Wellbutrin vs Adderall: Differences and Similarities

If you’re managing depression and ADHD at the same time, you may be wondering if medications like Wellbutrin^® and Adderall^® could help with both conditions. These two common prescription medications treat depression and ADHD, respectively, but it’s understandable to wonder if you could just take one medication instead.

Depression is a mental health condition that about 21 million adults in the U.S. live with. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults, impacting around 360 million adults worldwide. Both can be challenging to navigate, but there are effective treatments available.

While Wellbutrin is often prescribed to treat depression and Adderall is primarily used to manage ADHD, they also have some similarities. And what if you’re dealing with both at the same time? Can these prescription medications be used together?

We’ll dive into how Wellbutrin and Adderall work, their similarities and differences, and what you need to know if you’re considering treatment for both conditions.

What Is Wellbutrin?

Copy Link

Wellbutrin is the brand name for the active ingredient bupropion, a prescription antidepressant.

Along with the brand name Wellbutrin, bupropion is also available under the names Wellbutrin SR^® (sustained release) and Wellbutrin XL^® (extended-release) to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder. Bupropion is also prescribed for smoking cessation (to help people quit smoking) as a generic and under the brand name Zyban^®.

Wellbutrin is typically sold in tablet or capsule form.

How Does Wellbutrin Work?

Wellbutrin prevents your brain cells from reabsorbing the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. This can lessen symptoms of major depressive disorder, which include:

• A sad and anxious mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt
• Irritability and restlessness
• No longer finding pleasure or interest in things you used to enjoy
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Having a hard time focusing and being indecisive
• Sleep issues, like oversleeping or insomnia
• Unplanned changes in appetite or weight
• Physical aches or pains and digestive problems

Wellbutrin is also sometimes used to treat anxiety that’s a symptom of depression. Wellbutrin is not effective for other forms of anxiety, such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

Some healthcare providers may prescribe Wellbutrin off-label as a treatment for ADHD. Although stimulants are the first-line treatment for ADHD symptoms, second-line treatments like Wellbutrin may be more appropriate for some people, although Wellbutrin is only mildly effective for ADHD.

Wellbutrin Side Effects

The most common side effects of Wellbutrin include:

• Agitation
• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Shakiness
• Excessive sweating
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat

Some people also say that Wellbutrin gives them an energy boost, likely linked to its effect on dopamine.

As with any medication, Wellbutrin can negatively interact with other drugs.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also added a black box warning — the most prominent drug safety warning — to bupropion packaging, alerting healthcare providers and patients about potentially dangerous side effects. This is because there are more severe adverse effects that can sometimes occur when taking bupropion, including:

• Psychiatric symptoms. Depression itself can raise your risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, as well as other serious mental health issues. In rare cases, antidepressants might, too in children and young adults up to age 24. Mental health issues such as changes in mood, panic attacks, and worsening depression or anxiety can all occur with bupropion. Manic episodes can also happen — symptoms include significantly increased energy, severe trouble sleeping, racing thoughts, and reckless behavior.
• Hypertension. Bupropion can contribute to high blood pressure. Before taking bupropion, be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you already have blood pressure issues.
• Seizures. In rare instances, bupropion can increase your risk of seizures. If you have a history of seizures, be sure to mention it to your healthcare professional.

Wellbutrin Dosage

Wellbutrin XL is an extended-release tablet, meaning the medication is released slowly and remains in the body longer than other medication types. Typically, the recommended starting dosage for Wellbutrin is 150 mg once a day with a maximum dosage of 450 mg daily.

Since Wellbutrin can be used for a variety of reasons, your prescribed dosage may vary depending on your diagnosis and personal needs.

After three to seven days, your healthcare provider may increase your dosage to 300 mg once a day. Don’t increase your dosage on your own, as sudden increases can increase the risk of severe side effects.

If you’re prescribed Wellbutrin, check the packaging to ensure you know its strength before taking your medication.

As with other antidepressants, there is a chance of experiencing withdrawal from Wellbutrin if you suddenly stop taking the medication without tapering off. The good news is the risk is much lower than other antidepressants. If you want to stop taking Wellbutrin, talk to your healthcare provider first.