Wellbutrin and wellbutrin sr

Wellbutrin SR 150 mg. two times a day. I've been on Bupropion for over three years now and I absolutely love it. I had a horrible time controlling food cravings and an even harder time losing weight (like weight watchers said they never saw someone like me and my doctor was stumped). Suddenly a few weeks after starting I was dropping weight without even trying, and I didn't feel like I was going to die if I didn't have whatever food was in front of me. I've lost 50 pounds and have kept it off while enjoying the food I eat and not obsessing.

That being said, I've noticed in the past few months that a ton more hair comes out in the shower and it is really freaking me out. I never had this problem for 3 years, I don't know what changed. I still have new growth and there are no bald spots. I'm wondering if it has to do with me going off birth control 6 months ago? I've heard hormones can really effect hair loss. I'm scared to death of going off Wellbutrin because the few times I stopped taking it I started to put on a lot of weight IMMEDIATELY.

I'm seeing my doctor next week, I really don't want to go off it, I finally feel healthy and not obsessive :(

I have been on Wellbutrin SR for 1 year now. 100mg once in the morning. Have had 18-20 lb. weight gain, more anxiety(take alprazolam at night to help me sleep due to anxiety).I also at times hear a faint "door bell ringing" and am very short tempered towards my family.. Massive insomnia. I am trying to wean off and start over, but am experiencing major heart palpitations/anxiety along with alot more sleep issues. I don't know if my weight gain if from wellbutrin or alprazolam? My doctor said it was neither and it was because i'm in my 40's now. Wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!! Something is not right.

I started Wellbutrin XL about a month ago. I had a lot of trouble sleeping after about a week. I didn't feel tired at all. I just saw my doctor a few days ago and he switched me to Wellbutrin SR. He said that it doesn't stay in your system as long so I should be able to sleep. Has anyone tried this? Let me know. Thanks!

Wellbutrin SR 200 mg. two times a day. Intensity. Nervous energy. Inability to focus sometimes. Memory loss. Speech can be disjointed and it's difficult to form complete sentences. I will often struggle to find the right word to complete a thought or trip up and not be able to finish a complete sentence smoothly. If I wait to take my second dose in the middle of the day my speech improves so I'm going to experiment with the time I take the drug whenever I have an important meeting.
From reading these posts I have now realized the hair loss that I have been experiencing is the result of Wellbutrin. I had no idea and have been experiencing this every since I've been on Wellbutrin. The texture of my hair is much courser and I shed hair at a much faster rate.

I was prescribed generic Wellbutrin two weeks ago today. I took it for 10 days with no problems except mild headache, mostly pressure. I felt great even after only 10 days and had tons of energy. I know it usually takes 3-6 weeks for the full effects but I was already happy after only 10 days. I thought this was a miracle drug. On the 11th day I had a few hives on my inner thighs and on my chest but I didn't think too much of it. On the 12th morning I had tons on my thighs, entire torso from abdomen to chest, shoulders upper arms, neck and back. I even took pictures to show my doc of the ones of my back. I tried to get in touch with my doc which was this past Wednesday 5/27/09 but his office closed early that day. I then called my pharmacist. He told me to go to the ER immediately. He asked if I was having shortness of breath and I told him I couldn't tell if it was related to meds because I am prone it anxiety and I was a bit anxious about the hives all over. I went to the ER and they gave me a shot of Solu-Medrol (a steroid) in the hip and but me on a steroid (prednisone) pack for 6 days. I only took the prednisone that Wednesday night. Yesterday (Thursday the hives were visible but soo much better, and today (Friday) they are completely gone. I am so disappointed that I had this reaction because I loved taking buporion (generic wellbutrin). I wonder if it's just the generic that does it because I read someone else say that the name brand didn't give them hives but the generic did. I will have to check in to that. The ER doc told me to stop taking so my last does was Wednesday morning. (ohhh by the way I was on 150mg once in morning and once at night, so 300mg/day and I was on the wellbutrin SR kind)

I have had very weird, descriptive dreams....my weight has stayed the same...although i don't crave food as much...and i eat less. but it seems at night i am ravenous, which is not good just before bedtime. no other side effects here. i recently just lost my insurance cause of a drop in my work hours..so im weaning myself off of it slowly....in case Medicaid does not cover it, when I get it.

Hello,

I am so happy to find these posts. I started the generic Wellbutrin SR 100 MG in the morning about four months ago. She wanted me to increase my dose but there is no way I can handle it. I am also on Zoloft 50 mg for panic attacks. She added the wellbutrin to give me more energy and help with my low sex drive. It gives me lots of energy but I can not have caffeine or much sugar when I am taking it or I have a panic attacks. Also I am very short of breath, I thought this was just my anxiety but after reading all the other posts I am beginning to wonder if it is the wellbutrin. My sex life is a little better but not much, of course I am taking a very low dose. About a week after I started taking it, my back and neck was killing me. I went for a massage and she said I had knots all over my back and neck, this four months ago, I kept getting massages and they just keep getting bigger and will not go away! I am almost certain the wellbutrin is making me tense and causing these. I decided to call my doctor today and ask to go off of it.

What is funny is I was on it a few years back but it was Wellbutrin XL not generic. It was wonderful! I had the best sex life, I had so much energy and no side effects.

I just wanted to share my story.

I took Wellbutrin SR 2 years ago and never had a problem. Started taking it again and have a number of side effects. I have been on it for over a month (150 MG 2 times daily). Since being on it, I have had severe headaches and migraines (had problems with migraines before, but not like the ones now), severe insomnia, memory problems, dry mouth and frequent loss of appetite. I have always been able to take prescription meds or Excedrin Migraine for headaches and they always helped. Now I can't get rid of my headaches since being on Wellbutrin. I have been taking Ambien 10MG for the insomnia, but that only helps for about 5-6 hours. Without the Ambien, I could go 2 days without sleeping.

I am so glad I found this site!! I think I've found the culprit of my rashes/welts. It started about 2 or 3 days after starting 100 mg of the generic of Wellbutrin SR but I had taken it before without any side effects (I had taken the brand name med) so I didn't think it would be this. It started with massive itching on the back of my head which turned into welts that ran down my neck. I also had swollen lymph nodes on the back and sides of my neck. Then wherever I itched, I would develop hives and the scratch mark would show up about 2 minutes later and be raised. I still have this problem and I have been taking Wellbutrin SR for about 3-4 weeks. I am so disappointed because it was working for me. I was taking 10 mg of Lexapro but the sexual side effects (or lack thereof) prompted me to ask for an alternative. He prescribed this alongside Lexapro. Even though you're supposed to do what your doctor says, I refuse to add another pharmaceutical to my list of meds so I stopped the Lexapro and started the Wellbutrin (after weening off of Lexapro of course). Anyway, the libido is back but it doesn't work too well if you're itching all over!

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!

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 on Wellbutrin SR 150. They started me at 1 pill once a day. After three days to 1 pill 2x a day. Last night was a "clutching my rosary" moment. I fell asleep and woke up a couple of hours later to go to the bathroom. I had INTENSE ringing in my ears - like a freight train. I was very dizzy. By the time I got down stairs and went to the bathroom I was so dizzy and disoriented I knew I couldn't stand up much longer. I ended up crawling around on the floor praying with my head down on the floor. I had HOT, I mean like FIRE sensations shooting up from my abdomen to my head. These subsided more and more over the night as long as I kept my feet elevated and lay flat on my back.

Has anyone had ANYTHING like this? This is just AWFUL. It hasn't been a week yet, but I'd rather be seasonally sluggish than EVER go through this again! I am waiting for my doctor to call me back today. I did NOT take a pill this morning!

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 was on SSRI's for a while (lexapro, zoloft) when I finally couldn't take the tiredness, weight consistency, and NO sex drive. So I tried Wellbutrin SR 150 2x a day. Started off at 150 for a few days and felt like I was given a new life! I had never felt so good. Then it was time to increase my does to the 300mg. I started getting headaches, dizziness, my ears are ringing so bad I can't hear very well anymore. So I went back down to 150mg per day. I don't feel as tired, but it's still there. The ringing won't go away and I am still dizzy. The funny thing is, is that I can almost guarantee it's the same time everyday. I get the dizziness and headaches around 3pm, they go away(most of the time I have to lay down) and by about 5pm they're gone, but by about 10pm they're back. And it happens every day like clockwork. I like the way I feel (minus the headaches and dizziness, and ringing) my brain doesn't feel "numb" like I did on the Zoloft or Lexapro, and I have lost a few pounds which doesn't hurt, but I don't think I should feel like this everyday. I want a medication that I can feel good on without headaches and dizziness. And PLEASE no ringing in the ears. It's good to know that other people are experiencing these side effects, I really thought I was the only one.

I have been on generic Wellbutrin SR 150mg twice per day for a total of four days now.
I am tapering off of 100mg of generic Zoloft daily by cutting it to 50mg daily for four days.
My mood, outlook, attitude, and performance at work has improved 100%.
The only side effect I am having trouble with is a very difficult time falling asleep. I can't be still and it gets to the point where I must get out of bed and walk around or lay on the couch and move constantly four 3 to 4 hours before finally falling asleep.
I'm hoping this goes away after a few more days.
I take my first pill at breakfast and initially took the second one at dinner. I am gradually moving the time up that I take the second pill. I'm up to 2:30 pm now.

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 have been taking Wellbutrin SR for about 6 weeks. I started out taking 1 per day then increased to twice a day 8 hrs apart as prescribed. I love this stuff. I am no longer depressed and a bonus is I am starting to shed some weight. I was going through menopause (I am 53) and did not have a period for about 6 months. I also had a decrease in sex drive ( actually none at all) and now my sex drive has returned along with my period. I had been having horrible hot flashes and those have stopped also. My energy level is fantastic. I feel 30 again except 3 nights ago I noticed a ringing in my ears. It only seemed noticeable upon laying down to sleep. Then the 2nd night it was louder. Last night it was almost unbearable and this morning the ringing is still noticeable even after getting up and busying myself. Anyone have this problem? I read side effects this morning on the online PDR and ringing, roaring and hissing is one of the possible side effects listed, but says nothing about what to do about it or if it is a sign of something more ominous. I would appreciate anyone that has experienced hearing changes while on Wellbutrin to let me know about it and how it was resolved. I would hate to have to stop taking this medications it has made such a wonderful difference for me.

help ........... I just now broke a Wellbutrin SR pill in half and took it. .... ** What is going to happen ?? I am scared.

I saw a website that says: "Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban SR). Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time."

I just now decided to start taking again after 3 years because i have been having anxiety and can't stand it anymore !!

I am a pack a day smoker too. 46 year old male.

I started taking 300 mg wellbutrin sr while weaning off of effexor xr (another nightmare) about three months ago. The past few weeks I have been extremely agitated with everyone in my life. I have also had the worst migraine of my life that will not go away. I'm not sure if this is a side effect of the welbutrin, or just more painful effexor withdrawal? My husband swears that my anger has made me a different person. I hate the way I feel, but don't know if the Wellbutrin is making it better or worse. Anyone have any input?

I've been taking Wellbutrin sr for 3 days, I'm mostly forgetful, irritable, my mind is racing panicky, tremor, nausea ringing in my ears, speedy energy but then when you crash ur sooooooooo tired. jittery.

Please Help! I can't sleep . I started generic wellbutrin sr 3 days ago and now I haven't slept in about 36 hours!

I've been on Wellbutrin XL 150 for a few months and I love it! The first few weeks were a bit hard because I felt constantly jumpy, nervous, and had a hard time sleeping. But there are side effects with almost everything for the first little while! Now that I've been on it for a while, I've noticed I'm losing weight, feeling energetic, and I feel hopeful about my life! Also I have a ridiculously increased sex drive. It may not be right for everyone, but for me it's been awesome so far.

I have been taking Wellbutrin SR, 150 mg., once a day for about 5 years now and I love it! I have always been very active my whole life until I had to deal with some very hard family problems. Well, I started getting to where I didn't want to get out of bed in the morning and to fix a meal was more than I could handle. I tried Prozac and just wanted to sleep, so my doctor prescribed Wellbutrin for me. I started feeling like my old self again. My doctor said depression medication should make you feel normal, not out of it or anything like that. Well, I feel normal. You have to listen to your body though. I had a hard time sleeping for the first couple of weeks but that went away. I also notice that if I am starting to feel overwhelmed, I just take an extra one. I'm supposed to take 2 a day, but I only take one in the morning. Every now and then I will take one at noon also. This helps if I'm feeling overwhelmed. You just have to pay attention to your body. If you get headaches, reduce your dose or only take it every other day. I tried the XL and didn't like it. I felt more tired. I really like the SR. It seems just right for me.

I have been diagnosed with ADHD,I've been on Wellbutrin SR, for one week now and started with 150mg, This week I am to double my dose, I feel light headed all the time, a little lack of sleep and small headaches that move around, fade in and out alot.also Heart Pains now and then too. I've had alcohol and my Dr. said it would be o.k in moderation, when the instructions say not to, So i'll stop. I don't want a seizure. I'm in school and i'm not sure I should be testing this now, as i HAVE TO PASS, all i need is help with attention, not really depression, my question is should I be on this now or at all, what can i expect in the future, and are holistic alternatives good or better? Is it safe to excersize or will i get a heart attack at 23---PLEASE ANY INFO IS APPRECIATED.

I can totally relate to the headaches, because recently I went off of my zoloft 100mg and I am still taking the 150mg of wellbutrin sr and I recently have had the sweating, irritability, terrible headaches especiallly in the morning when I wake up. Do you feel I should stop taking wellbutrin as well? Please let me know what are the side effects is I stop taking the WB SR.

Jenny

I am having the same side effect as Guest, #11307 who asked about the brand vs. generic. (Wellbutrin sr vs. bupropion sr). I was perscribed 150 mg XL and was filled with generic bupropion SR 150. This is my first time taking it so I don't know if the branded one would be different.

I've been taking it for about a month and last week began to have itchy areas on the palms of my hands, my upper back and arms. Oral benadryl was providing relief. However in the last three days I've been suffering actual hives and welts, so I'm going to go off of it until I can talk to my doctor.

I have bi-polar II with ADD and have been on Lamictal and a small dose of Celexa for over a year. Depression got better but not the ADD so he added WB for that. I tried Straterra but it made me feel really wierd.

Other than the hives, I haven't noticed any other side effects from adding WB. I'd really like to find something that can help me with ADD.

Is this an allergic reaction?

I've been taking Wellbutrin SR in increasing doses for the past three months for depression. At 100 mg twice daily, I had headaches and stomach aches for the first few days. I was bumped up to 150 mg twice daily and the headaches and cramps returned briefly. I'm now taking 200 mg twice daily. I've been having palpitations nightly since increasing to 400 mg dose -- especially when I lie down in bed. I'm also having twitching, occasional tremors, gas pains amd heart burn. These are not symptoms I experienced before I started taking the medication. On the flip side, this medication has worked remarkable well on my depression, My feelings of doom, hopelessness and general disinterest in life have faded with every increase in dosage.

I've been taking 300 mg Wellbutrin SR to help me stop smoking. Working great & I've smoked for 36 yrs. I've been reading that it also curbs the appetite for some of you. Unfortunately it doesn't do that for me & I sure wish it would. I need to lose weight.

Wellbutrin sr vs. bupropion sr
Last time my perscripion was filled they substituted the generic. Since then I have started to break out in a rash on my hands (sub dermal - not a contact allergy). I've been taking Wellbutrin for years (400mg a day) and I had some dizziness (vertigo) in the beginning but nothing like this. Is there some difference between the two that would cause this kind of reaction?

I started taking Wellbutrin XL 150 mg on Sept. 9, 2004 once a day in the morning. On September 23 I was told to take 300 mg once a day in the morning. On September 23 in the afternoon my right ear felt clogged and there was a ringing. To make a long story short, I've been diagnosed with permanent nerve damage resulting in a hearing loss that a hearing aid cannot help. The ringing hasn't stopped either. I stopped Wellbutrin on October 7th and my hearing has not come back and I guess it never will. I'm now trying to find a lawyer to see if I have a case. Is there anybody out there will the same symptoms? It's just too coincidental that anything else caused the nerve damage. I had an MRI and it's normal.

I was on Wellbutrin SR for 5 years and recently decided it was time to get off the stuff. Getting off the medication has been anything but pleasant. However, I know withdrawl won't last forever.

When I was on the drug, I also experienced many of the side effects that other people did; thinning hair, headaches, occasional migraines, nausea, inability to sleep, confusion, night sweats, tremors, dry mouth, etc. But, I am going through early menopause and I contributed many of the symptoms to that rather than Wellbutrin SR.

One thing I noticed with getting off the drug is an unsatiable appetite. I can eat 24/7 and still be hungry. It really sucks!