Bupropion for Depression User Reviews

• Julie
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 6, 2024

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I started with 150mg in June 2023 and didn't notice a difference. I went up to 300mg and had insomnia frequently at first. It's gotten better but it still happens here and there. I try to make sure I get mentally tired first before bed. I also have the buzzing noise in my ears all the time. I honestly don't notice it much unless I'm sitting in absolute peace but it's annoying to hear it. This med also made me lose 10lbs right off the bat and I am now maintaining that weight even though I haven't been eating great. But overall I feel more calm, very little irritation/moodiness and focused. I've lightened up a lot. I have also been taking Lamotrigine for years which didn't really seem to help until I started this drug. It's been a life saver."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2024

"Started taking 150mg 3 months ago, lost my appetite almost completely for the first 2 weeks as well as some nausea, but my appetite eventually came back. As for my mood, I haven't seen any positive change at all. I still feel tired and have bouts of depression. I haven't lost any weight either, like a lot of people claim to. My psychiatrist increased my dosage to 300mg per day today, so we'll see how that goes. I will report back in a month or so."

• Anonymous
• December 29, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I started taking it. I can cook and exercise, but I feel worried all the time."

• Changed...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 17, 2023

"I’ve been on Bupropion for almost two years and it’s completely turned things around for me, mental health-wise. I used to struggle with debilitating depression but haven’t suffered any serious bouts of it since being on this medication. I sing its praises often and am very thankful for modern medicine like this. It has improved my quality of life so much and given me an overall state of well-being and a more positive perspective. I don’t feel like a different person on it, just the person that I’m supposed to be without depression."

• Vip7p
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2023

"The best depression medication I have used. It gives vitality, energy, and a rush to life, has few side effects, and has made me stop smoking, but it is not good for people who suffer from anxiety."

• How...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2023

"Due to burnout and chronic stress building up, along with untreated mental conditions, I had a mental breakdown and either had to get on medication or go to the mental hospital. I got on bupropion and it instantly stopped my obsessive suicidal ideation. Everything seemed more colorful in life during the honeymoon period, but that faded. Maybe it increased my energy slightly, along with a little bit more anxiety, but otherwise I did not experience many side effects, but I am not too sensitive to medication. Overall, and after the honeymoon period, bupropion helped me manage my moderate ADHD and gave me a more positive outlook on life and curbed my depression for the most part."

• garyg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I'm on day 5 of Wellbutrin. I've had severe anxiety and depression for the past 10 years, and I'm 26 now. I've been hospitalized twice for suicidal feelings. Tried all different kinds of medications for the past 8 years. I had no hope anymore. I switched doctors this week after getting fed up with my old psychiatrist who I felt didn't understand me and couldn't give me the care I needed. My new doctor understands me and she started me on Wellbutrin this week. The first day of taking Wellbutrin I felt relief. The fog of hopelessness was lifted, and although my situation is still bad, I now feel like I have the ability to overcome it. Now on day 5 I'm feeling much better, like I can actually focus more on the present moment rather than being stuck in my head. Side effects have included dry mouth, some stomach issues, anxiety, and insomnia. My doctor gave me trazodone to sleep better which has helped. Please do not lose hope or be scared to try medications. They can help."

• Kat
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "At week 3 of taking Wellbutrin, I got a serious serotonin rush that lasted only 1 day (it was fabulous) and by week 4, I had superpower concentration. My work was getting done faster, and I was clearheaded. But by month 2, it all went away. I am starting month 4 and I am unable to concentrate again, I am crying, I feel 'down'. I feel exactly the same as before I started. I don't want to go on a higher dose because, where does it end? For me, I'd have to say it didn't work."

• Boksha
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 25, 2023

"A good medication but I've got addicted. It's very easy."

• C M
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 12, 2023

Wellbutrin SR (bupropion) "I have major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, PSSD (Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction), and ADHD (combined type). Wellbutrin worked wonders for me in the first year as far as depression. It did not seem to have any (negative or positive) effects for me for ADHD, anxiety, or any sexual effects. I kept needing an increased dose for the same effect and maxed out the dose a year ago and it no longer helps me at all. That one year of happiness was worth it though as I had no side effects while all SSRIs and SNRIs have tons of side effects for me."

• Darlene
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2023

"After a year of slogging through each day with my head feeling like it was stuffed with cotton, I finally asked my psychiatrist if I could try Wellbutrin based on reviews on this site. It cleared my head day one. I am not angry and sad all the time. I have motivation & positive thoughts again. Tackling my very challenging life now feels doable. I have PTSD, GAD, and long-standing depression. The depression got to the point I wasn't really functioning and was just putting one foot in front of the other but felt so hopeless, flat, and angry. In the past, I tried Zoloft, Effexor, and amitriptyline, but bupropion improved my life day one. I just called doc to discuss increasing dose. My appetite is about the same. I feel a little agitated but am suddenly a functional human being again. I have jokes, I'm not flat; the fog lifted. I'm getting things done and they don't feel impossible! I wish I took this drug a long time ago. The only issue is effects seem to wear off halfway through the day."

• Alv
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 20, 2023

"Taking bupropion / wellbutrin / zyban about 25 years. 150 mg is my current dose. I tried a higher dose and felt zaps to the top of my head, sudden anxious/startled feelings, anger and obsessive feelings, and developed “zyban allergy” wounds on my chin, stiffness and joint pain. Currently no problems, though I do snap at people sometimes. If I stop taking it for a few days I start feeling sad and very tired. I work on medical records and I notice that doctors prescribe high doses of bupropion sometimes with corticosteroids and/ or testosterone. Please note that this medication can make people angry, agitated, and reckless. If you’re a doctor do society a favor and stop blindly prescribing these high doses and med combos."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I want so bad to love this! I took 150 mg combined with Lexapro. The Lexapro I’ve been on for a few years and it’s helped tremendously with the depression. However recently I have really struggled with the motivation to do just about anything. I was prescribed Wellbutrin to help with the motivation and it was night and day! Within five days I felt like a new person with a new outlook on life. Grad school became less daunting, I started working out again and doing more around the house. However, after about a month the itching started. My hands, my elbows, my scalp, behind my ears, AHHHH!!! I can not do it. I give myself welps scratching, it is miserable. I’m so sad to stop taking the Wellbutrin but it’s not worth it for me :("

• someone
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I started bupropion 75 mg and was on it for 10 days. The first days I was agitated and hypervigilant, had problems with driving as everything attracted my attention, and felt a bit more active. I became careless and a bit arrogant. My empathy and people-pleasing behaviors lowered. I could socialize not feeling inferior. Slowly the medicine lost effect. The next 10 days were bupropion ER 150 mg. It gave me grave depression, I feel like I am in a cage, extreme depression, and I feel people are all monsters. I still have empathy but no joy, no happiness, nothing. I can study and my brain fog is gone. I can focus If I eat something. Now I am on 300 mg bupropion ER. Still very depressed. No joy. My kidneys are starting to hurt, and I have some breathing problems and nasal dripping problems. Super aware of my surroundings studying is easy. I have lost joy and I sleep all the time. I have a dull headache. I feel like if I continue I will have a mental episode."

• Dee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin to me over a month ago and I was scared to start it. I am on Zoloft now and it has helped a little with my depression but my doctor wanted me to add Wellbutrin since I asked her to take me off Adderall (which caused too much anxiety). I have only been on Wellbutrin for 2 days and already I have completed household tasks I have been putting off for months!! Thankfully, I have zero side effects, other than some slight insomnia (but I take a sleep aid to help with sleep). I am happier, more energetic, want to get back to exercising, and am just all-around hopeful again! Please take this medication!! It does wonders! :)"

• samban
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I took two doses of 150XL bupropion, on the second dose I have immediate ear ringing, fullness, and pressure in my ears. I’ve never once had an issue with my ears in my life. I’m very young and healthy. Months later and after multiple ENTs, I have permanent tinnitus from this drug. It shouldn’t be legal."

• Earl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I have been on this med for about 2 months. My doctor has upped the dosage to two 100mg a day. I feel terrible. I feel like I want to slap people, have a smart mouth, am snippy, crying, not sleeping, and very tired all day. Still depressed."

• Beach...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I was on Wellbutrin for 3 days and it gave me massive paranoia, anxiety, and felt like I was going crazy. When I was on a walk I was seeing my brothers face in guys who were walking by. If you are on Wellbutrin and experience anything like this please get off of it immediately. Everyone is different, this does work well for some, medication is all about trial and error! They are switching me to Effexor 37.5 mg and I’m SCARED but we will see."

• Happy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2023

Wellbutrin XL (bupropion) "Wellbutrin (150 mg XL once a day) has saved my life. I have been taking it for about 5 weeks. After a traumatic breakup 8 months ago, I went from being the happiest person I know to someone struggling with severe depression and anxiety. 2 months ago, I was beginning to get a little better when I broke up with the same ex again and found out my best friend was dying in a few weeks. I had been reluctant to take antidepressants before but at this point, I really had nothing to lose. My only regret is that I did not go on Wellbutrin earlier. I have had zero side effects and I feel exactly like myself before depression. I don't feel like I'm on medication at all. I started feeling the effects only days after starting the medication which is cool too because I know SSRIs take a lot longer to kick in. The one downside is that you are not supposed to drink because it raises the risk of seizures. I still drink 1-3 drinks socially a few times a week though (not that I recommend) and I've been okay."

• sbo
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2023

"I can’t take regular antidepressants because I have bipolar and they seem to make me manic. I tried this one, and it seemed to work. Also, I was able to have an orgasm for the first time in my life. (I literally had one orgasm from my partner ONCE before and I’m 34 now.) So I obviously have sexual dysfunction if this is working for that. I love it because it can help with my depression without being an SSRI."

• rln
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2023

Budeprion XL (bupropion) "I was on Wellbutrin XL 150mg for 16 weeks. I was experiencing dizziness, hair loss, migraines, constipation, and fatigue. I saw my psychiatrist and she suggested I try the name brand and gave me 4 weeks of samples to try. Immediately my side effects went away. I felt so much better. Unfortunately, my insurance would not approve the PA for the name-brand Wellbutrin. I ended up switching to Aplenzin which is similar to Wellbutrin it just came out. It is working well. So point ifs if you are experiencing side effects don’t get off the medication try a name brand. Hopefully, your insurance will pay for the name-brand. The funny thing is my insurance would pay for name-brand Wellbutrin. They are paying for Aplenzin which cost more than the name brand."

• Rln
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2023

Wellbutrin XL (bupropion) "I was on bupropion for 12 weeks and I was experiencing fatigue, GI issues & headaches. My doctor suggested I try Wellbutrin XL name brand to see if it would make a difference and gave me samples to try. Immediately the side effects went away & I had tons of energy. However my insurance would not approve for me to take name brand even after a PA. So I am forced to go back to generic or I have to switch medications all because of insurance bureaucracy. So my doctor is putting me on a medication that is similar to Wellbutrin that is newer that just came out. Insurance should approve it. However this cost more than the Wellbutrin name brand. So long story short generic is not the same as name brand."

• MindyG
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2023

Wellbutrin XL (bupropion) "I have battled depression and anhedonia my whole life. I have always tried to manage it through diet, therapy and exercise. I had reached the point where I could find no joy and I was simply existing. Life became incredibly arduous and, quite literally, painful. I had zero interest in any activities, often forcing myself to participate in the things that were expected of me. The only thing that I truly enjoyed was sleeping. I finally saw my doctor and, after a long chat, we settled on Wellbutrin because I really “ wanted to want to do things. “ Fast forward to today, 4 weeks of taking Wellbutrin XL. My life has completely changed for the better. My mood is stable, I have more energy than I ever expected to, my confidence has returned after decades of struggling, I no longer feel sad in social situations and I have become more fit because I am inclined to exercise every day. I am enjoying all of the things that I struggled to get through for so long without side effects."

• Victo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2023

"This medication has made me calm. The first week, toooo calm and kind of out of it. But, it took away my desire to drink, my desire to eat as much. As far as depression? I haven’t been on it long enough to tell you if it’s effective for me. It was described for depression. So far, I think the fact that I’ve been eating less and not drinking is what’s making me want to stay on the medication."

• Ash
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "Wellbutrin was the first anti-depressant prescribed after a long bout of depression and some anxiety at 31 years old. I was fearful of taking medicine for depression and unfortunately Wellbutrin added to that fear. My mood plummeted, suicidal thoughts intruded, and I felt crazy. I stayed on it for 3 weeks hoping I would ride out the side affects and things would even out, but when there wasn’t a change, I couldn’t risk staying on it longer."