several months. The maximum recommended dose is 400 milligrams a day, taken in doses of 200 milligrams each.

If you have severe cirrhosis of the liver, your dosage should be no more than 75 milligrams once a day. With less serious liver and kidney problems, the dosage will be reduced as needed.

Wellbutrin XL

The usual starting dose is 150 milligrams taken once a day in the morning. If this dose is well tolerated after a minimum of 3 days, the doctor may increase the dose to 300 milligrams, also taken once a day in the morning. If no improvement is seen after several weeks of treatment, the doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 450 milligrams once a day.

If you have severe liver damage, use this drug with extreme caution. Your dose should not exceed 150 milligrams every other day. People with mild to moderate liver damage or kidney impairment will be prescribed a lower dose as well.

CHILDREN

The safety and effectiveness in children under 18 years old have not been established.

Overdosage

There have been rare reports of death after an overdose of Wellbutrin. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

• Symptoms of Wellbutrin overdose may include:
  Hallucinations, heart failure, loss of consciousness, rapid heartbeat, seizures

• Symptoms of Wellbutrin SR overdose may include:
  Blurred vision, confusion, jitteriness, lethargy, light-headedness, nausea, seizures, vomiting

• An overdose that involves other drugs in combination with Wellbutrin may also cause these symptoms:
  Breathing difficulties coma fever rigid muscles stupor