Wellbutrin (Bupropion) Withdrawal Timeline

Wellbutrin withdrawal timeline at a glance

Phase	When	What you may feel	Severity	Red flags
After stopping	Days to weeks (not well studied for bupropion)	Irritability or low mood; Sleep changes; Return of depression or of smoking urges (if used to quit)	Mild	Thoughts of suicide or self-harm: call or text 988 now

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Symptoms, phase by phase

We couldn’t find a discontinuation syndrome described in the Wellbutrin XL label, unlike SSRI labels. RCPsych’s general guidance on antidepressant withdrawal still applies: symptoms vary between people and can include mood changes and sleep problems. Because evidence for bupropion is thin, we’ve kept the timeline general and haven’t given numbers.

After stopping: Days to weeks (not well studied for bupropion)

• Irritability or low mood
• Sleep changes
• Return of depression or of smoking urges (if used to quit)

What makes withdrawal longer or shorter

• Dose. The label says people on 300 mg of Wellbutrin XL should go down to 150 mg before stopping.
• Why you take it. If you take it to quit smoking (Zyban), stopping may bring back cravings.
• Relapse vs withdrawal. Depression returning usually takes weeks or months, according to RCPsych.

When to see a doctor or get help now

• Before stopping or reducing your antidepressant.
• Call or text 988 for thoughts of suicide; call 911 if you’re in danger.
• Symptoms are severe or not easing. RCPsych says symptoms usually improve quickly (in days or even hours) if the antidepressant is restarted, and a prescriber can then plan a slower taper.
• You’re unsure whether it’s withdrawal or your depression or anxiety coming back. RCPsych says withdrawal usually starts within days, while relapse typically takes weeks or months.

Not sure where to start? Call SAMHSA’s free, confidential helpline at 1-800-662-4357, 24/7. See Get Help.

Tapering

The label says to decrease the dose from 300 mg to 150 mg once daily before stopping Wellbutrin XL. We don’t publish dose-by-dose schedules. Your prescriber should set your plan, and adjust it if symptoms appear.

Tips for getting through it

• Plan the taper with your prescriber, and tell them about any symptoms, as RCPsych advises
• Don’t skip doses, as even one missed dose can cause symptoms
• Move your head slowly if zaps are triggered by turning
• Tell people close to you so they can support you

Frequently asked questions

Does Wellbutrin have withdrawal symptoms?

The FDA label doesn’t describe a specific syndrome, but some people notice mood or sleep changes. Talk to your prescriber.

Can I stop Wellbutrin cold turkey?

Ask your prescriber; the label says to step down from 300 mg to 150 mg before stopping.

Will stopping bupropion cause seizures?

The label’s seizure warnings are about taking bupropion, not stopping it. It doesn’t describe seizures from stopping.

Next steps

• Combine timelinesAdd other things you are stopping and see them on one chart
• Talk to othersAsk questions on our community forum (peer support, not medical advice)
• Read nextLexapro Withdrawal Timeline
• Get helpFree, confidential helplines and when to see a doctor

Related timelines

• Lexapro Withdrawal Timeline
• Nicotine Withdrawal Timeline: Day by Day and Week by Week
• Zoloft (Sertraline) Withdrawal Timeline

Sources

1. FDA label: Wellbutrin XL (bupropion) (DailyMed)
2. Royal College of Psychiatrists: Stopping antidepressants

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Last reviewed: October 25, 2026. Researched and written by Withdrawal Timelines from the cited sources. This article has not yet been reviewed by a medical professional. See How We Review and our Medical Disclaimer. This is general information, not medical advice.