For many people with crippling depression, it is true that antidepressants can create a break in the dark clouds that are always overhead. Using medication is never going to be a be-all, end-all fix for depression, but it is very helpful as a first step, and it can provide the lightness that people need to start framing their lives differently and then making other helpful changes via psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Wellbutrin XL is one of those medications, and some people may be asking how long does Wellbutrin XL stay in your system. 

That’s more of a fair question because the XL stands for extended release, and as such it means that the medication is formulated to have a slower and more gradual release. This makes it a better choice for some people based on the nature of their depression and weather. With regular Wellbutrin it takes around 3 hours to achieve peak levels of the medication in the bloodstream, while with Wellbutrin XL it is more around 5 hours. This extended release formula also means that the medication stays in the body longer.  

So how long does Wellbutrin XL stay in your system then? The active ingredient in Wellbutrin – Bupropion – will stay in your body from 2 to 9 days after your last dose of it. Whether it is shorter or longer duration along that timeframe will depend on several factors, but the most primary one for anyone is their basal metabolic rate and this something that is always going to slower for older people.  

Link to Liver  

The health and function of a person’s liver goes a long way in determining all sorts of aspect of their health, and for anyone concerned about how long does Wellbutrin XL stay in your system they will want to be attentive to the vitality and function of their liver. Anyone with decreased hepatic function is going to have a longer timeline for eliminating bupropion from their body. So, a hoser who has liver cirrhosis is one example of a person who may have Wellbutrin XL in their body for much longer.  

Other people may have an entirely different interest and one that has its roots in impatience. It’s perfectly understandable when people struggling with depression have really high hopes for their medication helping them, and what they want to know is how quickly does Wellbutrin XL work. It doesn’t improve mood and relieve depression symptoms overnight, and for most people it will take at least 2 weeks before they start to feel better after taking Wellbutrin XL. A person’s BMR comes into play here too, and it will be longer if you’re not absorbing the medication as effectively.  

Your doctor will be able to adjust your dose if that’s the case, and many times they have the experience and insight to know when a person needs to start on a higher dose to begin with. We’ve covered how long does Wellbutrin XL stay in your system, and if you’re concerned about side effects this is something you can discuss with your doctor too when you have your first consultation with them to discuss starting on an antidepressant.