Bupropion and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Jos...
• January 3, 2021

Bupropion for Depression "It is amazing to see the variability in how people respond to Wellbutrin! However, this is common for most psychotropic medications. I started taking it to see if it would help with my Seasonal Affective Disorder and fibromyalgia. I started to feel more energetic, creative, and almost stoned within the first week. I felt so much better I decided to leave my 23-year marriage because I felt like I now had the energy to break free and find a more positive relationship. However, after two and a half months on Wellbutrin, only at 100 mg, I started to feel edgy, anxious, and 'not myself.' I was feeling like I was losing myself, and it was starting to be quite scary! After two days off of the med, now I am feeling like myself again. When we take meds like this, we really need to monitor whether we are doing better or worse overall. Whatever you do, make sure you are doing psychotherapy at the same time. Whatever you do, don't give up on yourself!"

• Tat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2017

Bupropion for Smoking Cessation "I started taking Zyban 4 weeks ago. I'm on the 12-week course of treatment. I've been smoking for 17 years (started smoking at age 11). I'm now 28. I've tried quitting many times with patches, the gum, and even tried the vape cigs. My quit date was March 16th, and I have cravings, but they don't bother me. It's weird, but it's just like a quick thought that pops up, and then you're like nope, not today, and it's over with. The main side effect I've had is drowsiness. I've slept a lot. After I take my dose, I literally pass out and wake up hours later. Also, I feel drained, but I'm thinking these side effects may be my body going through withdrawal. I have felt a little nervousness here and there. Overall, it's been good."

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2022

Bupropion for Depression "If you're anything like me, you're scrolling these reviews, freaking yourself out over the bad reviews. I never wanted to take meds, but I gave them a try because I needed that extra help. Yes, the first two weeks suck. My anxiety skyrocketed, I was irritable, had dry mouth, and really bad brain fog. That's how it's going to be when taking a new powerful drug, your body needs to adapt. To be blunt, you just need to suck it up and push through, knowing these feelings will pass because they do. One day I was suicidal, so if that lasts more than a day or so, then yes, maybe it's not for you. Have a support system, friends or family, it helps a lot. Week 3-5, I felt no change, week 6 rolled around, and I felt GREAT. At peace, motivated, and clear-minded. I started with 100 mg, just went up to 50 mg. In order to heal, you NEED to pair medication with other help like meditation, yoga, exercise, therapy, and a healthy diet. I promise when you put that effort in, amazing things will come your way."

• PRP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2014

For ADHD "I started taking 150 mg XL 2 weeks ago. (generic bupropion XL) Initial side effects were rapid heartbeat in the evenings on occasion and insomnia. (I take 0.5 mg Xanax to sleep 1 pill each night) Still eating like normal but more conscious of healthy weight goals. Little anxious driving and a little more self-conscious, but I feel better emotionally and am able to focus better. Not so harsh with my 12-year-old or coworkers. Able to step back for a few seconds and assess instead of reacting. So far the positives for me outweigh the side effects. Hopefully will get better in a couple of weeks. I believe the pharmacy report stated 4-6 weeks for full effect."

• Jet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2013

Bupropion for Depression "This medication makes me feel weird like my brain is dehydrated, loss of appetite, constant headaches and a jittery feeling that was uncomfortable at times. Reduced smoking cravings and made smoking really gross. Had a few drinks on New Year's... bad idea, sick for days."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2021

Bupropion for Depression "I've tried almost every other selective reuptake inhibitor and a few different tricyclic antidepressants for moderate depression and severe anxiety. This Wellbutrin XL is the first one that hasn't increased my anxiety and has actually helped. Currently on 450 mg extended release."

• bea...
• May 5, 2017

Bupropion for Depression "I wanted to put up my experience with Wellbutrin because some people may have the same issues that I had with the drug. In the onset of taking Wellbutrin, I had, each time, slight to severe anxiety and almost worsening of symptoms in proportion to how hefty of a dosage I started off with. Long story short, I'm never getting off of it again. BUT if someone is trying to get on Wellbutrin and is having awful anxiety and no sleep or appetite like I did, you might ask your doctor if you can take a small dosage and taper up. I literally started with 18.5 mg and I still had a few symptoms from that, but I could also feel improvement at the same time. I increased by 18.5 mg more every 3-7 days. I'm now on 300 mg and knock on wood, my life is back."

• Ast...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2017

Bupropion for Depression "I just started taking a very small dose of Wellbutrin and will be gradually increasing. It is being prescribed for major depression and anxiety. For the past 2 years, when I wake up in the morning, it's usually quickly followed by a terrible anxiety that usually goes away but can take a few hours to do so. Anyone else experience this morning anxiety?"

• mal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking bupropion 200mg for roughly three weeks to treat bipolar depression. I have not had success with any other antidepressants. For me, Wellbutrin has been great. It has increased my energy level dramatically, as well as improved my mood. It's not a cure-all, but it's certainly helping. The side effects - I take it in the morning to avoid trouble sleeping. Increased my anxiety somewhat the first week. Higher libido. Markedly reduced appetite. I need to remind myself to eat, and I've lost 5 lbs. Others have mentioned a bad interaction with alcohol which I have not experienced. I've had up to three drinks with no problems. My overall experience has been good, this is a great medicine if it agrees with you."

• Ala...
• September 11, 2015

Bupropion for Depression "I was suffering from depression, anxiety, and bad insomnia. I've tried so many meds from Zoloft (horrible drug), Celexa, and Seroquel. So finally, I went to my PCP, and he prescribed Wellbutrin 150mg. FIRST DAY: anxiety was bad, so I had to take Seroquel to calm down. Also, my hand swelled up. SECOND DAY: anxiety was still high, and I felt a little spaced out, so I decided to call my doctor, and he put me on 75 mg. THIRD DAY: no symptoms. I'm now on FIFTH DAY, no side effects. I'm telling you, this drug really helps. It's worth a shot to try, and if it doesn't work, switch medication. Don't be discouraged by other posts. Some people's bodies just respond differently. I didn't believe anything would ever help. I've been putting myself through hell for a year. Glad I took it."

• Dmu...
• March 17, 2019

For Sexual Dysfunction, SSRI Induced "I’m a 57-year-old male. I started Zoloft 4 1/2 months ago for anxiety disorder. 50 mg per day. During the first week, I experienced anorgasm, which I had never experienced before, but I had some other side effects, like a little nausea, a little anxiety... I had never taken these types of drugs before, so I only knew what I read in these forums. I think a lot of side effects were in my head because I was hypersensitive and hyperaware because I had nothing to reference the feeling, both physical and mental sensations I had. After 4 weeks, the side effects had gone away. After 6 weeks, I felt good, and after 8 weeks on the Zoloft, I felt normal again, like my feet were in the ground. At week 6, I decided to try and tackle my anorgasm problem, and my doctor recommended trying Wellbutrin (Bupropion) along with the Zoloft. I started off at 150 mg, then moved to 300 mg. After just a couple of days, I had my first orgasm in a month and a half."

• cut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2013

Bupropion for Depression "Just started this medication 2 days ago - 150mg pill daily for the first week and then it will be 2 pills daily after the first week. I took the 1st pill in the evening and it gave me a serious energy jolt, lifted my mood, and I also stayed awake until 2 am. I couldn't get myself to sleep plus I was jittery all night. My sleep was not that great and woke up very tired. The jittery feeling subsided in the morning, so I decided to take pill 2 in the afternoon. This was much better, just a little drowsy. My mood is currently calm and content. I took Zoloft several years ago, and while on that medication, I was ready to kill somebody. I stopped it immediately. Hubby says I don't nag and yell at him as much, so I am glad for my happy pill! ;)"

• dep...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 9, 2015

Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder "I got to a point where I was in bed 20 hours a day, couldn't work, etc. Severely depressed. I've battled that all my life but never got on an antidepressant. Wellbutrin, along with Lexapro 20 mg, changed my life. Mainly the Wellbutrin, as I truly changed when that was added. I'm on 300 mg SR. At first, you'll feel jumpy and anxious, but give it 3-4 days, a week tops, and it'll be incredible. I have a new job, I'm traveling. New person."

• dep...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 9, 2015

Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder "I got to a point where I was in bed 20 hours a day, couldn't work, etc. Severely depressed. I've battled that all my life but never got on an antidepressant. Wellbutrin, along with Lexapro 20 mg, changed my life. Mainly the Wellbutrin, as I truly changed when that was added. I'm on 300 mg SR. At first, you'll feel jumpy and anxious, but give it 3-4 days, a week tops, and it'll be incredible. I have a new job, I'm traveling. New person."

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2015

For Sexual Dysfunction, SSRI Induced "Took the medication for a while. Worked well for depression and overall well-being, but I did notice it killed my ability to get a solid erection and sex drive was reduced. This trickled into performance anxiety. Trying to figure out how to overcome that now has made things worse for me."

• Stu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2022

Bupropion for Depression "This drug made me nuts. I took it for anxiety and depression, and it multiplied the anxiety by a factor of 10. It was like a hand reached down from the sky, grabbed me by the throat, and scared me witless. I could not calm myself down. I felt doomed. I was so scared I became jumpy and angry. Like, furious. The literature all says these symptoms may fade, so I kept taking the pills for 2 weeks until my husband was exhausted by this frantic woman I had become. I stopped cold and felt normal again almost immediately. So don't feel you have to stay with it!"

• Stu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2022

Bupropion for Depression "This drug made me nuts. I took it for anxiety and depression, and it multiplied the anxiety by a factor of 10. It was like a hand reached down from the sky, grabbed me by the throat, and scared me witless. I could not calm myself down. I felt doomed. I was so scared I became jumpy and angry. Like, furious. The literature all says these symptoms may fade, so I kept taking the pills for 2 weeks until my husband was exhausted by this frantic woman I had become. I stopped cold and felt normal again almost immediately. So don't feel you have to stay with it!"

• Ale...
• October 27, 2014

For Seasonal Affective Disorder "I have had seasonal affective disorder since I was 19. I will be 59 next month. A new doctor added Wellbutrin XL to Prozac, and within ten days, I felt like a different person. I feel happy, really happy, for the first time since I was a teen. My carb cravings have calmed down, my anxiety level has improved tenfold. My energy level has gone up. This has never happened to me before. I'm hopeful it will continue. Even extra light did not work this well ever. This is the closest I've felt to normal in 40 years. Really, I should be dead. Thank God I'm alive!"

• Gog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2019

Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder "I have only been on bupropion XL for 2 and a half weeks. I'm on it for MDD. But that being said, I can see it starting to work. I am not as anxious as I normally am. My thoughts seem more rational and aren't spiraling out of control like they normally do. I was on Celexa for years but found it wasn't working, and climaxing was such a struggle to achieve. My female libido is really coming back to what it was 20 years ago! I really am excited that I am starting to feel more happy and not so easily irritated. Give it a try if you are struggling. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but you won't know until you try :)"

• col...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 22, 2022

Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder "Though I was struggling with an intense chemical imbalance (feeling incredibly hopeless/empty/anxious), I avoided meds for a long time, terrified by bad reviews until the amount I struggled through every waking moment of my day made it impossible for me to continue avoiding. Started on 100 mg of bupropion. I remember feeling very weird at first, dissociating on the first day, then sweating, heart palpitations, some anxiety, and my leg randomly shaking (nothing unmanageable). Immediately, depressive feelings were greatly alleviated. Then a month in, all initial symptoms were pretty much gone, though I still had pockets of depression, so I upped my dose to 150 mg XL. Miraculous. I now feel calm, collected, and very content and thankful for my life. The only side effects I still feel are some ear ringing and loss of appetite (not complaining). This was the extra boost of dopamine my brain needed to function like a normal, healthy human brain. Absolutely incredible and so thankful this exists!!"

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "This medicine is a powerful antidepressant for me. And by the third day, I did not wake up craving a single cigarette, and also because it completely blocked the effects from nicotine in my brain. I also found that it greatly increased my energy and willpower. The downsides for me were extreme anxiety and insomnia (I had to take clonazepam to handle it because it was so difficult. But it gets easier with time). Truly life-changing for those who want to quit."

• cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2013

Bupropion for Depression "One week on 100 mg, week two on 200 mg, halfway into the third week, diarrhea, feeling hungover, only sleeping 3 to 4 hours a night, horrible anxiety like something bad is going to happen. Getting angry at just about anything. This medication isn't for me."

• mom...
• April 9, 2018

Bupropion for Depression "I wanted to share my experience with Wellbutrin XL, as reading the reviews in this forum helped me to decide whether to try it or not. I've been on 30 mg of Lexapro for several years. I recently experienced a personal setback, and the Lexapro was no longer helping. I was afraid of the side effects of Wellbutrin but decided to try it anyway. I started out on a half of a 150 mg tablet. I already had high anxiety, and this medicine did make it worse in the beginning. There were days when I thought I can't take this another day. I took 75 mg for about 2 weeks and then upped the dosage to 150 mg and cut the Lexapro down to 25 mg. By doing this, I felt so much better. Today, I feel about 75% better. I will eventually move up to 300 mg. The side effects I experienced were nervousness, anxiety, and a minor loss of appetite. I hope this helps, as reading several of these reviews was extremely helpful in making my decision when I was searching for a medicine to try. Best of luck to all of you!"

• mom...
• April 9, 2018

Bupropion for Depression "I wanted to share my experience with Wellbutrin XL, as reading the reviews in this forum helped me to decide whether to try it or not. I've been on 30 mg of Lexapro for several years. I recently experienced a personal setback, and the Lexapro was no longer helping. I was afraid of the side effects of Wellbutrin but decided to try it anyway. I started out on a half of a 150 mg tablet. I already had high anxiety, and this medicine did make it worse in the beginning. There were days when I thought I can't take this another day. I took 75 mg for about 2 weeks and then upped the dosage to 150 mg and cut the Lexapro down to 25 mg. By doing this, I felt so much better. Today, I feel about 75% better. I will eventually move up to 300 mg. The side effects I experienced were nervousness, anxiety, and a minor loss of appetite. I hope this helps, as reading several of these reviews was extremely helpful in making my decision when I was searching for a medicine to try. Best of luck to all of you!"

• Pur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2015

Bupropion for Depression "BRAND NAME! I have been on this medication for a little over two weeks. I started off with generic 150 mg XL to 300 mg XL after a week. My insurance covers the generic for $5, but I've heard awful stories about it and ordered the brand name via the Internet for $50. Huge difference! I don't have the anxiety I had on generic, clammy hands constantly, fear, and it really didn't do much. The brand name is energetic, calming, focused, more self-motivated, and leads away from negative behaviors. This is my first day on the brand name, and I was compelled to tell my story and the difference. You can get the brand name through the Wellbutrin guarantee prescription online. Rated 9 because I am fully alert and still awake."