Wellburtin 450 mg? and/or + Strattera?

[Jackinbox]

I had been taking Wellbutrin 300 mg for 6 month until my Doc said that I should stop taking it because it can render stimulants less effective. I over react to Ritalin or Dexedrin, my heart beat clock to 100 bpm and it doesn’t work very well for my ADD. I tried 150 mg for 2 month and stopped completely Wellbutrin last week.

Considering the fact that I never experienced any side effect directly linked with Wellbutrin, that I don’t see a real difference between taking or not taking Wellbutrin and that if I don’t handle stimulants very well doesn’t seems to be related to Wellbutrin:

-Should I try a higher dose (450 mg) instead of stopping it?

-I plan to ask for Strattera to my Doc next Tuesday, should I continue on Wellbutrin (150 mg) at the same time?


I know, it different from one person to another but I would like to know your opinion and experience.

[FightingBoredom]

If you didn't see any difference between taking it and NOT taking it a higher dose will have no positive affect.

Try a different med and/or a different doctor.

[Jackinbox]

Thanks FightingBoredom. Anyway, the recommended max of Wellbutrin in Canada is 300 mg (vs 450 in USA) So it may be hard to convinct my Doc to prescribe it at 450.

[exeter]

My personal experience has been that Wellbutrin increased the side effects of stimulants on me, although I've only experienced it with caffeine. My doc says that she doesn't like to prescribe Wellbutrin + stimulants, I think because it can be "too stimulating."

Like you said, there are several ways you can go with this: up to 450 of Wellbutrin, stay on 300 of Wellbutrin + add Strattera, or lower/drop Wellbutrin in favor of Strattera. I had great success with 150 of Wellbutrin and 80 of Strattera, and I've seen a number of positive comments on here about the combination.

I think, in my non-medical opinion, if the Wellbutrin has essentially zero effect, and the doc is not willing to go higher, I would try dropping it entirely, and then starting on Strattera alone. I'm a big fan of only mucking with one variable at a time, so I can clearly tell what is working and what isn't.

[Jackinbox]

Thanks Exeter. I agree with the idea of trying one stuff at a time. I have some hope with Strattera. I will let you know what's going on.

[walsterus]

What is Wellbutrin??? I'm on 80mg of Strattera and it's largely stopped working after 6 months. I start an MA in September 05 and I want to get this sorted before then?

Any ideas,

Paul

[Jackinbox]

"Bupropion (amfebutamone) is an antidepressant of the aminoketone class, chemically unrelated to tricyclics or SSRIs."

"marketed under the name Wellbutrin as an antidepressant"

"marketed by Glaxo under the name Zyban to help people stop smoking tobacco by reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms"

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellbutrin

People usely report that wellbutrin give you some kind of energy. I guess that's the reason why they use it with strattera.

[walsterus]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure that I need more motivation or pick up (energy) to be fair.

I kinda like the calming effect of Strattera and how it helps me cope with stress.

What I would like is better memory and concentration but I don't suppose Wellbutrin is going to help me in that area. Maybe I will ask for more Strattera off my psychiatrist though I belive the max is 100mg per day and I already take 80mg per day.

I suspect that my body has adapted to my current dosage of Strattera over time and that I have yet to exceed the threshold where my body can no longer adapt to the drug as I have heard is the case with stimulants?

I will keep open to suggestions for other drugs

Kindest Regards,
Paul