Wellbutrin (bupropion) is a medication often prescribed for depression, but it can also be used to treat anxiety symptoms. In many cases, Wellbutrin is most efficacious for anxiety treatment when it’s paired with other things. Knowing what to pair with Wellbutrin for anxiety means understanding the medication alternatives and therapeutic alternatives that can support your symptom management.
What to Pair with Wellbutrin for Anxiety
Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) that the FDA has approved for the treatment of depression and smoking cessation. Still, it can be prescribed off-label for things like anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, or sexual dysfunction that results from antidepressants.
But if it isn’t enough to help you manage your anxiety, or you are using a prescription for Wellbutrin to manage symptoms of things like OCD, ADHD, or depression, you can pair it with other anxiety medications.
Medications to Pair with Wellbutrin for Anxiety
If Wellbutrin is insufficient to manage your anxiety, you can combine it with other medications:
Wellbutrin and Zoloft
Wellbutrin and Zoloft are both antidepressants, but they function differently. Wellbutrin increases neurotransmitters in your brain to boost your energy levels and your mood, while Zoloft can increase the available levels of serotonin. Together, these can help reduce symptoms of anxiety by targeting a wider array of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Note: All antidepressants will take several months to work the way they should, so be patient and follow any prescription requirements, even if you don’t see a noticeable change immediately.
Wellbutrin and Prozac
Wellbutrin can be combined with other SSRIs (a group of antidepressants) like Prozac. Prozac is often one of the first treatment options prescribed, and it is very effective in managing short or long-term symptoms without a lot of side effects.
Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of things like Prozac. However, Wellbutrin actually treats this, which means combining the two can help offset the negative side effects of Prozac.
Wellbutrin and Cymbalta
Another combination is Wellbutrin and SNRIs like Cymbalta. Cymbalta regulates serotonin and dopamine to help alleviate anxiety, so when combined with Wellbutrin, it actually reaches a wider range of neurotransmitters, which can help overcome anxiety symptoms.
Wellbutrin and Xanax
You can combine Wellbutrin and Xanax or similar benzodiazepines specifically for things like general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social phobia. Xanax targets the GABA receptors in your brain, and that calms down the nervous system to help reduce anxiety. When mixed with Wellbutrin, this can help reduce symptoms very quickly.
Therapies to Pair with Wellbutrin for Anxiety
There are also many therapies that can be combined with Wellbutrin and any other pairing of medications for anxiety.
Wellbutrin and CBT
One of the most common therapies for anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps individuals recognize the relationship between their thoughts and their actions while challenging unhelpful thoughts that might increase anxiety levels. When cognitive behavioral therapy is combined with Wellbutrin, it can provide neurotransmitter balance through the pharmacological aspect and the emotional and cognitive tools you need to manage anxiety through the therapeutic aspect.
Wellbutrin and Exposure Therapy
In some cases, exposure therapy can help treat anxiety disorders, specifically phobias, social anxiety, or OCD. Exposure therapy helps to expose you to the things that trigger your anxiety in a safe way so that you can reduce your avoidance and learn to cope with it.
Exposure therapy can give you the tools to deal with situations that cause your anxiety, while Wellbutrin can help manage your anxiety levels from a neurochemical place.
Getting Help for Anxiety with Multi-Concept Recovery
The treatment plan you have, including what to pair with Wellbutrin for anxiety, is based on your symptoms, the type of anxiety with which you struggle, and the severity. Wellbutrin might be enough on its own, but it might work more effectively if combined with other medications, therapy, or lifestyle changes.
At Multi Concept Recovery, our team will conduct an initial assessment to help determine which treatment plan will work best for you. We will continually monitor the use of Wellbutrin for anxiety on its own or in conjunction with other medications and therapies.
If, however, you are trying to change your reliance on Wellbutrin, switching to something else, or tapering, we can help you manage any withdrawal symptoms in a safe, secure fashion.
FAQs
Is Wellbutrin allowed for anxiety?
Wellbutrin is prescribed off-label for anxiety, though it is not FDA-approved for it. That said, it may not be enough to successfully treat anxiety, which is why it is often combined with other medications like antidepressants as well as therapy and lifestyle changes. The more you incorporate things like stress management techniques, good sleep and diet, and therapy, the better your medication will be able to provide lasting changes.
Is there anything I shouldn’t take with Wellbutrin?
There are always risks of combining Wellbutrin with alcohol, leading to worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, liver damage, and seizures. You should also avoid stimulant medication for ADHD as these can cause insomnia, worsening anxiety, irregular heartbeat, liver damage, and even seizures.
If you have ADHD and anxiety, talk to your doctor about what medications you are being prescribed so that you can avoid unnecessary complications. You should avoid Tramadol or tricyclic antidepressants and Wellbutrin as these can cause serotonin syndrome or seizures.
Can I combine Wellbutrin with bipolar schizophrenia medications?
Abilify should not be combined as it can increase the side effects associated with Wellbutrin, like palpitations, headaches, nausea, insomnia, and increased risk of seizures. The same is true of other antipsychotic medications prescribed for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
What lifestyle changes help Wellbutrin?
With the right lifestyle changes, you can also learn how to manage your anxiety levels in such a way that the Wellbutrin you take can work more effectively. The primary things you can do include:
- Staying physically active to help boost mood and reduce cortisol levels
- Staying social, engaging, and connecting with others around you
- Eating healthy foods to help maintain hormonal balances and control mood
- Incorporating relaxation techniques into your schedule to reduce stress, regulate mood, and improve sleep
The right social connections will increase feelings of acceptance and community, making anxiety go down. It can also help you avoid worrying about the future as much as you won’t be preoccupied with your anxiety when you are focused on socialization.
What if I want to switch from Wellbutrin to another anxiety medication?
There are many alternatives to Wellbutrin that can be used on their own. If you have tried Wellbutrin and it isn’t working for you, it’s important that you participate in a safety talk so that you can manage the Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms, after which you can try another prescription like benzodiazepines for short-term panic attacks or Xanax for general anxiety. This is something to discuss with your doctor or your medical team.
