Bupropion and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• am1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2017

For Anxiety "I have tried many anti-anxiety medications, and each one always seemed to have a side effect. The main side effect was loss of libido. So, with that being said, I went off anti-anxiety medications completely. Until the past month, I was having panic attacks, tightened chest, and depression. I went to my doctor and explained how all the anti-anxiety medications caused loss of libido. So he put me on this medication, and it has been a lifesaver. No more panic attacks, I feel happy and content. Plus, libido is back! 100% recommended."

• bik...
• October 13, 2011

Bupropion for Depression "I'm 29 years old, male on Wellbutrin 150mg SR. Initially, had nausea, but it went away after 2 days. I've noticed my sleep has vastly improved. I used to sleep 10 hours, sometimes more, and I still felt like I needed more rest. With Wellbutrin, I sleep 7-8 hours and wake up well-rested. Additionally, when 2-3 pm rolls around, I'm not begging for a nap. Concentration is much improved, mood is generally good, and I've lost 10 lbs. One warning I can give though is to NOT drink alcohol with Wellbutrin. It's not obvious at first, but the next 3 days it's back to depression, bad depression. Seems like alcohol blocks this medicine out. I can confirm this 2 times. Not sure if 3 hours of drinking is worth the 3 days of depression that follows after."

• Kac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2019

Bupropion for Depression "Gave me horrible headaches, flu-like symptoms, horrible rash, and severe depression. I literally felt toxic on it. I’ve heard this drug can be very dangerous, and I see why! Got off immediately, or it would have destroyed all my relationships and myself. Also caused anxiety attacks. Be very careful with this drug!"

• Tin...
• December 21, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on and off Bupropion for over a year, and each time I'm on it, I become hungrier than ever. It's disgusting to hurt myself with binge eating disorders, but this drug stimulates me beyond trying to get well. But off it and only on my Dex, without the mix of Bupropion, I am at my normal and healthy weight and, most of all, active. I hate myself on Bupropion, and tonight I've made my final decision to never go back to it again. They've increased my depression, anxiety disorders, panic, PTSD, ADHD, and more. I'm happy for the people who agree with it because it would be great to feel free of some afflictions due to disorders. Too much weight gain for me, goodbye Bupropion forever."

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2019

Bupropion for Depression "I was prescribed 75 mg Wellbutrin 2x per day. I've only been on this for about 2 weeks, and the side effects are awful. Insomnia, total brain fog, can't remember mid-sentence what I was even talking about, killed my ability to climax (I also take Lexapro 20 mg, which killed my libido), massive panic attacks, severe agitation and mood swings, and irrational thinking. I'm so sad because I really wanted this med to work, but the cons outweigh the pros 100%. Good luck to everyone!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2023

Bupropion for Depression "Right away, it made me extremely fatigued, gave me heart problems, made me a zombie, and made depression worse. Nothing for anxiety. Straight to the garbage, feel so much better after stopping. Will be giving Doxepin a try now."

• Ree...
• August 31, 2019

Bupropion for Depression "Made me very irritable and gave me deeper depression whenever I took the medicine. Also kept me up late at night and didn’t help my depression at all. Quit cold turkey and am doing much better now. Best to stay away unless you seriously need treatment."

• AE ...
• October 4, 2017

Bupropion for Smoking Cessation "I tried Zyban twice after smoking for about 20 years, a pack a day. The first time, I could feel my urge to smoke lessening, but after about a week on the medicine, one day I felt exhausted. I slept for 14 hours; the next day I woke up and felt so, so down and depressed. Since I had done my research prior to taking this, I knew what it was. I called a doctor and stopped the medicine. A year later, I decided to try again. This time, I had no such thoughts. After about 5 days, I felt the urge to smoke going away, and on day 7, I lit one up, wondered why I was doing this, and put it out. Never looked back. I stayed on Zyban for about a year. That was two and a half years ago. No cravings. No cheating. Amazing."

• DRA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2019

Bupropion for Depression "This did not work, if anything, it made me feel worse. My anxiety was out of this world, and my depression got worse as well. I was on Lexapro 20 mg and hoped for a change. Well, I was hoping this would work, but it did not. I was on the verge of feeling I was losing my marbles. I hope for others it will help. Back to Lexapro 20 mg."

• Van...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 28, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was on 300 mg XL for depression and lost 30 lbs in 6 months. I took this dose for 1 year and went to 150 mg for a year and gained the weight back! (Not realizing it was from med dose decrease change.) I have noticed an increase in depression also. My doctor decided to decrease to 75 mg instant release, which made me feel worse! Now I have decided to switch back to 150 mg XR and gradually increase to 300 mg XR. I was much happier, and weight loss was a nice thing also!"

• KGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2019

For Anxiety "I started taking bupropion XL 150 mg 6 days ago. I do not recommend this medicine for anyone with anxiety or panic disorders. I was fine for the first 2 days, and then I just started crying about things that normally didn’t make me cry. Day 3, I was on the couch and had deep feelings of sadness. I tried to push through. Last night, I had the worst anxiety I’ve had in months. I was terrified, sweating, crying, my heart was racing, and I felt like everything was crumbling. My thoughts were dark, and I couldn’t talk myself down. I stopped taking this medication this morning. This is my first experience with an antidepressant. I’m glad to hear that it really helps some people. However, if you don’t suffer from depression or even have mild depression, there are probably better options. This should not be the first course of action for anxiety. I blame my doctor for totally bypassing the fact that it is not recommended for anxiety sufferers in the first place."

• Isu...
• March 12, 2016

Bupropion for Depression "I was diagnosed with B.E.D., P.T.S.D., and depression. My doctor put me on this medication about a week ago, and I feel so much better! I have tried a lot of other antidepressants, and none of them have ever worked for me. They would make me sleep more (and usually, I sleep like 14-16 hours a day anyway) and just feel emotionally numb. I am currently sleeping 8 hours a night and waking up feeling energized. It has also helped with the B.E.D. Yesterday was my first day not having the issues I usually have with food. I seen some comments that say the person felt good for a while, and then it wore off. I am currently on 150 mg, and on Monday, I will increase to 300 mg. I will comment again when I have been on it for a few months :)"

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "So this is only my 4th day to take the Wellbutrin XL 150 mg to help me stop smoking. I feel so down, been crying randomly. I don't like this feeling. Does this get better? After 7 days I will be bumped up to the 300 mg. I want to just quit taking it. I'd rather smoke a cigarette than feel this horrible. Any advice would be great."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2019

For Anxiety "I absolutely hate this drug. Within the past year, I have been experiencing the worst anxiety and panic attacks I’ve ever had. I went on Lexapro, which seemed to calm my panic and my anxiety in general. However, I thought I started to gain some weight, and I thought it was the cause, so I asked my doctor to switch me to something else. She switched me to bupropion. At first, it was fine, but now it’s about my 5th week on it, and if I thought my anxiety has been bad this past year, it’s NOTHING compared to how I feel now. Pure panic when doing the most mundane tasks, and my brain is racing with anxiety and scary thoughts. I went on this drug for anxiety, and it has made my anxiety 100 times worse and has even begun to cause depression, which I wasn’t struggling with before. I would absolutely rather deal with the weight gain of Lexapro than this horrific drug."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2020

For Depression "I had great expectations for this drug bupropion, I needed desperate relief from depression and lack of energy. After all the positive reviews, I was excited to try it out. For me, so far, it has been an awful experience. I’ve been on it for over a month and still have loss of coordination, deeper depression, crying spells, extreme sleepiness after I take my dose, and the worst I’ve noticed is a decline cognitively. I can’t remember certain words, I feel like I’m in a daze all the time and can’t remember anything. I’ve heard people say this can last months, but I’m unsure if I will be able to stay on this drug. It’s making me worse than I was to begin with."

• Bai...
• August 28, 2017

For Anxiety "I used to wake up every day feeling miserable and irritable. I found it hard to think clearly, concentrate, and just live a somewhat normal day. I was first put on sertraline, and that didn't go so well. I had really bad side effects (fatigue, depression, sporadic emotions). Took myself off that after about 2 months or so. I was then put on this medication! I saw results almost right away with 150 mg daily for about 1.5 months with some side effects including dizziness and dry mouth/always thirsty (which I can deal with!). Then, because I and my doctor felt there was room for additional improvement, I went to the 300 mg dose. It's only been about 1-2 weeks on the higher dose, but so far so good. No complaints! I can actually be free and feel normal again!"

• noc...
• July 31, 2013

Bupropion for Depression "I started taking this medicine for depression and adult ADD-like symptoms. I did not notice any side effects at all in the beginning, very easy to start taking. However, after taking it for about two months, I noticed I was very easily aggravated and overreacted to little things like crazy! Very emotional, crying, deep emotional pain. I did not wean off, I just stopped taking it because I didn't feel like 'me.' No adverse reaction in stopping for me, although I don't recommend stopping cold turkey for others. Only a plus was reduced appetite and increased libido!"

• Van...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2017

Bupropion for Depression "My depressive thoughts and ideation increased a lot within 2 weeks of starting. I called my Dr. and tapered the dosage, and they ordered extra small doses so my body would not be shocked. If you feel like you are having increased depression daily after starting this medication, please contact your medical team and ask to taper off."

• Hel...
• August 31, 2015

Bupropion for Depression "I started Wellbutrin about 2 and a half weeks ago, and my anxiety and depression are worse. I am crying all the time, super anxious, and can't relax. Has anyone else had this problem? I take 30 mg Prozac and 150-225 mg Wellbutrin. I am scared to continue."

• ray...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2018

Bupropion for Depression "150 mg XL-brand WB, 2 wks, then 300 mg. Day 3 on 150 mg, INCREDIBLY restless, irritable, angry, which lasted 5 days, then felt normal until I upped the dose. 2 days, 300 mg SO angry, irritable, restless more than before. Emotionally exhausting. Feel more depressed than ever. Lasted nonstop 3.5 weeks. I was a nightmare. I isolated myself, luckily, I work freelance, so able to not work. Did have more energy, channeled into exercise, healthy diet, cleaning. It helped to focus on things, read many Wellbutrin reviews online. Helped to not feel crazy. Week #6 started to feel better. Not 'happy' but no longer crazy emotions. Week 7 now. I have more energy than before starting, more goal-oriented & drive to get things done. Again, don't feel 'happy' but don't feel like depression is in the driver's seat, so can do what needs doing, including changing external factors that add to depression. Still quick to irritation. Stopped smoking week 5. Glad where I am now, but adjustment period much more difficult than could have imagined."

• Fem...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 24, 2016

Bupropion for Depression "I credit Wellbutrin for my life. Started taking 150 mg Wellbutrin SR 15 years ago to combat the sleepy side effect of Prozac (taken for depression). About a year later, I dropped the Prozac (because of sexual side effects). The Wellbutrin is enough to keep me normal. Over the 14 years, I have tried 1: The no-name brand (almost a disaster - made me sleepy & more depressed - fortunately, I figured it out before getting suicidal) 2: The name brand long-acting version - again made me sleepy and more depressed. 3: Took 2 by accident once or twice - okay until it wears off, then withdrawal feeling/depressed. 4: Sometimes I take one in the afternoon (when I am unemployed and more depressed), this works pretty well provided I take it before 3 pm - or it keeps me awake."

• MSR...
• February 21, 2015

Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on so many meds to find one that helps. My psychiatrist finally prescribed Aplenzin. It works! My insurance company doesn't want to pay (obviously, at over $2,000/month). They insisted I switch to Wellbutrin SR. I became extremely depressed with suicidal thoughts. My psychiatrist contacted the insurance company and got them to 'prior approve' it so I could continue on it. I had to add Zoloft to it, but I can finally live a (mostly) depression-free life. I honestly don't know where I would be without it."

• Hyp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2017

For ADHD "The first three days, bupropion worked like a miracle. I was very calm, my inner restlessness was completely gone. I had some side effects, like a mild fever and stomach ache. But that was well worth the effects. The best and most surprising effect was that my tics were reduced by roughly 90%. On the 4th day of my medication, however, I felt 0 effects from the medicine, and I haven't felt anything since. We tried upping the dose to regain the amazing effects, but this only made me depressed and gave me suicidal thoughts. My advice is, try this medicine, but be careful. It can work like a charm, and it can turn out horrible."

• Wal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2012

Bupropion for Depression "I have been taking the generic medication, not the brand name, for about 3 months now, and after a couple of weeks, I would be in a good mood, and the little things that would annoy me wouldn't anymore. I wanted to do things and not just be home all the time. But recently, I have relapsed and went up on my dose from 300 mg to 450 mg and still feel depressed. I don't know if my body is just tolerating it or what, but I hope my depression improves."

• Tor...
• October 11, 2016

Bupropion for Depression "I started taking this medication last week. I started suffering from depression when my marriage began to fall apart! I was trying for years to be there for my husband as he returned from a deployment suffering from severe PTSD! Right now I can say my opinion on this medication differs. One day I'm fine and can get through my day calm, other days I have severe anxiety and I'm freaking out, or I'm so tired with headaches that I just want to be alone and sleep all day! A big concern, even though I shouldn't be complaining about, is losing weight. In a week I have already dropped 5 pounds! I feel as if I should give this more time to balance me out! I'm only on 150 mg once a day."