Scared after reading Wellbutrin leaflet

[noradd]

Hi everyone!

After unsuccessfully trying Celexa (20mg/d for 4 weeks) and Remeron (30mg/d) for almost 2 months my doc now wants me to try Bupropion (150mg, time-released capsule).

I suffer mainly from depression,anxiety and also symptoms of ADD, but my main issues are depression and anxiety.

My doc said that Bupropion helps against depression and also ADD. If I really had ADD then should I feel a difference under it?

And I'm also a bit scared after reading the leaflet. Points which scare me were: high blood pressure, which according to the leaflet can be dangerously high, convulsions, and it also mentioned rare potentially lethal allergic reactions of the skin.

According to the leaflet I wonder if it's even save to drive a car while being on it. I mean what happens if all of a sudden you faint or get convulsions?

These side effects are pretty scary. Remeron did not have such scary side effects. Maybe I shouldn't have read the leaflet.

The leaflet also says that alcohol is problematic when you take this stuff. Does this mean that you can't take Bupro in the morning and drink a beer or a glas of wine in the evening to become tired?

[Lunacie]

They don't typically put an insert in the package with Tylenol,
but the side effects from that are just as scary to read about.

High blood pressure isn't even listed, but that's a problem I had when I was
taking no more than 4 Tylenol a day on a regular basis, less than many doctors
recommend for chronic pain.

When I stopped taking it, within 3 days my blood pressure was back to normal.

The doctor I was seeing knew I was taking Tylenol for pain and didn't make
the connection with my dangerously high blood pressure. I had to do some
research on the internet and figure it out for myself.

If you already have blood pressure concerns (family history or currently high
readings) many meds can cause an increase, including stimulant meds and Tylenol.

When Wellbutrin side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either
require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.



Compare the Wellbutrin side effects list with the Tylenol side effects list:

• Wellbutrin side effects
• Agitation
• Weight loss (see Wellbutrin and Weight Loss)
• Dry mouth (see Wellbutrin and Dry Mouth)
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Increased sweating
• Shakiness (tremors)
• Insomnia (see Wellbutrin and Insomnia)
• Appetite loss.

• Tylenol side effects
• Nausea and vomiting
• Appetite loss
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Irritability
• Abdominal pain, especially near the liver (the upper-right part of the stomach)
• Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)
• Liver failure
• Kidney failure
• Heart problems
• Coma
• Seizures

As far as drinking while taking Wellbutrin, give yourself time to acclimate to the Wellbutrin
and see what side effects you may have, and whether they fade over time.

If you're doing well, you can probably tolerate a glass of beer or wine in the evening.
More than that might make the symptoms of anxiety even worse, so keep it light.

... info from: http://depression.emedtv.com/wellbut...d-alcohol.html

[Abi]

Wellbutrin is a pretty benign medication.

Like Lunacie said, you'd be scared to take Tylenol if you read the leaflet.

Also, btw, 20mg of Celexa is too low a dose to give up on. I would give it another try at 40, or perhaps even 50 or 60. 40 is more or less the "average" dose.

Not sure about Remeron.

I take Celexa 40mg + Wellbutrin SR 150mg 2 to 3 times a day.

With Celexa I had initial drowsiness that lasted for about a week and a half, and a permanent loss of libido which has been mitigated some since I added Wellbutrin.

I had no side effects from Wellbutrin on 150 mg. You should stay at that dose for about three weak before you titrate up, if at all; to avoid anxiety and insomnia. Again, these
symptoms went away for me within a few days.

[noradd]

Hello,
I know that also non-prescription drugs like aspirin could kill you but since everyone takes them it's not that scary.

My opinion is that the side effects of remeron were less scary than those of wellbutrin. Especially the seizure stuff is scary.

I also worry what if taking a drug which stimulates you makes my anxiety worse and causes even more stress? Or what if boosting dopamine can make you become psychotic?
I just worry what could happen if you intervene into the metabolism of the brain and simply decide to manipulate with a few neurotransmitters.

I would also feel much better if I could start with a really low dose and then work my way up but then I'd have to open the capsule and take some of the stuff out and close it again and I don't know if this is dangerous or not. The leaflet said that if you bite on it and it gets released faster than usual then the risk of seizure is much higher. I don't know if opening and closing the capsule could somehow reduce the slow-release effect of the capsule.

@ Abi

Celexa at 40mg is a pretty high dose. I read that celexa at high doses can cause heart rhythm disorders. If I remember it correctly I think it can prolong the QT time which can be dangerous. I have had heart rhythm disorders in the past and wouldn't want to go higher than 20mg. I think you should ask your doctor about this and you should also get an EKG at your intern's office or go to a cardiologist to see if there are QT interval changes.

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm269086.htm


You say you take 150mg wellbutrin 2-3 times a day? Isn't such a high dose dangerous because of the risk of seizures?

And what exactly do you feel from the wellbutrin? Do you take it against ADD or against depression? Do you feel an instant effect from it
kinda like when you take Ritalin or some other stimulant?