Choosing the correct antidepressant for you can be challenging, especially considering how many are available on the market. Two popular antidepressants that treat a variety of conditions include Lexapro and Wellbutrin. Each of these antidepressants has its own side effects, dosages, and can help alleviate a myriad of symptoms you might be experiencing. In this blog, we’ll discuss Lexapro vs. Wellbutrin and which may be better for you.
Lexapro (escitalopram) vs Wellbutrin (bupropion) both treat depression and a myriad of other conditions. While both are equally as effective treating certain conditions, you may find one is more effective for you and your situation. Let’s discuss what conditions they treat and a few of the side effects you may experience when you take one of these antidepressants.
While both of these medications treat depression, Lexapro treats Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) whereas Wellbutrin is the standard of care for Seasonal Affective Disorder (XL) and smoking cessation.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of a few key differences in each of these popular antidepressants:
| Lexapro vs Wellbutrin: | Lexapro | Wellbutrin |
| How It Works | increases levels of serotonin in your body | Increases the level of norepinephrine and dopamine levels |
| Conditions They Treat | • Depression• Generalized anxiety disorder | • Off-label treatment for ADHD • Depression • Seasonal affective disorder (XL only) • Smoking cessation (Zyban) |
| FDA Approved For Children | Yes • Age 12 and older for depression • Age 7 and older for anxiety | No |
| Medication Forms | • Oral solution • Tablet | • Tablet • SR tablet (12 hour) • XL tablet (24 hour) |
These two medications represent two of the three classes of antidepressants (SSRIs- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and NDRI - norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors).
Lexapro
Lexapro works by increasing the serotonin levels in your body by blocking the reuptake or reabsorption of serotonin (a chemical messenger that can help regulate mood, sleep, and digestion among other bodily functions).
Wellbutrin
Wellbutrin works by blocking, and thus increasing, the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine by blocking their reuptake (or reabsorption) at the level of your nerve cells. By prolonging the amount of these two hormones, your body’s mood and other functions should improve over time.
Lexapro (escitalopram) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) have similar side effects and increasing or decreasing your dosage may have an effect on the presence or severity of specific side effects or potentially cause severe side effects and may require medical attention.
Caution: Before changing your dosage and/or starting or stopping any antidepressant or medication, speak with your healthcare provider to find out if this is the right decision for you.
Common Dosage Lexapro vs Wellbutrin
| Lexapro | Wellbutrin | |
| Common Dosage | 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. Lexapro is also available as an oral solution that contains 5 mg per 5 mL. | As Forfivo XL: 450 mg Immediate-release (IR) tablets: 75 mg, 100 mg Sustained-release (SR) tablets: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg Extended-release (XL) tablets: 150 mg, 300 mg As Aplenzin: 174 mg, 348 mg, 522 mg |
| Dosage Frequency | One tablet per day | Varies |
Common Side Effects of Lexapro vs Wellbutrin
Lexapro vs. Wellbutrin have unique side effects and your body may react better to one medication over the other.
| Lexapro | Wellbutrin | |
| Common Side Effects | • Nausea • Sweating• Drowsiness | • Insomnia • Agitation• Headache • Dry mouth |
| Sexual Side Effects | More common | Less common |
| Weight Gain | Medium risk | Low risk |
The most common side effects of Lexapro include:
The most common side effects of Wellbutrin include:
There are many potential dangers when discussing combining Lexapro vs Wellbutrin. There are several risks associated with taking these two medications together including an elevated risk for patients to experience seizure symptoms which are a result of an overabundance of serotonin in the brain.
Seizure symptoms include:
Before making any changes or mixing any medication, be sure to consult with your psychiatrist or healthcare provider to avoid any dangerous side effects.
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Atypical antidepressants are usually safe with some exceptions.
Here are general guidelines patients should follow (again, always consult with your psychiatrist or a licensed physician or nurse practitioner before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage or frequency of administration of any medication):
Some notable Lexapro interactions include:
Common Wellbutrin interactions include:
The decision of whether Lexapro or Wellbutrin is right for you is a personal one that should be made after careful evaluation and discussion by your psychiatrist or personal physician. Our psychiatrists and mental health professionals at Telepsychiatry are here to support you on your mental health journey.
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The exact time it takes for you to begin to feel a difference can vary depending on your dosage but you may begin to feel a difference within 2-4 weeks. If you do not notice any benefit at the 4-week mark, it is best to contact the psychiatrist or healthcare provider that prescribed you the medication for further evaluation.
Studies have shown that both medications are similar in efficacy and benefits to patients.
Yes, each medication treats depression. Each medication has its own dosage requirements and delivery mechanism. Each medication differs in what conditions it can treat and the frequency in administration, among other things.
Both medications raise patients’ risk for weight gain. Wellbutrin has been shown to cause less of a risk to patients in terms of weight gain.
Here is a selection of other popular antidepressant medications:
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