Bupropion and Depression: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Wib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2016

Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder "Wellbutrin was without a doubt the most effective antidepressant I've ever taken. Unfortunately, a month and a half into treatment on 150 mg XL/day, I started getting cystic acne. It was terrible, and I knew it had to be the Wellbutrin, so I looked online and noticed other people complaining about getting acne as well. It was terrible, it only made my depression worse because I had these big cystic lumps on my face. A month after tapering off and taking antibiotics prescribed by my dermatologist, it finally went away, but I went back to being depressed."

• sla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2019

Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been suffering from anhedonia for 1.5 years. I don't feel happy, but I'm not angry or experiencing any other emotion. I heard about Wellbutrin, and I had some hope, so I asked my doctor to give it a chance. Day 26, I feel horrible. I felt the same 2 weeks ago. I thought these side effects would go away and it would be my lifesaver because it's a dopamine inhibitor. I was hoping it would work, but now I feel completely hopeless. I don't know if I should give it more time or get off this drug, it is my last resort. Other antidepressants just make me feel worse, Wellbutrin too, but some days I've been feeling a little hope and more energy. I don't know what to do anymore."

• Hil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2015

Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder "This was possibly the worst thing the doctor could have given me. Granted, he didn't know any effect it would have on me, but never again! After about a week or two, I had to stop taking them. It actually increased both my depression and anxiety. I was always tired, but I was super jittery as well. My mother informed me that I looked like I was on meth. Thanks, mom!"

• Ant...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2017

For Depression "I went through a rough patch in life and spent the good part of a year in bars self-medicating with alcohol for my terrible anxiety with alcohol. I got to the point I was having alcohol withdrawals in the mornings. Went to the doctors to treat the withdrawals. After 3 weeks on Librium and then another two with 'as needed Xanax (to fend off an alcohol craving trigger),' I went off of everything. About 2 months after my last drink, I was getting a bit depressed at times for no reason. After a couple of weeks of this and doing a lot of reading up, I asked my doctor for Wellbutrin. He agreed and prescribed 150 mg a day, said the effects wouldn't be felt for at least a month. I'm a month in, focused, no booze cravings, and sleep great."

• May...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 24, 2019

For Depression "When I took this medication, bupropion, I felt really good, I was happy with the weight loss. After one year, I started feeling depressed again and anxious. My doctor increased the dose from 200 mg to 300 mg. I was fine for a year, but now I have a lot of anxiety. I constantly worry about everything, I just hate feeling like that. I have been taking antidepressants for 30 years, but they only work for a while. I just don’t know what to do anymore, I also don’t have a good doctor that I could talk to."

• raz...
• March 5, 2011

Bupropion for ADHD "I'm bipolar and ADHD. I took Tegretol and Effexor for 8 years. It worked for me, but it was a death embrace. Cognitive functions related to attention, willpower, and judgment declined. I read about lithium's neuroprotective properties and switched, which is working out for me. I added Wellbutrin 300 XL for the ADHD 3 weeks ago, and so far it has increased my depression, it might be settling down, though I seem to be getting better. This has to work. These are bad days. Wish I had taken lithium 10 years ago, it has also helped with the ADHD."

• Nof...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2019

For Depression "Wellbutrin isn't bad. The side effects are not great, but the pros outweighed the cons for me. I am having some concerns going into my 3rd month. Two months of flat-line emotion, not crying, just kinda flat. And now, like I say, starting my 3rd month, I feel very depressed. Almost as much as I did when I started taking the medication. All those tears for 2 months are raining down now. I am using my support system, but I know this isn't easy for the people around me. I am hoping to catch my footing and come back around. Has anyone else experienced this?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 12, 2021

For Depression "I have successfully been treated with Wellbutrin XL 300 mg for many years. When my prescribing psychiatrist retired, she sent a note to my internist that I was very stable on this medication and that he should consider just prescribing it, as it is very hard to find a good psychiatrist who accepts Medicare. So my internist did this for many years. Basically, I have been having a comfortable, normal life on this medication. I was doing so well that inadvisedly I stopped this medication. I was okay with no Wellbutrin XL for a few months. However, as soon as some stress returned to my life, out of nowhere, I had severe panic attacks, depression, and generalized anxiety. My internist figured it out and restarted me on Wellbutrin XL 150 for 2 weeks. The panic and anxiety decreased. I am back to 300 mg and the panic is basically gone. However, I'm on 300 mg for only 2 days. But so far, what a huge improvement. Hopefully, it continues. I'll let you know in a month or two."

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Omg, when I first started taking it, I was doing things I hadn't in years. I guess I liked the manic phase. When I swung the other way, crying, agitated, obsessiveness is where I am now. Will definitely stop taking it. Tired of losing control of my emotions. When manic, I did lose weight, but now that I'm depressed, I can't stop eating. Not good for me."

• Nam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 7, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on bupropion for about 3 years. Recently, my pharmacy got bupropion from a different manufacturer. After about a month on this 'new' bupropion, I have felt terrible! Worse than when I started in the first place. Crying, angry, tired, depressed, no joy at all. Talked with my Dr. and was able to get my meds from the original lab. So bear in mind that all generics are not created equal. If I had started with this one, I would have said bupropion was awful, turns out it was just this lab's formulation. Can't wait to get it out of my system and for the old one to kick in."

• tni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2021

For Depression "Started Bupropion XL to pull me out of a really dark place in my mind that I felt I could not control or otherwise escape for some reason. First month and a half, I almost quit due to the added anxiety, but kept going. I don’t think it’s gone away, I’ve just learned to manage it. While the depression is gone, I can’t rid the constant on-edge/anxious feeling. I have lost 10 lbs, which I love, but it’s like I can’t feel good feelings anymore. I cannot relax. Alcohol doesn’t help like it used to, and I don’t like taking anxiety meds if I can help it because I feel too slow on them. That in itself is causing a little bit of depression. About to try discontinuation after 3 months so that I can feel again. Hoping the darkness stays at bay."

• Win...
• January 20, 2018

Bupropion for Depression "Don't look at the rating, I just started taking this medicine. I have horrible side effects (increased gender dysphoria, depression, extreme anxiety and panic attacks, etc.). I know they will go away, but it's my first strong antidepressant. Please talk to your doctor about the side effects and how to deal with them. Also, I would highly recommend talking to a therapist before getting on this."

• Mmm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2022

Bupropion for Depression "I started taking Wellbutrin XL 150 about 6 months ago. My depression and anxiety were through the roof. We found out I have borderline disorder. Would drink 8-10 coffees per day. Very angry and moody. Anyhow, I will be tested for ADHD in a few weeks. 2 weeks ago we changed to Wellbutrin XL 300. It’s been a positive experience. Max 1-2 coffees per day. I remember stuff. I feel better. I am less impulsive. I feel like I am awake now. It’s been good so far. I am sure with a stimulant added to my Wellbutrin, I will experience what it feels like to be normal."

• Har...
• September 6, 2016

Bupropion "I was on 20 mg of Celexa for 2 years to treat anxiety (GAD) and OCD. With Celexa, I never had any side effects, and the only thing I noticed was my weight would fluctuate. My doctor suggested Wellbutrin because it was weight neutral and also could help with ADD. I tried it for 4 weeks, which I know you should give it the full 6-8 weeks, however, 4 weeks was enough. I had horrible headaches, no appetite, felt like I was strung out, up days, down days, depressions (which I have never had), horrible anxiety, no motivation, horrible ADD, and the list goes on. I told my doctor, but she urged me to continue. Finally, my hair started coming out, and I was done. This is a powerful drug, and I am sure it does wonders for people who need it, but not me."

• Ikh...
• November 21, 2017

For Anxiety "I usually don't comment on these websites, and my experience may not be the same as yours, but it may be helpful. If you're suffering from anxiety, stay far away from Wellbutrin. Within the third day of taking this medication, I was crazy depressed, happy full-blown anxiety attacks every day. Dwelling on the negative and life just seemed hopeless. Basically, the depression and anxiety got worse, and my traumas felt even scarier! I have never felt this horrible -- had to take clonazepam every day. Wellbutrin increases your energy if you're depressed, so you can already tell what happens when you suffer from anxiety! Anxiety + a big boost in energy = hell."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2021

For Panic Disorder "Everything I’m seeing online says Wellbutrin is supposed 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 antidepressants to try and help with my anxiety. I think I’m done with antidepressants for good."

• Ari...
• June 7, 2015

Bupropion for Depression "Others have warned about this, but do not take if you have anxiety issues. I took this for two weeks at 150 mg. The first week was fine, felt blunted emotionally a bit, which was not necessarily a bad thing. Around day 11, I started having bad anxiety about 10 hours after dosage, and I felt sore and worn out. It was unbearable, I did this for 3 days more before quitting. I contacted my doctor, who said I did the right thing. Then I was emotionally in pain for a few days and weeping about every hour. I felt raw, like I had no skin to protect me. They say Wellbutrin is easy to drop, well, I don't know... it might be because of my anxiety, but I feel a lot worse now than I did before taking it."

• San...
• May 8, 2021

Bupropion for Depression "I've taken Cymbalta, venlafaxine, escitalopram, and nothing has worked. First days I was shaking from energy, wrote an entire essay in a day, I've never felt so euphoric, didn't have to sleep as much (honestly, the way I describe it, it sounds like mania, but you know). Then it stopped working, went up to 300 mg. Biggest mistake ever, I got 10 times worse. My OCD came back, my BED came back (bordering on anorexia), hypochondria got 10 times worse, I got depressed and started having suicidal thoughts. Took that for 1 month (after 1 month on 150 mg), and I was hanging by threads the last week, we went down to 150 mg, and worse I got. I felt suicidal, I've never been so suicidal in my life. Stopped it, and a week after, all my suicidal thoughts went away, but I'm still disabled from the effects, still underweight, and I'm on sick leave 100% because I haven't recovered. I regret every day that I took this, but I couldn't know. I'm gonna try something else."

• Con...
• April 16, 2017

For Depression "Wellbutrin (bupropion) has been in my life for quite a number of years. Many of the others I tried had side effects not worth living with. My dosage is maxed at 450 mg daily. It is my wife that first notices if I miss a dosage (my regularity is terrible - memory); if it's a couple of days or so, I can't even live with myself. The drug is being taken in combination with: lamotrigine, fluvoxamine, Klonopin. There are still days that I am completely worthless - there is no energy or motivation to do anything: my lungs and heart have to remind me to get back in gear! There is also a 'fog' that seems to impress itself on my thoughts and concentration. On the flip side, I can't stand myself without them; more importantly, neither can my wife."

• Con...
• April 16, 2017

For Depression "Wellbutrin (bupropion) has been in my life for quite a number of years. Many of the others I tried had side effects not worth living with. My dosage is maxed at 450 mg daily. It is my wife that first notices if I miss a dosage (my regularity is terrible - memory); if it's a couple of days or so, I can't even live with myself. The drug is being taken in combination with: lamotrigine, fluvoxamine, Klonopin. There are still days that I am completely worthless - there is no energy or motivation to do anything: my lungs and heart have to remind me to get back in gear! There is also a 'fog' that seems to impress itself on my thoughts and concentration. On the flip side, I can't stand myself without them; more importantly, neither can my wife."

• Wyl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2020

For Depression "I’m giving this a rating of 1 because of my personal experience, as I believe it actually made my depression worse and much longer-lasting (about 6 years) with no positive effects. Many others may have found this drug helpful, so please take my rating as an example and consider your own circumstances with your psychiatrist to determine what’s best for you. After 4 years of being on 150 mg, then the past 2 years being on 75 mg, I recently cut my dosage down even further to 37.5 mg after consulting with my psychiatrist. It has been 4 weeks now and I haven’t felt depressed once. Usually, I would go a few hours in a day without being depressed, wondering when it would come back. I am both regretting being on this drug for so long while extremely thankful that I finally addressed my concerns. My point is, talk more often with your psychiatrist and do not wait years like I did to make a change. Also, explore therapy before drugs."

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 3, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "The comment above is wrong, it is not banned in Europe. There was an issue with the *generic*, which was recalled. There was also a case involving the pharmaceutical company promoting off-label uses (can't recall where) for three medications, including a diabetic drug and Wellbutrin (bupropion), without FDA approval. They were fined. However, the drug is not banned. I'm currently on Wellbutrin as an antidepressant and trying to quit smoking after a relapse. I haven't noticed any magical effect. I'm not craving badly, but I am struggling. As with any situation, the bulk of the work has to come from you. I used Champix previously, and it worked better in terms of reducing my cravings, but it made me terribly depressed."

• Ott...
• November 22, 2017

Bupropion for Depression "I was on Cipralex for 15 years, and I got fed up with the reduced erections and orgasms. My endocrinologist recommended trying an SNRI (Wellbutrin 300 mg), and it helped a bit with the bad side effects of Cipralex, but I found that I was sad often, and I’d cry easily. I increased the dosage to 450 mg, and the sadness went away almost instantly. After a few weeks at 450 mg, I started to feel more and more anxious. I had read that the dosage shouldn’t go beyond 450, so I didn’t want to risk an increase, so I stopped taking them completely, and the anxiety has almost disappeared. (Almost means that it's 90% better.) I’ve been off of Wellbutrin for almost a week, and I haven’t had any side effects yet."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2018

Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder "I have no doubt that this has helped many people... but for me, this was absolute poison. I'd gone off Lexamil and switched to Wellbutrin 300 mg for MDD. My moods are absolutely all over the place. I'll randomly get sad for absolutely no reason, and for a logical person, this gets frustrating. Not to mention the strain that most of my relationships have been under because of my now explosive temper. I don't feel like the person that I know I am."

• Tim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2018

For Depression "Suffering from opioid use disorder (taking Suboxone) and, as a consequence, severe fatigue and sadness, so my psychiatrist put me on this. The drug helped me a lot to get my life back together, as it gives me the extra energy and focus I lost with addiction. I could even cut down my Suboxone dose and feel like a human, not like my older attempts when I felt more than bad. So it definitively works for me."