For those who have been on Wellbutrin/Buproprion... can you rate your experience in the following areas and what dosage level you are on ? (1) motivation(feeling of getting things accomplished) (2) weight management - weight loss or weight gain (3) sex drive - increase or decrease ??
How effective is Wellbutrin on motivation/weight mgmt/sex drive?
Question posted by lowTinIllinois on 30 Jan 2013
Last updated on 30 April 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
49 Answers Page 3
just a mama
25 July 2016
Haven't noticed any change in weight. Wish it would take it down. My husband has been on several anti-depressants. He said Zoloft make him feel like his skin was crawling. I was tried on several also because I have chronic pain and doctors felt chronic pain would lead to depression. On all the other ones, there was no libido and no such thing as a happy ending to making love, if you get my drift. My doctor said Wellbutrin was the only one that wouldn't cause problems with sex. He said you could forget it on any of the others, as I'd already discovered. We've found that to be very true. On some of the others, my husband also had a problem with sleep. He'd fall asleep in the middle of a conversation and could sleep leaning against a brick wall. That problem has gone away since he's on Wellbutrin also.
twinmom13
28 March 2016
I am on Wellbutrin 450 mg. Have been on this for the past 3 years. I am a giant procrastinator so motivation to get nonpreffered things done is minimal. I am able to feel a sense of accommplishment when I do a big project around the house or finish a big paper/project for graduate school. When i first started taking it, I had a loss of appetite and more energy - almost like a lot of caffeine or a small dose of Ritalin
I have not gained any weight on Wellbutrin. WHen I first went on it, I lost weight. It acted as an appetite suppressant. It has leveled off after a few months. When I was on Effexor I started to gain a lot of weight quickly. All I could think about was food and eating. When I went off of it, my cravings stopped.
I have been on antidepressants for the past 12 years. I have a low sex drive. I think this is caused by being on Lexapro, Wellbutrin and Effexor. (not all at once).
Inactive
28 March 2016
Twin mom, I have heard of lexapro and effexor causing people to have a low sex drive, but are you saying that you also experienced a low sex drive while taking wellbutrin? Please tell me the answer is "no," lol. G
Testevenson
20 March 2016
Wellbutrin...
I've been on Wellbutrin for a little over a month. Not quite 6 weeks. Started on 75mgs., did nothing for me except raise my anger level and eat. Dr increased dosage to 200mg after 2 weeks or so. I still lack motivation, moods are flat or depressed, Sex drive has peaked a bit not much, minor lift in moods and depression but not where I feel it should be. No motivation to go to gym and work out like I use too. I'm eating like there's no tomorrow, seem to be craving sugar and carbs. However the interesting part is that I should have put on a ton of weight but havent; but I have not lost either. I took this because I did not want to gain, most antidepressants make me eat more. At times my anger will show itself; jumped all over a parking attendant over an issue with parking. I have no problem speaking my mind but this was out of character. It hasn't happen much but concerned me.
I really want to believe in this pill because I read so many good things about it. I was told by others it takes a long time to work. I see my doctor on Monday and she may increase meds. I notice on many others forums most are taking 300mg. My dr discussed at one point, of adding Effexor. Hmmmm never heard of that combination. But who knows it may work... I'm looking for feedback about this medication also
kmiller528
20 March 2016
I don't know about being motivated but wellbutrin has helped me lose about 15-20 lbs. My sex drive is wayyy over the top & im "in the mood" at least half of the day (not so fun). I have slowed down on smoking cigarettes but my depression is still there. I love it bc it bc i am over weight & have been struggling for a long time
9MLM29
13 April 2016
How long have you been on well butrin?
Mimimac
15 June 2016
I take 300mg of wellbutrin and have !ost 60 pounds in 6 months but now I can t lose anymore. Should I up the dose?
laha0128
26 July 2016
What mg are you taking?
Testevenson
9 Feb 2016
I was depressed for over a year before taking Wellbutrin. I'm a 58 year old woman who had a total hysterectomy at 48 years of age due to fibroids. In the past I took celexa and my HRT therapy, which did nothing but made me eat. I've only been on 75mg of Wellbutrin for 4 days now. No significant change. I've experienced for a long time, unmotivation, I have to be forced to take a shower. I'd rather do a sponge bath, self care is a challenge. Which is odd because I don't look my age, I had an active libido, exercised daily and dress like the the front cover of Vogue magazine. Now I have very little joy and very blah sex drive, some weight gain. Just hell on earth! I want to be hopeful that Wellbutrin will work for me. My Dr. Stated that she will increase after a month or include Effexor with this medication if no change. I so need something to work; anything. I'm so tired of this kind of life. Especially at my age. Not the way I want to roll in my later years.
kmiller528
20 March 2016
Has there been any change yet?
Testevenson
20 March 2016
There has been very little change on the 200mg of Wellbutrin. I can't seemed to get up and do what I need to do without effort. My brain says go but my body is like dragging a huge dumbbell. Just not there yet. My dr will prob increase meds.
Khelms829
29 March 2016
I know exactly what you mean... I am 38 years old and I had a hysterectomy at 27, a few months after I gave birth to my son, and I also suffer from Idiopathic Hypersomnia, and have for over 15 years. IH is a severe sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness regardless of the amount and quality of sleep the night before. I can sleep 8 hours of perfect sleep and still sleep 14 hours the following day. I started on treatment for it, treatment is a joke and it's basically a bandaid of stimulant medicine (AHDH type meds), and the meds did help in the beginning but over the last 3-4 years they are not working at all. I've always fought depression since I can remember, dating back to childhood, and I've done the numerous cycles of Anti-Depressants feeling a little better going off and back and fourth... For the last 12 months I've experienced life altering depression, the worst I have ever had, and I know this can't go on...
I don't have the energy to even get off the couch to fix myself something to eat and because of this I have actually GAINED weight - basically I guess it is my body going into starvation mode and shutting down my metabolism - ALOT of weight (I went from 160 lbs, I am 5 ft 9, to 210 lbs). I am ashamed to even say this but I go 3-4 days without a shower and I am extremely irritable and would rather spend my life sleeping on the couch with my dogs and let life just pass me by... I can't live like this anymore... I have never been suicidal, because death is my biggest fear, and I am not homicidal as I could never hurt another living thing... I've made an appointment with my ONGYN for next Tuesday and I am going to ask to be put on Wellbutrion with the hopes that it can level me out. Your post really struck a nerve with me and I felt compelled to respond to you post because I understand exactly what you're dealing with and if you ever need to chat then let me know and I'll leave you my email address...
elliedw
26 Feb 2018
75mg of wellbutrin is a really really light dose if you have issues to help. i was initially prescribed 150mg of the XL by my internist for my extreme grief and depression after my father passed. i just went to my psychiatrist who said for my situation that 150 was not enough, and he prescribed 300mg of XL(extended rellease). i have not started them yet. but you should definitely get yourself at least 150 if not 300mg in my opinion.
Bessiejean
11 Jan 2016
I started taking Wellbutrin 300 mg 2 and a half weeks now and feel amazing. I also take Abilify 10 mg. I was on Celexa for 4 months and hated it. I had no motivation, sleep 12 hours at night and could take a 3 hour nap. My doctor told me to ween off Celexa for a week while starting Wellbutrin. Within the first day I felt better, no lie. I had no energy and felt very lazy before Wellbutrin. I have worked out twice a day since I started and even have better concentration. Hadn't read a book in a year. Finished Keith Richards book Life in 9 days. I am hoping to lose weight too. Celexa caused me to put on 10 pounds. Wellbutrin has mad me feel like a human being. Haven't felt so happy in ten years. I am diagnosed bipolar and had anxiety. I have no anxiety anymore. The only problem is,trying to stay asleep. I wake up all through the night but feel great in the morning.
Yolo4
18 Dec 2015
I've been on 300 mg of the generic Wellbutrin for almost a month now, before that 200 for a month and started at 100 so been on the medication total for almost 3 months. For me it hasn't really helped with motivation. Definitely reduced my appetite which only really kicked in once I was on 300 mg for a week or so. It's good for someone who overeats from depression in that way, so it was a positive side effect for me. As far as sex drive it has stayed mostly the same, if anything the medication has reduced it a little bit but not enough to be a problem.
For me it has helped a lot with anxiety, it keeps me calm and without episodes of being so stressed out and overwhelmed. But it does also make me feel kind of numb, like I used to cry pretty often and now I can't fully cry at all which is weird. You have to weigh whether you'd rather feel all the awful things and also some good things fully, which can be really bad at times with low points, against not feeling very much depth of emotion either way.
One other positive which I'm not really wanting to give up is that I'm better with people on it, probably from reducing anxiety because I always had social anxiety and was worried how I was coming across which made me nervous and awkward all the time. Meds like this seem to make a lot of people more anxious though, so my experience with it reducing that may be more of an outlier than a common observation
Sunnydaiye
19 Nov 2015
I started taking Wellbutrin about a month and a half ago to help manage my feelings of grief and depression, which included lack of motivation, loss of interest, sleep disruption, and significant weight gain. Initally, I was taking 100mg/day and I found that in the first 2 weeks, everything was worse. I had no motivation, I was more irritable, sleep was still disrupted, and I was practically binge eating. At about the 2 week point, things began to level out and I was feeling better. However, my motivation was still lacking and so was my interest.
By the 1 month point, I asked my doctor to increase my dosage so I could get the push I needed each day. He increased to 200mg/day and I think that has been the perfect dose for me.I am pretty even emotionally each day and can focus much better. My motivation has improved, not to where I want it to be, but enough to make me feel good about getting up and going. Since starting wellbutrin, I've lost 11 pounds and I think it's because it is a very powerful appetite suppressant. For me, I believe this is connected to the main side effect I've had, which is dry mouth. This causes me to only want to drink water because food doesn't taste to same anymore. I only really enjoy it when I'm very well hydrated and even then, I feel full quicker and don't always finish my meal.
With regards to sex drive, I feel it is about the same or a little more increased. I desire it, but it's nothing too crazy, but it's definitely better and more satisfying than before starting the medication. Possibly because I don't feel the overwhelming feelings of grief and depression.
Overall, I think the motivation cant just come from the medicine, the person has to want it, too. So on those days where I make a plan about the things I want to do, I usually get up and do them. On days when I'm just lounging, I feel a bit anxious (maybe because the stimulant effect is not being effectively put into doing anything), which can feel overwhelming and make me not want to do much. Personally, I have been very satisfied with the effects and I think the higher the dosage, the more your natural ability to level out and work with the medication will be hindered or thrown off. My doctor said that being on the lowest dose that feels effective for you is the best option and, in my case, I greatly agree. Good luck to everyone out there!
Dscott3262
19 Dec 2015
I started on Wellbutrin XL 300 mg on Sep 22. I stated at a weight of 127 lbs, am athletic and 5"6. as of Dec 16, I weigh 115. I have no appetite whatsoever and when I do eat, food tastes funny. My provider will be switching me to another med next month because he is very concerned with the weight loss and my BMI is way too low... just try to make yourself eat... but it is hard when nothing tastes right.
Cmedinafo
31 Oct 2015
Well I was on 150 mg twice a day. Not a good medicine for me. I didn't notice a huge weight gain but I think with all the different types of meds I have taken sexual level has DRAMATICALLY DROPPED that it has caused problems in my marriage. I did have anger issues with while on it could not feel any other emotions I felt. I even burned my arm and didn't feel anything. Motivation was like I did not care if it happens or not. But the thing is that it may work differently on everyone.
thatguy32
9 Aug 2015
What most people don't realize is SDRI's usually take longer to kick in than SSRI's. They normally take between a week to anywhere over a month to start working properly. I've been on it before for several months and it tended to help a lot. I stopped for almost a year and have now started taking it again. I've been on it for about a week and can say that it isn't really affecting my sex drive in any way, it definitely improved my mood and has had no affect on my weight before or now, if anything it's helped me manage my time better and has helped me with my anxiety as well. Hope this helps!
CalMark123
2 July 2017
Small correction: Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an NDRI, not an SDRI.
GirlCharlie
29 June 2015
I'm on 300mg xl and it has actually been a life-changer. It's the only AD that I've found works for me.
1) It absolutely gives me energy and motivation, I can actually get out of bed in the morning--and don't dread it.
2) neutral. I haven't gained or lost any weight, or noticed any changes in my eating habits, even in the beginning.
3) It has decreased my sex drive (I'm female) not in a sense that I enjoy sex less (I still enjoy it in the moment) it's just that it's not as much of a priority for me.
mtuley5849
3 Feb 2015
When I first started on Wellbutrin, I was already taking Lexapro but it stopped helping after a period of time and it caused me to gain a tremendous amount of weight so instead of upping my dosage, my OB/GYN added Wellbutrin and told me the Wellbutrin would even out the weight gain from the Lexapro. I felt amazing after only a week of adding the Wellbutrin and it was at the lowest dosage of 150 mg but unfortunately my appetite stayed high and I was continuing to gain weight so I weened of the Lexapro and just stayed on the low dosage of Wellbutrin. After only a month though, I had to get the Wellbutrin raised to the second highest dosage which is 300 mg and it took about another month before I started to feel really good again. I have way more motivation now then I had when I was diagnosed with PPD and PTSD over 2 years ago.
I even got motivated enough to finish college finally and it's going great! My sex drive has never really been an issue with anti depressants. I still love having sex with my husband and I've had neither an increase or decrease in sex drive. As far as weight management goes, the Wellbutrin does decrease my appetite but it's not consistent; one day I'll be super hungry all day and then the next few days, I will feel slightly nauseous and have no desire to eat all day. Sometimes just looking at food will make my stomach turn on the days that I can't eat. I also want to add a question to this post however; does anyone else experience difficulty falling asleep even if you feel tired? My sleep patterns are insane on Wellbutrin. For days on end I can't fall asleep till 4 or 5 am and then I'm up and wide awake by 9 or 10 am but after several nights of that, then I'll have one night where I'm asleep by 10 pm and I don't wake up till 10 am the next day and then of course it starts back over. Does anyone else experience this somewhat vicious cycle?
HermyHerm
19 March 2015
Bupropion 150XL makes me feel calm most of the time I take it for my ADHD .. And I am constantly moving I can't help it I cut people off during conversations and I can have a temper .. At first I had a high sex drive I wanted it all the time ..Now I've calm down a lot .. if I get a erection I sometimes lose it ... Sometimes during sex I'll lose my erection instantly it's embarrassing my wife thinks it's her but it's me ... I didn't have that problem before ... I am ok most of the times but than they're times I get mad I feel irritated angry ... Than I'll feel so sad like really sad depressed... I feel alone SO alone ! Even with my family they're next to me I'll feel DEPRESSED BAD ... I've noticed my hair falls off I get headaches sometimes I don't feel it's bothering my sleep ... What should I do ? Well I went to the Dr and told him all my symptoms he prescribed me a lower dose of bupropion...
He put me on Bupropion 100SR see how this goes ... ??? What do yall think I ran out the other day of the bupropion 150 XL and didn't take it for about a week almost after about the 3rd day I got a erection like old times hard ! Not a softy my wife and I took advantage... She later noticed I wasn't taking my meds because I was grumpy again had attitude with her and just couldn't stop moving ... What should I do ???
tofoody
24 June 2015
Hi- about the sleep issues on Wellbutrin - I have the exact same issues/pattern. Sleeping is a hit /miss and does create anxiety because of this.
ritahayworth
10 Oct 2017
i know this is an old topic but to everyone who has sleep issues: if i take it later than 6PM, i get insomnia. i've been between manufacturers and there doesn't seem to be a difference. i take 2 75 mg. in the morning and at night since 2007, so 300 mg. a day. i used to have seizures (1979 - 1996) so i don't want to push it.
i do scream and yell at my cats LOL i've always had a temper but that's the only area it seems to stay. and these are pretty annoying when i'm getting their food ready so maybe it's not that unusual.
i do have the weird sleep cycle too but i've always had that. i hate it, and used to drink heavily to avoid it when i was working but i stopped drinking.
i also cannot take the 150 mg. XR because it makes me completely jittery and spacy. the pharmacy messed up and gave me that so i tried it for a week, but then it took me a good month to get back to normal.
justmeowfornow
23 July 2014
Was on 450-600 mg for about three months. Doctor put me on it for a "zip" to start my day. It completely sedated me. Left me a lump on the couch not wanting to do anything at all. Sex drive completely diminished. Made me not want to eat (that has never happened before with anything!) Kept me awake all nite in bed tossing and turning.
Towards the end if my first month I started to eat again started to sleep again at night. It still didn't get me energy to want to leave the couch or move (usually I am a person that constantly needs to be moving and doing something) and never did get my sex drive back.
Very disheartening. Thought I would be like the norm and get some energy lighten my mood and enhance my sex drive. All opposite for me.
I tapered off on my own and quit for about two months. I started bupropion again an hour ago hoping it will work this time? Starting to feel depressed and grasping out of desparation.
lvgirlca
11 Jan 2015
Hope u are doing great!
Cpooler17
12 Sep 2017
That's way too high of a dose of WB to start out on, no matter what. I know this was years ago, but try 150 mgs once a day XL. Also your levels of dopamine may not have been as deficient, reason why you got all bad side effects. Just my opinion
TrinityParadise
13 March 2014
I have been on Wellbutrin since I was 15 on and off, depending on insurance and pregnancy. (Now am 28). I have nothing but positive things to say about it. I have always been able to maintain or lose weight on it. If I wanted to maintain, I would eat normal and snack lightly. To lose weight, watch what I eat and try not to snack. I have always been more motivated while on it and I have no problem at all with my sex drive :)
TrinityParadise
13 March 2014
Oh, and I am on 300 mg once a day.
Darleeng
14 Oct 2015
Hi TrinityParadise - I am thinking about asking my Doc to put me on Wellbutrin, because at the moment I can't even get out of bed and I've lost all my interests and can't enjoy anything no more.
The one thing that I constantly on my mind is... once I'm better and stable, we would like to have a baby. So here's my question for you - you mentioned that you came off Wellbutrin again for your pregnancy. How did that go? OK?
I can't go on living the way I am right now, but I also know that I want a baby sometime. Right now I am on Latuda and Cymbalta for the Depression.
Thanks.
TrinityParadise
16 Oct 2015
When I got pregnant and had to come off it, I didn't do awesome. I've always had severe depression, so of course it was worse with pregnancy and post-partum. If you are planning on having a baby anyway, I recommend getting on it. Once you have the baby and are not breastfeeding, you can get back on it. There is always a slight adjustment period with psych meds, but if you just hang in there and remind yourself its temporary, you will be fine. Good luck!
sydneydrane
18 Feb 2017
Hi! I love own this is a long time ago, but I wanted to comment. My depression worsened when I was pregnant. I was taking Zoloft and it wasn't working the way it usually did, so they prescribed me Wellbutrin. I talked with a psychiatrist, obstetrician, pediatrician, and my paper. They all said the same thing: it is a class c medication so there isn't much known about how it affects pregnancy. Your doctors and yourself can weight the risks and benefits. I was fine to breastfeed on it too. I take 300 MG daily.
calleigh
16 July 2013
I have been on Wellbutrin for more than a decade. In my experience, it helps with the "can't get out of bed" kind of depression, but may not be good for the "high anxiety, irritable" kind of depression. It seems to increase anxiety a little, which keeps me active and motivated to accomplish things. I've lost weight only in the beginning weeks. Once you get used to it, your weight stabilizes, and you have to watch your diet once again. No effect on sex drive, but it can exacerbate relationship problems if you have anger management problems (like me). "Wellbutrin rage" may not be a documented side effect, but I really have to watch for it.
Nrelkarmi
9 Sep 2016
OMG... I started having out of control, raging, explosive anger episodes. I've been on the medication for 10 months, this started about 5 months ago!!!
I got angry before, but I didn't make threats or scream where the neighbors can hear me before (maybe a little)
When something/someone triggers my anger, I almost black out for few so comes.
I started looking into anger-management support group. Unfortunately, I didn't find any within a reasonable distance (I live in Nebraska)
I went to a hypnotist to try to control my range. However, it was not for me, now I can't sleep. The hypnotist broke me!
Let me know if you fix the anger issue!!
Thanks for posting this, I did not make the connection until I read your post.
kgoulet17
13 Sep 2016
HI I had to comment on this.. I take the generic wellbutrin (blue pill) made by Sandoz. , and one time i got a different one made by Mylan (light green pill). the pharmacy wasn't able to get the blue ones, and said it was the same thing. well IT WAS NOT! i am very easy going, and these green pills made me angry, all the time.. raging, and snapping at people. i have never in my life felt that way. it as awful! it took me a while to figure it out, and when i took the pills back to the pharmacy, they basically told me i was silly to think the pills were making me act that way. well, needless to say i switched pharmacies and got the blue pills back. felt great a week or so later. a few months later i was at my gyno for my yearly, and was talking to the nurse about it and she looked at me and said OMG, the same thing has been happening to me since i got the green pills! she was so relieved to find out she wasn't "crazy". So please think about this and maybe switch to the pills made by Sanzoz.. hope it helps :)
Jwreed
18 May 2017
Eleven years ago I was prescribed effxor XL 75 for insomnia and took it at bedtime. I've gained massive amounts of weight, enough that my health has been severly compromised. And, my insomnia is back; so I asked my dr for help. She prescribed a sleeping pill which so far, so good. Then she prescribed bupropion SR 100 a month ago for anxiety and depression. I immediately experienced uncharacteristic anger and felt slight tremors and disorientation in the afternoon. Two days ago she switched me to bupropion XL 150. It is an oblong white pill. It's too soon to notice any changes. Should I ask my dr or pharmacist for the blue pill? My goal of course is to relieve anxiety and depression while also losing weight. Thank you for any advice you can give me.
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wellbutrin, depression, weight loss (obesity/overweight), bupropion, sex drive
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