Wellbutrin severe allergic reaction - How long does the itching last?
Question posted by Notthatbad on 21 Oct 2010
Last updated on 11 September 2023
I was on wellbutrin xl at 150 mg for a week. Then upped to 300mg. I immediately began itching. After reading neg experienced others wrote about generic, i switched to Brand Wellbutrin on Day 3. Itching continued. Developed into rash all over my legs and arms. Worst itching I've every felt. Soon broke out in large hives. Dr took me off immediately when I told him about rash. I took it for 5 days at 300mg and now have been off for 5 days. But I'm still itching and continuing to break out. Not as bad, but can't sleep at night. Taking benadryl and prednisone, but not going away as I thought.
My question is this: For anyone who has experienced similar reaction, how long does it take for itching and hives to go away, (or for meds to get out your system)?
Any advice would help. I can't find any answers or info on the duration of an allergic reaction to Wellbutrin, although I know it is somewhat common. Thanks!
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63 Answers Page 4
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Pollymolly
31 March 2018
I started taking Wellbutrin XL generic brand a week ago. Everything was going okay until I starting getting what I thought was the flu. Fever, chills etc. I thought oh great now I'm sick. I didn't think there was a connection between the flu symptoms and a sudden small rash I got. The 7th day day after taking first dose I woke up and not able to swollow. It felt like an elephant was on my chest. I tried to get comfortable to sleep... then about a few mins after falling asleep I bolted right up out of bed bc throat had closed was not getting any air in or out. I thought I was going to die. Called 911 they seemed like it was a panic attack. As having expeienced panic attacks before I knew they were wrong. Had a flu and streap workup all negative. Chest x-ray clear. They sent me home with nothing. I was weezing. Then that night came a rash. Then welts all over my body. I immediately looked up Wellbutrin allergic reactions... BAM! All of my symptoms list. Craziness.
Went to walk in clinic got 2 shots of steroids in the butt... fun stuff. So yeah... when your body says something is wrong you need to listen. Sorry for anybody had to experience like me.
Votes: +1
BU
BuproprionAllergy18
3 March 2018
I started bupropion 150mg for anxiety. On day 20, I started to develop a small rash on my wrist, which I thought was from my Fitbit band, so I removed the band. The next day I got the rash on my chest and hip. The following day it was severe and all over my sides, breasts, arms. It kept coming and going in different places- severe. For the person that posted that their dr said it was chronic hives, don’t listen to that dr. They are in denial that it is the medicine. I had an allergist tell me the same thing and he was smug and arrogant about it. I know it is from the medicine! I went to another allergist and my primary and they both agreed it was from the meds. I stopped taking it 2 days ago and I’m still breaking out in hives all over. On high dosage of prednisone (50mg), 2 Benadryl every 4-6 hrs, Zantac 150 2x a day and Allegra 2x a day. I get alittle relief for an hour or 2 and then hives start again.
I’m in hell and the itching is unbelievable. I’m not sure how to post pictures here, or I would. I agree with those of you that said the drug made me feel better, but not worth this horrible, horrible allergy. This drug needs to be taken off the market. One of my doctors said it could last weeks. I honestly don’t think I can handle that!!!
Votes: +1
SS
Sssammmayyy
27 Jan 2018
I had the same allergic reaction, severely. This past June I was put on it, I believe around 25-50 mg. Mine was used as an antidepressant. It worked amazingly, up until on my hands and feet it was just a constant itch. Nothing could make it stop. I later found that anywhere on my body that started to itch, it was nonstop and I would break out in hives where it itched. At one point my entire back was covered in welts from scratching. Then the next day I discovered that with the lightest scratch, my skin would welt, but there was no itch. This medicine actually caused me to have dermatographia. After the unbearable itching I had enough and stopped taking it, and about a week later I had stopped itching, and my skin no longer welts with a light scratch, sadly. I've had no issues since, so don't worry it'll end eventually :)
Votes: +0
KA
karennerak
26 Jan 2018
I've been on bupropion 150mg once daily and had headache the first day. Three weeks later I got hives/itchiness. The itch was on my palms, eye area, neck, groin, legs and armpits. It went away with Xyzal or Benadryl. I stopped the medication for one day and it went away. Went back on it and the rash came back. Has anyone overcome the rash and continued therapy? I'd like to continue this therapy because I like it (outside of the rash issue).
Votes: +1
IN
Inactive
26 Jan 2018
I have found that the bupropion SR generic for Wellbutrin has less side effects for me. I have never had an itching side effect when taking this one at 150mgs once or twice a day. I had too many side effects when taking the generic for Wellbutrin XL as opposed to the generic for Wellbutrin SR.
CJ
cj67
26 Jan 2018
when I started generic bupropion, I was on sr 75mg twice a day (apotex) for one week, had extreme nausea at first, but powered through because I really wanted this medication to work. I was increased to 150 mg (75mg in the am and 75 mg in the afternoon). Hives/itching started 3 wks from starting bubropion and then I took Loratadine every day at the same time and it went away. It took a good 3-4 wks. The important thing to do is to not freak out about the hives... that's why I was able to deal with it. I put some hydrocortisone for the itch and took the Loratadine, every day and it did go away. My doctor now has me on 150 mg xl and I didn't get hives, but I seem to get very tired and more depressed. I'm afraid to increase dose based on what I have heard. The upside is lost like 9 lbs, and sex is much better:) (no bad sexual side affects.
DH
Dhamaker57
14 Jan 2018
I am experiencing the same thing. I had been on a highly expensive antidepressant for years and decided to try Wellbutrin 150 mg XL I like the energy that it gave me and I felt less depressed within a few days but then the itching started. I have been living on Benadryl and Cream for the last three days… It is driving me crazy. Did you get any relief ever? I did not know that this was a side effect of this medication at least not at this severity any help with this would be great thank you and I hope you’re doing better
Votes: +0
TA
tanksley
8 Nov 2018
I wondered if you every got an answer to this or the whole problem. I am going through the same thing and started reading up on it to see was it just a starting side effect of a real reaction and to stop asap.
TP
tphilly
8 Jan 2018
I recently started taking Wellbutrin 150mg. The first night I had a very slight sore throat. Didn't think anything of it. Then the next day, I had a rash on my butt (not raised or hives just hurt) - ironically enough I had just bought a new pair of underwear that I didn't wash so I just figured that was the culprit. Next night, sore throat even worse and then convinced myself it was the dry air from the winter. No more rash on my butt. 3rd night I woke up and my throat was almost closed, couldn't swallow had trouble breathing. And I thought oh no, I'm getting strep throat. DUMB. Clearly all of this was an allergic reaction. I called my doctor and he said that the allergies may subside but if I'm having trouble breathing then to stop. I was excited to take this medication. It seemed to work right away. But not worth the risk of my throat swelling up to the point where I can't breathe. Anyone pushed through the sore throat and come out allergy free a few days later?
Votes: +1
TA
tanksley
8 Nov 2018
hi doing some research on my own and found this, did you get any answers or did the trouble stop or you stop the meds? I'm having allergic reactions worse than I've ever known but as you state the drug itself works good and right away and I was told after 4 months it will really be of help. Just wondering if it is temporary side effects or full blown must stop asap
CJ
cj67
10 Nov 2018
I endured the hives for a couple of weeks. I took one loratadine every day and eventually all side effects went away. I have been on 150 mg XL bupropion. All is good now.
TA
tanksley
12 Nov 2018
hey thanks CJ67 for replying back I've never done these before and didn't think anyone would respond. So you never went off the Drug and eventually the hives did stop?
I've been on wellbutrin 300xl for years, was going through some hard times and doc recommend to up it to 450. So I'm taking 300xl and 150xl. For the past 3 months I've been battling a neck rash, also my face is a little rashy and also around my lips. Has anyone battled this?? My skin acts up in the winter but never to this extreme!
Votes: +0
CH
chatnan
17 Dec 2017
I still have itching even though I have stopped the 300 mg. Only on 150 now. Every two days I take benadryl before bed. I dont understand why the itching is lasting so long. Wellbutrin is helping with my mood swings so I dont want to stop taking it. I will check for the Zyrtec.
YO
Yolanda837
4 Dec 2017
I take 300mg. of bupropion and think that's where this rash is coming from,it keeps appearing on different parts of my body and it itches like crazy and nothing is helping.
Votes: +0
YO
Yolanda837
11 April 2019
Hi,now I'm on sertraline,has anyone experienced intense itching and red swollen hives,always 1 or 2 go away than always a new one pop up. Starts off as a tiny bug like bite than full blown hive that lasts about a week or so at a time?
CH
chatnan
4 Dec 2017
I was on Wellbutrin 100mg for 6 months. All was ok but still not 100%. My doctor told me to try Wellbutrin 300mg. On the 5th day, I started to itch in my hands and feet. It was horrible. So she told me to stop taking 300 mg and go back to 150mg. Well the itching is still going on. I have to take benadryl every two days for two days then I am ok for 2 days then the itching starts and its everywhere now. It will start in my feet and then its my legs or my arms and sometimes I see little bumps like a rash. At that point I take a shower with Aveeno to help with the itchiness. Its hell.
Votes: +1
ML
Mlh1234
25 Nov 2017
I was on bupropion XL 150 mg once daily for 10 days. Developed severe hives and itching over my entire body. Went to Prompt care and the Emergency Room twice received IV Steriods and now on Prednisone Zyrtec Benadryl and Zantac. I am in my six day of this treatment and still getting hives and itching terrible: How long will this take to get out of my system and stop getting hives and itching? This is totally miserable and very costly:
Votes: +0
CH
chatnan
4 Dec 2017
Did you stop taking Wellbutrin? Im thinking I might stop if the itching does not stop. I know how it feels. I want to be in a good mood but how can I be if Im itching all the time. Im not taking the generic so I dont understand why I am itching.
AS
Aswmoran
5 Dec 2017
Was on sr 150mg 2x daily. Had doc switch me to xl 300mg 1x a day and he added 10 mg zyrtec once a day.. itching/rash stopped almost immediately. But after 3 weeks i felt the wellbutrin xl wasnt working for me so i switched myself back to the sr 150mg. The zyrtec is definitely helping with the rash as long as i take it everyday. If i miss... i itch... hope you find some relief!
AS
Aswmoran
5 Dec 2017
Was on sr 150mg 2x daily. Had doc switch me to xl 300mg 1x a day and he added 10 mg zyrtec once a day.. itching/rash stopped almost immediately. But after 3 weeks i felt the wellbutrin xl wasnt working for me so i switched myself back to the sr 150mg. The zyrtec is definitely helping with the rash as long as i take it everyday. If i miss... i itch... hope you find some relief!
CH
chatnan
17 Dec 2017
Thank you I will check with my doctor about Zirtec.
Hi I went from 150 to 300 and broke out in hives. My hives lasted 2 mos. I had them everywhere. So bad I took pictures to show my doctor. I went on steroids for 1 week, Claritin & Hydroxyzine. When those ran out I took Benadryl and used bath soaks in salt. I itched like crazy. The hives did finally go away but it was a long time. I assume the Bupropion just took a long time to leave my body completely.
Votes: +1
AS
Aswmoran
14 Oct 2017
I've been on wellbutrin sr 150mg for 3 weeks now. The itching started 5 days ago.. my head itches all the time but my rash only happens at night and is in different areas each night.. my neck one night, twice on my stomach, my left leg another and last night my whole chest. Anti itch cream stops the rash ... has anyone continues to take it and have symptom go away??
Votes: +0
CJ
cj67
14 Oct 2017
I started bupropion (apotex) 75 mg Sept 12 for one week, had extreme nausea at first, but powered through because I really want this medication to work. on Sept 19th, I was increased to 150 mg (75mg in the am and 75 mg in the afternoon). Hives/itching started 3 wks from starting bubropion and then I took Loratadine every day at the same time and it went away, but when I stopped taking the antihistamine, it started up again. I just want to know if this is a side effect that will go away eventually ? Wondering if anyone has ever been on it long enough to know.
LR
lrthomas
19 Dec 2017
I have been taking wellbutrin for an antidepressant for about two weeks and I started breaking out with hives my feet to my hands now all over my body from spot to spot I just figured out today it's wellbutrin that's causing this after searching the web for answers I am so miserable I hope it stops in a few days of not taking this I really think it shouldn't be sold at any pharmacy this medication is horrible!
TA
tanksley
8 Nov 2018
hi what was the out come of your question or problem here. I am new to this drug having the same effects and want to know will it go away? the drug itself seems to work but I can't handle this and need to know is it temporary or a real stop ASAP!
Yes 2 days after increasing it to 300mg I was covered in hives for about 6 weeks. It's now down as an allergy.
Votes: +0
LK
Lktennimon
1 Jan 2018
This my my exact Situation! Of course now with the hives I’m all freaked out that I’m gojng to go into anaphylaxis because that’s one of my main anxieties. Did you have any other symptoms? I keep feeling like my Lips are numb but my husband keeps telling me that’s anxiety lol
JA
Jaesopretty
13 Aug 2018
I hope u see this comment well anybody please help I’m on week 5 and I am still red and itchy everywhere I don’t know what to do!!!
ST
Stimpyjoey33
16 Aug 2018
Jaesopretty- I ended up getting a prescription for Atarax for the itching. I am day 4 off of 150 mg W, I had hives on my hands arms body legs feet and it was starting to get them on my face. I was taking Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, pepcid, using hydrocortisone cream, oatmeal soap, and on a taper off Prednisone. And they kept getting worse. So we are trying the Atarax and off the the Benadryl. I actually slept last night which is a first in a few days.
LJ
ljs4461
29 Sep 2018
I had the same reaction huge hives that traveled all over my body for days. I tried everything and finally my doctor prescribed hydroxyzine. By the next afternoon they were gone. Those pills are also good to relax you and take the edge off if you are nervous or can’t sleep. My husband sometimes takes a little piece of one for anxiety and they are similar to s Benadryl
Hi, have hives and hitching on all my body and I didn't know it was Wellbutrin until you guys said it. I didn't think it was Wellbutrin before because I used this pills about 6 years ago, so I'm in shock... I am also taking Ativan... I don't know if Ativan can cause it too...
