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WellButrin XL Review – 8 Things To Consider

By Sasha de Beausset Aparicio, MSc

Reviewed by Rebecca Williams, MD, MA, MB, BChir

Last Updated:

Evidence Based | Facts | Ingredients | Claims | Precautions | Cost | How To Use | Verdict

WellButrin XL is an anti-depressant used for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and, according to its manufacturer, even obesity. The product was developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Ranked among the companies that operate in the pharmaceutical industry, the company has its headquarters in the United Kingdom and offices in more than 100 countries. GSK also has its own research centers in countries like USA, China, UK or Belgium.

The company advertises WellButrin XL as an anti-depressant of aminoketone class. Also, the product is chemically unrelated to tetracyclic, tricyclic, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or other known anti-depressant chemicals. Its chemical structure is somehow similar to deithylpropion’s composition.

Facts

1) WellButrin XL Quick Facts

When a nerve cell sends a message in the brain, up to 10% of the chemicals in the brain message can be left behind. This anti-depressant claims to work by giving the second cells in the brain additional time to receive norepinephrine and dopamine, which keeps the chemical from “being left behind”.

According to some scientists and some studies conducted by the producing company, this restores the balance of the brain and can ease various depression symptoms. However, these claims are not 100% medically proven, as the brain is a very complex organ and there are many contradictory theories on this massive brain science issue.

While there are no testimonials on the producer’s website, this product is accompanied by a lot of information regarding its chemical formulation, absorption, indications and usage, warnings, precautions and laboratory tests conducted by the company itself.

Ingredients

2) WellButrin XL Ingredients

WellButrin XL contains: bupropion hydrochloride, ethylcellulose aqueous dispersion, glyceryl behenate, methacrylic acid copolymer dispersion, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, povidone, silicon dioxide, and triethyl citrate.

3) Does WellButrin XL Work and it is Safe?

Wellbutrin XL is an antidepressant of the aminoketone class, and the product information states that it is chemically unrelated to tricyclic, tetracyclic, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or other known antidepressant agents. Its structure closely resembles that of diethylpropion.

As up to 10% of the chemicals in the brain message can be left behind when a nerve cell sends a message to the brain, Wellbutrin XL claims to work by giving the second cells in the brain more time to receive the dopamine and norepinephrine, which keeps these chemicals from becoming depleted. Some scientists claim that this restores the balance in the brain, and helps to ease symptoms of depression. It should be noted that this is not yet medically proven, as there are many theories on this complex brain science issue.

According to its manufacturer, patients should not take Wellbutrin XL if they have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as phenelzine (Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Eldepryl), rasagiline (Azilect) or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Also, alcohol and nicotine during the treatment with Wellbutrin XL can cause serious side effects.

While there are no testimonials on the producer’s website, this product is accompanied by a lot of information regarding its chemical formulation, absorption, indications and usage, warnings, precautions and laboratory tests conducted by the company itself.

Claims

4) WellButrin XL Claims

  • The company provides full documentation on this product.
  • Some clinical tests have been conducted to support the manufacturer’s claims.

Precautions

5) Precautions of WellButrin XL Use

  • If not taken correctly, it can cause severe side effects: nervousness, restlessness, agitation, drowsiness or lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation or headache.
  • There are no testimonials on the website.
  • There is no free sample available.
  • Pregnant or nursing women should avoid taking this drug.

Cost

6) How Much Does WellButrin XL Cost?

Wellbutrin XL is an expensive form of prescription antidepressants. However, the cost may be slightly different based on your insurance coverage.

Wellbutrin XL is available in bottles of 30 tablets, 60 tablets or 90 tablets each and in concentrations of 150 mg or 300 mg.

How To Use

7) How to Use WellButrin XL

According to its manufacturer, patients should not take WellButrin XL if they have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as phenelzine (Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Eldepryl), rasagiline (Azilect) or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Also, alcohol and nicotine during the treatment with WellButrin XL can cause serious side effects.

Verdict

8) Our Verdict on WellButrin XL

WellButrin XL contains some powerful and aggressive ingredients. We strongly recommend patients to do not take this drug without approval from a specialist. This anti-depressant contains bupropion which is commonly used to treat major depressive episode (or DSM-IV).

The efficacy of this substance in maintaining an anti-depressant response for up to 44 weeks following 8 weeks of intense treatment was proven in a placebo-controlled trial with the sustained-release formulation of bupropion.

However, the physician who decides to use WellButrin XL for extended periods should periodically reevaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.

2.9/5 - (15 votes)
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