What Does Wellbutrin Treat (& What Are the Side Effects)?
The antidepressant known as bupropion (Wellbutrin) may not be the best antidepressant for everyone, but for people experiencing sexual side effects from another antidepressant, it can be a (sex) life saver.
Some of the most popular antidepressants today can cause negative sexual side effects.
Common sexual side effects of antidepressants include things like a decreased libido, reduced arousal, difficulty orgasming and erectile dysfunction. Bupropion hasn’t been found to produce these side effects — in fact, some research shows it could increase libido, which could make it a good option for people seeing side effects from other antidepressant medications.
Below, we’ll explain how Wellbutrin works, whether it can treat sexual dysfunction and what other Wellbutrin sexual side effects you may need to worry about. We’ll also touch on some alternatives for treating low libido and erectile dysfunction (ED) so you can get back on top of your game regardless of what’s keeping you down.
Wellbutrin In Brief
Does wellbutrin make you last longer in bed? Does wellbutrin affect sex drive positively? Answering these questions requires a quick bit of background information.
Bupropion is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for depression, seasonal affective disorder and smoking cessation. This medication is also frequently used to treat ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), obesity and sexual dysfunction disorder.
Wellbutrin was approved by the FDA in 1985 for the treatment of depression. It does this by targeting receptors for the neurotransmitters in the brain.
These medications are called norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (or NDRIs). NDRIs like Wellbutrin prevent your neurons from reabsorbing norepinephrine and dopamine. As a result, more of these neurotransmitters remain active in the space where neurons communicate with one another.
Can Wellbutrin Treat Sexual Dysfunction?
In addition to its other uses, bupropion can also help with low sexual desire and erectile dysfunction in people experiencing these conditions as side effects of other antidepressant treatments.
Usually, SSRIs are the culprits in these cases.
SSRIs (short for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most commonly and safely prescribed medications for depression and anxiety disorders today. You may know names like Prozac®, citalopram, sertraline and fluoxetine as common mental health medications.
Some adverse effects of SSRIs include things like diminished sex drive and negative impacts on sexual performance.
Bupropion, on the other hand, is one of the few antidepressants that don’t cause these common side effects, and some research shows it can have the opposite effect — increasing your libido.
So, while Wellbutrin erectile dysfunction treatment isn’t an FDA-approved usage, in this off-label capacity, bupropion works as a remedy for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, specifically SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.
Wellbutrin Sex Drive Increase
Bupropion sexual side effects may, in other words, be benefits — like an increased sex drive.
The Wellbutrin and sex drive relationship hasn’t been deeply studied, but some limited studies have shown that the side effects of bupropion may include increased libido.
In some research, men observed that while taking Wellbutrin, beneficial sexual effects occurred. A small double-blind study found that, compared to placebo, bupropion actually increased self-reported feelings of desire and frequency of sexual activity in men with SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.
Will a Wellbutrin sex drive be insatiable? Probably not, but research shows it could be substantially improved — at least when compared to SRRIs.
(Related: Is Minoxidil For Hair Loss Over-the-Counter?)
Other Wellbutrin Sexual Side Effects in Men
Wellbutrin isn’t without its own side effects, though. Compared to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, some of its side effects could be considered more significant.
Premature Ejaculation and Spontaneous Ejaculation
Scientists aren’t really sure how or why this happens, but there are reports of spontaneous ejaculation and shortened time to ejaculation (aka premature ejaculation or PE) in men who use bupropion.
Digestive Issues That Can Kill The Mood
The side effects of bupropion are significant. They can include constipation, weight loss, dry mouth, nausea, headache, ringing in the ears, sore throat, loss of appetite, stomach pain, vomiting, uncontrollable shaking in your extremities and frequent urination. This medication can even affect your sense of taste.
We don’t know about you, but when we’re experiencing any of these issues, the only thing we can think about using a bed for is getting rest.
Serious Side Effects
In some cases, you may experience serious side effects when taking bupropion. These may include irrational fears, seizures, hallucinations, muscle and joint pain, confusion or a rapid heartbeat, to name a few.
Seek medical attention ASAP if you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms. Also, contact a healthcare professional if you have trouble swallowing, a fever, rash, blisters, swelling or hives when taking bupropion.
(Related: How Long Do Common ED Pills Last?)
Alternatives to Wellbutrin for Sexual Dysfunction
Drug-induced sexual dysfunction can come in several forms. But for many men, the reality of taking antidepressants is that sexual activity often takes a hit due to things like erectile dysfunction or low libido.
Bupropion may help, but treatment for these issues might call for more than a new medication — and it might involve extra work on your part. And that’s okay.
The most effective ED treatments are therapy for psychological ED, prescription medication and lifestyle changes. Here’s what to know.
Therapy
While SSRIs may be the culprit in your case, the psychological causes of ED can be significant. This may include performance anxiety, confidence issues and other self-esteem problems that make intimacy difficult.
Previous sexual traumas might also play a part. As such, talking to a therapist about ongoing ED issues is crucial, whether they’re medication-induced or not.
Prescription Medication
Medication-induced ED is one of the cases in which you can fight fire with fire. Prescription medications like Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil) can help increase blood flow to the penis. They do this by acting on an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), keeping you hard for longer.
Medications for ED include:
Sildenafil (generic for Viagra)
Tadalafil (generic for Cialis)
Avanafil (sold as Stendra)
Interested in alternative delivery methods for PDE5 inhibitors? Check out our chewable ED meds hard mints.
Lifestyle Changes
This might be obvious in this day and age, but your overall health plays a role in your erectile health. If you’re having ED issues, a healthcare professional may suggest lifestyle changes, like smoking or drinking less, avoiding recreational drugs, eating a better diet, improving your exercise habits and maybe even getting a good night’s rest.
Wellbutrin for Sexual Dysfunction: Next Steps
Wellbutrin isn’t an automatic libido enhancer, and there’s no guarantee you’ll have better erections or an improved sex drive if you switch to it from another antidepressant.
But you should absolutely talk to a healthcare professional about it in some circumstances:
If you’re on antidepressant medication and are experiencing bothersome sexual dysfunction, it’s time to talk to a healthcare provider.
We know navigating medications can be confusing, but skip the gas station pills and weird herbal supplements and just talk to your healthcare provider. Getting the right support, advice and medications will be a life-changer.
Erectile dysfunction treatments might be better suited for your needs, or they may work alongside Wellbutrin.
If you have other sexual health issues, we can help you find what you need. Our online psychiatry platform is a great place to look. We can also help you explore premature ejaculation treatment if you want to last a little longer.
Whether you’re switching off an SSRI or not, get professional support today. It’ll lift your spirits — among other things.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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8 Smart Ways to Reduce the Price of Your Prescription Drugs
If you’re charging prescriptions to a credit card or digging for change in your car and couch every month to scrounge up enough money to pay for prescriptions, you’re not alone.
Around seven percent of U.S. adults can’t pay for prescription drugs they need, according to a 2021 Gallup poll. That’s an estimated 18 million people who say they had to go without at least one prescribed medication in the last three months, according to the poll.
If you struggle to pay for your meds or even worse, go without necessary medications, here’s some good news. With a bit of research and a strategy for finding discounts, you can save on prescription drugs.
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Drug discount cards have been saving consumers money on prescriptions for decades. If your insurance doesn’t cover a prescribed drug or you’re saddled with a high copay, check the price on these drug discount sites to see how much you can save.
- GoodRX
- Blink Health
- SingleCare
- WellRX
Not up to the research? Ask your pharmacist if they have information on how much you can save with certain prescription discount cards.
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Just because you’ve filled your prescriptions at CVS for the last 10 years doesn’t mean that pharmacy is the only game in town. Check prices at other local pharmacies, including your grocery store. If you can save enough to make the switch worthwhile, dole out your prescriptions among more than one pharmacy.
Ask your doctor if the prescribed medication has a generic version to save big bucks. “Generic drugs have exactly the same active ingredients and effects as brand-name drugs, but they can cost 30 percent to 80 percent less,” according to the Food & Drug Administration.
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Ordering a 90-day vs. a 30-day supply may save money on certain drugs. Check prices for both quantities before you fill a prescription. You’ll pay more upfront but the savings over three months may be worth it.
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Check with local pharmacies for any discount programs they offer. For example, when you pay $20 (or $35 for a family plan) to join Walgreens’ Prescription Savings Club, you can get discounts on more than 8,000 medications. Plus, you can fill 90-day prescriptions on select generic drugs for the price you’d pay for two 30-day prescriptions.
Bonus: Walgreens’ program also provides discounts on prescriptions for your pets.
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Save money by comparing prices at online pharmacies that deliver prescription drugs right to your doorstep. You may save a lot by ordering online.
Plus, you’ll save on gas and time by not having to drive to the pharmacy and wait in line.
Many drug manufacturers offer patient assistance programs if you meet income eligibility requirements. Contact the manufacturer for that pricey drug to find out if you’re eligible for deep discounts on a medication. To get an idea of how patient assistance programs work, visit RxAssist, which lists a comprehensive directory of patient assistance programs.
It is important to choose your health insurance wisely. Brokers are trained professionals that can assist you in finding the best plans for your unique needs. If possible, find a broker that is familiar with plans in your area and that is certified to sell ACA plans.
“The least expensive plan is not always the best or the most cost-effective option. Sometimes, a silver or gold plan may cost you less due to lower copays on brand name prescriptions. For those on Medicare, always have a broker review your part D (drug) coverage annually. Even if your monthly premium is not set to increase, there is no way to know that your prescriptions are still covered the same way for the next year unless you do an analysis of this plan,” says Analisa Cleland, an insurance and financial advisor at Coto Insurance.
If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan, have a certified broker review your coverage annually to ensure that your plan is still a good fit for your individual needs.
This article originally appeared on Debt.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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