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Wellbutrin dosage: Only take the right amount
of this antidepressant
Recommended Wellbutrin
dosage:
 No
single dose of the antidepressant Wellbutrin should ever exceed 150 mg.
Adult Wellbutrin Dosage:
Most people should probably
start at about 200 mg per day of this antidepressant, taking 100 mg at two
different times during the day. After about three days at this dosage level,
your physician may than increase the Wellbutrin dosage to 300 mg per day, taking
100 mg three times a day, with at least six hours in between doses. This is the
usual dosage level to get the antidepressant effect that your doctor is looking
for. The maximum recommended Wellbutrin dosage is 450 mg per day taken in doses
of no more than 150 mg per dose.
Wellbutrin SR:
The usual starting
Wellbutrin SR dosage is 150 mg in the morning. After three days of taking this
antidepressant and doing well, your physician may have you take another 150 mg
at least eight hours after having taken the first one. For some people it may
take as long as four weeks before you feel the benefit and most people will take
this antidepressant for at least several months. The maximum recommended
Wellbutrin SR dosage is 400 mg a day, taken in doses of 200 mg each.
If you have a history of
severe cirrhosis of the liver, your dosage should probably not be more than 75
mg once a day. If you have less severe liver and kidney problems, your doctor
may just reduce your dosage moderately.
Children:
The safety and effectiveness
of Wellbutrin and Wellbutrin SR in children under the ages of 18 years old has
not been established.
Older adults:
Although senior adults are
more sensitive to antidepressants and they seem to clear their systems much more
slowly, older people seem to respond no differently to Wellbutrin or Wellbutrin
SR than younger people.
Wellbutrin and Wellbutrin SR overdosage:
No antidepressant medication
should ever be taken in excess of the recommended dosage and can have very
serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose of Wellbutrin or Wellbutrin SR
you need to seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of Wellbutrin
overdose may include:
Hallucinations, heart
failure, loss of consciousness, rapid heartbeat, seizures
Symptoms of Wellbutrin SR
overdose may include:
Blurred vision, confusion,
jitteriness, lethargy, light-headedness, nausea, seizures, vomiting
An overdose that involves
other drugs in combination with Wellbutrin may also cause these symptoms:
Breathing difficulties,
coma, fever, rigid muscles, stupor
Information provided by
The PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs - Sixth Edition
Additional information by
Paul Susic M.A. Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
 See additional
pictures of various dosages of Wellbutrin
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