Experiences of Wellbutrin aka Zyban or Bupropion

[crazyguy]

Hi all,

I've done a search but I'm just wondering if there any active users of this who can tell me what they experienced from it when first starting it?   Mine is the "prolonged release" 150mg version.  

I've tried the usual SSRIs, SNRIs, Tricyclics, Remeron, etc.   I've been med free for some time now but struggling to cope so Wellbutrin is my next stop...   it is actually an off-label use in my country but I understand it is one of the more commonly used medications for depression other countries. 

What can I expect?  

Edited October 10, 2016 by crazyguy

[notloki]

The official dosage (from the US Prescribing information) for depression is 300 mg, no less. Some need to go to 450 mg to see results. At first it is stimulating but can cause some anxiety. The only way to know if this will go away is to wait it out. I've been on it for decades at 450 mg and it still works well.

[Wooster]

You can pry the swellbutrin out of my cold dead hand and not before!

That is to say, It really didn't take long for me to be able to feel some benefit and I was quite happy about not having the anorgasmia associated with SSRIs. Even when we augmented with sertraline, the anorgasmia stayed away.

When I eventually bumped up to 450mg last winter, I had some trouble with night sweats, but that has since resolved.

[melissaw72]

I'm on Wellbutrin IR, but overall I had no side effects when I started it, except the ones that I was supposed to have, ie being awake more, giving me energy.  I found that too much caused tremors.  Didn't have any anxiety with it. 

When I took it, my energy and feeling more awake ... I felt the effects within 2-3 days.

[crazyguy]

I have been quite sensitive to meds that can stimulate in the past (SSRIs like Zoloft) so I don't mind starting at a lower dose.  I guess I will have to see how it goes.

I have read up a bit more online now and from what people are saying it seems like a medication that can work really well for some people... 

[HAL9000]

17 hours ago, Wooster said:

You can pry the swellbutrin out of my cold dead hand and not before!

That is to say, It really didn't take long for me to be able to feel some benefit and I was quite happy about not having the anorgasmia associated with SSRIs. Even when we augmented with sertraline, the anorgasmia stayed away.

When I eventually bumped up to 450mg last winter, I had some trouble with night sweats, but that has since resolved.

almost exactly my experience.  Other then night sweats (I think) even the dose anorgasmia (Should be used as a new torture)

[notloki]

Of all the antidepressants Wellburtrin is considered least likely to cause sexual side effects, so much so it is used along side other antidepressants that have this side effect as a treatment. Since it avoids seritonin pathways it has less probability of effecting things sexual.

[crazyguy]

I'm actually thinking of cutting the pill on half or quarter and just taking the firs time around to check for any bad reactions......     Anyway I hear splitting the pill with Wellbutrin might affect the slow release function of the med.....?

[melissaw72]

3 hours ago, crazyguy said:

I'm actually thinking of cutting the pill on half or quarter and just taking the firs time around to check for any bad reactions......     Anyway I hear splitting the pill with Wellbutrin might affect the slow release function of the med.....?

It depends on the type of Wellbutrin ...

Wellbutrin IR you can split with no problem.  But with both SR and XL you can't split them because it messes with the dose of it and won't be as effective.

[crazyguy]

15 minutes ago, melissaw72 said:

It depends on the type of Wellbutrin ...

Wellbutrin IR you can split with no problem.  But with both SR and XL you can't split them because it messes with the dose of it and won't be as effective.

Well it says 'prolonged release' on the packet.  Anyway I cut up to try a bit then after a couple of hours (and no bad reaction) I took the rest of the pill.  I will be taking it whole from tomorrow. 

[melissaw72]

10 minutes ago, crazyguy said:

Well it says 'prolonged release' on the packet.  Anyway I cut up to try a bit then after a couple of hours (and no bad reaction) I took the rest of the pill.  I will be taking it whole from tomorrow. 

I am pretty sure prolonged release is the same as SR and XL.

 

I did a quick google of "prolonged release of wellbutrin" and I found that it seems to be interchangeable with SR and XL.  Please someone correct me if wrong with a link so I can read about it.

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/prolonged+release

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_there_any_difference_between_extended_release_and_prolonged_release_formulation

 

[crazyguy]

So a couple of days in and I can say this stuff is making me feel very energised which I guess was the plan, but this is a bit of a uncomfortable feeling like I have had 10 cups of super strong coffee....Improved concentration and motivation but also feeling quite short tempered and getting kind of adrenaline rushes (not sure how else to describe it).   I've done more exercise and housework in the last 2 days than I have done in years. 

The Lyrica isn't doing much to take the edge off the anxiety so far. I think the dose is too low.... 150mg a day. 

Edited October 14, 2016 by crazyguy

[notloki]

For me stimulation was an initial effect that wore off after a few weeks. The only side effect of this stimulation that stayed with me was a raised heart rate.

[crazyguy]

Just now, notloki said:

For me stimulation was an initial effect that wore off after a few weeks. The only side effect of this stimulation that stayed with me was a raised heart rate.

Ok that sounds hopeful.   Though I wouldn't want the whole stimulation effect to wear off completely because lethargy and anhedonia are two of my biggest issues.... the last couple of days have been great for energy levels and actually finding some pleasure in activities.  

Interesting you said about the heart rate... I noticed my resting pulse seems a bit higher than usual today. 

[notloki]

I think the big take home message on Wellbutrin is that it is a weak antidepressant, in that for the receptors it hits that are associated with its antidepressant effects it hits them weakly. This is the reason some countries don't list antidepressant as an indication for Wellbutrin. This just means you need to be on enough of it to be effective. This is also why it seems to be pretty side effect free for most. 150 mg can have antidepressant effects but I see a lot of people who report the antidepressant effect wanes after a while or comes and goes. Increasing to 300 mg resolves this for most. Occasionally someone comes a long that does fine on 150 mg.

[melissaw72]

3 hours ago, crazyguy said:

So a couple of days in and I can say this stuff is making me feel very energised which I guess was the plan, but this is a bit of a uncomfortable feeling like I have had 10 cups of super strong coffee....Improved concentration and motivation but also feeling quite short tempered and getting kind of adrenaline rushes (not sure how else to describe it).   I've done more exercise and housework in the last 2 days than I have done in years. 

The Lyrica isn't doing much to take the edge off the anxiety so far. I think the dose is too low.... 150mg a day. 

I think you should tell pdoc about this as soon as you can ...maybe too high of a dose at first? Maybe start on a smaller dose?  It would suck if you  started to feel hypo and then you'd have to deal with that.  NOT saying that would happen, but it could.

Out of curiosity ... why the coffee if you are already energized?

Idk about Lyrica ... haven't had any experience with it.

 

Edited October 14, 2016 by melissaw72

[iaawal]

@melissaw72 I think they meant that the feeling they're getting is similar to a feeling someone would get if they had 10 cups of coffee. 

I know you're not supposed to split, crush, or chew Wellbutrin XL but I found this about Zyban

Instruct patients to swallow ZYBAN tablets whole so that the release rate is not altered. Do not chew, divide, or crush tablets; they are designed to slowly release drug in the body. When patients take more than 150 mg per day, instruct them to take ZYBAN in 2 doses at least 8 hours apart, to minimize the risk of seizures. Instruct patients if they miss a dose, not to take an extra tablet to make up for the missed dose and to take the next tablet at the regular time because of the dose-related risk of seizure. ZYBAN can be taken with or without food. Advise patients that ZYBAN tablets may have an odor.

[melissaw72]

3 hours ago, iaawal said:

 I think they meant that the feeling they're getting is similar to a feeling someone would get if they had 10 cups of coffee. 

Ohhh, ok.  Thanks!  It didn't make sense to me about having the coffee.

[crazyguy]

Yes I meant the feeling I am getting from the medication was like having excessive amounts of coffee -  an energised but jittery kind of feeling.  Hard to explain it any better.

I woke up quite early today but only after sleeping quite well, so I don't think I am going manic.   I had my morning dose 30 mins ago and I can already feel it.

I actually had a similar effect from Zoloft many years ago but that only lasted a few days.  I hope this will last. 

[HAL9000]

Lyrica was the worst thing for me.  It just made me loose the knowledge of things like "Which foot does the brakes in this car thing?"   or  "That person is waving at me.   What am I expected to do?   I know.... turn the windshield wipers on."

I've been on Wellbutren for a long time and it continues to work.   Hope it goes well for you.

 

[melissaw72]

3 hours ago, crazyguy said:

Yes I meant the feeling I am getting from the medication was like having excessive amounts of coffee -  an energised but jittery kind of feeling.  Hard to explain it any better.

I woke up quite early today but only after sleeping quite well, so I don't think I am going manic.   I had my morning dose 30 mins ago and I can already feel it.

I actually had a similar effect from Zoloft many years ago but that only lasted a few days.  I hope this will last. 

I understand it now.  It makes sense to me.

That is great you slept well!  I hope the wellbutrin will last also.

[crazyguy]

Definitely feeling more energised this last week although I feel that effect is maybe wearing off a little. 

I don't find the Lyrica is doing much at all.  I hear some people saying it takes a few weeks to work for general anxiety but others say it should act quite quickly, almost like a benzo would.   Perhaps the dose is just too low (150mg daily).

[melissaw72]

5 minutes ago, crazyguy said:

Definitely feeling more energised this last week although I feel that effect is maybe wearing off a little. 

Do you think you could benefit from a higher dose of wellbutrin?

 

[crazyguy]

23 minutes ago, melissaw72 said:

Do you think you could benefit from a higher dose of wellbutrin?

 

I don't know, I think at this stage maybe it is too early to tell.      I feel quite emotionally low yet more physically energetic, which is not an amazing combination.  Like the med has boosted my body but not my mind.  Does that make sense?

My instinct is I would like to increase the dose on both meds really. I feel really on edge and jumpy. 

 

[melissaw72]

2 minutes ago, crazyguy said:

I don't know, I think at this stage maybe it is too early to tell.      I feel quite emotionally low yet more physically energetic, which is not an amazing combination.  Like the med has boosted my body but not my mind.  Does that make sense?

My instinct is I would like to increase the dose on both meds really. I feel really on edge and jumpy. 

 

Yes, that completely makes sense ... I felt like that before and it feels like your brain and body are disconnected ... you brain feels slow, while your body feels more energetic.  At least that is how it feels for me.  And I hate it too.  I also hate the edgy and jumpy feeling.

Personally I wouldn't increase the dose on 2 meds at the same time ... if you have a reaction to a higher dose (when increasing doses on 2 meds), you won't know which med the reaction came from.  But if you increase one med at a time, and you have a reaction, you'll know definitely which med it is (because you only changed one of them).

[crazyguy]

25 minutes ago, melissaw72 said:

Yes, that completely makes sense ... I felt like that before and it feels like your brain and body are disconnected ... you brain feels slow, while your body feels more energetic.  At least that is how it feels for me.  And I hate it too.  I also hate the edgy and jumpy feeling.

Personally I wouldn't increase the dose on 2 meds at the same time ... if you have a reaction to a higher dose (when increasing doses on 2 meds), you won't know which med the reaction came from.  But if you increase one med at a time, and you have a reaction, you'll know definitely which med it is (because you only changed one of them).

Yes good point.  I would prefer to raise the Lyrica first since that is the one that appears to be doing nothing so far and the anxiety is a bit much.  Anyway I will have to discuss it with my doctor. 

Edited October 20, 2016 by crazyguy

[melissaw72]

2 minutes ago, crazyguy said:

Yes good point.  I would prefer to raise the Lyrica first since that is the one that appears to be doing nothing so far and the anxiety is a bit much.  Anyway I will have to discuss it with my doctor. 

Good idea ... I hope it all works out

[crazyguy]

Ugh so the last few days I am getting this annoying jaw grinding (bruxism?) and also discomfort around my eyes / forehand.... an unpleasant tight feeling that has got worse today.     I've had similar sensations when on Sertraline (Zoloft) in the past so I assume it is the Wellbutrin causing it and not the Lyrica. 

This is rather annoying as I've taken some pain killers and that isn't helping.   I might take some Ativan in a moment to see if that relaxes the muscles as it almost feels muscular or like a stuffed up sinuses or something I can't quite describe. 

 

[melissaw72]

6 hours ago, crazyguy said:

Ugh so the last few days I am getting this annoying jaw grinding (bruxism?) and also discomfort around my eyes / forehand.... an unpleasant tight feeling that has got worse today.     I've had similar sensations when on Sertraline (Zoloft) in the past so I assume it is the Wellbutrin causing it and not the Lyrica. 

This is rather annoying as I've taken some pain killers and that isn't helping.   I might take some Ativan in a moment to see if that relaxes the muscles as it almost feels muscular or like a stuffed up sinuses or something I can't quite describe. 

 

Bruxism is teeth grinding ... not sure if that is what you meant by the jaw grinding.

(bold) To me that sounds like a tension headache. 

Say for example it is ...

If I let the tension headaches i have go (without resting my eyes and brain, and without ice packs), it will turn into a migraine for me.  I hope whatever it is you have gets better.  If it is a tension headache, I can really empathize.

For me the only thing that helps the tension headaches are muscle relaxers and a little xanax (if I let the tension headache go too long, but before the migraine starts), then laying down to sleep immediately after taking them.  Pain killers don't work for me for those headaches.

[crazyguy]

Yep teeth grinding / jaw clenching is what I meant.  I also think I'm unconsciously tensing up my face and frowning a lot which is causing a tension headache as you say.    

 I would like to get through the a month before making a decision whether to continue or not but the side effects are annoying... especially as the initial energy boost seems to have worn off and now I'm back to feeling tired.

[melissaw72]

2 hours ago, crazyguy said:

Yep teeth grinding / jaw clenching is what I meant.  I also think I'm unconsciously tensing up my face and frowning a lot which is causing a tension headache as you say.    

 I would like to get through the a month before making a decision whether to continue or not but the side effects are annoying... especially as the initial energy boost seems to have worn off and now I'm back to feeling tired.

Do you have the teeth grinding/jaw clenching every night?  If so you might want to consider seeing a dentist.  Teeth grinding/jaw clenching can cause problems ... one of which is causing headaches ... (even without the tensing up your face and frowning ... that could be making the headaches worse).  I am glad that you are aware of it though so you can be pro-active in making it better.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/basics/definition/con-20029395

Quote

Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. People who clench or grind their teeth (brux) during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and pauses in breathing (sleep apnea).

Mild bruxism may not require treatment. However, in some people, bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.

Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it's important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/basics/complications/con-20029395

Quote

In most cases, bruxism doesn't cause serious complications. But severe bruxism may lead to:

Damage to your teeth, restorations, crowns or jaw

Tension-type headaches

Facial pain

Disorders that occur in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), located just in front of your ears, which may sound like clicking when you open and close your mouth

I hope this helps and that the teeth grinding and jaw clenching can be taken care of.  Have you ever tried one of those mouth guards?  I know you can buy them on-line but if you go to the dentist, they might be able to recommend a certain kind of one that would help the best.

About the wellbutrin making you tired ... maybe you need a higher dose?

[crazyguy]

I am about 4.5 weeks in on the Wellbutrin.  Can't say it is doing much for my mood apart from boosting my energy levels a bit.  Still not much good if you feel suicidal frequently and have no mental energy to tackle emotionally difficult tasks...  I think physical energy is different from mental energy if you see what I mean?

The Lyrica - I worry about weight gain and I don't really see the benefits even at 300mg per day. 

 

 

[melissaw72]

17 hours ago, crazyguy said:

I am about 4.5 weeks in on the Wellbutrin.  Can't say it is doing much for my mood apart from boosting my energy levels a bit.  Still not much good if you feel suicidal frequently and have no mental energy to tackle emotionally difficult tasks...  I think physical energy is different from mental energy if you see what I mean?

The Lyrica - I worry about weight gain and I don't really see the benefits even at 300mg per day. 

 

 

Do you think you might need a higher dose of Wellbutrin?  I know you said you didn't feel like it was doing a lot for you.  I am also on Wellbutrin, and IMO doesn't help my mood either way ... but it does keep me alert.  When I was off of the wellbutrin awhile back, I realized that it was really helping, even though I didn't realize it.  I didn't know it was helping before I stopped it (pdoc idea).  Sometimes you don't realize what is working until you stop taking whatever it is.

[browri]

I actually started out with Wellbutrin SR at 100mg I believe.I switched to the IR because I needed a good "kick" in the morning. However while it did motivate me it caused quite a bit of anxiety that didn't go away with time like it might with the longer-acting versions. Instead of getting rid of it, I talked to my doctor about Aplenzin which is an alternate version of Wellbutrin XL. It's bupropion hydrobromide instead of bupropion hydrochloride. There isn't TOO much of a difference but coming from someone who has taken both, I have to say that Aplenzin doesn't make me amped or anxious NEARLY as much as any of the Wellbutrin formulations. It's much smoother.

On a side note, a study compared the two different formulations of bupropion and found that at the same dose both formulations caused the same number of seizures but ones caused by the bromide form were shorter and less severe than the chloride form. May be something to consider for someone who has depression and a comorbid epileptic condition.

[crazyguy]

@browri

There is only one formulation of Wellbutrin available here - Bupropion HCI prolonged release, branded as 'Zyban' made by GlaxoSmithKline.    No other types are available in this country as far as I'm aware. It isn't even normally used as an antidepressant here.

@melissaw72  

Yeah a higher dose would be good I think, if only I could get a response from my doctor.   Maybe I need something else added to the mix for my mood too. 

[crazyguy]

Oh and I'm getting some minor twitching that I think is the Wellbutrin.  

[melissaw72]

On 11/10/2016 at 1:12 PM, crazyguy said:

I think physical energy is different from mental energy if you see what I mean?

I forgot to get to this question ...

I agree that physical energy is different from mental energy.  Sometimes I feel like I need to move around a lot, but my brain can't keep up.  So I see it as 2 separate things.

Edited November 13, 2016 by melissaw72

[browri]

@crazyguy

That does seem to be pretty common in other countries. Like it never officially got the indication for treatment of depression. I know that's the way it is down in New Zealand where my father lives. Then again, healthcare in New Zealand is through the government. So it could be a way to steer doctors and patients to cheaper medications.

[Calb]

On 11/13/2016 at 3:16 PM, crazyguy said:

Oh and I'm getting some minor twitching that I think is the Wellbutrin.  

I was on Wellbutrin for a spell in the beginning days on the med-go-round and at first, it did wonders for my mood. I believe I started at 150mg of extended release and it was bumped to 300mg shortly thereafter, maybe 2 weeks? Anyways it gave me a modest increase in general well being but the most prominent effect was how it increased my ability to concentrate. I would have stayed on it forever if it hadn't been for the twitching/tremor you describe. It seems as though this is a relatively common occurrence with Wellbutrin. That's not to scare you, whether or not the positives outweigh the twitchies is completely up to you to decide. For me, however, it wasn't worth it.