How to Use Wellbutrin to Treat Bulimia
There is some controversy over whether bulimia, an eating disorder marked by binging and purging patterns, should be treated with Wellbutrin, an atypical antidepressant. While there are concerns in the medical field over its effectiveness and the possibility of unpleasant side effects, some patients report that Wellbutrin suppresses undesirable behaviors and urges better than Prozac, which is the front-line choice for treating eating disorders.
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Instructions
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Use Wellbutrin to Treat Bulimia
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Ask your mental health care professional about using Wellbutrin to treat bulimia, especially if other antidepressants such as Prozac have proven ineffective or have presented side effects such as an increased sense of anxiety, feelings of anger or even aggressive behavior. Many psychiatrists may hesitate in prescribing Wellbutrin for eating disorders, since it can cause weight loss in a majority of patients.
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Familiarize yourself with some of the side effects caused by Wellbutrin, such as dry mouth, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), nausea, insomnia, tremors, rash and even seizures. Delusions, paranoia, confusion and hypertension have also occurred in rare cases as well. These side effects often disappear after the first few weeks once the body adjusts to the medication.
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Beware of adverse reactions to Wellbutrin, in which a small percentage of patients experience an opposite effect to the medication. For instance, individuals who take Wellbutrin for depression may actually feel more depressed within the first few days of taking the medication. Notify your health care professional immediately if you experience an adverse reaction when you use Wellbutrin to treat bulimia.
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Use Wellbutrin in conjunction with a behavioral modification program for the best results. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, is the preferred type of therapy to treat bulimia since it changes incorrect attitudes and perceptions one might feel about self-image and separates those thoughts and emotions from the symptoms of the eating disorder.
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Avoid overdosing on Wellbutrin or taking doses too closely together. Excessive intake of Wellbutrin can cause seizures in a significant percentage of patients, and sedatives or barbiturates may need to be temporarily prescribed.
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Tips & Warnings
Wellbutrin is growing in popularity because it is one of the few antidepressants that does not cause sexual dysfunction or weight gain. In addition, Wellbutrin is a very effective medication in helping people to quit smoking.
If you are 24 years of age or younger and have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) or other psychiatric disorders, use Wellbutrin with caution, as it has been shown to trigger an increase in suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
