Does Wellbutrin XL/SR cause weight gain or loss. How does bupropion affect body weight. What percentage of people experience weight changes on Wellbutrin. Can Wellbutrin help with weight loss while quitting smoking. How do Wellbutrin XL and SR differ in terms of weight effects.

The Impact of Wellbutrin on Body Weight: An Overview

Wellbutrin, also known by its generic name bupropion, is an antidepressant medication that comes in two formulations: Wellbutrin XL (extended-release) and Wellbutrin SR (sustained-release). While primarily used to treat depression, these medications can also have effects on body weight. Understanding these potential changes is crucial for patients considering or currently taking Wellbutrin.

Both Wellbutrin XL and SR may cause weight fluctuations, with weight loss being more commonly reported than weight gain. However, it’s important to note that not everyone taking these medications will experience changes in their weight. The effects can vary from person to person, and factors such as dosage, individual physiology, and lifestyle habits can all play a role.

Wellbutrin XL: Weight Changes and Statistics

Wellbutrin XL, the extended-release formulation, has been associated with weight changes in clinical studies. Here are some key findings:

• 23% of individuals taking a daily dose of 150 to 300 mg experienced a weight loss of 5 pounds or more
• 11% of people gained more than 5 pounds

These statistics suggest that weight loss is more common than weight gain with Wellbutrin XL, but individual responses can vary significantly.

Why does Wellbutrin XL tend to cause weight loss?

The exact mechanism behind Wellbutrin XL’s weight loss effect is not fully understood. However, it’s believed to be related to the medication’s impact on brain chemicals, particularly dopamine. Bupropion increases dopamine levels in the brain, and some studies have suggested a link between lower dopamine levels and obesity. By boosting dopamine, Wellbutrin XL may indirectly influence appetite and metabolism, leading to weight loss in some individuals.

Wellbutrin SR: Weight Effects and Dosage Considerations

Wellbutrin SR, the sustained-release formulation, also shows a tendency towards weight loss, though the effects can vary based on dosage:

• At a 300 mg daily dose, 14% of people lost more than 5 pounds
• With a 400 mg daily dose, 19% of individuals experienced a weight loss exceeding 5 pounds
• Weight gain was less common, with only 3% of those taking 300 mg and 2% of those on 400 mg gaining more than 5 pounds

These findings indicate that higher doses of Wellbutrin SR may be associated with a greater likelihood of weight loss, though this should not be the primary consideration when determining dosage.

How does Wellbutrin SR’s dosing schedule affect weight changes?

Wellbutrin SR is typically taken twice daily, as opposed to the once-daily dosing of Wellbutrin XL. This difference in dosing schedule might influence how the medication affects metabolism and appetite throughout the day. Some patients may find that the twice-daily dosing of SR helps maintain more consistent effects on appetite and energy levels, potentially contributing to weight loss.

Bupropion and Smoking Cessation: A Dual Benefit?

Interestingly, bupropion is not only used as an antidepressant but also as a smoking cessation aid. A study focusing on sustained-release bupropion for smoking cessation revealed an additional benefit: individuals using this medication were less likely to gain weight after quitting smoking.

This finding is particularly significant because weight gain is a common concern for many people trying to quit smoking. The ability of bupropion to potentially mitigate this weight gain could make it an attractive option for those looking to quit smoking while managing their weight.

How does bupropion help prevent weight gain during smoking cessation?

The mechanism behind bupropion’s ability to prevent weight gain during smoking cessation is likely multifaceted. It may involve the medication’s effects on dopamine and norepinephrine, which can influence appetite and metabolism. Additionally, bupropion might help manage the increased food cravings that often accompany smoking cessation, making it easier for individuals to maintain their weight as they quit.

Comparing Wellbutrin XL and SR: Weight Effects and Usage

While both Wellbutrin XL and SR contain the same active ingredient (bupropion), their formulations and uses differ slightly:

1. Dosing schedule: XL is taken once daily, while SR is typically taken twice daily
2. Approved uses: Both are approved for treating major depressive disorder, but XL has an additional approval for seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
3. Weight effects: Both formulations tend to cause weight loss more often than weight gain, but individual responses may vary

The choice between XL and SR often depends on factors such as the patient’s specific condition, lifestyle, and how they respond to the medication.

Which formulation is more likely to cause weight loss?

Based on the available data, it’s difficult to definitively state which formulation is more likely to cause weight loss. The studies show slightly different percentages for weight loss between XL and SR, but these differences may not be clinically significant. The most appropriate formulation should be determined by a healthcare provider based on the individual patient’s needs and overall treatment goals.

Understanding the Dopamine Connection: Wellbutrin and Weight

Wellbutrin’s unique mechanism of action, which involves increasing dopamine levels in the brain, may play a crucial role in its effects on weight. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, motivation, and reward. Its influence on weight may be multifaceted:

• Appetite regulation: Dopamine can affect appetite centers in the brain, potentially reducing food cravings
• Metabolism: Some research suggests that dopamine may influence metabolic rate
• Mood and energy: By improving mood and energy levels, increased dopamine may indirectly support weight loss efforts

While the exact relationship between dopamine and weight is still being studied, the connection offers a plausible explanation for Wellbutrin’s tendency to promote weight loss in some individuals.

Can Wellbutrin be prescribed specifically for weight loss?

Wellbutrin is not FDA-approved as a weight loss medication. Its primary indications are for depression and, in the case of Wellbutrin XL, seasonal affective disorder. While weight loss may occur as a side effect, it should not be the primary reason for prescribing Wellbutrin. Patients seeking medication specifically for weight loss should discuss other FDA-approved options with their healthcare provider.

Managing Expectations: Weight Changes on Wellbutrin

When starting Wellbutrin, it’s important for patients to have realistic expectations regarding potential weight changes:

1. Individual variation: Not everyone will experience weight changes
2. Gradual effects: Weight loss or gain typically occurs gradually over time
3. Temporary nature: Weight changes may stabilize or reverse after long-term use
4. Multifactorial influences: Diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors still play crucial roles in weight management

Patients should communicate openly with their healthcare providers about any concerns or significant weight changes while taking Wellbutrin.

Should patients monitor their weight while taking Wellbutrin?

Regular weight monitoring can be beneficial for patients taking Wellbutrin, especially during the initial months of treatment. This can help identify any significant changes early on and allow for timely adjustments to treatment if necessary. However, it’s important not to become overly focused on small fluctuations, as some variation in weight is normal.

Beyond Weight: Other Considerations with Wellbutrin

While weight changes are a notable aspect of Wellbutrin treatment, they should not be the sole focus when considering this medication. Other important factors to consider include:

• Effectiveness in treating depression or seasonal affective disorder
• Potential side effects beyond weight changes
• Interactions with other medications
• Individual response to the medication

A comprehensive discussion with a healthcare provider is essential to determine if Wellbutrin is the right choice for an individual’s specific situation.

How do the benefits of Wellbutrin compare to its potential side effects?

The benefits of Wellbutrin in treating depression and seasonal affective disorder often outweigh the potential side effects for many patients. Its unique mechanism of action can be particularly helpful for those who haven’t responded well to other antidepressants. However, the balance of benefits and risks should be carefully evaluated on an individual basis, taking into account the patient’s overall health, specific symptoms, and treatment goals.

In conclusion, while Wellbutrin XL and SR can influence body weight, with a tendency towards weight loss, these effects are not universal and should not be the primary consideration when prescribing or taking the medication. The focus should remain on its effectiveness in treating depression and other approved conditions, with weight changes monitored as part of overall health management. As with any medication, close communication with healthcare providers is crucial to ensure the best possible outcomes and to address any concerns that may arise during treatment.

Does Wellbutrin XL/SR cause weight gain or loss?

Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. Last updated on April 6, 2023.

Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR are different formulations of the antidepressant bupropion. Both Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR may cause weight gain or weight loss, but weight loss is more common. Not everyone taking these drugs will experience a change in weight.

Weight changes are considered a side effect for both Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR. Studies of Wellbutrin XL show that 23% of people taking a dose of 150 to 300 mg per day lost 5 pounds or more. In the same studies, 11% of people gained more than 5 pounds.

Studies of Wellbutrin SR show that 14% of people taking a dose of 300 mg per day lost more than 5 pounds. At a dose of 400 mg, 19% of people lost more than 5 pounds. In the same studies, a small percentage of people gained more than 5 pounds: 3% taking 300 mg and 2% taking 400 mg.

Bupropion may also be used to help people stop smoking. A study of sustained-release (SR) bupropion for smoking cessation found that people using this medication were less likely to gain weight after they stopped smoking.

The reason bupropion causes some people to lose weight is not known, but it may have to do with its mechanism of action to treat depression.

Bupropion increases the level of the brain chemical dopamine. Some studies suggest that lower levels of dopamine may be linked to obesity.

The difference between Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR lies in the dosing schedule. XL is an extended-release medication and only needs to be taken once a day. SR stands for sustained release, and it may be taken twice a day.

Both XL and SR formulations are approved to treat major depressive disorder. Wellbutrin XL has an additional approval for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is depression that occurs with the changing of seasons, usually in the fall and winter.

References

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Wellbutrin XL Prescribing Information. May 2017. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021515s036lbl.pdf. [Accessed March 2, 2021].
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Wellbutrin SR Prescribing Information. October 2020. Available at: https://gskpro.com/content/dam/global/hcpportal/en_US/Prescribing_Information/Wellbutrin_SR/pdf/WELLBUTRIN-SR-PI-MG.PDF. [Accessed March 2, 2021].
• Anderson JW, Greenway FL, Gadde KM, et al. Bupropion SR Enhances Weight Loss: A 48-Week Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Obes Res. 2002;10:633-641. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1038/oby.2002.86. [Accessed March 2, 2021].

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Medical Disclaimer

Does naltrexone cause weight gain?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on March 27, 2023.

Key Points

• Weight gain is not a common side effect with oral naltrexone treatment. Naltrexone is approved to help promote weight loss when used in combination with bupropion (brand name: Contrave).
• Naltrexone is known to frequently cause stomach side effects like nausea and vomiting (10% or more of patients), stomach pain or cramping, and loss of appetite which could contribute to weight loss. These side effects may lessen over time.
• Oral naltrexone has been reported by the manufacturer to cause both weight gain and increased appetite, but these are not frequent adverse events.

Naltrexone when combined with bupropion (brand name: Contrave) is used to help with weight loss. Contrave is an extended-release form of two FDA-approved drugs, oral naltrexone tablets and oral bupropion (Wellbutrin SR).

Contrave is used in obese or overweight adults with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. It is used in addition to diet and exercise. In clinical trials, 36% to 48% of patients taking Contrave lost at least 5% of body weight.

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist approved to treat alcohol or opioid dependence (following detoxification) along with group counseling. Bupropion is classified as an antidepressant and is used to treat depression, seasonal affective disorder and as an aid to quit smoking.

Learn more: FDA Approved Weight Loss Drugs – Can They Help You?

References

• Naltrexone prescribing information. Major Pharmaceuticals. Last updated May 1, 2020. Accessed April 6, 2021 at https://www.drugs.com/pro/naltrexone.html
• Contrave (bupropion and naltrexone) prescribing information. Currax Pharmaceuticals. Last updated March 1, 2021. Accessed April 6, 2021 at https://www.drugs.com/pro/contrave.html

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🎖▷ Why You Shouldn’t Worry About Weight Gain With Lamictal

If you’re worried that taking Lamictal (lamotrigine) might cause weight gain, there’s good news. It probably won’t affect your weight much. If anything, you’re more likely to lose weight due to Lamictal than gain weight, but either way, the changes are likely to be pretty small.
The effect of Lamictal on weight has been little studied and various clinical trials have found minimal effect. In fact, some researchers even considered the drug as a possible remedy for obesity and as a remedy for overeating. This information should be reassuring for people with bipolar disorder, as many of the medications used to treat this condition can cause weight gain.

Lamictal findings and weight gain or loss
Lamictal is an anticonvulsant that can be used to treat seizures such as epilepsy. It is also used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder.
In the first clinical trials with the drug, 5 percent of adults with epilepsy lost weight while taking Lamictal, while 1 to 5 percent of patients with bipolar I disorder gained weight while taking the drug. The researchers do not disclose how much weight patients have gained or lost.
Meanwhile, a 2006 study comparing the effects on weight of Lamictal, lithium, and placebo found that some Lamictal-treated patients gained weight, some lost weight, and most remained about the same weight. Weight changes are usually not many pounds anyway. Obese patients taking Lamictal lost an average of four pounds, while the weight of non-obese patients remained virtually unchanged.
Relationship between weight gain and other bipolar drugs
Weight gain from medications used to treat bipolar disorder is unfortunately quite common. Some mood stabilizers commonly used for bipolar disorder, especially lithium and Depakote (valproate), carry a high risk of weight gain.
In addition, the atypical antipsychotics Clozaril (clozapine) and Zyprexa (olanzapine) tend to cause significant weight gain in people who take them. Finally, some antidepressants, notably Paxil (paroxetine) and Remeron (mirtazapine), have been associated with weight gain.
Therefore, if you are already overweight, you and your psychiatrist may want to consider additional weight gain when determining your bipolar medication regimen. Based on this, Lamictal may be a good choice.
Lamictal as a possible treatment for obesity
Lamictal has also been studied as a possible treatment for obesity in people without epilepsy or bipolar disorder.
In a small 40-person clinical trial conducted in 2006, researchers randomly assigned participants to receive either lamictal or placebo for up to 26 weeks. Each participant in the study had a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40, placing them in the obese group to the level of severe obesity. Those who took Lamictal lost an average of just over 10 pounds. Those who took the placebo lost about 7 pounds in the meantime, so while those who took Lamictal lost more weight, they didn’t lose all that much more.
Another study in 2009 looked at Lamictal as a remedy for overeating. This study involved 51 people with the condition that 26 of them received Lamictal, and 25 – placebo.
Those who took Lamictal lost more weight than those who took placebo (about 2.5 pounds versus about one-third of a pound) and did have significant improvements in blood sugar and cholesterol lab test results. However, Lamictal did not appear to affect other aspects of the eating disorder when compared to placebo.

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It is caused by the use of not only hormonal drugs, but also other drugs

When the numbers on the scale increase, most people never think that this has anything to do with the drugs they take. But the truth is that there are quite a few common drugs associated with weight gain. Medicines can make you gain weight by increasing your appetite, water retention, or fatigue that makes you inactive.

Worst of all, people with obesity-related conditions like diabetes and depression are more likely to get it, but that doesn’t mean you should stop taking your medication. If you suspect any of the medications listed are helping you gain weight, talk to your doctor. He may prescribe a lower dose or a different medication.

Diabetes remedies

We all know that being overweight increases the risk of diabetes. Unfortunately, according to research, taking diabetes medication to regulate blood sugar can make your waistline bigger. Insulin is an anabolic hormone, so injecting or inhaling it can contribute to the accumulation of glucose and fat. Fortunately, you can avoid this effect by eating more plant-based foods and staying active.

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Antidepressants

Antidepressants can cause weight gain or weight loss, depending on the individual’s body and the specific medication they are taking. If an overweight person loses weight while on medication, it may mean they are coming out of depression. Weight gain can also be positive if depression has caused you to lose weight.

However, research suggests that when an overweight person puts on weight while taking antidepressants, it is probably a side effect of the drugs. Some antidepressants, such as Paxil, have been associated with weight gain, while Wellbutrin is less likely to cause weight gain.

Antihistamines

Did you know that using antihistamines to treat allergies or insomnia can lead to weight gain? In one study, researchers found that those who took the h2 antihistamine had greater waist circumference, weight, and insulin concentration compared to those who did not.

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Contraceptives

Many women believe that contraceptives cause weight gain . Surprisingly, a review of several studies shows that their effect on weight is minimal. However, they also cause hormonal imbalances that cause weight gain. Other sources say they increase appetite and cause water retention.

Fortunately, there is a wide variety of birth control options available, and some of the newer pills are low in estrogen and progesterone.