Wellbutrin, also sold generically as Bupropion, is a commonly prescribed type of medication that is typically used to treat seasonal affective disorder and depression. Although it is widely regarded as a highly effective antidepressant, Wellbutrin is not safe for people with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

For this reason, please make sure your doctor knows about your eating disorder before accepting any prescription medication. In the meantime, read on to find out exactly why Wellbutrin is dangerous for anorexics.

Increased Weight Loss

A frequently reported side effect of taking Wellbutrin is weight fluctuations. According to a study on Wellbutrin weight fluctuations, it is more likely for people taking Wellbutrin to experience weight loss rather than weight gain.

As you can undoubtedly guess, giving people with anorexia a drug that assists with weight loss can lead to potentially fatal outcomes. People with anorexia will not only be tempted to misuse Wellbutrin, they could also experience severe health complications if it causes a sudden drop in weight, especially if they are already at a critically low body weight.

Intensified Depressive Symptoms

Although it usually functions as an antidepressant, anorexics taking Wellbutrin may find that the drug actually worsens depressive symptoms. In most cases, people with anorexia are already battling with intense feelings of shame or guilt — the last thing these individuals need is a drug that could amplify these feelings. If patients with anorexia have previously recovered from a psychotic disorder, taking Wellbutrin may also increase the risk of a recurrence in psychotic episodes.

Heightened Risk of Seizures

People with anorexia nervosa are already more susceptible to developing a non-epileptic seizure condition. By taking Wellbutrin, people with anorexia further lower their seizure threshold. Depending on the severity of the episode, seizures for people with anorexia can lead to a range of serious and even fatal complications, including breathing issues, heart failure, and heart arrhythmia.

Magnified Cardiovascular Stress

Like most drugs, Wellbutrin users experience a wide array of different side effects. Common side effects of taking Wellbutrin include shortness of breath, heightened excitability, restlessness, fainting, raised heart rate, shaking episodes, and excessive sweating. Most of these side effects are well understood — being primarily caused by Wellbutrin’s influence on the cardiovascular system — and tolerable to the average user.

However, although Wellbutrin’s side effects may be tolerable for some people, the same side effects can also lead to serious complications for people with anorexia. This is largely because people with anorexia are more susceptible to sudden shifts in cardiovascular stress.

Sources: Mirror Mirror

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