Wellbutrin and ADHD Treatment: How an Antidepressant can Treat ADHD Symptoms

Wellbutrin and ADHD Treatment: How an Antidepressant can Treat ADHD Symptoms
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People that have ADHD know how difficult it can be to manage, especially for those that have tried several medications without success. There is a drug that is usually prescribed for people with depression that is now being tried to treat the symptoms of ADHD. Wellbutrin and ADHD treatment is another option for people to try. If you have tried several medications to treat the symptoms of your ADHD, or a loved one’s, and nothing to this point has worked, then Wellbutrin might be the route to take. Let’s take a look at what Wellbutrin is and does.

According to the National Institute of Health, Wellbutrin is used to treat depression, seasonal affective disorder, and is also used to help people stop smoking. Wellbutrin is an anti-depressant. Wellbutrin is manufactured under the generic name of buproprion. There are other brand names of buproprion known as Zyban, Budeprion, and Aplenzin. However, for the purpose of ADHD treatment, Wellbutrin is the recommended medication.

How Does It Work?

Wellbutrin does not affect the chemical in the brain known as serotonin, like other anti-depressants do. Although it is not clear what exactly Wellbutrin does affect in the brain, according to the National Institute of Health, it is thought to affect norepinephrine. According to eWebtv.com, Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. These chemicals in the brain are used to send messages from one nerve cell to another. The levels of these two chemicals are commonly lower in people with depression, and other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. What the Wellbutrin does is block the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine so that more remains in the space between the nerve cells. By doing so, the chemicals are given a better chance of activating the receptors on the next nerve cell.

Side Effects

As with any medication, Wellbutrin does come with possible side effects. Some possible side effects are: change in appetite, dizziness, constipation, headache, nausea, trouble sleeping, weight change, vomiting, and some have reported rashes and hives as well. If you decide that this medication may be your best choice for helping with ADHD symptoms and you experience any of these side effects, talk to your doctor immediately.

How It Helps ADHD

Now that you know a little more about what Wellbutrin is let’s take a look at how it can help those with ADHD. Using Wellbutrin used to treat ADHD helps with the following symptoms: trouble sitting still, problems focusing, and also to help controlling actions as well. Wellbutrin has been seen to control inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity as well, according to WebMd.

It should be noted that Wellbutrin is a treatment for people with ADHD, not ADD (attention deficit disorder). This is because it is used primarily to treat hyperactivity, although it does help control the inattention. Wellbutrin is recommended for use in both children and adults with ADHD.

Resources

National Institute of Health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000970

WebMd https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-treatment-overview

Drugs.com https://www.drugs.com/wellbutrin.html

EMedTv https://depression.emedtv.com/wellbutrin/wellbutrin.html