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Wellbutrin (buproprion HCl)
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Overall Rating
6.20
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Rating:
6.2
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Side Effects
6.08
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Pricing
5.94
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Average Price: $12.63
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Recommended By
74% of reviewers
(of 54 reviews)
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advertisement
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WellbutrinŽ
Generic Name: Bupropion HCL byoo-PROP-ee-on
Drug Class: Withdrawal Agents | | Contents | Description | This medicine is classified as an antidepressant used to treat depression. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for other conditions such as quitting smoking.
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| | General Information | | This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. Top of page
| | Proper use of this medicine | Follow the directions given to you by your doctor. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or chew before swallowing. This medicine is taken orally and may be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. Take this medicine regularly at the same time every day.
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| | Missed Dose | Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
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| | Storage | Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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| | Possible Side Effects | - headache
- restlessness, agitation
- dizziness, drowsiness
- A rare side effect causing a sustained painful erection in males (priaprism) has occurred. If you experience this, talk to your doctor immediately.
- If you experience other bothersome side effects, contact your health care provider.
- drowsiness or lightheadedness
- weight gain
- dry mouth
- constipation
- nervousness
- trouble sleeping
- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- changes in sexual function
- dry mouth
- constipation
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| | Warnings/Precautions | - Do not take bupropion (Zyban) within 14 days of taking an MAO inhibitor.
- Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
- Be cautious when driving or performing other hazardous activities. This medicine can impair judgment.
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| | Overdose | Seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
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| | Drug Interactions | - Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
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| | Pregnancy/Nursing | For women: Adequate studies of pregnant women are not available. If you plan on becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor about the benefits versus the risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. For nursing mothers, this medicine is excreted in breast milk in small amounts. Check with your doctor if you plan to nurse your baby.
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| | More Information | For more information about this medicine, talk to your healthcare provider.
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| Copyright 2006 PharmClips, Inc. All rights reserved. www.pharmclips.com | This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before making any changes in their drug regimen.
Last reviewed:
On 8 Aug 2006
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
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Reviews
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Anonymous
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Review Date: Thu July 13, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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powerful antidepressant...works quickly
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Cons:
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personality change possible
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This does what it is says it does, but gave me a totally careful, somewhat reckless attitude about things, caused arrogance and impatience on my part.
In addition felt like i was high most of the time and very much in control and great energy boost.
(also caused increase in sexual activity)
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wi_fighter
Magnate
Registered: April 2005
Location: Tornado country
Posts: 2544
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Review Date: Wed September 13, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $8.00| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Energy boost, no negative sexual side effects on XL (24 hour) preparation. Much improved mood on SA (12 hour) preparation
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Cons:
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High anxiety, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, constant crying on XL. None on the SA version.
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First the XL review: The 150 mg dose seemed to work pretty well, but doctor wanted to eventually get me to 450 mg since that's what "the books" say the dosage should be. At 300 mg I started having vision problems and low blood pressure, had tremors to the point of being a danger behind the wheel, couldn't sleep, constantly cried, snapped at everyone. I also gained 5 pounds within about a week of going to 300 mg. It caused increased sexual desire and response.
I'd give this product a rating of 1 overall.
Now the SA version: Started at 100 mg once a day for a week and then increased to 200 mg once a day thereafter. This strength and dose delivery seems to be the magic combination. I have all of the benefits with none of the complications. Per my P-doc's orders, I take both pills in the morning instead of splitting the dose so it doesn't cause any sleep disruption. The half life is long enough that it doesn't wear off if you wait 24 hours between doses, even though it's only delivered over 12 hours. I've had little if any weight gain (1-2 pounds at best) even though my appetite has increased. I'm currently 2 pounds below my weight when I started this version. My best guess is that my metabolism increased as well, so my weight has stayed pretty much the same even though my food intake has risen, and I had a healthy appetite to begin with, even with suboptimally treated depression.
I'd give this product an overall rating of 10.
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eskielover
Magnate
Registered: October 2004
Location: Harrodsburg, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 2395
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Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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Cons:
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anxiety & depression increased, pounding heart, no sleep, lack of appetite & migraine pain
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I was perscribed wellbutrin right after prozac. My serious weight loss had already started & this just pushed it into dangerous. On top of that, my heart was pounding hard & I couldn't sleep. My anxiety & depression levels increased. The migraine pain continued to increased which added to the nausea feelings that helped keep me from wanting to eat. This was the weight loss that pushed me into needing medical treatment because my weight wasn't being monitored. I didn't mind the weight loss, so wasn't pushing to stop taking the med except for the migraine pain which I couldn't handle. Once it was determined that it was having such a serious effect on my weight, it was stopped.
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darkeyes
Moderator
Community Support Team
Registered: May 2001
Location: US
Posts: 6600
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Review Date: Fri September 15, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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I didn't feel any different with my depression,and it didn't reduce my craving for cigarettes)
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Cons:
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like the other newer AD's (SSRI's) you can have "nerve jerks/jumps",sort of like when the doc checks reflexes.
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I have found this med,to be just the same as the others in this category,not effective and over rated.
I do stress they may work well for others and I urge those to stick with their treatment plan.
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Suzy5654
Poohbah
Registered: May 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1158
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Review Date: Sun September 24, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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got rid of my depression a couple winters ago, increased sexual desires
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Cons:
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Wellbutrin was added to my mix a couple winters ago when I fell into a depression. It worked very well. I discontinued it when spring came & I would add it again if the depression returned.
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Sher
Member
Registered: May 2006
Posts: 34
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Review Date: Thu September 28, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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gives me a bit of an energy boost, have experienced no side effects
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Cons:
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has been a great tratment for my depression. no side effects and no wieght gain
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AlteredState01
Poohbah
Registered: October 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 1017
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Review Date: Tue October 10, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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?
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Cons:
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No response to this med.
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This medication had no effect whatsoever on me, even when dosage increased. Had to give up trying this med because depression returning quickly.
Didn't do a damn thing for my smoking either!
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SerenitysWave
Grand Poohbah
Registered: December 2005
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1523
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Review Date: Sun October 22, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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did experience relief from depression, anxiety, panic and SI..plus I lots weight and quit smoking
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Cons:
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none
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I would consider taking it again. It worked well while it lasted. I took this medication in comjunction with Lexapro. The combintaion worked well for me for about a year and a half.
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girlbassplayer
Member
Registered: May 2006
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 153
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Review Date: Sat November 25, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Increased energy, less depression
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Cons:
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Anxiety, insomnia, restlessness
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Found the medication works very well against my depression. I'm at 300mg with the intention of going to 450mg, and I have never had an overly hard time with the side effects. Didn't give me the headaches or stomach aches SSRI's did. Only thing that has been a minor problem was anxiety, but once I got accustomed to the medication it was nonexistent.
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Amerikasend
Member
Registered: December 2006
Location: Merryland
Posts: 22
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Review Date: Mon December 4, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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???none
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Cons:
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Just made life even worse
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This stuff didn't work for me at all. It made my life turn to crap very quickly (although it was already crap, but not as bad as when on wellbutrin) It made me very hostile towards everyone. I got super depressed.
I talked to some of my buddies that have took it and they all suggested to stop taking it as soon as possible and to yell at my pdoc for prescribing such a worthless med
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sallyoop
Newly Joined
Registered: December 2006
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Review Date: Wed December 20, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $3.00| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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no weight gain, lots of energy
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Cons:
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increases anxiety and expensive
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I startedtaking Wellbutrin because I had gained 30 pounds on Zoloft. The good news is that I have actually lost 5 pounds on Wellbutrin, and I haven't even really been trying.
If you have anxiety, this is probably not the drug for you because it really seems like it exacerbates the problem. I might have to d/c use because my anxiety is through the roof..(I can't breathe, I feel like I am choking even if everything in my life is fine). Interestingly, I sleep much better on this than I did on Zoloft. I could never achieve a deep, restful sleep on Zoloft, but I can with Wellbutrin, if I can just make myself relax enough to fall asleep.
The bad dreams I had on Zoloft are not present on Wellbutrin, but I feel kinda wired all of the time.
I think my depression is better while taking Wellbutrin than it would be without, but I don't really feel peace or joy. I just feel more levelled off, or rather, not depressed. Also, Zoloft numbed my emotions, Wellbutrin allows me to feel everything more. And sex is better than its ever been.
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Direction
Magnate
Registered: December 2006
Location: Midwest, USA
Posts: 2200
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Review Date: Fri January 12, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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It works with little sexual side affects
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Cons:
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None so far
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For me it was an improvement over Lexapro
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MrsDocW
Newly Joined
Registered: January 2007
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Review Date: Sat January 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $2.00| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Seems to really help without a lot of side effects
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Cons:
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If I take it too late in the day, it can interfere with my sleep
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I found Wellbutrin to be very effective with little or no side effects. Unlike other meds, if I missed a dose, I suffered no immediate ill effects.
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Juliana
Grand Member
Registered: March 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 887
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Review Date: Sat March 3, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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no physical side effects for me
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Cons:
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made me extremely depressed, confused, suicidal
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I took Wellbutrin for about 5 weeks to help with mild depression. It threw me into a black hole. I became extremely depressed and had suicidal thoughts (something I had never experienced before). I was too confused and depressed to realize the Wellbutrin was the cause of this deep depression and suicidal thoughts. I became convinced that the SSRIs I had taken in the past had permanently damaged my brain and I would never be myself again so life wasn't worth living. Fortunately, I had a scheduled doctor's appointment. My doctor saw the horrible state I was in and told me to stop taking Wellbutrin immediately. I was on a very low dose, so she said there was no way to wean myself off it; I just needed to stop taking it. Within a few weeks, I was back to the mild depression I had started with... a huge improvement over how I felt on Wellbutrin!
I took Wellbutrin's close relative, Zyban, about 10 years ago to try to quit smoking. I didn't have any depression or anxiety before I started taking it, but I was a mess while I was on it. I was angry, surly and argumentative in the mornings, then I would be in a great mood in the afternoon, and by 6 PM I would be in tears and would spend my evenings feeling miserable. I also developed a phobia of escalators. I was on one while taking Zyban and the stairs started getting narrower and then wider (zooming in and out) and I freaked and didn't want to get on an escalator again. That phobia stayed with me after I stopped taking Zyban. It also didn't help me quit smoking. Cigarettes tasted nasty, but I kept smoking. I just felt miserable while I was smoking. I lasted about 4 weeks on Zyban. I noticed there's no place to review Zyban on the Zyban page. That's why I'm mentioning it here. My friend was on it at the same time as me. She became nasty and paranoid while on it. She didn't quit smoking either.
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tricia
Newly Joined
Registered: June 2004
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Review Date: Sat March 10, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $40.00| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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works well for me
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Cons:
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none
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I have only been taking wellbutrin for a few months and so far it has been working for me.
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Dru1981
New Member
Registered: April 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Mon April 9, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $2.00| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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lost weight, helped me quit smoking and drinking, elevated mood
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Cons:
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horrible anxiety, memory problems
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I believe that if I didn't have underlying anxiety problems then I would have a higher opinion of this medication. If you have anxiety issues I wouldn't recommend wellbutrin as it caused me almost unbearable panic attacks at times. It worked wonders on my depression, and helped me free myself from alcohol, nicotine, and pain killer addiction. As the panic attacks tended to happen after my second dose of the day, I managed them by taking the second dose just before falling asleep. This tended to cause problems if I couldn't get myself to quickly fall asleep as Wellbutrin caused insomnia.
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DoubtingThomasina
Junior Member
Registered: April 2007
Location: North Dakota, ASA
Posts: 13
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Review Date: Wed April 11, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $12.00| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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Lifts you out of major depression
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Cons:
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leaves you feeling unlike yourself
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After my horrifying experience with Lexapro (especially the sexual dysfunction), I was put on Wellbutrin. It helped slightly with my depression but made me feel like I was in someone else's body. I eventually flushed them all down the toilet.
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lunakit
Newly Joined
Registered: April 2007
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Review Date: Thu April 12, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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eliiminated panic attacks
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Cons:
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mania, agitation, aggressiveness, outbursts of temper, sleeplessness
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I'm bipolar with a tendency toward dysphoric mania. I took this for a few months several years ago, along with 4mg/day of xanax. At first I felt pleasantly energized ~ my manias are usually dysphoric so I enjoyed feeling over-the-moon happy for a while instead of paranoid and angry. And I didn't get any panic attacks while I was on this med. But after a month or so I started becoming more and more angry-manic, pissed off all the time and picking fights with everyone. And sleep? Forget it. It didn't work for me at all in long term so I got off it. Beware of Wellbutrin if your bipolar disorder scews towards mania. It might work well for depressives but my pdoc gets a 1 for prescribing this for a mostly-manic patient!
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prime23
New Member
Registered: April 2007
Location: California
Posts: 5
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Review Date: Tue April 17, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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Got rid of my depression. No sexual side effects (except good ones).
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Cons:
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Made me manic
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Wellbutrin got rid of my depression twice. It worked well, too well. It was like meth. I wound up in the hospital with psychotic mania both times. I think this is a good drug for major depressives, but bipolars need to be careful, especially if they have a history of major manic episodes.
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terry
New Member
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Tue April 24, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $1.00| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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None
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Cons:
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anxiety, insomnia
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It may be great for some people, but for me it did absolutely nothing.
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chellebelle
Newly Joined
Registered: April 2007
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Review Date: Wed April 25, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Even moods, feelings of happiness, more energy, loss of appetite
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Cons:
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Seems like negative emotions are more obvious
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I have been taking this medication for one week. I have noticed some obvious side affects, which have been mostly positive. I am sleeping great, probably because I don't go to bed all amped up because my brain has been going a mile a minute all day. I have only had one negative side effect. Yesterday, I had a mini anxiety attack, which concerned me enough that I called my doctor. She recommended giving it another week before deciding if I was taking enough. I would definately recommend this to other people. Loss of appetite is a side effect, but in my case that just fine with me!
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DePressMe
Magnate
Registered: March 2007
Location: ohio
Posts: 2276
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Review Date: Thu April 26, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $1.25| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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No weight gain or other side effects
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Cons:
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I take the XL, so it is expensive
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Wellbutrin is a good medicine for me. It helps with my depression and I have not noticed any side effects.
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deborah42
Member
Registered: May 2007
Posts: 24
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Review Date: Sun May 6, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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no weight gain,loss of appetite
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Cons:
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insomnia ,anger.
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ive been on this med for 3 weeks almost.im not really sure what to say.i guessi feel it makes me very angry to the point where dont look at me that way or ill punch u out.sleep doesnt happen much.eating has slowed down big timebut thats not a big thing [y]
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statgrrl
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2007
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Review Date: Thu May 10, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $1.67| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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No sexual dysfunction, no drymouth, no headaches
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Cons:
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Mucho expensivo!
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I've been on antidepressants for approx. 13 years now and have tried (all with little/no success): Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa. Prozac=NO SEX, Zoloft=DRYMOUTH, Celexa=HORRID HEADACHES.
I am treated for a combination of clinical depression and ADHD, so I finally got a good doctor who decided to put me on Wellbutrin 300mg XL which has been like a gift from the heavens. I now have my life back and in control and can function as a productive member of society once again.
WARNING: My stupid pharmacy/insurance co. refilled my RX with generic Buprion and I just started taking it thinking nothing of it until all my symptoms returned within a few days. It was like night and day - the Buprion is supposed to be the exact same formulation, but I was so severely dysfucntional and depressed that my relationship with my husband crashed and burned, nearly ruining my marriage, since we both had no idea what the hell was going on. I have since made the plea to my doctor to explicitly request the pure and not generic form. I have been back on the good stuff now for a little over a month and things are completely normal again.
Good news: Wellbutrin really does work!
Bad news: I'll likely be on it for life.
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jimmyjetta
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2007
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Review Date: Sun May 13, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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it works
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Cons:
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none
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It's funny, years ago the original Wellbutrin had next to no effect on me, either therapeutic or with regards to side effects (although it did make for some real euphoric-type dreams). But I gave it another try recently, this time with Wellbutrin XL: by and large, it works! The therapeutic effects don't feel quite as "complete", for lack of a better term, when compared to the SSRI's I have taken but I don't have any sexual side effects from it either.
I have heard other people say that it amps them up too much (i.e. nervousness and anxiety) but I haven't had any appreciable problems with it.
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ouch
Veteran Member
Registered: June 2006
Posts: 321
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Review Date: Sun May 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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lifted mood and sex drive better
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Cons:
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made my heart race, had panic attack and anxiety
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Made my heart race - felt way too keyed up on it!
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ab1018
Member
Registered: May 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 92
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Review Date: Sat May 26, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Weight loss, sexual desire back, no heavy sweating,
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Cons:
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Severe diarrhea, some anxiety and agitation
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I switched to Wellbutrin from Cymbalta because the Cymbalta was giving me severe night sweats and heavy overall sweating. I must say, after starting on the Wellbutrin, I feel like I have more energy than I ever did on other drugs. My appetite has decreased (which is good - I have gained 100 lbs. over a 5 year period on other meds). I also have motivation back to accomplish things. Sexual desire is also back.
Negative - some anxiety/agitation - losing my temper over small stuff. The worst - it gives me severe diarrhea. I had hoped I had a virus or something, but it's been two weeks now. My doc and I decided that the benefits of the med were worth seeing if that side effect would go away, but it hasn't.
Looks like I'll have to go back to the others, which make me zombie-like.
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leighc
Newly Joined
Registered: June 2007
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Review Date: Wed June 13, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $5.03| Rating: 7
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;)
