Wellbutrin and Seizures

[Pants McCracky]

I just got back on Wellbutrin after a few years away from it, and I have some concerns about the possibility of seizures.

As I've never had any kind of seizure before in my life, or known anyone who has, I was wondering:

(1) Can one tell when a seizure is coming on? Are there any warning signs -- and if so, is there anything that can be done to avert the seizure?

(2) What medical attention is required if this happens -- does it generally pass without serious effects?

Thanks for any info on this.

[AnneMarie]

If you have not had a seizure, the odds of Welbutrin causing one are incredibly, incredibly low. The biggest thing that you should be aware of is NOT discontinuing suddenly, but rather stopping the med in stages similar to the ones you used when starting the med. Even sudden discontinuation does not guarantee a seizure. It is just an added risk.

There isn't much in the way of non-seizure warnings. Auras (warnings) are usually simple partial seizures, which are less significant seizures that sometimes happen before a more major seizure. Sometimes people can use them as warnings to take a med like Ativan that can sometimes help minimize the more significant seizure.

Medical attention required varies from next to none to emergency room depending on the type and severety of the seizure.

As said, I wouldn't worry about the potential seizure side effect. Wellbutrin may lower the seizure threshold a little, but unless your threshold already is low due to an existing seizure disorder or meds, Wellbutrin is not apt to cause you a problem.

[null0trooper]

(1) Can one tell when a seizure is coming on? Are there any warning signs -- and if so, is there anything that can be done to avert the seizure?

Sometimes there may be a seizure aura - and they can be really weird if the temporal lobe is involved - but some people who have had a seizure caused by Wellbutrin had no warning at all. Anticonvulsants, including benzos, can reduce the likelihood or frequency of seizures, but not many doctors are going to want to continue with a medications once it does start causing seizures.

(2) What medical attention is required if this happens -- does it generally pass without serious effects?

Same as with any seizure, and unless you injure yourself during the seizure or for some reason manage to have a seizure (or series of back-to-back seizures) that lasts more than a few minutes, the only thing that needs to be done is to schedule an appointment with your doctor to change your AD - assuming you want to keep your driver's license.

Still, we're only talking about 1 to 4 incidents in 1,000 clinical trial patients. The number in real life may be lower, because a lot of people being treated for depression also need an anxiolytic med, so their doctor may be combining WB with a benzo independent of any seizure risk.

[Catnapper]

I've been on WB for over 10 years and never had a seizure. Most of that time I've been at 300 mg, but for a few years I was on 450 mg, which is the highest recommended dosage. As others have said, the seizure risk is tiny and if it works for you, it's a great med.

[Guest Candice]

I was taking 300 mg welbutrin for 2 months when I had a seizure. I had no warning signs and then awoke very confused with paramedics over me. Blood and throw up everywhere. I had to have the back of my head stitched up and the worst part of it is even with a clean brain MRI,I can't drive for six months.