After being off all meds. for the last 8 months, I determined that I once again needed their help to deal with my ADD & depression.
I thought that generic Wellbutrin & generic Ritalin would be a good combination of price & effeciency.
I went to my GP doc, who asked me to try new Wellbutrin XL (newer than SR) samples for 1 month and forgo the Ritalin.
He is concerned about the potential for abuse, even though I had been on both Ritalin & Adderall & dropped both easily, with no 'abuse' problems.
My prior pscrips. for the Adderall & Ritalin were written by a psychiatrist. I currently have no health ins. & am reluctant to go back to the psychiatrist, as I would just end up having to pay another doc., 'out-of-pocket'.
I agreed to give the Wellburtin XL @ 150 mg, a day, for a 1 month try.
Atomix mentioned in his post that his Wellbutrin SR @ 300mg/daily did not do much for his ADD, but helped with his depression.
Does anybody have experience with Wellbutrin XL for ADD?
Or do most of you feel Wellbutrin must be combined with a stimulant to be effective in treating ADD?

I am not familiar with XL -- only SR....@400 mg/day.......It has worked for both my ADD and depression.....

Combined with a stimulant may work for you.....but actually Wellbutrin although not touted as a stimulant -- does seem to have stimulant - like activity.....So there may be some overstimulant activity.....I would try the one month of Wellbutrin alone idea.....See how it works....Good luck Runner....Let us know how it goes....

Thanks for the info.
I'm hoping the Wellbutrin XL alone will help with both the ADD & depression.

Wellbutrin increases the amount of dopamine in the brain, which is how stimulants work, so it is a "stimulating" drug. But it doesn't work in the same manner as stimulants and it increases noradrenaline and serotonin levels too. You could almost say it's a cross between a stimulant and an antidepressant. It is often used "off-label" for ADHD. I'd give it a try and if it doesn't work or have the effect you need your Dr can always add a stimulant like ritalin to the mix.
Good luck,
Greg

As far as wellburtin and its effectiveness for <it>adhd</it> I think that it works well (for me anyway). I have been on it for the last 3 months and have noted that I can better bay attention and sit still longer than without meds. However, if you get <it>WB</it> in your sys and still feel like you are going a million miles a minute, then I think that a stimulant is well worth it. <b>Good Luck</b>

i'm going to start out with a huge disclaimer! this is information i got from my psychiatrist. it is from memory (which is fallible) and i don't know where he got this info. i tried to source it, for my own curiosity as well as in the interest of trying to be factual. but, i ended up on e-bay instead ... well, anyway ...

about a month ago, my psychiatrist prescribed wellbutin xl. i've been building up slowly to the full dose. so, i don't know what the full effects will be yet. so, nothing as far as personal experience yet....

he said that wellbutrin helps adhd symptoms in 25% of patients with adhd. like i said, i don't know where he got this figure, but, that's what he said (i think ;) )

I've been on Wellbutrin XL 300mg since Mid-febuary. It makes my tics worse (I may have have tourette's, I am going to be seen about that very soon). It didn't help with my depression or ADhD at all for the first four weeks. Now, I have mixed feelings about it. I'm still thinking fast, talking a lot, and can't focus on any one thing, but I'm not quite as fidgety. Wellbutrin also has a sedating effect on me right after I take it. So if I take a nap, which I usually end up doing, I can't sleep at night. *shrug* It's different for everyone, I'm sure.

Cyndi

Thank you all for your input & experiences with Wellbutrin.
One book I read mentioned that Wellbutrin was just as effective as Ritalin in controlling ADD.
I have my doubts, based on my past experiences and your comments, but I remain hopeful.
Have not felt any positive effect after one week, except some low-level anxiety, but I think it takes a long time to 'kick-in'.

150 mg is a pretty low dose, so you might not even feel it's effects at first. Wellbutrin is actually fairly quick acting for an antidepressant - one or two weeks usually.
Bummer that your Dr is reluctant to give you ritalin - maybe once you try the wellbutrin, if it's not quite doing it, he will then give it to you. I wonder how many mid 30's men he's seen abusing ritalin? I had a similar problem with my GP - but he didn't want to give it to me because I am mildly hypertensive and he didn't know how to dose the drug. My ADHD Dr gave me the scrip and sent my GP a letter confirming diagnosis and recommending a treatment strategy. The specialist also said that my BP may actually go down when taking ritalin due to decreased anxiety!
Good luck - sometime you have to be persistent to get what you need - don't give up finding the right medications for you.
Regards,
Greg

Thanks for the advice, Gregster!
I feel the same way about my GP forgoing Ritalin & SSRI combo. in favor of Wellbutrin alone.
But, I'll stick it out for 3 more weeks.

I do feel my dosage of 150mg/daily may be too low for my 185 lb. weight.

If I don't start feeling better by the end of this week (2 wks. on med.) I'll see my GP about upping dosage to 300mg./daily.

2 weeks after that, if no improvement on 300/mg. regimen with both the ADD & depression, I'll ask him to give me the SSRI (most likely Lexapro) & stimulant (Ritalin) combo.

Your posting on the effectiveness & pharmacology of ADD meds. was encouraging in so far as Wellbutrin's success is concerned. And others have posted some positive remarks with their experience on Wellbutrin.

But, man, this 'trial-&-error' stuff does take precious time, especially when you've got the blues & have got to get your chaotic life together!

Tell me about it! The time it took to even get to the trial and error part was hell!
From Initial concept - "Hey maybe I have ADHD" - to prescription - "please fill this Ritalin prescription, Mr Pharmacist" - took 5 1/2 months in my case! That's if you're not counting from 1974 when I was examined and tested for "hyperactivity" (but I guess I was not hyper enough - I kinda "internalize" my hyperactivity).
Sometimes you want to say to the Dr "I'm not getting any younger here!" - but I've held my tongue because I didn't want to seem too eager to get my paws on some stimulants.
And, of course, waiting for an ADDer is like being tortured!
Good Luck,
Greg

After almost two weeks on 150mg daily of Wellbutrin XR, I don't feel one whole heck of a lot better. Nor have my ADD symptoms abated.
Best thing I can say - no real side effects.

I don't see the point of waiting another two weeks on 'half of target dosage' just to see what happens.
I'm going back to the doc on Tues. to get him to bring me up to 'full target dose' of 300mg.

Hope he'll do an even swap of my remaining 150mg samples for 300s!

I'll give everyone an update next week!

Thank you all again for your input!

Keep the samples and double up - waste not want not - in fact, you should ask for more sample packs - you pay so much for these drugs that the drug companies should at least give you enough free samples to get you "hooked"!

I was on Welbutrin SR for a couple of years until 2002. I got off everything for almost 2 years. A few months ago I went back on meds. I tried the XL but I could not sleep at all. After three days without sleep I went back and got the SR.

By the way you should stick with Welbutrin. It takes a few weeks to kick in 100% but once it does it helps a lot. That's why I went back to it.

Hey,
What Gregster said. Wellbutrin works as both an anti-depressant AND a stimulant for me, and at a lower dose than you'll be taking. I think at the average dose (150 mg) you'll probably notice your ADD and depression symptoms abating. Hopefully, anyway.

Good luck.
Julia

My chart was 'mixed up' with another patient at my docs (stated I had been in for detox - never had a drinking problem in my life - )
This was the reason I was only given the 150mg samples -(half target dosage)- they were afraid I would 'abuse' my anti-depressant!
I've now been on the corrected 'target' dose of 300 mg for 6 days, and I am beginning to feel a bit better.
I actually began to clean up & organize my living space!! (hope that feeling keeps up!)
I am having a bit of 'early AM' (4 to 5:AM) wakening, along with some frequency of urination, & a slight 'ringing' in my ears, aside from that, the side effects are nill.
So, I'm hopeful.
I'll give another update in 1 week.
As an aside, I recently met an individual who is taking full adult dose Strattera along with full dose Concerta - and I'm told that it has been extremely effective for this person.
With no side effects!

I'll be starting on Wellbutrin XL 300 mg this week.. they're upping my dosage from 150 on the regular wellbutrin.

>My chart was 'mixed up' with another patient at my docs (stated I had been in for detox...
Yikes! If I were to be my natural cynical self, I'd "read" this (as in "between the lines") to really mean that the Dr mixed up two patients "in his head" - maybe he has two adult male ADHD patients - one with a drinking problem and one without. I'd be more bothered if the info was actually written in your chart wrong - you might want to confirm it's not written in your file anywhere, just in case somewhere down the line an insurance company or something sees it.
Glad the more appropriate dose is working it's magic.
Regards,
Greg

I've been on Wellbutrin XL since mid-feb, so here's my update.

I haven't been depressed for almost 3 consecutive weeks, that's a record for me! ADhD symptoms haven't subsided much at all, though...the doc is going to try me on a low dose of adderal or ritalin soon.

I did manage to clean and semi-organize my room in the past week also. Yea!

Cyndi :D

very similar results for me, cyndi.

i got a prescription for dex.(can't remember the rest), but, only took them for a few days. -- started something else at the same time and *both* had a possible "shakiness" side-effect that was driving me a bit batty. so, i decided to get use to the other one first and will start the dex(stuff) again in a couple weeks.

anyway, wellbutrin xl alone was just not cutting it for the add symptoms, but, for the depression it is working great.

It's been 3 weeks now since I've been on Wellbutrin XL 300mg.
Doc was nice enough to give me another 4 weeks of free samples!
I've got to say that my 'depressive symptoms' have subsided.
That dreaded feeling of 'hopelessness/powerlessness' seems to have moderated.
However, I feel more 'frustrated' and a bit angry with myself now, (I've heard that depression is nothing more than anger & frustration turned in wards). due to that fact that I lost so much time feeling depressed & unmotivated!
But, I don't get so 'down', I've got more 'get up & go',!(now I've just got to get things done')
I feel that the Wellbutrin has helped slightly (& I mean slightly) with the ADD.
My mind seems to work a little 'quicker' & perhaps some of the absentmindedness is gone, as Wellbutrin keeps me a bit stimulated. But this 'effect' might be nothing more than 'wishful thinking' on my part.
Overall, Wellbutrin does not seem to be as effective (at this point in time) with my ADD as the Strattera or the Adderall I was on.
The side effects (early AM waking, dry mouth, sweating) seem to be minimal, (compared to other meds) & that's a positive.
I've give another update in two weeks.
If the Wellbutrin does not do the trick with the ADD, in about a month, I'll consider goig back on the Strattera.
But, oh, the out-of-pocket price of Strattera!!!!

Wouldn't it be worth it, though, to be on something that works?

Cyndi

Originally posted by Gregster
Wellbutrin increases the amount of dopamine in the brain, which is how stimulants work, so it is a "stimulating" drug. But it doesn't work in the same manner as stimulants and it increases noradrenaline and serotonin levels too. You could almost say it's a cross between a stimulant and an antidepressant. It is often used "off-label" for ADHD. I'd give it a try and if it doesn't work or have the effect you need your Dr can always add a stimulant like ritalin to the mix.
Good luck,
Greg

I can understand it alleviating depression because it works on the noradrenaline and serotonin, but the dopamine? I mean, if ADhD was caused by low levels of dopamine, wouldn't we have Parkinsonian symptoms as well?

It might make sense if that worked for those who have tourette's and ADhD, but then again, tourette's is often considered a form of psychotic features...which is supposedly caused by too much dopamine.

Sorry to ramble...just trying to make connections. :dizzy:

Cyndi

9 months later - Reporting back.
I finally ended my Wellbutrin XL 'experience' two months ago - in December, (after 7 months of use) and can honestly say that it did not help at all with my ADD.
In fact, it almost seemed to make my forgetfulness worse.
It did help, somewhat, with my depression & it's side effects were minimal for me.
Unfortunately, it really seemed to worsen some unwanted O.C.D. behavior I have, so I decided to wean off of it.
As has been posted many times before in these forums, different meds. work differently on different people.
I'm one of those that Wellbutrin does not help at all.
I'm going to a new doc - thinking of trying Effexor (SNRI) or going back to a combo of generic Ritalin & generic Prozac (yep, I live in the US, & got to pay for meds. out of pocket).
As an aside, Consumer Reports published a survey of readers on Anti-depressants.
Wellbutrin was ranked 'least effective' (about 50%) in relieving depression, but had the lest side effects of all anti-depressants surveyed.
Effexor, closely followed by Prozac, Celexa, and Zoloft were found to be most effective, but all had significant side effects. (sexual, drowsiness, etc.)
The survey dealt with depressive symptoms only, & did not include ADD, OCD effectiveness.

I've been on Wellbutrin for about 8 months. The Dr. started me on Strattera which made me completely lethargic. In the beginning I was able to concentrate and function much better but after a while there was no effect. So the Dr. put me on Provagil which is actually for Narcolepsy. That just made me restless and unable to sleep not to mention horrible mood swings! After that she put me on Wellbutrin and I'm not as tired as with Strattera, or as moody as Provagil. I am able to concentrate better just not as much as I'd like. But I'm really afraid of changing meds once again.

I was on 105 WBfor a month and didn't find it made any difference to the ADD symptoms, except that I was more aware of when I went off track.
My assessor had said I was depressed, which I really disagree with, because I know what that is like and don't feel i am there anymore - just frustrated, as I am sure people here know about.
I was then given Concerta to supplement the WB.
It doesn't seem to have kicked in at all (only 18 whatevers), so I don't know if I will see my doctor sooner rather than later to up it.
Am off the WB right now as I am not depressed and also it was having an adverse effect on my skin (which WAS depressing!).

Someone here reports that only 25 % find WB effective on ADD. Seems a pretty low statistic as a basis for having people try it out, but maybe not.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
Hudson

I have been taking Wellbutrin SR 2X per day for about a month and have seen no improvment in either my symptoms of depression or ADD and have not had any side effects. My doctor started me on ritilan to go with the Wellbutrin so hopfully that shows some results.

Tell me about it! The time it took to even get to the trial and error part was hell!
From Initial concept - "Hey maybe I have ADHD" - to prescription - "please fill this Ritalin prescription, Mr Pharmacist" - took 5 1/2 months in my case! That's if you're not counting from 1974 when I was examined and tested for "hyperactivity" (but I guess I was not hyper enough - I kinda "internalize" my hyperactivity).
Sometimes you want to say to the Dr "I'm not getting any younger here!" - but I've held my tongue because I didn't want to seem too eager to get my paws on some stimulants.
And, of course, waiting for an ADDer is like being tortured!
Good Luck,
Greg
It took me 5 months too, to start the trial-and-error.
2 years later I found the right med & dosage.

Reluctancy to seem too eager to get them paws on the stims: yeah :)
Every time I walk into the pharmacy for my dextro I get a bit self-conscious; feelin' like a junkie gettin' his fix.