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Wellbutrin VS Adderall: Uses, Dosage, & Efficacy

Wellbutrin VS Adderall: Uses, Dosage, & Efficacy

Studies prove that 40 million adults whose age ranges from 18 years old and above suffer from mental illnesses such as anxiety disorder and depression.

Even though there is a higher rate or chance that this can be treated, only 36.9% of the patients are receiving effective care and treatment due to several factors. These barriers, as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), are as follows:

  • Lack of resources
  • Lack of healthcare providers and facilities 
  • The social stigma associated with mental health 

Depression and anxiety disorders are not a joke. The worst part of suffering from this depressive disorder is that it can lead to suicide.

A person clutching their head

This can be manageable, and death can be prevented with the help of a medical professional. Patients can benefit from therapies as well as antidepressant medications if prescribed. Wellbutrin is medicine usually given to treat major depressive disorder, meanwhile Adderall is prescribed to those with ADHD or Narcolepsy.

FDA-approved drugs such as Wellbutrin and Adderall can be prescribed by healthcare providers for the patient’s treatment.

In this article, let’s dive deep into finding out how Wellbutrin and Adderall can help patients who suffer from this disorder. 

Wellbutrin: What does it treat?

Wellbutrin, with the generic name bupropion, is an approved treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD).

A person holding up different pills

It is an antidepressant that works on the brain and is available as an immediate-release tablet that can be good as once or twice daily dosing. It is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can be prescribed as an off-label medication for ADHD. 

Wellbutrin is mainly used to treat depression, a mental illness that affects your mood and the way you think. According to this study, Wellbutrin is one of the few anti-depressants that has “the lowest incidence of sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and somnolence.”

Adderall: Medication for Narcolepsy

Amphetamine salts are the generic term for Adderall, which is also prescribed for ADHD children and adults patients. 

Pills

It contains two drugsーamphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which is a central nervous system stimulant. Studies show that usage of this drug improves attention and focus as well as reduces impulsive behaviors of ADHD patients. 

Amphetamine aids neurotransmitters, allowing the brain to receive messages from the body at a faster rate. Its slang term is “Speed”, and if abused, can be quite addictive. Side effects include acne, blurred vision, and, in severe cases, seizures and heart problems.

Dextroamphetamine is also another drug that helps with ADHD and narcolepsy. Just like amphetamine, it aids in keeping you focused and keep you awake. However, dextroamphetamine can push you into addiction, especially if you’ve suffered from substance abuse in the past.

Consistent use of dextroamphetamine can also cause a dependency, in which if you suddenly stop taking it, you will face withdrawal symptoms, one of which is sleeplessness.

What are the conditions treated by these drugs? 

Although they fall into different categories, treating ADHD is what they have in common. 

Wellbutrin is prescribed for MDD patients while Adderall is used for children and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as chronic sleep disorder or narcolepsy

MDD or more commonly known as clinical depression is a mental illness that often comes with a low mood or a constant feeling of sadness. Symptoms that usually come with clinical depression are loss of motivation towards anything and disinterest. It affects all aspects of your life and can be quite deadly if not treated.

Wellbutrin is a drug made to treat depression.

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder on the other hand is a mental disorder commonly found in children (to which they’ll carry into adulthood. Of course, that’s not to say, adults can’t be diagnosed with ADHD). ADHD affects the ability of a person to focus or to remain still. The most common symptom of this illness is frequent daydreaming and constant forgetfulness. Adderall is used to treat ADHD.

Is Adderall a controlled substance?

Yes, Adderall can cause physical dependence and can be abused. 

There are special regulations created by the government for prescription, and a new prescription from your doctor is required if you wish to refill. 

Find out more about Adderall here:

Ten facts you’ll wanna know about Adderall.

Wellbutrin vs. Adderall: Which is more effective?

These two drugs are hard to compare since they perform different purposes.

If you have no previous record of substance misuse, then Adderall can be a good option for you. Or the situation might be like this: Wellbutrin can be less effective for you to treat your ADHD, especially if Adderall is not tolerable. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: But whatever situation you might be in, I recommend that seeking a bit of medical advice is the best thing to do before taking any medication. 

Wellbutrin vs. Adderall: Do they have any side effects?

Side effects can vary from one person to another. It is because it will always depend on how our bodies react with the drug ingested into our system. 

One of the common side effects of these drugs for adults is dry mouth, weight loss, and urinary tract infections. But these side effects can be the other way around for everyone. 

On a positive note, consulting with a medical practitioner can help you get an accurate list of side effects. 

Let’s take a look at this overview of side effects for Wellbutrin and Adderall, according to DailyMed

Side EffectsWellbutrinAdderall
DizzinessApplicableApplicable
TachycardiaApplicableApplicable
RashApplicableApplicable
ConstipationApplicableApplicable
Nausea or vomitingApplicableApplicable
Excess sweatingApplicableApplicable
Headache or migraineApplicableApplicable
InsomniaApplicableApplicable
SedationApplicableApplicable
TremorApplicableApplicable
AgitationApplicableApplicable
Blurred visionApplicableApplicable
List of common side effects of Wellbutrin and Adderall

What will happen if I take Wellbutrin and Adderall at the same time?

Taking two drugs together might lead to a more dangerous risk, especially if without a proper prescription from a medical professional. 

A doctor holding a clipboard

Taking both of these drugs might result in detrimental effects. Let’s take a closer look at them one by one. 

Heightened risk of seizure

Adderall reduces a person’s seizure threshold. So when combined with Adderall, Wellbutrin presents a higher risk of seizure. 

A sudden withdrawal of consistent use of alcohol, sedatives even stimulants can greatly affect a person and might lead to central nervous system complications. 

Appetite Suppression and Weight reduction

Weight loss and loss of appetite are some of the common side effects of Adderall. 

According to statistics, 28% of patients who used Adderall as their medication experienced losing weight greater than five pounds. 

Overlapping Side effects

Taking both drugs simultaneously can develop a much higher risk of heart problems and more serious adverse medical conditions

One of the common heart-related problems that arise is that almost 3% of healthy adults had elevated cardiovascular health complications according to a study

Takeaways

Treatment of depression can be a long-term challenge, but it can be manageable as long as you seek help from a professional.

There are many medications available for mental illness, the most commonly prescribed ones are Wellbutrin and Adderall. Wellbutrin is for depression and Adderall is usually for ADHD and/or Narcolepsy.

Healthcare professionals can help you figure out the best medication for youーand they will never run out of ways to present a different treatment plan to help you in managing your episodes. 

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