10/27/2025
Our jobs and other monetary benefits have become primary to us, while our health is on the back burner, resulting in a wide range of complications such as heart disease, weight gain, diabetes, and hypertension. Out of all, the most rampant condition is being overweight, which in turn exposes your health to many severe health conditions. If not managed or controlled early, it can become a gateway to a miserable life. Obesity rates are rising uncontrollably in all age groups worldwide, and a wide range of factors contribute to it.
People who are overweight or obese face a lot of discrimination at school, the workplace, and home, which influences their mental and emotional health, too. Being obese or overweight doesn’t spell the end of the world; you can rise above it and make your own identity. Controlling or managing weight is possible and doable through a holistic approach. If you are solely relying on medications, you may end up being disappointed. Therefore, it is recommended to follow a holistic approach that helps you cut down excess weight while preserving muscle mass. Before you include any weight loss medication in your routine, it is imperative to consult your doctor. The doctor will thoroughly examine your health and medications to determine whether the drug is safe for you.
Over the last few months, a few drugs have gained a lot of popularity among people, and one of the drugs is Wellbrutin. Welbrutin, an atypical antidepressant, is being used as a weight loss medication. Is it safe to use an antidepressant for weight loss? Come, let’s dig into the reality and facts together.
Wellbutrin is a brand-name medication containing bupropion as its active ingredient. It falls under the drug class known as norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), and it is prescribed for a wide range of health conditions, such as major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and quitting smoking. It is also used off-label for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity syndrome. In addition, it may be prescribed for other purposes as determined by your healthcare provider.
This medication can also be prescribed in conjunction with other antidepressant regimens, such as SSRIS, when they alone are not sufficient.
In order to treat the aforementioned conditions, it commences its mechanism of action by elevating the levels of the neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine, in the brain. Increased levels of norepinephrine and dopamine help in regulating the mood and alleviating the symptoms of depression. The mechanism of action of this medication is distinct from that of SSRIs; SSRIs function primarily by affecting serotonin in the brain. This antidepressant tablet can be accessed in multiple oral tablet formulations, such as:
Immediate release: This formulation can be taken multiple times a day as directed by your healthcare provider.
Sustained release: This formulation is generally taken twice a day at equal intervals.
Extended release: The extended-release formulation is taken once daily only.
Wellburtin is not approved by the FDA for weight loss, but it is used off-label for this purpose. Weight loss is one of the major side effects of this medication when it is used to address depression or seasonal affective disorder. People who are overweight and have depression, the healthcare provider might prescribe this medication over other antidepressants. Other antidepressants, such as SSRIs, are known to cause weight gain, which is not the case with this medication.
This medication stands out as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which is used for many health conditions. The exact mechanism of this medication for weight loss is unknown, but it is believed to cause weight loss through the following actions:
Wellbutrin may regulate appetite and minimize food cravings by increasing the levels of chemicals such as dopamine and norepinephrine.
The stimulating effects of this medication can contribute to amplified energy levels, which may, as a result, encourage more physical activity, elevating overall energy expenditures.
Some studies found that this medication may boost the metabolic rate of the body, which causes faster calorie burning.
Contrave is a drug that is approved by the FDA for weight loss. It has two active ingredients, one of which is bupropion, the same active ingredient in Wellbutrin. Let’s know more about this FDA-approved weight management drug:
Contrave contains two active ingredients, bupropion and naltrexone. Naltrexone comes as an opioid receptor antagonist that functions to curb food cravings, while bupropion alters the brain chemicals. These two ingredients work together to cause weight loss.
A wide range of studies found that Contrave led to better results than placebo when taken in conjunction with a nutritious diet and regular exercise.
Wellbrutin is not an FDA-approved treatment for weight loss. Therefore, it should be used under the supervision of a certified healthcare provider due to potential risks and contradictions:
This medictiaon is primarily prescribed for major depressive disorder and SAD - seasonal affective disorder; it is used for weight loss as an off-label treatment. It should be used for weight loss after the doctor’s approval, who will first weigh its risks and benefits. You will be prescribed it for weight loss only when the benefits outweigh the risks.
The results may vary from one person to another, depending on many factors such as dosage, lifestyle, age, and genetics. This medication alone will not lead to significant weight loss.
Wellbutrin isn’t a magic pill; it won’t transform you overnight. It should be used in combination with a healthy lifestyle, which includes a low-calorie diet and regular exercise, to get the best results.
This medication (Wellbutrin) reduces seizure threshold, and if you are on a higher dosage, the risk is higher. This medication is not recommended for use by people with seizures and a history of anorexia and bulimia.
Wellbutrin is not a first-line treatment for weight loss; it is primarily prescribed for major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. It may be prescribed for weight loss off-label, which should be used as directed by the doctor to get the maximum results. If you want an FDA-approved medication for weight loss, you can consider buying Contrave, which has a similar active ingredient to Wellbutrin. Weight loss requires patience, persistence, and discipline; it’s not an overnight journey. Billions of people have achieved the body they feel comfortable and confident in through a holistic approach that includes medicines, helathy diet, and regular exercise. Weight loss medications can’t be seen as MAGIC PILLS; they should be used with other necessary measures to get the best results.
B. Pharma
(Dr. A. Sharma, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist and a medical writer with 10 years of clinical experience. He strives to empower patients to understand their medications so that they become better healthcare advocates.)
Wellbutrin contains bupropion as an active ingredient, which is classified under the drug class known as norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs). It is used for weight loss off-label and operates by acting on neurotransmitters in the brain, resulting in suppressed appetite, subsided craving, and elevated energy expenditures. This medication is not the first-line treatment for weight loss.
Wellbutrin is not approved by the FDA for weight management; it is a first-line treatment for major depressive disorder and SAD - seasonal affective disorder. You should take it for weight loss only when prescribed by a healthcare provider, after thoroughly reviewing your health. The dosage will be decided by your healthcare provider based on your health, medical history, weight, and other factors. Using it without consulting a doctor can be harmful.
The FDA has not endorsed Wellbutrin for weight management. Therefore, use it only when recommended by your healthcare professional to reduce the chance of experiencing unwanted side effects. If you are prescribed Wellbutrin for weight management, you should use it in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Relying solely on it won’t yield favourable or expected results.
Not everyone sheds weight with Wellbutrin. Weight loss is a significant side effect of this medication. Many people who use it experience this side effect, while others may not have any weight reduction. The overall weight reduction depends on a wide range of factors, such as dosage, age, metabolic rate, and response to the medication.
While taking Wellbutrin, you must incorporate lifestyle changes into your routine, such as eating healthy, getting enough physical activity, and staying hydrated. These changes will accelerate your weight loss results while on Wellbutrin.
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