How Long Does Wellbutrin Remain In The System?

Posted on Thu, 28 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 Answered on

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I was taking wellbutrin for 19 days. I stopped 5 days ago because I was experiencing side effects. How long before it is all out of my body, and if I wanted to take it again would it be like starting from square one? Also did I give it enough chance to work? I was taking 150 mg/day

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Warm Welcome. I appreciate your trust in HCM and thanks very much for your premium question.

I have thoroughly reviewed health query you raised, and well realize all of those concerns.

It can take up to 7 days for Wellbutrin 150mg to fully exit the body. This is calculated from the elimination half-life, which is up to 30 hours (30 times 5, the steady-state time, is 150, or just under 7 days).

If you want to start taking it again at this point in time, yes, it would be like starting over, as the drug is almost entirely eliminated from the body already.

You did not give it enough time to exert its effect, unfortunately. It can take up to 6 weeks for Wellbutrin to reach its maximum intended effect in the body, and you only took it for about 3 weeks. This was not an adequate trial.

Please remember to rate and close this answer if you find it satisfactory.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (25 hours later)

Is there any medical reason I couldn't simply start the medication again, and if I did would the side effects have the same intensity?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:

There is no reason you cannot start the medication again. It would be safe. For you, I would start with 75mg, and uptitrate very slowly, to lessen any side effects you experience. With care and some luck, you may be able to avoid side effects altogether.

Please remember to rate and close this answer if you find it satisfactory.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad