Wellbutrin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• August 11, 2011

For Anxiety "Have only been taking for three days. Have some headaches, nausea, no big deal. I don't like the feeling after my second dose at night. I have gotten panicky and felt like I was going to have a panic attack, but have not so far. I am mainly using this to quit smoking, and I see that it is triggering my anxiety somewhat, but I have already lost the urge to smoke and will quit on my quit date. I would rather deal with side effects for a couple of weeks than die of lung cancer and leave my children with no mother. Especially after losing my mother at a young age and my grandfather. I am hoping this will help my depression and anxiety after I am used to it. I can't wait to be smoke-free soon."

• Jan...
• April 9, 2016

For Depression "I have had episodes of depression throughout my life. I have been on SSRI meds off and on. They never seemed to help, and side effects were horrible, tired, lack of energy, sexual side effects, increased anxiety. After my son was born, I experienced the worst depression and anxiety. After over 3 years, I finally went to seek help and refused to take SSRI meds. They first put me on Buspar for anxiety, which is a great alternative to other addictive meds. Then they added 150 mg of Wellbutrin once in the morning. The first day, I felt like I actually woke up for the first time in 3 years, had energy, but after a week, felt like it wore off too quickly. I am being upped to 300 mg XL and hoping I'll get better results. Still, best med I've ever tried!"

• Sho...
• August 12, 2011

For Panic Disorder "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!"

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "My psychiatrist put me on Wellbutrin 75 mg once a day to start with, and after 7 days I went up to 2 times a day. Before I started to take it, I couldn’t get out of bed because of my depression. My energy levels were at almost zero. The Wellbutrin has helped me tremendously. I actually have energy to get out of bed and live my life. The side effects are constipation and loss of appetite. In the past, it gave me severe anxiety, which is why my psychiatrist started me at a very low dose, and it’s actually helped."

• som...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2023

For Depression "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."

• Jod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

For Depression "Wellbutrin made my depression extremely worse. Cried every day since starting it. Also made my anxiety worse. Definitely not a good drug for me."

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2009

For Depression "It didn't work for me, I had a very bad anxiety attack with thoughts of suicide and had to stop it."

• gig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2012

For Depression "I was on this about a month and titrated my dose slowly. It might've started to improve my depression at first, but that didn't seem to last. It also probably increased my anxiety. It caused constipation and upper GI slowness as well that took three weeks to improve. It also caused a pungent feminine odor that lasted the entire time I took it, not just before my period."

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

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!"

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2011

For Anxiety "I was put on a 150 mg dose about 4 weeks ago for mild depression/anxiety. I had dry mouth, headaches, spacey feeling, and nervousness, all of which added to my anxiety. I switched to 300 mg for 1 week, but the jitters increased, and I could have climbed the walls! Rarely felt like eating. It did not negatively affect my ability to orgasm (like Lexapro did), which was nice, but couldn't handle the side effects. Trying Cymbalta."

• Hel...
• August 31, 2015

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."

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

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."

• Nao...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2019

For Depression "Started taking Wellbutrin for depression and anxiety, and it has been awful! Started on 150 mg for the first three days, then went up to 300 mg. This was the worst thing to take if you have anxiety associated with your depression. I've always had anxiety, but not this bad! It made it so much worse, and I was paranoid, having panic attacks, and couldn't sleep. I will never take this again and do NOT recommend this at all."

• Pea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2019

For Depression "I’ve been on Wellbutrin for about 2 months. I take 200 mg a day. I’ve noticed it’s really helped with my moods, and I've cut back on cigarettes a lot, but I went from wishing I was dead to having a fear of dying. This medication has made my anxiety so much worse to where it’s impossible to fall asleep. I can’t stop having panic attacks. I never cared about death until I started taking this. I go to my doctors in a few days, and I honestly think I’m just going to go back to my 20 mg Lexapro! It’s really made me a better person personality-wise, and it’s my thoughts, but I’d rather be a real cow than have panic attacks and new fears."

• sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

For Depression "I initially took this drug to quit juuling (a type of vape). I tried to do it cold turkey but could not as I slipped into bouts of depression when I couldn't juul. I tried Wellbutrin, on the first day, I felt lighter. I had a fantastic workout, like, better than I ever had. After 2 weeks on the drug, I quit juuling. I had some cravings for a while but got through it. Now, about a month after I started, I upped my dose to two 150 mg XRs because my depressive thoughts/addictive tendencies came back. This light, energized, ready to take on the world feeling was awesome, amazing, almost a little too intense. About three days into taking 2 150 mg XRs, I had a panic attack, like, really bad, had to sit in the health center with the lights off for several hours. I don't know, I love the good effects of this drug. I mean, I'm enjoying life, feeling things so deeply, having sex (!!) and getting in the best shape of my life. But the anxiety may end up being too much."

• Lan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "After five months of a deep depression, I went to see a psychopharmacologist who suggested 300 mg Effexor with 300 mg of Wellbutrin. At 150 mg Wellbutrin, I did not have much progress. Once we increased to 300 mg, I felt so much better. I still have some anxiety, but the darkness has been lifted!"

• Ale...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Wellbutrin is probably the best antidepressant on the US market. It's best to start at > 75 mg a day to make sure you can tolerate it; there are many for whom this medicine does nothing or causes anxiety or other health problems. Regardless of what they say, do check your liver and kidneys; it is more non-toxic than a lot of drugs, but it does take a toll on your body over time. For me, nothing as of yet."

• Jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 5, 2021

For Depression "Started Wellbutrin in June of 2020. At first, I was skeptical because I had tried Zoloft and Cipralex before it, and they both didn't work. But Wellbutrin has done wonders for my confidence and happiness. The first few weeks were pretty rough, but then I started to feel better. I can honestly say that it has saved my life. Only side effects for me are teeth clenching at night, some ear ringing, and sometimes I feel more anxious at times. But it is truly amazing for my depression."

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

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."

• bjd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2015

For Depression "Just starting day 3 tomorrow. Seem to feel better already, but very cautious. Have anxiety, tho, and take Ativan 0.5 mg, 3 times a day that helps. With all the good reviews, I am very hopeful. Wish me luck."

• jen...
• August 31, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "When I first started taking it, it gave me anxiety, but once finding the right dose, it works very well with no adverse side effects."

• dar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "This was the only anti-depressant that I've taken that actually made me worse. Most of the others, Zoloft, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Prozac, either helped a tiny bit or not at all, but never worse. Wellbutrin raised my anxiety sky high. I'm sure it may not be the case for others, but I wanted to share my experience. Good luck to anyone who does try this."

• KAD...
• May 23, 2018

For Depression "I was on Prozac 20 mg, and because it made me feel so good, I would just stop taking them on my own accord, which made me crash. I decided instead of taking them seriously and continuing to take them, I would try Wellbutrin. The first two weeks were awful. I had ringing in my ears to the point where I wished I was deaf. My body was incredibly sore for no physical reason. I felt huge pressure and anxiety in my chest. I stopped working out and didn't want to do anything but lay in bed and watch Netflix, which is so not me. I am now 3-4 weeks in, and I don't have much anxiety, BUT I feel like I developed OCD. I can't stop cutting the tip of my tongue on my teeth, and it hurts. My mouth is so dry. I can't even put on eyeliner because it's like I have Parkinson's disease. I am going to switch back to Prozac today."

• Key...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "I tried this after Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft, and Cymbalta. Worst one. The worst. I've been on 150 XL for a month and a half, and I can't eat without my stomach tensing up and bile going to my stomach. My menstrual cycle is all messed up, I am tired and spacey, I have horrible diarrhea and anxiety, I feel like utter trash. I think I'm done with antidepressants."

• Tan...
• December 29, 2016

For Depression "Now on day 3 of 150 mg Wellbutrin. I feel jittery, out of it, like my brain is cement and won't move when I turn my head. I can hardly concentrate for a conversation. I drop things, I have trouble thinking straight. I drove my car the first day but should not have. I will continue hoping that these horrible side effects go away."