Bupropion / dextromethorphan for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• skyler
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I had just started taking this medication as I am diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, bipolar 2, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I was previously prescribed Fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression. After about 2 months of being on it, I started to wonder if it was even doing anything. I brought it up with my HCP and she recommended that I should try Auvelity. I had no issue with trying a new medication especially because after reading the reviews, people said that they almost saw a positive instantaneous reaction. The first day I had taken it I felt normal until around mid-day and that is when I had one of the most intense and genuinely terrifying panic attacks I've ever experienced. I could not breathe, or even speak and it felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. This luckily only lasted for about 30 minutes until I had calmed down. The second day was even worse. I was enduring intense and extreme, almost debilitating paranoia."

• cyndee
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2024

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I’ve suffered from MDD for over 5 years and have been on many different antidepressants and therapy during this time with no improvement. I had suicidal ideation and panic attacks so severe that I quit my job and spent most of the last year in bed. Within a few days of taking Auvelity, my symptoms decreased and within a couple of weeks, they were gone. My only side effect is that I get a little dizzy when I stand up, which is nothing compared to what I’ve been suffering with. I can’t say enough positive things about this medication, which in my case, has changed my life for the better."

• idbh
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2024

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I met with a new psychiatrist last week and explained that in the past 24 years I've tried almost every antidepressant but the MAOIs. Nothing helped longer than a month. I stayed on Lexapro since it helped with the irritability, but that went away years ago. He told me about a new antidepressant that is unlike SSRIs in that it takes effect very quickly, rather than weeks or months. I had basically given up any hope, but still agreed to try it. I'm on day 6 and I can already feel it working in a positive way. I have more energy, doing basic tasks don't feel like a major chore, my hygiene has improved, and I started to laugh again. It has been so long since something struck me as funny I thought I would never feel it again. I've also stopped grinding my teeth. I know it has only been a week, and based on past experiences it possibly could fizzle. I am just praying that it doesn't, because I actually feel like a human again."

• Robin
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "At first, I thought I had found a winner. For the first few days, I was getting out for daily walks, more motivated with work, laughing more, and drinking a lot less - and no side effects! But then the benefits gradually disappeared, replaced by crippling insomnia and anxiety about a week after going up to two doses a day. I didn't sleep for four days straight; I was falling down walking to the bathroom and had double vision. It was really scary. I had to ask for a short course of Ativan or else end up in the ER. The insomnia resolved by dropping back to one dose, then the anxiety resolved immediately after discontinuation. Please be advised that there is no safe way to taper down from the starter dose (it's timed release), and most compounding pharmacies don't take insurance. So I got off cold turkey. I had only been on it a month, but after three days, I got brain zaps (manageable) for a couple days, and anxiety and disorientation for several that have only just resolved. Good luck."

• Kay
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I was very hopeful Auvelity would work for me but unfortunately, I experience the very rare serious side effects. The first day I took it I felt dizzy and drunk with a small increase of anxiety. The next day I took it I felt the same experience with added paranoia. I was in the middle of a busy Costco so it was not fun (thankfully I didn't drive myself there). It made me feel so intoxicated that I could barely form sentences. I thought my body would be getting used to it so I took it on day 3 after work. Holy hell it took me on a ride. I was dizzy, felt drunk/high, anxious, paranoid, and now delusional. I thought my bf was mad and breaking up with me but later confirmed that it wasn't remotely true. It takes a few hours to wear off and after I have poor memory of things that happened during. I had real mental clarity the next day that I haven't felt in years so it's a shame I had to stop taking it. It's 100% worth a try but don't drive until you know how it affects you! Good luck!"

• Rafael...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I was on Wellbutrin for years for mild depression and severe ADHD. It helped keep me motivated and more organized than usual. I started Auvelity a week ago and do think it is helping. I generally feel less negative and worried. Less rumination in my head. But physically, I have had side effects and don't think I can increase to the full dose. I feel a little dissociated 1-2 hours after taking it - light-headed, trouble concentrating, physically buzzy and loopy. Once that passes, I feel a slight nausea come and go throughout the day. I also yawn a lot. I'll give it a month at 1 tablet and see how it goes."

• Muddl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "Switched two weeks ago from 450 mg Wellbutrin am to Auvelity am and pm. I also take Lamictal and Fetzima for depression, Vyvanse for focus, klonopin pm for anxiety, and Ambien, gabapentin, baclofen, and Vyepti for migraine prevention which have some interactions with my depression meds. My mood is definitely better as is my motivation beyond basics like getting dressed, eating, etc. I’m starting to handle more complex things and tackle important projects that my guilt, shame, and fear made impossible. My ability to think clearly and focus fades when the Vyvanse ends around 2p. Still struggling with other depressive symptoms and having strange side effects. Dizziness, eyesight problems, and lack of appetite. It’s like I move my head and my eyes are a second behind. Really tough. I get crazy sugar cravings every night. I’m hoping dizziness, eyesight, and cravings fade. Otherwise I like it a lot. Hate taking two times a day though. Insurance took 2 months despite my savings card!"

• A Per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2024

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I have severe, treatment-resistant depression. Been through four rounds of TMS and 22 medications. Auvelity has been unlike any mental health medication I've taken. The first few days, I felt outside myself, cloudy. When I went up to twice daily, it got to a point where I didn't feel safe driving. I stopped, restarted, went up to two slowly. I started with one dose late in the evening and gradually took it earlier. I then added the second dose before bed. I take it at 10 AM and 10 PM. I don't take it unless I've eaten something. Depression has improved a lot. So has my anxiety and paranoia. No more weird 'high' feelings, but it does make me drowsy. I'm one to struggle to sleep. Not anymore. I close my eyes and I'm out. Sometimes for 10 hours. After the first dose, sometimes I need an energy drink to stay awake. I can't brew the coffee strong enough. But I'm not suicidal. The oppressive, depressed 'doom' feeling is mostly gone. Not perfect, but the best so far."

• Jack
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I have been taking Auvelity for about a week. While the medication is working and my mood is better, the sexual side effects are not. I cannot find anywhere if the side effects diminish over time. The mood is great, energy is back, motivation and everything. The nausea is ok."

• Chad
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2024

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I have tried almost every antidepressant there is to no avail. I was scouring the internet because I knew there had to be something different. At my next psychiatry appointment, I asked about Auvelity because I had read how well it worked and my doc was fully on board. When I first began taking it, it honestly made me feel weird, but I didn’t want to stop. So I asked my doctor about taking it at night, and she said yes, that’s perfectly fine, and I went down to 1 pill. This small change has helped tremendously, and I no longer have side effects, but I still feel like I need something more, so I am going to try taking the second pill in the morning, and I really feel like that will get me over the proverbial hump. I also take Vyvanse for ADHD, Lexapro (which I plan on getting off of), and Trazodone for sleep. I think I have found what works for me finally."

• Woofy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "Unfortunately, it didn't work for my major depression. I was really hoping this would be the one. My depression is really hard to treat, so I don't know, It doesn't mean it won't work for someone else, though. No real side effects I noticed besides if you forget a dose. For me, it was mild withdrawal symptoms. Anyone who has discontinued a psych medication will know what I mean."

• Drew
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I’ve been on Auvelity for almost 2 months after taking Wellbutrin for 10+ years. Auvelity is vastly superior to Wellbutrin in my experience. Within a few days, I felt my heaviness lifting and a peaceful lightness emerging. I find joy and happiness in small things again and enjoy spending time with my kids, including one with serious special needs. Also, with the chaos that can occur with 4 kids, including 1 with severe autism, my level of agitation is greatly reduced with minimal yelling, when they inevitably misbehave. I’m much more effective in staying calm and productively parenting. I feel a deeper connection with myself, others, and the world. My former intense anxiety is greatly reduced, I’m kinder and more compassionate. I’ve gone from about 8 drinks per week to no need to drink or self-medicate in 60 days. Auvelity is beyond an antidepressant, it’s a physically and spiritually uplifting wonder drug."

• Hoosi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I started taking Auvelity on Mon, 8/14/23. I was prescribed 1 tablet every 12 hours. I also take 200mg of sertraline daily and 10mg of buspirone daily. I felt my depression lift within 24 hours of starting Auvelity. This medication was amazing and I had a new outlook on life again, this time without the damaging side effects ECT. However, by Friday evening, 8/18, I was experiencing a severe headache, dizziness, nausea, and a 'high' feeling like I was on illegal drugs. On Saturday, I started feeling jerky movements in my muscles, and I was getting double vision. On Sunday, I was sent to the ER via ambulance. I had Serotonin Syndrome. This was NOT THE MEDICATION'S FAULT. My prescriber had not decreased my other SSRIs. On Monday, 8/21, buspirone was discontinued, and sertraline decreased to 50mg at night. Auvelity was changed to once daily. I know it's going to take a while for my body to adjust, but today is Friday, 8/25, and I'm feeling really 'loopy' and out of it."

• Eric...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 12, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "My experience with Auvelity has been positive. I started feeling better after 2 days on Auvelity. I was depressed for 4 months previously. I felt better for almost 3 months when I relapsed and was depressed for over 2 months while on Auvelity. Although it didn't put me into remission, I believe it shortened the cycle and I felt better when coming out of a depression. I definitely want to continue taking this cutting-edge medicine. I think they are onto something, targeting the NMDA receptors, since all other SSRI drugs haven't worked long-term for me. I've had no side effects while on this drug."

• 6...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 4, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "Six months on this medication. I have suffered from MDD for decades and meds have pooped out, especially when there is a trigger in my life that adds distress. I am still doing well. It took 2 months for it to really start working, but after 6 weeks I really enjoyed conversations again. Those who have diarrhea, I did too and it gets better. Discount card if you have insurance is a blessing. It being a brand new type of medication that targets glutamate should bring hope to many."

• Calig...
• February 6, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I just started taking this medication a few days ago and woke up every morning with severe anxiety and my blood pressure skyrocketed. If you have been diagnosed with hypertension I wouldn’t recommend you take this. Wellbutrin alone had worked for me in the past as far as my energy levels and depredation but gave me bad anxiety and made me sweat more than usual which increased my body odor, so I stopped taking it. The only reason I started Avuelity was to help with my fatigue which seemed to help in the past, but I can’t deal with the anxiety it gives me in the mornings. Will have to stop. One of the major benefits is my sexual desire has improved. My doctor added this medication along with Viibryd which I was already on which has sexual dysfunction. Altogether I would give it a 6 out of 10. Would recommend it if you don’t have hypertension or anxiety."

• smb
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I suffer from a few mental health diagnoses. Bipolar 1, BPD, PTSD, agoraphobia, Adhd. I also have sleeping issues. I've been on nearly every medication available. I really wanted to try it and my doctor was on board. He got medicaid to approve it within a couple of hours. It works!!. I actually feel happy sometimes and laugh more. I feel more alive. It's weird and it's great. I don't get mad all the time. I feel different. I still feel depression. It's just not so heavy constantly. It didn't take long to feel the effects. I can actually think. Yes it has side effects, they all do lol. It makes me tired. So I do take a tablet at night. It does cause diarrhea. I take the 2nd in the morning with my Vyvanse. My medications are this, Lamictal mood stabilizer (nothing else works) Topamax, Adderall, Vyvanse, Clondine, Prozac. Most of us have been on so many meds we've lost count. Not very often new meds come out. So far I'm so thankful I asked my doc"

• Life...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2024

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I have resistant depression and anxiety. After failing many other medications for depression, Auvelity has made me feel like a different person. I still need a different medication for anxiety. However, this medication is easy to take and has made such a positive impact on my life!"

• Rob
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2024

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "My experience has been a positive one. I have been taking it for a few months now and after trying everything else, Auvelity plus Zoloft works. I'm just curious how everyone is paying for this expensive lifesaver."

• litvos
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I've been taking this medication for six weeks. It is a life changer. If you also take ketamine infusions, 100% will change your life. I started experiencing some side effects like sleepiness probably after 3-3.5 weeks from the start. I am okay with this side effect. I didn't feel that good since 2005. Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't want to cover it anymore. Not sure what I would do without it. Tried many different prescriptions. ketamine infusions help, but they're crazy pricey, and you need to do it every four weeks. This medication is a game changer."

• Ran
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2024

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "Auvelity is a miracle drug for me. I have experienced no side effects whatsoever. I may have negative thoughts in between taking this medication twice a day, but they disappear when I take the second tablet."

• Bob
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "After the fourth day, I developed a violent cough. My doctor instructed me to stop taking the medication, but the frequent dry cough persisted for 2 months I was previously prescribed Wellbutrin 20 years ago, which at that time was the best drug for me and lasted for 13 years before it stopped working"

• momto...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2023

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I started Auvelity a few days ago. Some background information about me is that I’m on 450 mg of Wellbutrin and 40 mg of Lexapro. Unfortunately, the Wellbutrin or the Lexapro isn’t helping. I’ve been on Wellbutrin for 4 years and Lexapro for 3 years. My question is, have any of you been on Wellbutrin and switched to Auvelity? Doc switched me to one Wellbutrin per day, along with two Auvelity per day. If any of you have had the same experience with this same combination, I’d love to hear about it. I’m curious since Auvelity and Wellbutrin have bupropion in it. Thanks!"

• Ricky
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2024

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "Started taking this medicine 6 days ago. It started making a difference today because I usually wake up around 3:30 ruminating and very depressed. This morning was much better. I didn't have the negative thoughts as bad and could let go of the rumination. However, after my second dose today, I'm super dizzy and irritable, so I'm hoping that goes away. I had a great day today, and I think it may be working, just not sure if the dizziness is from this medicine or the discontinuation of my Lexapro."

• hatem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 13, 2024

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan) "I was on one Auvelity a day (45mg) even though the doctor had prescribed two a day for me. About 8 months after taking one a day, I felt my depression getting worse, so I told my doctor I would take two, his original prescription dosage. Two and a half to three weeks later, I have been experiencing much increased anxiety, feelings of discomfort and restlessness/nervousness, extreme agitation and fear. I did not know what was wrong with me until I decided to look up Auvelity side effects, which is why I will be going back to one tomorrow and calling my doctor. Another disappointment from the medical community that causes more problems."