Bupropion for ADHD User Reviews (Page 4)

• jac...
• January 2, 2010

"I was given the generic Bupropion XL. I started with 150 mg for the 1st week and then went to 300 mg after that. The first 3 weeks were amazing. My quality of sleep got better. My mind was no longer on overdrive. I had a never-ending list of unfinished projects that I was now able to focus on and breeze through. It also helped me to stop binge eating. The only negative side effect was that I started getting mild to severe acne, but changing my skin care routine helped it. Then at week 4, everything went downhill. I was taking Bupropion in the morning at 9 am, and by 11 am, I couldn't keep my eyes open. I would end up sleeping all day. I feel so tired that I can't do anything, and I can't focus. It just stopped working."

• Mus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2024

"As for what it was supposed to do, it was stellar. I felt more alert, I slept better, my executive dysfunction had improved significantly. I unfortunately experienced side effects so bad that I had to stop it urgently. Over time, the simple thought of food could make me gag constantly for 5-10 minutes. Almost completely stopped eating. I was a little underweight already, kind of borderline, I got *severely* underweight within a month and a half. Do not recommend if you don't have any weight to spare. Most importantly though, I had extremely high blood pressure. I didn't know that's what it was until it became so bad I couldn't function. I felt the blood rush through my brain and felt very faint. Couldn't think. As time went on, I would try to speak and words just wouldn't come out. Paired with a heart rate of 170 bpm at rest, it was a nightmare. It worked well and apparently my reaction is not too common, so I would still recommend!"

• Kat...
• September 19, 2016

"Wellbutrin worked great for me until my doc accidentally changed my dose without telling me, and I had an overdose that almost killed me. It snuck up on me, I was fine until I suddenly was having a grand mal seizure and severe psychotic episodes. I'm now taking 150 mgs and out of nowhere had more symptoms tonight and thought I was going to have another seizure. I didn't, and the feelings went away, but I'm scared and quitting this drug after talking to my doc. I'm also making an appointment with a neurologist. I guess just please be careful. Don't mess with this medicine at all!!!"

• mac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2020

"Bupropion worked for depression but made ADHD 100% worse. My attention span was shorter, and I constantly had 3+ songs or other random stuff playing in my head all at once. Absolutely messed up my semester."

• Anonymous
• November 30, 2009

Bupropion "I started taking 150 mg of bupropion (the generic Wellbutrin), and after a couple of weeks, doubled it to 300 mg after my doctor told me to. Exactly one week later, I broke out into the biggest, puffiest, itchiest hives all over my body. My joints also became swollen, stiff, and painful. My throat was also sore and tight. I ended up in the ER. WHAT'S REALLY SAD IS THAT IT WAS WORKING WONDERS FOR ME! I studied half as much, and it was twice as effective, my test grades were great! I'm now trying to decide between Effexor or Strattera."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2010

Bupropion "Wellbutrin has helped the anxiety and depression associated with my ADD. After quitting smoking, my Adderall quit being effective. Rather than upping my dose of my stimulant medication, I opted for nicotine replacement therapy. I am so glad I did. This is the most effective thing I have ever tried. In the past, I have tried Zoloft and Effexor."

• Ema...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

"Been on Wellbutrin for ~6 weeks for depression/anxiety/ADHD/PTSD. Was initially on 125 mg and didn't feel like I was taking anything. Increased to 150 mg and the first day of the higher dose, things got bad. Side effects: panic, listlessness, wanted to cry, life was awful. But it was the same the first day with the lower dose too. The next day my mother instigated something, and instead of my normal reaction, I completely blew up-threw and broke stuff. I'm in college, was living with her. Not anymore :( Also had another random hair-trigger temper explosion yesterday. Can't tell now if I once again feel like I'm not even on any meds because the Wellbutrin isn't doing anything for me, or if I'm so stressed about being ostensibly homeless (couch surfing but it won't last) that no medication will help me right now. I'm Googling what it's supposed to feel like because I'm still waiting to wake up with enough energy to take a shower and enough focus to stick to a schedule-but it may have destabilized my mood enough to cost me my home."

• hel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 13, 2024

"Helped slow down my ADD. I was able to focus enough to finish college. I have suffered with depression and ADD my whole life, this was the first time I have actually found one medicine to work with both."

• Dre...
• January 29, 2016

"Almost 30, and this is the first time I sought help for ADD. It has truly been a scourge in my life. Been on bupropion for over 3 weeks, 300 mg per day. I don't have depression and am taking this for ADD. Nothing has changed for me other than urinating more."

• Cam...
• September 30, 2015

"I got diagnosed with ADHD very early in life. They had me on Adderall. I stopped taking it around age 18. Now that I'm 21 and the ADHD is still prevalent, I went to get help. They started me on Wellbutrin to help curb the depression and maybe help with the ADHD. I think my depression is caused by the ADHD. Not depression is caused by ADHD. The Wellbutrin hasn't done too much for the ADHD side but has helped with mood. I'd give a higher rating if this was depression."

• Bat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2020

"I have been taking bupropion for two months (month two, my dosage was doubled) for ADHD symptoms and have not felt anything. The first few days, both upon starting the medicine and when upping my dose, I noticed some increased anxiety (no apparent cause, just general anxiety and feeling it in my stomach) and what I call a lower 'frustration threshold,' as well as maybe a slightly decreased appetite. After those first few days, I feel literally nothing, not even a change in mood. Luckily, I'm being referred for a formal ADHD assessment, so hopefully, I will be put on an actual FDA approved ADHD medication, but until then, I've been put on the sustained release version with another upped dosage. I've read a bunch of reviews on bupropion for the treatment of ADHD, and I've concluded that it is really hit or miss, and for me, it's a major miss. If you have an option with your doctor, I would probably recommend trying out another medication first and using this as a last resort."

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2022

"I initially got put on this medication for anxiety and ADHD after taking Concerta (that did wonders) for my ADHD. Focus has gone nowhere. My anxiety got slightly better, but I also just transferred to a HBCU and quit my job, so these things could have easily contributed to me being less anxious. Hyperactivity continues to give me racing thoughts and shaking my leg in class. After taking this medication for a week, side effects never lessened. I’ve experienced lightheadedness and extreme nausea. I felt the effects after taking the first pill, and I can’t explain it any other way than it made me feel very weird. This feeling keeps occurring after taking it, and I’ve only become more irrational and frustrated that I feel like I’m being used as a science experiment and not actually getting what works best for me and my body."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2021

"It was combined with atomoxetine, it worsened my ADHD, developed tics, and made me forgetful, depressed, irritable, no libido, erectile dysfunction, unmotivated, brain fog, no emotion or feeling empty, difficulty breathing. The 2-month experience was terrible, I had to stop it immediately."

• ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2021

"I started Wellbutrin for adult ADHD that I decided to tackle. I wanted to try to fight the symptoms with a non-stimulant rather than just jumping straight into stimulants, and this was the med my Dr. decided on. I was on this for about a month and noticed some change with my attentiveness, but not much. The negative side effects I had were the reason why I had to stop taking this drug. I had some irritability problems beforehand, but this amplified them and made the spouts unpredictable, anything could set me off in any moment, in any mood, and I mean pretty intense bouts of irritation. It also brought along suicidal ideation, which I had never experienced before using this med. Overall, it changed my mental health and in a very negative manner, so I had to stop taking it."

• sea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2017

"My husband was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult at my urging due to impulsiveness, anxiety, inability to hold a job, and scattered memory. He was on Wellbutrin initially but changed to Adderall, which was effective. Over the years, he was on Strattera, which lost effectiveness, and was placed back on Wellbutrin at his request. He has type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and hypertension. Only on medication for a week, and I am ready to pull my hair out. His anxiety is through the roof. Can't sit still but must watch TV while playing on the phone. His blood glucose was panic value last night (441-normal 70-110), repeated himself multiple times, impulsive, left to play tennis but returned because he forgot his tennis racket and balls, then coffee, two more things. Not okay!"

• Sti...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2020

"I highly recommend staying away from this drug, bupropion. I was pressured into trying it for my ADHD. I was very apprehensive but figured what's the harm, I could always stop if I don't like it. After about a month of using it, I stepped up the dose as recommended. I developed a twitch when falling asleep that still affects me to this day, almost 2 years without the drug. From what I've read, it could be permanent. It completely prevents me from being able to fall asleep about 50% of the time. It's called myoclonus. I'm so mad and am currently seeking legal representation. I feel I've been injured and should be compensated. Bottom line: listen to your gut. If you don't want to try something, DON'T!"

• Dee...
• December 25, 2019

"Well, I started Wellbutrin about a week ago, and ever since I have been on it, I cannot sleep past 6 hours. My doctor prescribed me bupropion HCL XL tab every morning. I take it around 7 am, and I’m not going to down-talk the medication. It does give me the energy I need and definitely has changed my moods. I also got prescribed 0.5 mg clonazepam, she told me to take both twice at night before sleep, but I’m still not getting the sleep I want. I’m just getting aggravated now and am about to stop the meds. Help?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2023

"Bupropion was a lifesaver for me. My psychiatrist tried it when I was seeing her for depression (as I was having severe negative side effects from SSRIs). After about a week, the difference was obvious. I was in a better mood, but there was more than that. Suddenly, I was able to concentrate on what people were saying during boring conversations. I didn't get distracted during work and, as a result, completed that work in half the time. I cleaned my house! I ended up with more free time as I needed less time to complete tasks. I feel like my brain has been going 100 mph for the last 23 years and has finally been able to take a breather. I mentioned this to my doctor and was subsequently diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. I honestly think I'll be on bupropion the rest of my life."

• Che...
• November 5, 2022

"I used this with Cymbalta. I wanted to see if it would help my focus. Before I took it, I was feeling pretty good. After I took the maximum dosage, which caused constipation for weeks and made me terribly depressed and angry. I got off the entire dosage and felt nicer and less depressed in a few days! This medicine made me into a monster."

• 21L...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2020

"I have inattentive ADD; this was one of the first medications I tried in treating it, as I wanted to stay on the non-stimulant route. I find it works well for the first month or two - but once your brain adjusts (at least for me), it felt like I was back at ground zero. Furthermore, it made my hands extremely shaky! Tried the other non-stimulants (clonidine made me sleep, guanfacine made me sleep, and Strattera actually resulted in me throwing up about 30 minutes to 1 hour each day after taking the dose). Eventually settled with Adderall IR, approximately 5 mg, 2-4 times a day."

• Est...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2020

"After coming off amitriptyline for my pain problems, I went through a really bad time (coronavirus, developed fibromyalgia and depression and panic attacks) and was afraid to take any medication as it seemed everything had adverse effects. I couldn't even take amitriptyline without having a panic attack. The doctors decided my actual issue was ADD last week and put me on this medication, along with Xanax, which I had already been taking for the panic attacks. Boy, was this a bad idea. It was like the worst bad trip ever, where I didn't know who I was anymore, had a huge panic attack, and could hardly speak or think. Scared my mom because I got all gray and my eyes were just dead. And that's from one pill. Took me a few days to calm down and took more Xanax and oxazepam to counter the overwhelming panic. Worst medication I've ever taken. It felt like I had the memories of someone else and this was not my life. Scared of taking any antidepressants ever again."

• Pix...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2021

"2 1/2 weeks in and taking 150 mg each morning, I cannot believe how much it has helped me. I am 67 years old and have never had treatment for my ADHD until now. I am able to complete tasks, my self-care regimen has become more solid, and my thoughts are clear, not scrambled and overwhelmed. I have three healthy meals a day instead of crazily bingeing. I was a little afraid to take it because anything that has been prescribed in the past that is an antidepressant has made me feel suicidal, and that is not a challenge I ever normally have. I was only prescribed those off-label for migraines. I had a little nausea the first two days. Now life is different, and I look forward to the rest of it."

• Ede...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2021

"My medical insurance is very limiting; therefore, I see a ‘doctor’ (nurse prac.) that believes his way or nothing. Bupropion was all that I was offered. Being quite miserable, I had to accept. Upon the first week, I felt no change in me; then began to feel a bit ‘different’ in regard to my depression and anxiety, a bit calmer, more pleasant perhaps. This was supposed to be for my ADHD and help with the challenges of university. For that, there has been no change. Task-wise: I’m still in a dozen places at once. With no choice in providers, I’ve reluctantly taken this for a year now. Only recently, an onset of bad memories, dark thoughts, agitation, frustration. Nothing new or different in my life to bring this on; I can only blame this medicine. I’m going to wean myself off, as I’ve been warned of harsh withdrawal symptoms. Summing up, it ‘helped’ my sadness for a while; now I’m afraid to continue use."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2018

"My new doctor switched my medication from Ritalin to bupropion without really giving me a reason. While this medication has helped with my depression somewhat, I do not believe it can or ever will be able to deal with all of it as I feel the depression is due to my current job/living situation and is NOT related to a chemical imbalance. Before I lost my good job and had to move back in with my controlling parents, I was happy. This medication is not helping me with my ADHD - inattentive type issues. Specifically time blindness, executive functioning, and inattention. In college, I was diagnosed with severe ADHD - inattentive type and Ritalin made a huge difference in my life. Hope to get back on that medication and take bupropion only when I am really feeling down."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2020

"Help! I’ve been on bupropion XL 150 mg once daily for about a week, and I’m miserable. The first couple of days, I was spacey and out of it, constant headache, having panic attacks so bad that I called out of work. The panic attacks have subsided, but now I’m having fits of rage. I have a 5-year-old, and I’ve gotten so angry with him this weekend. I’ve raised my voice with him too many times to count this weekend. And I’ve even caught myself before yelling and screamed with my mouth closed like a toddler having a temper tantrum. I can’t hold it back. My doctor wants me to wait another week at least, but I feel like for the sake of my family, I need to stop taking this medication."