Wellbutrin and Adderall

[quirkyscrawler]

I've heard that Wellbutrin has been used to treat ADHD...For those of you who take both Wellbutrin and Adderall, does Wellbutrin boost the Adderall's effects? (Of course, I realize that this varies from individual to individual, and it depends on your specific diagnosis - if you have co-existing conditions, etc.). I'm just wondering because I'm at 60mg of Adderall a day, and I don't want to take any more than that (nor do I think I will be prescribed any more), but some days it doesn't seem like enough.

Thanks.

[novaprospekt]

I take both daily (Wellbutrin XL 300mg and Adderall XR 20mg -- both extended release). Wellbutrin for depression and mild ADHD initially, Adderall to combat residual ADHD.

I was taking the Wellbutrin long before starting the Adderall but I would say if anything the drugs compliment each other.

I don't know if one prolongs the other (I don't think they do) but Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. Adderall is also a NE/DA reuptake inhibitor and releasing agent so the effects are probably enhanced to a degree. I haven't taken Adderall without Wellbutrin to know what the alternative is like.

What I will say is that Wellbutrin has similar side effects to the Adderall and they do make each others side effects a bit worse in the beginning (more insomnia, dry mouth, lower appetite, etc.).

[quirkyscrawler]

Hmm...okay, thanks! Good to know. I've read different things on this combo - for some people, they enhance each other, and for others the Wellbutrin makes the Adderall less effective...or maybe I'm confusing Wellbutrin with Lexapro. I don't know. I've just never tried any SSRI's, and I wonder if that might help treat the condition (since I also have an Anxiety Disorder). I just feel like for some reason the Adderall alone isn't helping enough, and that may have also to do with the other meds I'm on, but maybe an SSRI would help boost it.

[dbellca82]

Originally Posted by quirkyscrawler

I've heard that Wellbutrin has been used to treat ADHD...For those of you who take both Wellbutrin and Adderall, does Wellbutrin boost the Adderall's effects? (Of course, I realize that this varies from individual to individual, and it depends on your specific diagnosis - if you have co-existing conditions, etc.). I'm just wondering because I'm at 60mg of Adderall a day, and I don't want to take any more than that (nor do I think I will be prescribed any more), but some days it doesn't seem like enough.

Thanks.

i took welbutrin for about 2 years for depression, add was undiagnosed yet, and honestly it gave me no benefit at all. i couldnt even tell i was taking something, even when comparing previous attitude/behavior to current. then when i saw doc he told me its a real mild stim effect that helps some people, and that i should just drop it and stop taking alltogether, and i switched to adderall ir and could tell the difference right away.

[novaprospekt]

Originally Posted by dbellca82

i took welbutrin for about 2 years for depression, add was undiagnosed yet, and honestly it gave me no benefit at all. i couldnt even tell i was taking something, even when comparing previous attitude/behavior to current. then when i saw doc he told me its a real mild stim effect that helps some people, and that i should just drop it and stop taking alltogether, and i switched to adderall ir and could tell the difference right away.

Its primary purpose isn't to treat ADHD. That is just a "plus" side effect that they discovered. It is indeed a mild stimulant compared to regular amphetamine. It's designed to be an antidepressant (major depressive disorder) that can also be used to treat mild ADHD as it does have stimulating properties and many of the same (side)effects Adderall would have like dry mouth, low appetite, tunnel-like focus, insomnia, etc. If you were taking it only for ADHD over Ritalin or Adderall, then you weren't doing yourself any good unless you couldn't tolerate the stronger stims. It's mainly for people who can't tolerate the main drugs when used only for ADHD.

Wellbutrin also has no abuse potential, so that may be why you don't "feel" it like you do Adderall. I felt Wellbutrin the first few days I took it and then it just blended in and now I don't know the difference -- except that I don't have most of my symptoms of depression anymore; it's highly mitigated. That to me means it's doing its job.

[dbellca82]

Originally Posted by novaprospekt

Its primary purpose isn't to treat ADHD. That is just a "plus" side effect that they discovered. It is indeed a mild stimulant compared to regular amphetamine. It's designed to be an antidepressant (major depressive disorder) that can also be used to treat mild ADHD as it does have stimulating properties and many of the same (side)effects Adderall would have like dry mouth, low appetite, tunnel-like focus, insomnia, etc. If you were taking it only for ADHD over Ritalin or Adderall, then you weren't doing yourself any good unless you couldn't tolerate the stronger stims. It's mainly for people who can't tolerate the main drugs when used only for ADHD.

Wellbutrin also has no abuse potential, so that may be why you don't "feel" it like you do Adderall. I felt Wellbutrin the first few days I took it and then it just blended in and now I don't know the difference -- except that I don't have most of my symptoms of depression anymore; it's highly mitigated. That to me means it's doing its job.

i wasnt taking for adhd, which is why i stated i was taking it for depression, but had undiagnosed adhd at the time that i found out about later. wellbutrin was like taking nothing at all, no benfiets and no side effects or negatives. actually the only real thing it did do was make me not want to smoke for like 2 weeks, then that went away. i know they use if for smoking cessation also and i can understand that, because it just zaps the urge or desire to smoke completely making it seem like you just smoked when in fact you havent.