Do these side effects go away? Wellbutrin veterans out there?

[JenSMP]

I began taking 150 mg of the generic Wellbutrin several weeks ago. There was a moderate improvement, but I had lots of side effects. So, my doctor prescribed brand name Wellbutrin 150 mg XL. I took that for several days with no benefit at all, but no side effects either.

He upped my dose to 300 mg XL, and I'm experiencing side effects that seem to be getting worse each day, not better. I've been on the higher dose for a week now, and I have SEVERE dry mouth, feel jittery, lack focus, feeling "disconnected" and working memory sucks. I was trying to do some simple math at work, and I had to go over and over it to be sure it was right, and then I had to get someone to check my math for me! It was correct, but it was a strange feeling. It was like I just couldn't get a clear head.

I am having some great benefits with the 300 mg, like more energy, increased motivation (get lots done during the day), no cravings for Cokes or junk food, and enhanced mood.

I just feel weird. Will these s/e go away if I continue with the 300 mg? Have I not given the new dose enough time? Do these symptoms (s/e) indicate that my dose is too high? Also, is taking 2 150mgXL the same as taking 300mg XL? To me, that would make sense that they'd be the same, but maybe not? Can you just stop Wellbutrin if you've been taking it for a month or do you have to taper?

[bomborwhack]

Howdy Jen

I'm not a veteran per se, but I have been on wellbutrin sr regimens twice over the past two years (so keep that in mind, it was SR not XL). the first time was for i believe 3 months, but i can't recall to be honest.

Just how long is "several weeks?" You know it can take a long time for them to truly kick in.

i feel jittery on it as well, but that's probably because i drink 2 cups of coffee in the morning as well.

As far as a "being out of it" feeling, I'm pretty sure that subsides, or you just don't notice it anymore.

[JenSMP]

Thanks Boborwhack. I'm thinking about just not taking it. I really didn't like how I felt today, and I don't think I can do it again tomorrow. All night I've felt like I can't maintain a topic of conversation and keep forgetting what I was talking about. It's so weird.

[bomborwhack]

Well, just know you're not alone there. Today and yesterday have been downers for me and wellbutrin as well. Just totally distracted with everything and unable to work! But coincidentally I just picked up some brand name Wellbutrin for the first time, which I will try tomorrow. I'm hoping it makes a nice difference!

[JenSMP]

I just switched to the brand name, and at 150 mg it seemed like I wasn't taking anything. Granted, I didn't take it for a long time at that dosage, but I couldn't tell I'd taken anything. I figured since I'd been on the generic for 3 weeks already I wouldn't have to wait another 3-4 weeks to see results. So, the doc upped me, and now I'm afraid I'm taking too much. If I'd stuck with the 150mg XL name brand longer, maybe it would have started to help me. I had absolutely no side effects with that amount, however no benefit either. I can't decide what to do tomorrow. Maybe I'll just take a 150; still have some left. I hate to give up the benefit I'm getting with this, but I can't live with the s/e. Hopefully you will not have side effects either on the 150 brand name. Are you going to be taking the SR or XL?

[bomborwhack]

You may very well be taking too much. I remember it took me a full 6 weeks to really notice the true benefits my first time around (but that was more for depression than A-deficit). Maybe you just need to hold out longer? I know how frustrating it is to wait. But I've taken 300 for long periods of time, and I felt like it was a bit much even for me. I remember last year when I was on it and I was lying in bed drifting asleep, i'd get these body "zaps" or whatever, where my limbs might just alll of a sudden spasm for a second (it wasn't scary though).

im on 300 again now, but do not have these same symptoms, so i think i must have a different company's generic. i will lower to 150 tomorrow though once i start a regimen with the brand name version. It's SR, I've never had XL. What's the difference really, aren't they just both extended release? good luck in the morning!

[JenSMP]

Wellbutrin SR is given in two daily doses. XL is given once. I think with the SR, you can take up to 200mg twice a day, but from what I understand it's always intended to be a twice a day dosing. XL is always just once, at least that's the info from the manufacturer. Do you take it twice a day?

Thank you very much for your response. I think I will continue with the 150 daily and see how that goes. As I laid in bed last night NOT SLEEPING, I had lots of time to think. I really feel that the 300 mg is too much. I must have been getting a cumulative affect after being on that increased dose for a week. That really scared me yesterday when I couldn't think straight. Now I know how my dementia patients at work feel.

I noticed you said you're going back down to the 150mg when you switch to the name brand. I guess maybe I didn't give the name brand enough time. I just thought it would pick up where the generic left off, so to speak. So, new plan is Wellbutrin XL 150 one time a day for a few weeks and see what happens!

Hope you are feeling more focused today. Have a great weekend, bomborwhack!

[Josh_kelly]

wellbutrin you have to take the brand for the SR and the XL.

when it comes to extended release. better take the brand. generic companies are not given time release formula from the brand companies which took em years of research and millions.

time release mechanism is patented and can not expire. considered trade secret. only the active ingredient is given. they have to come up with their own time release in a month or so before another generic is introduced.

gsk have assistance programs. 3 months of free meds plus 40% off.

try sandoz generic. stay away from teva.

i am better on SR because its half way between IR and XL.

could not sleep on XL

[bomborwhack]

I do take it twice a day, but it's always been hard to tell if it's working. It's just so different from something like Adderall. After this monthly supply (which will put me at 6-8 weeks on it this time around), I will most likely give up on it and go back for adderall.

Haha, yeah the sleep schedule is totally botched on Wellb. I find myself falling asleep at around 2-3AM every night, even though I'm technically ready at 10PM. Also I am waking up every day at about 8:30 AM, which sucks because I love sleep so much Fortunately I haven't experienced issues with being unable to think straight on SR, but a lack of focus is currently overwhelming. No sense of being "in the zone" when I attempt to work on something, and I get distracted every time I sit down to try and work on what I need to.

At least I am not feeling as depressed as I was on the generic.

Oh yeah, the ONE positive thing I am gaining out of Wellbutrin, is that the accuracy and speed of my typing has gone up tremendously :P More specifically it has returned to where it had been before my symptoms really became pertinent some 4 years ago.

I hope you keep us posted on your progress throughout the weeks and that we can all give you some helpful advice!!

Originally Posted by JenSMP

Wellbutrin SR is given in two daily doses. XL is given once. I think with the SR, you can take up to 200mg twice a day, but from what I understand it's always intended to be a twice a day dosing. XL is always just once, at least that's the info from the manufacturer. Do you take it twice a day?

Thank you very much for your response. I think I will continue with the 150 daily and see how that goes. As I laid in bed last night NOT SLEEPING, I had lots of time to think. I really feel that the 300 mg is too much. I must have been getting a cumulative affect after being on that increased dose for a week. That really scared me yesterday when I couldn't think straight. Now I know how my dementia patients at work feel.

I noticed you said you're going back down to the 150mg when you switch to the name brand. I guess maybe I didn't give the name brand enough time. I just thought it would pick up where the generic left off, so to speak. So, new plan is Wellbutrin XL 150 one time a day for a few weeks and see what happens!

Hope you are feeling more focused today. Have a great weekend, bomborwhack!

[Josh_kelly]

wellbutrin is not a stimulant like adderall. It has stimulant properties. Its an antidepressant mainly and off label for adhd. wellbutrin has to build up in your system before it starts to work and does not work the same as adderall.

[JenSMP]

Do the headaches go away eventually? Daily headaches that last all day are not something I can live with long term.

[Nishira]

i started on Wellbutrin-XL 150mg - once a day, about 3 weeks ago. I can't really say i've noticed a difference in my moods at all - but i do feel that my short term memory is getting better. I wouldn't swear by it, but it does seem a bit easier to place items from short term into long term instead of them immediately disappearing into the "ADD void" hehehe.

In consulting w/the doc - the dosage was just recently upped to 300mg. I still had some of the original 150mg left, so i'm taking 2 of those per day and when i run out, i'll switch to one - 300mg pill.

Since taking the wellbutrin, i've definitely noticed periodic itching - like "under the skin" type of itching. It hasn't been over the top and there's no rashes so for the time being - i'm willing to put up w/that for the potential positive benefits - but i'll continue to monitor it.

i had been getting headaches the last few days - but i'm not sure if that's related to wellbutrin because i had been taking it for weeks w/o any problems. I can say with relative assurity that in the two days since upping the dosage - the headache level has ramped up many notches (in other words - it hurts like a b*tch - ha). I'm taking tylenol to help ease the pain and hoping that in time - the headaches will go away.

[JenSMP]

I increased to 300 mg a couple of weeks ago, and took that dose for a week. I had some pretty bad side effects, so I went back down to 150 mg a week ago. I've been wondering if the headaches are related to the increased dose or if maybe it's a withdrawal symptom from decreasing the dose. Maybe it's just a s/e of WB no matter what dose you're on. All I know is I can't live with daily headaches, and I worry about taking all this ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

[drumn4state]

I have only been on Wellbutrin for three days, but I too have been having severe headaches. I also am way more jittery than I would like to be. At first I thought it was because my pdoc upped my dose of Adderall, but I really think, after reading these posts, that it is the WB. The headaches are very similar to the headaches Zoloft used to give me. I sure hope these S/E go away because otherwise the meds are working wonders for me, and I am sure the WB hasn't really kicked in yet. I heard it can take a while, even though I felt better the first day.

[JenSMP]

Drumn4state,
Are you taking a generic or name brand? I had more s/e with the generic (especially the jittery feeling). I also got agitated and sleepy late in the day. I would have a period of irritability followed by feeling like I'd taken a sleeping pill. On the name brand, the only s/e I have is headache. I've been on WB for about a month, and still have the headaches.