Bupropion for Panic Disorder User Reviews
Brand names: Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin, Forfivo XL Budeprion Budeprion SR
Bupropion has an average rating of 8.0 out of 10 from a total of 21 reviews for the off-label treatment of Panic Disorder. 71% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 10% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Bupropion
- Anonymous
- December 2, 2009
Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I started taking Wellbutrin after gaining 10 to 15 pounds on Paxil. I'd already tried Prozac. Wellbutrin did give me some uncomfortable side effects like ringing in the ears, sleepless nights, and I did have a lot of panic attacks while I was getting started. So I had to take Zoloft with it for a while, which canceled out my sex life. Now that I'm only on the Wellbutrin, I've lost 10 lbs and my sex life is better than ever. No one drug works for everybody, keep trying till you find the right one, don't suffer! My doctor chose this one so I could shed a few lbs. I gained on the other. 45-year-old female married 18 years, 4 kids... nice to know sometimes so you can relate."
- LPa...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 30, 2020
"Suffered from panic disorder, major depression, ADD, and severe generalized anxiety. I had horrible experiences with SSRIs-Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro-and Adderall. Finally decided to give Wellbutrin a try, and I feel more relaxed, less irritable, happy, energetic, anxiety is significantly decreased, and my migraines and back pain have decreased. I've lost weight and also have a decrease in nightmares. As far as side effects, I am way more thirsty, have mild nausea after I eat, and experienced cold clammy hands/feet the first 2 days. I'll take the side effects over the anxiety and panic attacks any day."
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take Wellbutrin XL/SR (bupropion) to work?
- Does Auvelity work better than Wellbutrin?
- Auvelity vs. Wellbutrin: Effectiveness for Depression?
- What Medications can help me Quit Smoking?
- Hap...
- September 2, 2010
Wellbutrin SR (bupropion) "I started taking Wellbutrin SR about 2 weeks ago and I am already noticing a difference. I had a lot of anger, frustration, stress, and small panic attacks with uncontrollable crying. Now, since I have been taking it, I am much calmer and I am able to determine what is worth worrying about and what is not. I could not do that before. The crying has stopped, and I no longer feel stressed or angry. The only side effect I have is a mild headache, a little insomnia, and extreme thirst. Those I can deal with versus what I was dealing with. I am definitely going to keep taking it."
- Ive...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 7, 2017
"I have been on this medication for two months now, and I see a big improvement in myself. I was having minor panic attacks from time to time, and I was also depressed and lethargic. I was doing absolutely nothing around my home, just going to work and doing nothing else. Now, I have been working harder at fixing things around the home, and I even started watching TV with my wife, even the TV shows that I think suck."
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Your review helps others make informed decisions.- yoo...
- October 16, 2009
Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I have severe agoraphobia for 12 or so years. It's very hard to get outside. I have been on Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil, Effexor, and Buspirone. I have maxed out on them all. Each one has stopped working, so now I take Wellbutrin 150 twice a day, Buspirone 15mg 3 times, and Effexor 100mg 3 times a day. I was just taking Buspirone and Effexor, and I still couldn't get outside. My doctor started me on Wellbutrin, so now I take all 3 with no side effects. It took a few days for it to kick in, now I can go out in the yard to the store, but it is still hard. However, adding Wellbutrin helped a lot. I would recommend it, if it doesn't help, you can always go off it and try something else."
- Aki...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- June 28, 2019
"I have severe panic disorder with attacks to the point of blacking out, been on Wellbutrin for over 3 yrs now and been extremely satisfied with the results. I'm able to get out more, and my Ativan usage is only in case of a serious social function or air travel."
- ape...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- August 10, 2021
"I got a Genesight test done to verify what I was taking was appropriate for my genes, and I have panic disorder and anxiety. I've tried 9 SSRIs, which made things worse, so my Dr. suggested trying Wellbutrin since it's different. It's been great. I'm focused, and I'm calm. I had nausea and drowsiness for the first 2 weeks, and then again when my cycle would start. It's been 10 months, and I can do things I used to not do, and I have more confidence."
- 9de...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 28, 2020
"I was prescribed Wellbutrin for panic disorder along with depression. My Dr. also said it would help me quit smoking. I loved Wellbutrin, I felt 10x better, and I also lost about 10 lbs in a matter of 2 months. If it wasn't for the hair loss, I would still be on it."
- Sho...
- August 12, 2011
Wellbutrin (bupropion) "Today is my second day, and I feel okay. I am in transition from Celexa to Wellbutrin XL. I take Wellbutrin XL 150 mg in the morning and Celexa 10 mg in the evening. The only main noticeable side effects are I am a little anxious, and I have stomach cramps. They are not terrible, though. I expect to have some transition period. I know it sounds crazy, but I lost 1 pound in the 1st day I took it. Celexa put 10-15 lbs on me that I cannot take off, even with exercise. I will keep you updated!"
- Bee...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 24, 2019
"I've been on 150 mg bupropion for a month, still had some issues. Had an appointment with Dr. on Wednesday. I am now on 300 mg bupropion and feel better already. Has anyone been on 300 mg bupropion for months/year, and does it get better?"
- Nan...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- March 26, 2019
"I've been taking bupropion for over 15 years with excellent results, but the last time I filled my prescription, the pill had changed from white to purple with the SG175 (brand = ScieGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc), and now my nighttime panic attacks have returned. I'm not sure whether this is due to the change in the pill or just that it's time to increase my dosage since taking it so long. I wonder if anyone else has experienced a difference with this new purple bupropion?"
- Kay...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- September 7, 2021
"I have taken 150mg for about a year now once daily in the morning. I have panic disorder and was on Paxil for 2 years and gained 50 pounds. The weight wasn’t going anywhere. My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin since I gained so much weight and wanted to get off Paxil. I stressed I don’t want to rely on a medication to help me feel normal. This past year I had my wedding coming up and I felt really deflated since I gained so much. I was originally put on 300mg per day but it made my panic attacks worse (I tried it for a month) so my doctor switched to the 150mg per day. It’s been a year and I’ve lost 54 pounds and my anxiety and panic attacks are not bad at all. I have a strong dislike for taking medicine and always have. So my goal is to eventually get off this medicine. I like that it gives me a clear head and I can feel the anxiety instead of being numb to everything. I have learned how to cope with my anxiety and have been able to figure out what works for me."
- Los...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 15, 2017
"I've been back on this (150 mg) for 5 days after being on it a few years as a teenager and taking a 4-year break. I'm not seeing any Beginning This Drug stories, so I'm adding mine! I have borderline and complex PTSD, as well as some undiagnosed odds and ends of symptoms (delusions and hallucinations). - Day 1 hit me like a truck. Weird visual warping and feeling hazy and clumsy, but not sick. In a good mood! - Weed appears to hit faster and harder, but no ill effects otherwise. - Dry mouth. - Racing thoughts are slow and quiet for the first time in years. - Suicidal thoughts still there, but different. - Fear replaced by static."
- Doo...
- February 22, 2016
"After having a horrible reaction to an SSRI, Celexa in my case. My Dr. put me on bupropion 150 XL. Wow, I have so much energy. Only been 3 days on, but already losing weight. Enjoying hiking again, working on the truck, and way more intense in playing video games. Seems as if I'm getting my life back. However, I go through these foggy periods. They only last about an hour, and I feel normal again, even giddy. I honestly look forward to my next dose, which is a little worrying, but I don't abuse any medication, so I'm not too worried. Lol, if that makes sense."
- Ted...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- July 31, 2021
"I stopped taking this abruptly 5 years ago I now have severe panic attacks from stopping that has lasted 5 years. No doctor can get my psych meds straight I went from normal to someone I don't know and feel hopeless these attacks will stop"
- Jes...
- August 9, 2019
"I've had very bad experiences with SSRI's. Mainly with Weight gain and sexual side effects. I experienced none of these issues with Wellbutrin. I ended up dropping it however as I started to notice early after taking it my heart rate would be insane and I felt ready to run through a wall. Not a pleasant feeling when you deal with a panic disorder. If I could not have that side effect I'd much more prefer this drug."
- Boi...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 8, 2013
"I was prescribed Wellbutrin XL 300 mg after being on Cipralex 30 mg for 6 months. I noticed an immediate improvement in my mood, energy level, and libido. As with Cipralex, I have had to get used to problems with falling asleep, but I remedied this by taking the medication in the morning. Normally, I would not have remembered dreams. Now I have such vivid and bizarre dreams that they are downright frightening or just weird. Waking can be fun as well. If I am woken up by a phone call, I feel really disoriented. I woke up randomly one night and didn't recognize my partner for long enough for it to be scary. It helped me to be positive, but it did not help my anxiety enough for me to be 'normal'. At least I am positive about it not working for that."
- Gai...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- November 27, 2017
"This medication helped my ADD for years. I actually started taking it for panic attacks and it helped my ADD so much it was astounding. I have taken it for years. Now it gives me hot flashes. I am 51 and when I quit taking it, hot flashes gone....but I really feel the lack of focus now. Don't know what to do but I can't take the hot flashes...they were keeping me awake all night."
- Nic...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 16, 2021
"Everything I’m seeing online says Wellbutrin is suppose to increase sexual function but that has not been the case for me. I started taking Wellbutrin in place of lexapro for anxiety and panic disorder. I’m going on two months of taking this medication and so far it has impacted me the same way lexapro has. It makes me feel apathetic towards everything, delays my ability to orgasm and to get an erection. I’m 28 and never had these issues until I took anti depressants to try and help with my anxiety . I think I’m done with anti depressants for good."
- Pan...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- August 22, 2021
"I got panic attacks after I started with 300 mg bupropion, first when I started at 150 mg I felt very nervous for the first weeks and when I started with 300mg I started to get heart palpations and I had 2 panic attacks in 1 week (overall I had 5 panic attacks within month until I lowered the dose) I never had panics attacks before this, so I stopped taking the 300 mg and took 150mg again. The panic attacks stopped but, so me and my doctor decided to start at 300 mg again and it I got some heart palpations back again but it wasn't that bad, so for a month I took it without a panic attack, allI got what some heart palpations again. But now I am getting panic attacks again, 2 times, brupropion seems to make me more sensetive to stress and caffeine, because I cannot drink much coffee now. Before I would drink 3 cups a day, now I have only one cup, because if I take more than that will be nervous and get heart palpations, same if I go out and drink 3 beers, then I will get heart palpations."
- Mat...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- December 21, 2023
"I've always paired bupropion with whichever antidepressant I was taking at the time. I've not really noticed that it does much of anything for me positively or negatively. No side effects but really doesn't help my issues anymore than taking an antidepressant by itself would. I'll be discontinuing eventually. But I know it can help some people with side effects they experience from SSRI's or SNRI's. Everything works differently for everyone, so don't be afraid to give it a try."
- raf...
- April 2, 2016
"Good medication, just takes up to 2 weeks to be effective, Good for depression and quitting smoking too."
Learn more about Panic Disorder
- Antidepressants: Options, Advantages, and Precautions
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Wellbutrin SR (bupropion) "Before I started Wellbutrin SR, I had a severe panic disorder. I was prescribed Wellbutrin for another reason, but one side effect of it was to completely get rid of my panic attacks. I had a fear of driving over bridges, high places, and just driving. It has been a few years and I now see how unreasonable I was being and how my brain was overreacting. If anyone is having a problem with panic attacks, I would recommend to at least give Wellbutrin a try."