I started taking bupropion to quit smoking so how long will it take for this medicine to start working and making cigarettes nasty to the taste
Wellbutrin XL - quit smoking with bupropion xl 150 mg?
Question posted by katie marino on 13 Dec 2012
Last updated on 3 March 2022
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.
9 Answers
I am on day 1 of Wellbutrin. I am really hoping this helps.
Call me crazy but only after 3 days my desire to smoke is gone. I'm also experiencing loss of appetite, energy boost and can only sleep about 5 hours a night.
I've taken wellbutrin 3oomg (depression) for 2 years now and unfortunately i'm a smoker. It did work for my husband however. I think it's all about how bad you want it.
I definitely wouldn't say that taking the bupropion is going to make cigarettes taste nasty. I don't actually think anything you can take will make that happen. The ability to quit is judged on your desire to quit. I tried a few times before but for reasons other than for me. This time it was for me and it's been easy as pie. I'm actually using the bupropion and the patch and I find that the combo is working very well. I actually don't even think about smoking during the day, which has been awesome. Good luck to you!
I am still smoking on bupropion. Dr increased 2 X a day 150 mg on 4/24 still smoking BUT intake has decreased a bit. I talk to doctor and now he prescribed me the name brand Wellbrutin XL 150mg 2 X a day. I will start tomorrow. Should I anticipate any significant symptoms?
AND is there any difference between the two?
I quit smoking!!! It's only been 7 days, but I haven't had a cigarette in 7 days - it really works. I started taking 2 weeks ago.
Newbie here. I started taking Bupropion HCL XL 150 mg once a day. Started 1/8/13. Taken it for 3 weeks did not work. Went back to doctor 4/24/13 he increased to 2 times a day.Dry mouth I exexperience but still smoking BUT not as much SOMETIMES. One day I can smoke a pack and next day I don't desire it light up 2 puffs throw it out. I felt a decreased of appetite is this normal? When will be the effective period it should take full affect? So anxious to quit before Mother's Day 2013.
ChaCha64 Unfortunately, neither Bupropion nor Chantix will do the quitting for you. They both help to block receptors that stimulate pleasure from smoking. This begins the process of destroying those neuro pathways that smoking built (this is actually a good thing- you want those all destroyed eventually as they are the ones that seek out nicotine as pleasure stimuli). However, you have to make the decision to quit. Smoking is both a chemical dependency and a behavioral habit. The drugs can even help to some degree with the behavioral side but again, nothing will quit for you- they only assist in the process. It will be difficult and only when you are truly ready to quit will you feel that the medications have made a difference.
--Smoker for 12 years. Quit 5x & Took Buproprion 3x . Most recently XL 300mg qam quit on day 7 smoke free for 27 days and doing great. Zero cravings or interest, absolutely no trouble. Was READY this time.
Hello Oorubenoo. Did you smoke up until your 7th day and then stopped on your 7th day? Kudos to you!!!
Hi Phyc. . Appreciate the informative information. I had mentally prepared myself to quit smoking. In my mind I am so already there. But after seeing a Dr. Oz episode he talked about the chantix and burpo for assistance. I am trying to gather as much information regarding burpo as much I can. But would like to know did you take bupro did you take it for along period of time that you felt it wouldn't work? And when it actually worked for you how long were you on the medication? Your support greatly appreciated.
what med is it that really worked?
It's been since April 2013 to share I started Wellbrutin to quit smoking. I must say with months of determination I have to say as of today 8/7/2013 I have completely stopped smoking. I continued my medication and did take a few one puffs here and there and now I do not desire anything. I've had 2 stressful events and my behavioral habit says to smoke for stress relief but my mind says if you smoke remember it takes nasty then I don't even think about it again. I feel good and I am so proud of myself. I was a 14 year smoker. Wellbrutin DOES work. It may take longer to work then others (like me) but it does work!!! Yay me :)
can i still smoke while taking this drug?
I tried Wellbutrin XL to quit and it didn't work!! Then a little over 3 years ago I started taking Chantix and it worked wonders!! With the Chantix you can smoke for the first week while it get's into your system, then on the 7th day you stop smoking. I took it and on the 6th day I had my dinner that night and about 45 minuets later, I realized that I hadn't yet smoked my "after meal" cigarette!!! I totally lost my craving for nicotine! I can't promise that it will work for you, but it did for me and I know soooo many people who have quit with the help of chantix. Like I said, it's been a little over 3 years and I have not had a desire to smoke since! You do have to take it for the full 3 months and follow the instructions completely, but it did work, so if you haven't tried it already and you can, I recommend it! Good Luck!!!
Some years ago, I tried Chantix but I had terribly vivid nightmares of those I knew who are dead right in my living room!! Want and need to quit but can’t do the nightmares. Anyone else had that issue, will they stop?
Hi Katie, I did not use it for this purpose but know others who successfully did. I never got the impression it was a quick fix though. I agree with Pledge-imagine it has a great deal to do with how extensive your use/habituation has been. Best of luck to you.
Hello katie marino. It worked for one of our sons. He stopped within a months time. I tried it and it never helped. Being XL, given the dose, and the amount of daily use, it truly depends upon how heavy a habit. (if you are a heavy user, I suggest the regular format, not the XL) Regards pledge
Yea im a pack a day smoker but really need to quit n its only been 4 days n i take it twice a day
Related topics
wellbutrin, wellbutrin xl, smoking, smoking cessation, bupropion, medicine
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.