Wellbutrin can cause insomnia, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Wellbutrin is the brand name for bupropion. Insomnia, anxiety, agitation, and restlessness are recognized side effects, and sleep problems may be more noticeable soon after treatment begins. In one Wellbutrin XL study, insomnia affected 20% of people taking the medication, compared with 13% taking placebo.
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How Common Is Insomnia With Wellbutrin?
The rate varies by formulation, dose, and condition being treated.
| Wellbutrin formulation or study | Insomnia with bupropion | Insomnia with placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Wellbutrin XL for seasonal affective disorder | 20% | 13% |
| Wellbutrin SR, 300 mg/day, for depression | 11% | 6% |
| Wellbutrin SR, 400 mg/day, for depression | 16% | 6% |
These results come from separate clinical trials, so they do not predict how likely insomnia is for one person. The prescribing information also states that insomnia can sometimes be severe enough to require additional treatment or stopping the medication.
Why Can Wellbutrin Keep You Awake?
Bupropion can have an activating effect in some people. The prescribing information links bupropion with restlessness, anxiety, agitation, and insomnia, especially early in treatment. Depression, anxiety, caffeine, stress, irregular sleep schedules, and other medicines can also affect sleep.
Can Taking Wellbutrin in the Morning Help?
Often, yes. Wellbutrin XL is labeled for morning use, and MedlinePlus advises people with sleep problems not to take bupropion close to bedtime. Immediate-release and sustained-release bupropion have different dosing schedules, so follow the instructions for your prescription.
Do not move, split, or add doses without asking your prescriber or pharmacist.
What Should You Do If Wellbutrin Causes Insomnia?
- Tell your prescriber if the insomnia is severe, persistent, or started after you began or increased bupropion.
- Ask whether your dose, dose timing, or formulation should be reviewed.
- Do not take a missed dose late in the day or double the next dose.
- Do not stop Wellbutrin abruptly unless a clinician tells you to do so.
- Ask your pharmacist to review caffeine, nicotine, decongestants, stimulants, and other medicines that may worsen sleep.
MedlinePlus advises taking bupropion exactly as prescribed and consulting a healthcare professional before making medication changes.
When Is Insomnia a Warning Sign?
Insomnia is more concerning when it occurs with unusually high energy, racing thoughts, extreme irritability, reckless behavior, or an unusually elevated mood. These symptoms may indicate mania or another serious mood reaction.
Seek urgent help for suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, a seizure, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face or throat.
Bottom Line
Wellbutrin can cause insomnia, but it does not affect everyone this way. Taking it in the morning when appropriate, reviewing the dose with your prescriber, and checking for other causes of sleep disruption may help. Do not change or stop bupropion without medical advice.