Discontinuing Wellbutrin cold turkey?

[mjs190]

Hi all - 

Psychiatrist took me off Wellbutrin XL during out visit yesterday, saying that she thinks replacing it with Vyvanse (per my request; need help with school) will likely cover me. My question is, she offered to Rx 150 mg to taper for a few days, but said that I likely could just stop taking it due to its XL coverage...is this something people have experience with? Has anyone dc'd Wellbutrin in the past? I'm guessing that the Vyvanse's mechanism of action will negate any potential side effects, but I'm just worried. Thanks!

[olga]

I think it's always a good idea to taper off a medication gradually.  Having said that, I ran out of Bupropion (WellbutrinXL) a few weeks ago because of a snafu with the pharmacy and complications in my life.  I felt okay for a week or so and considered staying off it......but then I got really irritable and starting sleeping too much and realized I was slipping into depression again.  So I'm back on it and all is well.

However, I didn't experience any brain zaps or discomfort when I went off it, so I hope you get through this painlessly.  I'm rather surprised that I didn't have more of a reaction.

olga

[random_woman]

I quitted Bupropion 150 mg modified release without tapering (there are no other options in my country) and I was really tired, hungry and didn't feel like anything. Tapering, I think, will make quitting easier.

[melissaw72]

I would not stop wellbutrin cold turkey.  This is a med that could cause seizures (depending on how high a dose you're on) by just stopping it.  I think maybe the difference with me though is that I am taking the IR, whereas you are on the XL. 

I still would not take the chance of cold turkey though (regardless XL or IR), and would definitely taper off slowly.  I'd take your DRs idea to taper down with what she gives you to do so.

[AyYiYikes]

I'd like an update, please, if you went off and started Vyvanse. Recently finding out I have ADHD, I was told after Wellbutrin for a while, they'd start me on stimulants. Due to the constant coughing, I may go off bupropion IR.  I'm wondering if Vyvanse will be a positive change (although I realize everyone's different ).

[mjs190]

I noticed absolutely nothing when I d/c'd cold  turkey. I was on 300 mg XL for over a year. On day one, I took 30 mg of Vyvanse along with the 300 mg of Wellbutrin XL as usual. On day 2, I stopped Wellbutrin altogether and continued with Vyvanse.

I have had zero side effects from the withdrawal, and have only had minor transient headaches which I attribute to starting a stim, as that has always happened to me in the past. Naturally, I notice a stronger norepinephrine/dopamine effect from the Vyvanse; Wellbutrin is a weaker NDRI.

Thats really the only difference I can speak of. I much prefer Vyvanse to Wellbutrin, although I will absolutely hold on to my extra Wellbutrin for emergencies; Wellbutrin was the only medicine that was able to pull me out of an escalating 6 month depression.

Edited November 2, 2015 by mjs190