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Wellbutrin vs. Xanax

Are Xanax and Wellbutrin the Same Thing?

Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat different types of mental illness/mood disorders.

Wellbutrin is used to manage major depression and seasonal affective disorder.

Xanax is used to treat panic attacks and anxiety disorders.

The Zyban brand of bupropion is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.

Wellbutrin and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Wellbutrin is an aminoketone antidepressant and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.

Side effects of Wellbutrin and Xanax that are similar include dry mouth, sleep problems (insomnia), headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, vision problems or blurred vision, loss of interest in sex, increased sweating, appetite or weight changes, or diarrhea.

Side effects of Wellbutrin that are different from Xanax include agitation, stomach pain, ringing in the ears, sore throat, muscle pain, itching or skin rash, increased urination, tremor, joint aches, strange taste in the mouth, or seizures (especially at higher doses).

Side effects of Xanax that are different from Wellbutrin include drowsiness, tiredness, memory problems, poor balance or coordination, slurred speech, trouble concentrating, irritability, diarrhea, upset stomach, swelling in your hands or feet, muscle weakness, or stuffy nose.

Both Wellbutrin and Xanax may interact with alcohol, antidepressants, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medications, seizure medications, antihistamines that make you sleepy, medicines to treat a psychiatric disorder, birth control pills, or narcotics.

 

What Are Possible Side Effects of Wellbutrin?

Common side effects of Wellbutrin include:

  • agitation,
  • dry mouth,
  • insomnia,
  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • constipation,
  • stomach pain,
  • dizziness,
  • ringing in the ears,
  • vision problems or blurred vision,
  • loss of interest in sex,
  • sore throat,
  • muscle pain,
  • itching or skin rash,
  • increased sweating,
  • increased urination,
  • tremor,
  • changes in appetite,
  • weight loss or gain,
  • joint aches,
  • strange taste in the mouth,
  • diarrhea, and
  • seizures (especially at higher doses).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Xanax?

Common side effects of Xanax include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Sleep problems (insomnia)
  • Memory problems
  • Poor balance or coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Increased sweating
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Upset stomach
  • Blurred vision
  • Appetite or weight changes
  • Swelling in your hands or feet
  • Muscle weakness
  • Dry mouth
  • Stuffy nose
  • Loss of interest in sex

What Is Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a certain type of depression called major depressive disorder.

What Is Xanax?

Xanax (alprazolam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders and the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety in adults. Xanax is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder in adults with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).

 

What Drugs Interact With Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin may interact with insulin, blood thinners, and asthma medications. Wellbutrin may also interact with many medications including heart or blood pressure medications, HIV or AIDS medications, seizure medications, other antidepressants, medicines to treat a psychiatric disorder, antibiotics, antihistamines that make you sleepy, bronchodilators, birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens, bladder or urinary medications, diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medications, oral diabetes medication, medicines for nausea/vomiting/motion sickness, medications to treat or prevent malaria, medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, medication for restless leg syndrome, medication for pituitary gland tumor, medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, narcotics, numbing medicines, steroids, theophylline, or ulcer or irritable bowel medications.

What Drugs Interact With Xanax?

Xanax may interact with cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicine for depression or anxiety, antibiotics, antifungal medicines, antidepressants, and barbiturates. Xanax may also interact with birth control pills, cimetidine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, ergotamine, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, and seizure medications.

Do not take Xanax if you are allergic to alprazolam, other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients in Xanax. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Xanax. you are taking antifungal medicines including ketoconazole and itraconazole.

 

How Should Wellbutrin Be Taken?

  • Take Wellbutrin exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose or stop taking Wellbutrin without talking with your healthcare provider first.
  • Swallow Wellbutrin tablets whole. Do not chew, cut, or crush Wellbutrin tablets.
  • Take Wellbutrin at the same time each day.
  • Take your doses of Wellbutrin at least 6 hours apart.
  • You may take Wellbutrin with or without food.
  • If you miss a dose, do not take an extra dose to make up for the dose you missed. Wait and take your next dose at the regular time. This is very important. Too much Wellbutrin can increase your chance of having a seizure.
  • If you take too much Wellbutrin, or overdose, call your local emergency room or poison control center right away.
  • Do not take any other medicines while taking Wellbutrin unless your healthcare provider has told you it is okay.
  • If you are taking Wellbutrin for the treatment of major depressive disorder, it may take several weeks for you to feel that Wellbutrin is working. Once you feel better, it is important to keep taking Wellbutrin exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider if you do not feel Wellbutrin is working for you.

How Should Xanax Be Taken?

Take Xanax exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Xanax to take and when to take it. If you take too much Xanax, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death.

Xanax can make you sleepy or dizzy, and can slow your thinking and motor skills.

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Xanax affects you.

Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs that may make you sleepy or dizzy while taking Xanax without first talking to your healthcare provider. When taken with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness, Xanax may make your sleepiness or dizziness much worse.

Do not take more Xanax than prescribed.