I am worried because I have read such bad things about withdrawal from bupropion. I have heard that weight can pile back on, even when continuing to eat healthy. Because I am susceptible to occasional bouts of depression and anxiety, and I am worried that withdrawing from this drug might really set me off mentally, and if i'm going to gain the weight back anyways it doesn't seem worth it! Sorry to be a downer, I am just having some qualms about continuing this med (i am starting week 2 today).
Has anyone thought about what happens when we stop taking this drug?
Question posted by elc33 on 9 Jan 2015
Last updated on 23 January 2015
Added 10 Jan 2015:
Sorry, I realize now my explanation was really unclear. I am taking the drug Contrave, for weight loss, however I am worried about possibly exacerbating some (currently hibernating) anxiety/depression that I have experienced in the past. Thanks :)
4 Answers
balbanese
11 Jan 2015
Is your Dr ordering you off?
elc33
11 Jan 2015
no, I just can't stop thinking that i am making a big mistake by taking it. i have just been reading so much about how antidepressants can actually change your brain pathways, setting you up for chronic depression when you come off of them. Add to that the fact that i have heard so much about people regaining the weight (and then some) pretty much instantly after weaning off of bupropion. I don't know how the addition of naltrexone might effect that, or if it even would. I guess I just have fear of psych meds in general. Also, I have not been sleeping that well on contrave. so, i dunno. i'm bummed b/c i really wanted to try this, but i'm just too freaked out.
elc33
11 Jan 2015
Reading everything I have posted here, i guess it is pretty clear that I have a problem with anxiety :)
balbanese
11 Jan 2015
I agree with you but not with the way you're going about it. You will minimize complications and keep the door open for progressive treatment by keeping our Dr in the loop and allowing him to make these decisions. As for weight gain, so much there to do, portions size, search fatloss4idiots, eliminating all sugars, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, proper hydration, exercise (walking mid-day) burning fat, not calories, etc.
txnde
10 Jan 2015
When you stop this drug, your doctor should have you taper off like you did to get on Contrave. If you taper, you should be ok.
Delila
10 Jan 2015
Hi, i would be a bit concerned about it worsening your depression? There are warnings about this, i would like you to read the information on the official site, contrave.com...
elc33
11 Jan 2015
thank you, i have definitely read everything there is to read about this drug, thanks to my anxiety about taking it! I also know it could just be me psyching myself out. Just knowing that contrave can possibly cause worsening depression/anxiety, maybe is making it come true for me! My brain really works against me sometimes..
kaismama
9 Jan 2015
I'm confused. You have depression but you're going to try stopping your antidepressant? You just started on it. I've been on it 6 weeks. I'm doing good on it. I've lived with depression most of my life, and I'm going to be truthful with you. If you suffer depression you will always need medication, it does not just go away. So instead of worrying about what happens when you stop it, look forward to feeling better on it. If you look a little you will find story after story about how horrible withdrawal from Effexor is and how hard it is to stop, yet I stopped it without one withdrawal symptom. So don't believe all the horror stories you read.
elc33
10 Jan 2015
I am sorry, I just realized I was not very clear in my question. The drug I am taking is Contrave (bupropion/naltrexone), and I am taking it for weight loss. I do not have a depression diagnosis, but I have had a pretty serious bout of anxiety (with accompanying depression) for about a year that I took buspirone for. I have been off buspirone for about 2 years, and have been managing really well with only the occasional 0.5 mg of lorazepam. My worry with the Contrave is that weaning off of it, which of course I eventually want to do, wil cause some sort of mental relapse of sorts. Sorry I was unclear!!
BeckyLc
23 Jan 2015
I was on Effexor and I can tell you it was DAMN hard to wean off of for me. Everything I read was true.
Everyone is different. I'm not saying to believe everything you read but don't discount it either.
Related topics
depression, anxiety, bupropion, withdrawal, weight, contrave, drug
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
