Welllbutrin and bad skin -- was it the dopamine?

[springtimevoodoo]

Hi all,

While I was on Wellbutrin I had really, really bad skin. My skin has always been good all my life, and for the one year I was on Wellbutrin it was horrible. Since I switched back to Prozac in Jan 2007 my skin has been totally fine.

I am switching to Moclobemide in 7 weeks. I am scared that Moclobemide will make my skin bad. I'm thinking, was it more likely the dopamine in Wellbutrin that did it? Or the norepinephrine?

Is there anything in Moclobemide that could do the same thing? Maybe I just don't understand how Moclobemide works really.

thanks!

Spring x0

PS - also, Wellbutrin made my hair fall out. don't know which that could have been either, norepi or dopamine? any thoughts?

[null0trooper]

I am switching to Moclobemide in 7 weeks. I am scared that Moclobemide will make my skin bad. I'm thinking, was it more likely the dopamine in Wellbutrin that did it? Or the norepinephrine?

Wellbutrin's active ingredient is bupropion. It doesn't contain any dopamine or norepinephrine. Its primary function is to interfere with norepinephrine reuptake in the synapses of the brain. Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors like bupropion can increase sweating (reported about 6% of the time during testing.) I've seen mention of dry skin and acne being reported.

Is there anything in Moclobemide that could do the same thing? Maybe I just don't understand how Moclobemide works really.

Moclobemide is the sole active ingredient. Its function is to interfere with the enzymes that destroy neurotransmitter molecules after they've been used a while. The intended result is to raise working stores of several major neurochemicals, including norepinephrine. Whether this will translate into "bad skin" no one can tell you for certain. You'll have to take the medication in order to find out.

PS - also, Wellbutrin made my hair fall out. don't know which that could have been either, norepi or dopamine? any thoughts?

Hair loss isn't a common side effect of Wellbutrin, although both alopecia and hirsutism have been reported. Perhaps it was increased stress during that time? I would assume that if you felt good you wouldn't have been on the medication.