Wellbutrin and depression

Taking 150mg of Wellbutrin XL (Brupropion) for a month now and starting to notice quite a few of my hairs in the sink and a slight change in my hairline. Nothing drastic but definitely not good. I have always had a good head of hair so this is disconcerting to say the least. Luckily I googled Wellbutrin side-effects before taking it and saw reports of hair loss so I've put the 2 together before its too late! Who knows if my hair loss is just because I'm a 37 year old male but I'm not taking any chances. I think I'll switch drugs. Its too bad since the drug works quite well for my depression (season affective-ish). Other side-effects include some out-of-the-blue agitation and aggression which was a bit scary around my small kids. This peaked at about 3 weeks into it (along with some dizziness) but seems to be subsiding now. Thanks all for your posts.

Oh I am so glad I found this thread! I am having severe memory loss. It is so bad I can't even remember if I took my wellbutrin pill XL 5 minutes after I did take it. Sometimes I end up taking too many. I can't remember names, places, dates, I couldn't even remember where my husband worked when filling out a form at the dentist for my kids appointment. If I don't take the pill I am extremely irritated by the smallest things, to the point I feel ridiculously raging mad inside. It really scares the hell out of me. When I drive I feel like I am in a fog mentally. Every once in awhile I think, how am I doing this? I can't believe I haven't had an accident. I am also getting constant headaches. They come on in the morning and go away when I take the pill. Then they come back at night as its all wearing off. Like others, the beginning was euphoria, I was cool with any and everything, easily gave up cigarettes, felt like I could get a lot accomplished but now, it is terrible. I am afraid of the pain of withdrawal. My head hurts so bad now when I don't take it and I am afraid I will have a raging fit in front of my kids. I have not lost weight but gained 15 lbs. I am not sure if that is because I quit smoking or because I am in such a fog when eating that I forget to stop and forget I am full. I am constantly constipated since starting this drug as well. I don't know how I will get away from this but it is definitely my goal to. I feel like if I don't stop taking it, I will end up in a nursing home with my tongue hanging out and drooling. By the way, I am 36, college educated, never had depression...just wanted to quit smoking.

I have been on Bupropion( generic for Wellbutrin) 150MG going on 3 weeks now. I take one pill a day, and I take it in the morning when I first get up. I have not yet noticed any hair loss. I do however get really hot and start sweating just out of no where. I get upset at my stomach a lot. I think that is the only bad side affects I have had so far. I like that I don't feel drugged at all. It has really helped with my depression. But if I start having hair loss, I will stop the drug immediately. I only plan on being on it for a couple of months anyway to help cope with a death of a loved one.

hi, i've read through this several times, and it is now 3am and i find myself reading them again.

i was on both effexor and wellbutrin (generic versions of both) for quite some time, but didn't have full-on hair loss like I have now 'til about earlier this year when I was on wellbutrin only and was taking 150 mg twice a day. I got off of it because I have always had thin hair so I started to freak out when I noticed hair loss.

Unfortunately I became so depressed that I simply HAD to get back on it; and made the biggest mistake of my life by going up to the full 400mg dosage of the generic wellbutrin.

It killed me. I have very very very little hair especially on ONE side of my head, the left, and can no longer wear my bangs forward like I used to.

I went to the dermatologist (who I think was pretty bad, actually, because I went in for my HAIR and he didn't even do a strength test by pulling on it or anything!) and he said I had male pattern-ish baldness which is even more disconcerting because I can't hide the hair loss, I have a huge bald spot near the front of my head -- and I'm only a 21-year old female, people! This is beyond depressing, really. I'm beyond angry at my psychiatrist for always always downplaying the hair loss risk. I loathe him for it, in fact. But anyway.

I am going to start on biotin, and probably some prenatal vitamins, and maybe even tail Rx (******).

Thank you for posting your experiences, it has been a huge comfort to me (I wasn't lying when I said I read this thread many many times before and am reading it again now, at 3am!)

Im a male 48 yrs old and took generic wellbutrin (bupropion HCL XL) at 300mg a day for 3 months.

I had thin and receding hair before treatment but hair loss on the top of my head after taking this has been dramatic. My hair went from thin on the top to the point where I could see 3/4 of my scalp on top. I now notice running my hand through my hair will pull one or two strands per pass.

I went on a strict weight loss program and dropped 30 lbs and wondered if that was the cause. In any event I developed ringing in the ears tinnitus so I have just discontinued taking bupropion. Too bad as it had been a great help with depression and ADD.

I tapered from 300 mg to 150 mg a day for one week and am now off it completely for 2 days - worlds easier than going off Effexor (horrible withdrawal).

My doctor recommended 5mg Biotin (Vit. B) to help with the hair loss. Like the rest of you I am left wondering if my poor hair will come back. I have always looked young for my age but no longer. I have grown a beard to keep my face from taking over but I do miss the hair on the top of my head.

The generic Wellbutrin gave me mild relief from depression. It gave me much needed energy. I was careful to not take it late in the day, as it would interfere with my sleep.

But I am noticing more and more: memory loss and confusion. I find it hard to concentrate and I don't remember the beginning of the current conversation. I can't say for sure that it is the Wellbutrin (generic), but it does seem to coincide.

When I stop taking it, I feel a little more depressed and definitely more sleepy. But i didn't stop for long, so after reading other people's similar problems, I'm going to see if I can give it up. (Currently 100mg twice daily). J.

I too have had a great deal of hair loss, deep depression and sadness.
I can't seem to remember anything, feeling very loopy...
I have just stopped taking the xl 300mg after reading all of the posts today!!! I'm going to try all natural ( B12, fish oil, st.johns wort) after being
on meds for over 13 years. the hair loss was the, well ... hair that broke the camels back. I hope it grows back.

I have been taking Wellbutrin XL 300MG for 18 months now. It definitely cured my depression but since last couple of months I noticed my hair falling at an alarming rate. I can now see my scalp in several places. It is discouraging. I am going to lower the dose to 150MG and then stop after some time.

I started on the Wellbutrin almost 3 weeks ago. Other than a little problem with insomnia, I really liked the medication. It seemed to be helping me control my binge eating which definitely a plus and also the depression. One morning, I woke up with hives all over my body. A few hours later, they had become very severe. I had hives there were 8 inches long and hive patches about 8X12. They were in my scalp, neck, arms, upper legs, back, stomach. Went to family doctor who gave me shot and started on prednisone and was also taking benadryl. That night the itching was so severe, had to go to ER for IV steroids. This calmed things down tremendously. Haven't gone totally away yet, but much better and more bearable. It's a shame because I was feeling very hopeful on the medication. I was taking the generic form at 150 mg 2x day.

I am definitely having severe shortness of breath and also have the shakes. I used to have anxiety before being treated for my depression but now its back because of the meds. It is very scary to feel like you cant breath. I feel like I am intoxicated at time, nausea, stuttering and being forgetful. I feel light head from feeling like I can't breath. I also lost about 20 lbs in 2 weeks. These should be stressed as serious warnings by doctors before taking this medicine.

I am experiencing severe hair loss - I was on Wellbutrin XL for a year and a half with no side effects, then changed doctors and we prescribed the generic, bupropion. That is when my marked hair loss began. I then switched to Lexapro, but felt like a zombie, and so went back to the bupropion hoping that it was a vitamin deficiency that was causing my hair loss and not the med. But, with all sorts of supplements, my hair continues to thin - I used to have thick, healthy shiny hair, and now cannot bear to touch my head because it is so upsetting to have lost so much hair.
Has anyone else experienced NOT losing hair on the brand name Wellbutrin, then switching to the generic and losing hair? I don't want to give up the med because it has worked so well for my depression, but I don't want to loose my hair either. HELP!!
Thanks!

I have been on the generic version of Wellbutrin Xl since January 09. About 6 weeks ago I noticed a lot of hair loss. A week or so ago it increased and my thick hair is thinning so quickly I am panicked. I contacted my doctor on Monday morning and he advised I stop taking it right away. 150 mg a day. I have noticed my scalp is very itchy and today the hair has not stopped coming out. My doctor told me the hair will grow back but I don't know I believe him at this point. He wants me to go med free for 2 weeks until I see him. A little nervous about withdrawal and how I will feel med free since the depression was intolerable. Has anyone had significant hair loss with this drug and seen it come back after quitting the meds?

I'm a 38 year old man and have been taking 300 mg of Wellbutrin for about 6 weeks now. The depression that I've been suffering with for years is gone! Which is a blessing. But, this week, I've been more irritable than ever. Not wanting to associate with anyone and verbally snapping at anyone who has crossed my path. Wasn't sure what was going on but I read irritability is a side-effect of Wellbutrin. I've also lost weight since being on Wellbutrin, thank goodness. I"m not constantly physically and mentally hungry like I used to be. My mouth is always dry, too. Other than the irritability I experienced this week, my side effect have not been bad and, overall, Wellbutrin has worked wonders for me.

I have been on Wellbutrin XL 150 mg for about a month and a half. I really do not feel any difference. I was put on it for mild depression and loss of energy, but I still feel like I am floating through my days and can't wait to go home and crawl into bed. I should also mention I am on a very small dose of beta blockers for my atrial fibrillation (which is meant to decrease my heart rate). Should I increase to the 300 mg dose? I am concerned about doing this, as this is my first time on any anti-depressant and I would eventually like to wean myself off.
Also, have any women noticed their periods are late or non-existent? I am a week late in my period, and I am NEVER late. I will be going to get a pregnancy test done, but I am fairly certain I am not pregnant. I also noticed very heavy cramping yesterday that would signal the start of my period, but nothing happened.
I would appreciate any feedback!
Thank you.

I've been taking Wellbutrin on and off for 10 years. I had issues dealing with the loss of my mother, the loss of my father and a bad marriage, then trying to quit smoking. I thought it was great and seemed to give me energy and help with depression. But for the past 4-5 years I have been having issues with major memory loss. My boyfriend of 6 years notices it the most and says it's getting worse. I have talked with my doctor. I am experiencing a lot of the same types of memory loss as noted on this site including issues with multitasking, I have a very hard time concentrating. I am in the Computer Technology field and have a job where I have to be on top of things at all times. My short term memory is hurt the most. I have been going crazy because I haven't been able to concentrate enough to help my son with his homework. I am having issues managing my personal business as well ie. bank balance, losing bills, forgetting to pay bills, signing forms for my childs school. My work is suffering due to my forgetfulness. I am also upset with myself for not being able to concentrate and keep up. Minor issues: I am losing hair. I have constant dry mouth which I knew could be a side effect.

I will cut back this week and come totally off by March 27th to see if this helps. I will repost at the site in a month. I will also keep up with the site until then. I feel like I should mention this to my doctor. Has anyone quit and noticed an improvement? Has anyone thought about getting together to make a formal complaint or trying to notify the drug company?
signed: ddk

HI. Today is my 5th day to take generic wellbutrin 150mg for depression. I havent had any problem - just noticed I have not been hungry. Today I was fine, ran an errand and while I was driving my throat felt strained/tightening - not like in not being able to breathe but just a tight feeling and I felt dizzy...I ran in to store and grabbed what I needed...then sat in car for a few minutes before getting back on road...my distance home was about a mile and half...i had to pull over one time because I felt this sensation I do not know how to describe - kind of dizzy/kind of panic attack feeling. Do these side effects go away? Is this typical? Have now that I think of it kind of felt like my jaws tighten at times like grinding....

I took Wellbutrin for 2 months. I must say that I loved it initially because it made me feel so HAPPY and I lost like 10 pounds my first month taking it. However, I was always agitated, anxious, and the worse part was I suffered memory loss! I would forget simple words. One day I was driving down the expressway on my way home and all of a sudden I didn't know where I was. I started freaking out. Then my memory came back to me. That was my last day taking it. Now, A YEAR LATER, I still suffer some memory loss occasionally. Not a bad as when I was taking it, but I'm 27 and always seem to be lost for words at times. I can be looking at someone and it takes my brain like 5 seconds to register the correct name for them! Wellbutrin did help my depression and possibly saved my life, but my memory is all screwed up!

My teenage daughter was taking generic Wellbutrin (manufactured by Watson pharmaceuticals) 150 mg. daily for about 3 weeks or so and started having serious hair loss on the top of her head. The prescribing psychiatrist told her to stop the medication and after about 2 weeks, the hair loss has stopped almost completely. I have read a number of blogs including this one that indicate that hair loss is a side effect yet the Wellbutrin trials only listed hair loss as a side effect for less than 1% of patients. Given the U.S. Supreme court ruling today that says that even if the FDA has approved a medication, a pharmaceutical company is still responsible for fully reporting side effects and can in fact be sued in individual states if they do not provide sufficient warning, I would be interested in hearing ideas of how we can put more pressure on the manufacturers of Wellbutrin and its generic equivalent so that they give better warning of this side effect.

To make a long story short (I think). Taking Celexa (20 mg) for more than 4 years definitely caused decreased sexual sensations (numbed nerves), though it did change my life. In October Switched to Wellbutrin XL. Withdrawal from Celexa was not easy but Libido is definitely back. Problem is I am angry ALL the time at my husband. In fact, I've been angry almost from the get go from switching to Wellbutrin. I have also been puzzled by slight hair loss in the back of my head at the hairline. I have of late experienced abrupt halts in thought processes and my periods, though I am 45, have suddenly become irregularly. Frankly I didn't realize that Wellbutrin could likely be the cause of these symptoms until I read some of these posts. I really would like to wean off of this drug (was prescribed 300 mg but have taken 150 mg due to feelings of being 'wigged' out on higher dosage - did up the ante for just over a week to see if that would help but didn't seem to matter)...Nevertheless, I really think Wellbutrin is causing me to feel deep resentment toward my husband. This is not a usual emotion for me and it pretty well started immediately after I began taking Wellbutrin. I really could use your opinions(s). IS THE WELLBUTRIN causing the anger??? Did the Celexa simply MASK existing problems??? Is it a combination of both. Is this depression again or am I in the process of slipping back in??? (anger was not a previous symptom of my depression though black clouds, low esteem, doom and gloom and sadness were) Also, aside from anger and sheer resentment, I feel as if I'm spinning my wheels, that I'm in rut and that no matter how I try to move forward, I can't - I really feel lost and am so angry at my husband and see him in such a different way that it is almost to the point of being ridiculous). THANK-YOU so much for your replies.

Have been on Cymbalta 30mg daily for a year. Started on Wellbutrin 50mg daily about 6 weeks ago to help with attention deficit. About 4 weeks or so ago I started having occasional muscle cramping in hands and feet. Yesterday I started with twitching of left eye. Last time I had the eye twitching it was the beginning of an allergic reaction to Prozac. I'm thinking even the low dose Wellbutrin may be too much. anyone else had this experience? I'm also starting to notice an increase in anxiety. Not sure if it's due to worrying about the cramping and twitching or the Wellbutrin itself. Any thoughts?

I am noticing hair loss. I was on 150mg of XL for a year and then I was on 300mg for 6 months to deal with situational depression that my 150mg dose was not enough for. I lost more weight (because I had no appetite at all) but then slowly got used to the new dose. I have been confused sometimes and fuzzy brained. Often someone can say something to me and I don't even hear them. I have significant memory loss and trouble focusing on 2 things at once. If a radio or TV is on, I can't carry a conversation... even if i am looking directly at the person I am talking to. I have reduced back to 150mg but I am still having these side effects. I just thought I was getting loopy from having been on so many different drugs continually for 6 years. I do love having energy with Welbutrin and losing all excess weight I had but I can't stand losing my hair.

i have been on W 150xl now for 3 days. I have had UNREAL side effects for the short period. The first day - within 30 minutes I started having racing heartbeats. I could literally SEE my chest thumping. It was so horrible I had to lay down with my feet up for around 10 hours. I couldn't even move without feeling like I would pass out. I felt very nauseated but didn't throw up. Since then, I am struggling with being groggy and can hardly stay awake at all. I AM having very interesting dreams - so I guess if I have to be asleep all the time, at least the dreams are good. Needless to say - I am STOPPING this drug.

I do tend to have a tendency to be extremely sensitive to drugs - so have done well with lower dosages of other things in the past.

Prior I have been on zoloft for the last 6 years off and on for depression. i have done well on Zoloft(had reactions to generic so went with actual zoloft) at 25mg or 50mg, but have been frustrated that it killed my sex drive completely and I literally can't orgasm. This was the reason for the switch to Wellbuterin, and although I feel some sex drive coming back- it just isn't worth it. I will be going back into my doctor and going back on Zoloft. The wellbuterin has been a nightmare so far and I am NOT willing to tough it out just to have decent sex.

G. in WA

Jan. 4th, 2009
4:35 am
I have been on wellbutrin 150 for several month's now and I have extreme dry mouth, sometime's unable to swallow without taking a drink. Itching, strong urine odor, hand's shake badly when drinking and sometime's eating, headache's, dizziness, lightheaded, balance is bad, nausea, depression seem's to be returning, weight gain, short term memory, leg cramp's bad enough that I have to get out of bed and walk them off, burning spot's on my lower leg's. Including the wellbutrin 150, I take about 27 or 28 pill's a day and it seem's like every time I go the doctor they add more pill's. I now also have nighttime incontinence and barely make it to the bathroom in time, but still have leakage or worse going to the bathroom, having trouble getting to sleep and if I get awakened it sometime's take's 2 or 3 hour's to get back to sleep.
--By floridapeach / Reply / Private Message Me

I started Wellbutrin in the beginning of December. Someone very close to me passed away and I developed severe anxiety with some depression. I took some control of it with simply taking Ativan, but the doctor insisted I get on something for depression as well. I didn't really understand why I need to take a pill when I was just fine before this event.... but ok, I agreed.

I was prescribed Wellbutrin XL 150 mg. I was optimistic about it. She said it might improve my focus, give me some energy back, had no sexual side effects.

I took it in the morning, and usually with at least something in my stomach. The first 3 days of taking it, I was severely unstable. I think if I didn't have my boyfriend, I would be dead right now. I would cry uncontrollably, for no reason, pace, have terrible anxiety... I remember going through my closet, throwing things around, looking for a belt, throwing a few on the bed and taking one and tightening it around my neck.. I then walked around and was looking for a place to hang myself.. Luckily my boyfriend got home because he had a bad feeling about what was happening with me... otherwise I, to this day, do not know what I would have done.

After the first 3 days... things sort of calmed down... sometimes I would feel "better" in little spurts the first week.

I also had my sex drive for the first 2 weeks and it was good. I still wasn't "happy" but the medication wasn't doing any significant harm.

In the 3rd week, I lost interest in nearly everything. I didn't want to step foot outside. I stopped talking to my family, stopped answering my phone, I would lay in bed for hours, thinking of depressive things. I began eating, a lot. Constantly. Which shocked me since it is supposedly supposed to suppress appetite. I stopped going to school.

In the 4th week, and last, things gradually, and then quite suddenly just went downhill. It started with me becoming very agitated, snapping at everyone. My mental clarity was out the window. When someone said something, it took me a long time to register it, if I ever did. Sometimes my boyfriend would look at me after saying something and I would realize, oh my god, he said something... I really didn't hear/listen anymore. I was brain dead to everything except these horrible thoughts of just wanting to die. As the days progressed in the 4th week, I became more and more depressed. If I had to describe it, I would say it was a mental breakdown. I would cry hysterically over nothing. Absolutely nothing. I couldn't think of a single reason. I would start to cry while brushing my hair, while eating, sitting, watching a movie... I would cry 20 or more times a day. I really wanted to die because I could not bear it anymore. I felt like this was the end and it was going to end.. I wanted to inflict injury on myself, but focused my thoughts on more "permanent" damage -- suicide. I became obsessed with buying a gun. I swear if I had one, I would not be here. I would hit myself, all over my legs, while sobbing uncontrollably on the floor. Days later my boyfriend would ask where the bruises came from because it would be in such a weird area that there was no way i walked into something... and I would tell him I had no idea, and I didn't..... until later I realized it was me, hitting myself.... I felt very depersonalized. I felt unpredictable and I felt that I was not sure what I was going to do next, I was afraid of myself and very paranoid. I lost my appetite and never wanted to eat, thinking of food made me nauseous. I felt sick to my stomach. My anxiety was through the roof. My mind wouldn't stop spinning with thoughts, repetitive... until eventually it lead to another breakdown.

With my luck, it reached it's worst around the new year when everything was closed and I couldn't get a hold of anybody. I desperately called mental emergency facilities but all they said they could do was commit me for at least 72 hours and I didn't want that. I just wanted this to end, NOW, not be trapped in another hell hole. My mental doctor was closed so I tried to see my primary care and he was too afraid to mess with anything and told me to double my ativan dosage (WHAT! Because of Wellbutrin, I went from taking .5 or less mg of ativan a day to taking 2mg or more and still, it barely did anything!), so I went to the ER, and they did nothing, except tell me that the only way to help me would be if I went to a hospital for 72 hours. I said NO. It is ridiculous to allow someone to get this bad, and to not help them immediately, instead leave it up to them, to either be placed in some state run down mental facility or kill themselves that day.

I got a hold of my doctor the next day and she switched it immediately.

I have had THICK hair all my life. Was on WB XL (300mg) for 2 years went off because of memory loss. Was off for 6 months, felt good, but inevitably depression slowly crept back into my life. Went back on WB XL (150mg for a week, then 300mg). Been back on it for 2 1/2 months and just noticed 2 weeks ago that my hairline is thinning at the corners of my forehead. It's especially noticeable when wet or when the light shines down on my head. I can see my scalp. I have also noticed an increase in dandruff. Yikes! I am a hairdresser and it would be terrible for me to have bad hair while working with clients. Why didn't this hair loss happen when I first started taking WB XL 2 years ago? And why is it flarring up now? Is this a temporary side effect that will work itself out, or do I have to stop taking this drug? I'm glad that I am not the only one and that I am not crazy!

MEMORY LOSS NAUSEA DEPRESSION

I have been on Wellbutrin for about 4 weeks for depression. About three days ago, I developed an extremely itchy scalp, which ran down my neck and everywhere else. I have huge welt like hives all over my body and they "move" from area to area. I am going to the doctor tomorrow to find out what is going on with me. My depression is better, but not worth this horrible rash.

I tried wellbutrin for a few weeks I had been having some bouts of depression. I had bad side affects. I was rude to people, I was very blunt. It really scared me. so I stopped taking it..in a few days I was back to normal.

I have been taking 150 mg Wellbutrin SR twice a day for about a month now. It has lifted and stabilized my mood to a lifesaving degree. I feel like I have "me" back and my life back after suffering through a very deep depression for approx. a year. My only negative side effects are a bit of cystic acne, which I haven't had since college (I am 45 now) and breast tenderness all month long rather than just before my cycle. I have started using Proactive for the acne and it is working well. I guess I'll just live with the breast tenderness if it means having my life back! I have also had a few positive side effects, namely, my libido which was completely dead has started to re-emerge, and I am eating less, although I haven't lost any weight yet. (I used to have a compulsive desire to binge and that has waned.) I have more energy but whether this is due to the Wellbutrin or just ot being in a fog of depression, I can't say. Overall, Wellbutrin has been a very positive medication for me. I have used Prozac and Zoloft in the past and they neither worked as well on my mood and also had many unbearable side effects (weight gain, loss of libido, inability to orgasm to name a few). I'm hoping once I have been stabilized for a while the doctor will allow me to lower my dose and perhaps then the breast tenderness will go away.

I have been taking a generic version of Wellbutrin SR 150mg for almost 2 months now. I also take Zoloft 50mg. Before I started the wellbutrin, I had been taking zoloft for over a year to help with depression. The zoloft was working very well for my depression, but it completely killed my libido and as a newlywed, I felt something had to be done as it was beginning to affect my relationship with my husband.
So my doctor prescribed the wellbutrin. For the first couple of weeks I experienced a lot of nervous energy, a shortness of breath, a bit of nausea, forgetfulness and confusion. I almost stopped taking it because I didn't feel it was helping my libido either. But I stuck with it and after 3 weeks, it felt like it was definitely having a positive effect on my sex life. My husband noticed it too. He mentioned how much more responsive I had become when we were intimate. After 2 months, I am absolutely convinced that it has changed our lives and our relationship.
It is not, by any means a miracle drug though. I have a few complaints about it, the main one being the CONFUSION that I experience for hours after I take it. I was taking it in the morning before I went to work and everyday I noticed that I was not as sharp and efficient as I usually am. I figured this was a temporary side effect so I kept taking it as usual, but it never went away! I kept forgetting everything, lost focus easily, had dull headaches, and generally felt as if I could not connect to what I was doing.
SO...about a week ago, I thought I would try to take it at night...when it's not as important to be sharp and focused (and more important to be turned on). And it has turned out great! I'm so glad I started to do it. It doesn't affect my sleep...in fact I think I sleep better. And when I wake up in the morning, my dull headache is gone and I feel less foggy. At work, I feel normal again. My short term memory has recovered and I don't get confused as easily.
If you suffer from a lot of memory loss and confusion from this medication, I definitely suggest taking it at night. It has really helped me! Thanks and good luck!

After taking wellbutrin xl 150 mg. for 2 weeks, my 13 year old son broke out in large red hives that over the course of the last few days have covered his body from head to toe. He has joint pain and is itching like crazy. Doctor prescribed prednisone and he's also taking benadryl. Doctor thought the hives could be a virus but doesn't seem so given all of these posts. He's stopped taking the wellbutrin today. The wellbutrin was so helpful for his depression but the hives are horrible. Any idea how long the hives will last?

I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW THANKFUL I AM THAT I HAVE COME ACROSS THIS WEB SITE. UNDERSTAND THAT WE GO THROUGH LIFE WITH MAJOR UPS AND DOWNS AND SOMETIMES WE NEED SOMETHING TO HELP US OUT. BUT AT WHAT COST? EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. AND PERHAPS WITH FAMILY HISTORY AND WHAT NOT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED MEDS TO HELP THEM OUT. I FIRST BEGAN TAKING YASMIN ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. NEVER THOUGHT MUCH OF IT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ON BC MOST OF MY LIFE DUE TO BAD PERIODS, WHICH STARTED WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER. UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT BOTHER TO EXPERIMENT WITH THE FACT THAT AS YOU GET OLDER YOU'RE BODY CHANGES. SO RATHER THAN GET OFF BC I JUST CONTINUED ON WITH IT 1 TO PREVENT PREGNANCY AND 2 IT HELPED THE BAD PERIOD SYMPTOMS AT THAT TIME. OF COURSE YOU READ ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS, BUT THEY GIVE YOU THE "NOT SO BAD" VERSION OF THEM. ALMOST A YEAR AGO I STARTED GETTING HORRIBLE UNBEARABLE MOOD SWINGS, ANXIETY YOU NAME IT. SO I DECIDED TO GO TO THE DRS. TO FIND OUT WAS WRONG BECAUSE I HAD SIMILAR SYMPTOMS TO A THYRIOD PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE MY TONS OF BLOOD WORK I KEPT TAKING CAME BACK FINE. SO THE DR PRESCRIBED WELLBUTRIN AND LEXAPRO. I WAS DESPERATE AND JUST WANTED TO FEEL GOOD AGAIN. THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS WERE ROUGH BECAUSE OF THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THEN THE MEDS STARTED TO WORK AND EASE EVERYTHING UNTIL RECENTLY. I AM BACK TO SQUARE 1! DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING, BASICALLY HAVE ALL THE SYMPTOMS BACK FROM THE SIDE EFFECTS. FROM THE SHAKING TO THE MUSCLE ACHE, MEMORY LOSS, WEIGHT GAIN, THINNING OF THE HAIR(AND IM BLOND AND HAVE FINE HAIR TO BEGIN WITH) WHAT EVERYONE IS AND HAS BEEN FEELING ARE REAL AND NOT JUST STUFF MADE UP IN YOUR HEAD. YOU ARE NOT CRAZY! SO BASICALLY BY JUST TAKING ONE MED LED TO ME TAKING ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER. SO BY THE GRACE OF GOD I STUMBLED ACROSS THIS SITE WHEN I HAD GOOGLED MEDS TO HELP WITH SEVERE MOOD BEHAVIOR. AND THE FIRST THING IT CAME TO WAS THE YASMIN SIGHT AND LET ME TELL YOU I WAS IN SHOCK BECAUSE I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT SIDE EFFECTS IT HAD THAT MIMICED ANXIETY, WHICH LED ME AND MY DRS. TO THINK THAT I HAD ANXIETY, WHICH I DON'T THINK IS THE CASE. I BELIEVE THAT ALL THESE PROBLEMS STEMMED FROM THE YASMIN. I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BE MISERABLE MY WHOLE LIFE. TO SUM IT UP THE SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE PILL HAD MADE MY BODY HAVE SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY ETC. NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. SO I HAD CLICKED ON TO WELL BUTRIN AND LEXAPRO BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TAKING 450 OF THE XL AND UP TO 40 ON THE LEXAPRO...HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE! SO I HAVE TO DECIDED TO STOP EVERYTHING AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS BECAUSE I CANNOT TAKE THIS CRAPY FEELING ANYMORE. MY DAUGHTER, BOYFRIEND, AND FRIENDS HAVE ALL SUFFERED FROM THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THESE MEDICATIONS. THANK GOD I STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH EVERYONE. EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE, BUT I PUT THE BITCH IN BITCH AND NOT PROUD OF IT BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHO I AM. HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE READ THROUGH BECAUSE IVE READ EVERY COMMENT ON THIS SITE AND IT HAS DONE ME A WORLD OF GOOD, I FEEL LIKE THEIR IS STILL HOPE TO ACTUALLY WAKE UP ONE MORNING AND NOT FEEL TIRED , HAVE A HEADACHE, NOT BE CONSTIPATED AND THE LIST GOES ON. SO LADIES YOU ARE NOT ALONE, IT IS HAPPENING TO YOU AND HOW YOU CHOOSE TO FIX IT IS ALL UP TO YOU IF IT HELPS THEN STICK WITH IT,BUT IF YOU'RE FED UP AND MISERABLE LIKE ME, RID YOU'RE BODY AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I WILL DEFINITELY GIVE AN UPDATE TO WHAT HAPPENS AND IF THE MEDS WERE THE CULPRIT OF MY PROBLEMS.

I started taking wellbutrin sr 150 mg about a week ago. I did okay on it, but my depression wasn't better. My doctor increased my dosage to 300 mg a day (150 mg in am, 150 mg in pm). Since then, I have had 1 panic attack, and I feel like I can't stop moving around. My heart also started to "flutter" a little bit last night. I'm also taking xanax for anxiety, and I admit I've taken more of it the last few days to deal with the anxiety. I think I'm going to go back down to the 150 mg once a day for a while, because this anxiety is killing me.

I am taking Wellbutrin and it has helped my depression and desire for drugs every day. I have bad ringing in my ears all the time but I can deal with that compared to the good it has done.. The problem is I'm a engineer which requires a lot of concentration that I have lost since I've been on Wellbutrin. I also have memory loss. I can't remember peoples names 2 minutes after they told me. I am a support engineer so I have to tallk to many people every day as well as typing cause and solution. I find myself having to read everything I type over again because I leave out words and sometimes what I type makes no sense at all. Wellbutrin has helped me so much but I think I will have to stop or lose my job. What a choice. Before I started taking Wellbutrin I never felt like I was in tune with the world. Smoking pot worked for me but we all know what the long term effect of that is. Codine also made me feel like I fit in. So Wellbutrin has fixed all those needs and feelings but I just hate the loss of memory, concentration, and ringing in my ears.

Add me to the list! I have been on 300 mg Wellbutrin for the past few years. My hair is falling out and you can see my scalp. Just like many of you, I went the thyroid tests route, to no avail. I'm so thankful that in my desperation I did a search on hair loss and this drug. I will see my doctor and get off this stuff as soon as I can. It does help with depression, but who on earth can deal with watching your hair fall out on the sink and on the floor and down your back....I'll take the withdrawal headaches, as long as I have some hair on the outside of my head. Thanks to you all for writing about it. We are not crazy!

I have been taking the generic form of Wellbutrin (social anxiety with a touch of ADHD) for just over six months and as much as I hate to admit it, I believe that the bad is finally, convincingly, outweighing the good.
The good things that came along with 150mg of the SR every morning at 11:00: Weight loss (but only after an initial one month period of eating every form or carbohydrate I could find), it seems to brighten the whites of my otherwise cloudy eyes, helped me maintain conversations with people that I would have normally cut off early, and possibly--but only possibly--helps me focus (although the hyper focus that I used to get via the ADHD is gone. Completely. Non-existent.)
Which brings me to the bad: This goes against most of what I've read other people experience on Wellbutrin but lethargy has set in. And it feels like it's here to stay. It's not really a sedated lethargy but more of a false contentment that everything is just fine the way it is. No progression, no improvement, and looking to the future is almost impossible through the fog. I too, during the first two or three weeks, had the speedy, productive reaction to the medication. But that has subsided. Next, hair loss has become a concern. I'm in my thirties and it could be just how it goes but I truly doubt it. Mild constipation may seem bearable but I miss regularity more than I have time to describe. Ringing in the ears. Impaired memory. Confusion. Forgetfulness to a fault. Mild hives on the back. Irritability. A marked shortness of breath. After one month on Wellbutrin, I could barely run a mile on the treadmill when I've been accustomed to flying through three to five with ease. I feel weak, vulnerable even. Working out has therefore fallen to the wayside. And last, but probably the worst, this medication has seemed to cultivate a serious craving for other drugs. I can't explain it but I can't take it anymore either.
Like most people on a medication, I have read numerous posts and some people share some of my concerns but mostly, it seems that the people who report in are the speedy folks on day two or week two. That is, in my opinion, only a bit helpful, since these effects are usually short-lived. Wellbutrin started out with promise but while parts of me look into the mirror and see an improvement, underneath it all, I know that it is purely a nicely dressed form of prescribed avoidance.
I haven't posted this to discourage anyone. If it works for you--great. Really. But I also haven't read anyone's experience that matched my own so I figured it might help someone who is going through any of the same. Good luck.

I have been on Wellbutrin 300mg for about 5 months now along with Cymbalta 90 mg for postpartum depression. I have had VERY VERY bad memory loss (mostly short term), constant overheating (sweating for no reason), headaches, muscle spasms, trouble urinating, dry mouth, also I have been told by my practitioner that the generic form of Wellbutrin for some reason DOES NOT work as well as the name brand even though they are supposed to be the same thing.

Been on Wellbutrin 150XL for a while. It didn't relieve the depression so well but WOW do I want to tell everybody off!
It's the A #1 road-rage drug.And it feels so good giving everyone a piece of my mind.If it get any worse I'll have to go off it.

Thank god I found this site. I was prescribed Wellbutrin today for my depression. I was already on Lorazepam and that's all I had wanted again. But I guess since Lorazepam causes dependency, doctor's do not want to prescribe it much. My depression got deeper because I noticed hair loss in the first place and no one took me seriously. This doctor KNEW I had issues with hair loss already (i'm a woman) and I once had eating disorders and he went ahead anyway and prescribed this. If I had taken this I can honestly say I would have total bald spots on my head!
Thanks for this site!

The first time I went on Wellbutrin, I had a really bad reaction to it. I had insomnia, horrible tremors, apathy, I felt like I was walking around in a cloud. I went on to try other medications. Now I'm taking a combination of Prozac and Wellbutrin and it seems to be working. My depression is under control. I don't have the apathy or zombie feeling anymore, but I do still have the tremors, though they aren't as bad. I get some mild insomnia, but taking it in the morning helped with that, and lately I've found that a little bit of coffee in the morning (not too much, don't need to be MORE shaky) helps with a lot of my side effects. I do have the confusion and concentration issues too. It hasn't caused any severe problems, it only seems to really happen in casual conversation, where I'll completely forget what I wanted to say. It's annoying, but way better than depression, and not severe enough for me to stop.
To those people who are telling others to stay away from this drug, or any drug for that matter, don't forget that there is a reason there are so many different kinds of anti-depressants. Everybody's body chemistry is different, so their gonna react in different ways. Also, the people who don't have issues with side effects rarely go looking for sites like this....
Just something to think about.

I too have experience a late period, 11 days late so far. In addition, I am having extreme nausea. I thought maybe I was pregnant, I took 3 tests and all are negative. I have been on the Wellbutrin for 1 month now and am not really thrilled with the results. Actually, I find it's not helping at all.

I was on Celexa for about 6 months and loved it with 2 exceptions. Hair loss and a huge loss of my sex drive.

My thought is that none of these drugs are without side effects...there is no free ride.

Anyone else have similar experiences with Wellbutrin?

I stopped taking wellbutrin xl 150 mg and lamictal 200 mg 3 days ago cold turkey because there is no way to cut thewelbutrin tablet in half and take it safely. The first day wasn't bad at all. I felt better than I have felt in years and years. Then yesterday I felt okay, but not as good as I did on the first day. Today I woke up feeling like I have the flu. Every single bone, joint and muscle in my body aches. I feel fine one minute and the next minute the room feels like it's spinning and the body aches return. My psychiatrist started me on all of this poison,,, oops, I mean, medications 2 years ago. I had lost a child and had gone into a deep depression which led to severe anorrhexia. He started me out on Lamictal and Lexapro and after a year of awful side effects from the lexapro(especially sexual side effects=no desire at all) he finally switched me to the wellbutrin xl and told me that it would help better than the lexapro. At my last appointment, 1 week ago, I asked him when and if I would ever be able to go off of these meds. And he told me that I am probably a "lifer". He refused to hear anything about my stopping or weaning off of these meds. So, after my 3 minute office visit and prescription refills written out I left the office. I did not take the prescription to the pharmacy because I decided then and there that the only reason he and a lot of other psychs put people on these outrageously priced prescriptions(the lamictal is $140 a month and the wellbutrin xl is $170 and that is for the generic per moth) is because they get HUGE incentives from the pharmaceutical companies to keep us on them. I will not go back on the meds ever again. I am tired of living in a drugged up state. I want to feel alive again like I felt before I ever started taking this crap.

Well my experience with Wellbutrin has been better than that with Lexipro which i was on for a month as well . I have been taking Wellbutrin for about a month now at 150 mg's. I am 15 years old and am on it for ptsd,depression,and anxiety I've been experiencing really vivid and horrific nightmare, mostly centered around cuts on my body and hurting my loved ones, it was really concerning me so I asked my psychiatrist about it, he recommended that I switch to different med's . So if any of you are experiencing what I am you might want to concider that option. Wish me luck on my path to a long awaited relief

I have been on WB 300mg for about a month now. I have had headaches on and off, lack of energy and an upset stomach to the point of almost vomiting almost every day the past couple weeks. I have not noticed any improvements in my depression. I know it is very common to gain weight on most antidepressants (which would just bring on more depression) but less common with WB which is why Ive decided to try it. Can anyone tell me how long I should stay on WB without improvements before giving up and moving on to something new?

I've been taking Wellbutrin on and off for several years now. It works for me and my depression and doesn't cause weight gain. Unfortunately, a lot of my hair was gone before I researched it and found that this seems common with many users. I stopped taking it for several months and my hair loss pretty much stopped. Some grew back in around my hairline and my head felt better, but not a significant regrowth on my crown. It definitely stopped coming out like it was. The improvement took about 3 months. I started taking it again and within 2 months I noticed that I was again loosing hair. I use Nioxin shampoo which slows it some, but will stop taking it again. In my research I found that some vitamins, scalp massage or yoga where your head is down and you increase blood flow helps. Hair color also helps for several reasons. I found, however, that while on Wellbutrin my scalp was very sensitive and sometimes had a burning sensation. My dose if very low at 75-150 mg per day. What a shame this side effect it is because this is a very effective medication! However, I have no doubt whatsoever that it's causing my hair loss.

Well I have been on it for about 3 weeks now.. I am taking it for depression along with Citalopram. Was put on it to give me an energy boost considering i feel tired all the time. Well the first week i could not fall asleep.. I'd lay there for 3 hours wide away!!! so the pharmacist told me to take Benadryl.. well i took that still took me awhile to fall asleep but not as long.. then was completely out like a light!!!! would sleep through my alarm!!!!But now.. I ITCH!!!!!!!! Behind the ears, back of my neck, my forearms... I'll break into little bumps on my forearms.... and also itch in between my thighs!!! So hopefully this will eventually go away!!! Have not spoke to the doctor yet about this.. The first couple weeks i felt down all the time.. but now I am feeling a lot better! so for the most part I think it is help.. besides the constant itching!!!!! I found that calamine and clear aloe have been helping some!

I have been on WBXR for about three weeks now. The only side effect I'm experiencing is urinary retention--having to sit for several minutes and really concentrate on peeing before it actually happens. It's so annoying! Can anyone tell me if this side effect goes away with time?

Started 9 days ago. 150 once a day.
Haven't smoked. Insomnia teh last 2 days were AWFUL!
Horrendous nightmares when i did fall asleep for 20 minutes.
Anxiety last 2 nights were painfully scary.
Is it really worth it to take this stuff?
Tylenol pm doesn't seem to work well for me when I am on Wellbutrin.
I have had more energy and the eating goes back an forth. One day I will eat anything I can get my hands on. Next day i hardly eat at all.
Email me. ******
Thank you.
Kat

Day 21 on Welbutrin XL 150 mg. - prescribed to help stop (light) smoking habit & for depression. I loved it - smoking urges not nearly as strong, more energy, very few emotional outbursts & general sense of calm, happiness & well-being. I haven't felt this good for 4 years. Have tried other meds in past but quit due to weight gain & sexual side-effects. Yesterday I developed HIVES. Damn. Saw nurse practitioner today. She wants me to switch to Lexapro. Told me to start w/ 1/2 a tab @ bedtime tonight. AAaaarrrgh! Anyone have any experience w/ Lexapro?

Hi! I've been on Wellbutrin XL since November 2007. It's late February 2008 and I just stopped taking it two days ago. I know I shouldn't go cold turkey, but like others...I'm afraid of the side effects.

I've been having headaches since December. After having my eyes checked (prescription barely changed) and returning to the chiropractor (thinking something may have been pinched in my neck), nothing helped. I have NEVER had migraines until I started taking this medication, which a friend brought to my attention. "When did you start having these headaches? Wasn't it around the time you started Wellbutrin?" He asked because he, too, has had issues finding an anti-depressant that worked for him. On many, he's experienced headaches.

My doctor ended up prescribing a CT Scan and an MRA w/contrast of the brain because I told her that, in addition to the migraines, I also had two occasions where it felt like I was going to have a stroke (like my head was just going to explode and I almost passed out).

I have yet to have the scans due to an insurance issue, but I have stopped taking the Wellbutrin to see if that will help. I'm not looking forward to the depression, but I'm hoping I can take other positive steps (exercise, proper diet, vitamins, etc.) to avoid taking any more anti-depressants. The side effects are NOT worth it, at least at this point. I'm just going to have to find another way to get myself out of bed in the morning! :)