Wellbutrin and Depression: What Users Say

• Ron...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2025

For Depression "This medication was very hard to use, there was stomach pain and acid reflux. Sleep was poor, and I couldn't sleep more than 2 hours without waking at night. I became very agitated with anxiety and sadness that would come and go very fast. The agitation became worse, and I was looking for anything that irritated me to lash out and went into a rage and confronted others. My heart was always around 100 beats when I was at rest. I also had very strange thoughts that worried me I was losing control of my thoughts."

• 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."

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

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."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2021

"I personally had a horrific experience with this drug, which was prescribed for anxiety and OCD. I had migraines, itchiness all over my body to the point I scratched myself bloody, insane stomach cramping, I couldn’t even think about food or I would literally gag. I couldn’t eat without feeling like I was going to full-blown puke after. I was super shaky, had really bad outbursts of anger and sadness, and my depression has never been worse. The suicidal ideation was powerful and never made me feel so depressed in my life. I wasn’t getting out of bed unless I had to use the bathroom. This medicine personally debilitated me, and if you have issues with being a person that always gets every side effect (like me), I would highly recommend steering clear!"

• Raq...
• September 24, 2020

For Depression "This medicine, Wellbutrin, just made me sleepy and irritable/depressed. Didn’t have any side effects like dry mouth or excessive energy. It kinda made my depression worse. Keep looking for the right med. It works for some, but unfortunately didn’t work for me."

• Jan...
• March 7, 2020

For Depression "DO NOT TAKE THIS IF YOUR PRIMARY ISSUE IS ANXIETY. I got on this medication because I was having trouble with anxiety and insomnia. My NP wanted to start me on Wellbutrin 150mg XL and I kept reiterating to her that I have no depression whatsoever, I’m just anxious, but she said it would help. Within 2 weeks, I was so nauseated, in a complete brain fog, my anxiety got so much worse, my heart would race, I was having panic attacks daily, couldn’t sleep, my mind was racing non-stop, and although I’ve never felt as if I had issues with depression, I was so depressed on this medication! I went from being very high-functioning with mild to moderate anxiety to completely useless on this medication. I called into work multiple times (which I had never done before - I’m a nurse). I couldn’t focus, was so disoriented, and felt like I was just floating. I stopped and feel much better after a few days and I got on a PRN benzo for anxiety."

• ctr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "After 1 week of taking Wellbutrin, I developed severe intrusive tinnitus. I have been off the drug for almost a year, and it has not faded at all. While obviously this side effect doesn't happen to everyone who takes Wellbutrin, it is frighteningly common. All of the doctors I've seen since then (psychs, ENTs, etc.) weren't surprised at all when I told them my tinnitus was from Wellbutrin. It has absolutely destroyed what was left of my life. I already had depression, anxiety, and insomnia, now all of these are 100x worse, plus suicidal thoughts. Again, I don't want to say 'don't take this drug' because all drugs have side effects, and I was one of the unlucky ones. But I would highly suggest something else as I would not wish this on my worst enemy."

• 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!"

• Ree...
• August 31, 2019

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."

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

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!"

• 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."

• Lun...
• February 21, 2018

For Depression "A few days after starting these meds, I had the overwhelming feeling of really dark depression."

• Gwe...
• July 30, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "This is for anxiety/major depressive disorder and BPD. The side effects suck. Since I've been on Wellbutrin, I've had severe dizzy spells and severe insomnia where I stay up all night and get 2-5 hours of sleep in the morning, on good days. My appetite suppression is not as extreme as other medications I've been on, but I have lost 5 pounds on it. I like eating, so I don't like that. I had my first self-harm episode, and it had been over a year, and it was over something insignificant that happens all the time. It gave me depression. I personally haven't experienced a good thing about this med, but I'm giving it another month or two to work. I'm hopeful."

• JC2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was prescribed Wellbutrin 2x a day after Celexa stopped working after being on it 5 years. Within a few days of taking the Wellbutrin, my anxiety was back, and depression was worse. Had trouble staying asleep because my mind was constantly racing. Definitely did not work for me."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2016

For Depression "I started on Lexapro, which worked at first for me, then, a month later, made me feel like a zombie because I was so drowsy. So, my doctor started me on 200 mg of Wellbutrin a day. The first few days were fine, and then after about a week, the crazy suicidal thoughts started. Then came the mood swings and short fuse. After 2 weeks of this medication, I couldn't stand anyone around me or even myself. I didn't want to be talked to or even looked at, I felt depressed, life wasn't worth anything. So, my doctor changed me to Prozac 20 mg, and so far, it seems to be a good fit."

• Not...
• July 11, 2011

For Depression "I'm shocked to see not a single negative review listed. The first day taking Wellbutrin after drinks with a friend (not advisable), we had a bad fight, my anger was uncontrollable. The next day, I had a fight with my roommate, I was absorbed in rage, completely unaware of others' feelings. That week, I was stuck in my head, angry, charged, paranoid, and isolated. A week later, I had a terrible fight with my roommate resulting in a bad physical altercation, cops were called, and the next day she moved out. The next day, I was extremely depressed and indifferent. I stopped taking it. Maybe I didn't give it time. Don't want to discourage others, but if you have irritability/anger issues, be very aware and cautious."

• Mon...
• April 3, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "So I’ve taken Wellbutrin once before because my antidepressant (Prozac) was giving me sexual dysfunction. So my doctor said that I’ll add on Wellbutrin to see if that gets better. And I never really noticed a difference with that. But this medication gave me tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and a headache that drove me insane. Oh, also it made me more depressed."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2009

For Depression "After 7 years on Zoloft, it had stopped working. I was experiencing mood swings and sadness/depression. My doctor weaned me off Zoloft and prescribed Wellbutrin. The first few weeks, I immediately noticed an increased sensitivity in all my senses. There was kind of a wind tunnel effect in my ears, my body was more sensitive to touch (great for my sex life), I became hypersensitive to noise/vibration (a negative), and I had a keener sense of smell (not always positive). I had trouble getting or staying asleep. I stayed on it for six weeks, but when my fuse got shorter and I became very hostile and angry, I was weaned off of Wellbutrin and changed to Celexa. It's been 2 weeks, and so far, so good."

• Con...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "I’m conflicted about how to review this. After trying many meds for MDD, I was feeling pretty helpless after all of them either failed or caused intolerable side effects, including increased lack of motivation to the point of not being able to get out of bed, extreme fatigue with the same consequence, social awkwardness (which is outside of the norm for me), extreme, fluctuating emotions, brain zaps, and memory issues. Meds I’ve tried for MDD include Lexapro, Pristiq, Celexa, and Zoloft, with each having various levels of the payoff of improvement in symptoms while causing the worsening of others. This drug did feel different and better in some ways — more energy and less general lethargy that affected my job, somewhat of a mood uplift, and more motivation. However, it did cause me more emotional volatility, making me more short-fused with others, and it worsened my ADD. In the end, I chose to discontinue this med, as it wasn’t worth the trade-off and was borderline dangerous."

• Win...
• January 20, 2018

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."

• Har...
• September 6, 2016

"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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 4, 2022

For Depression "It’s worth a try. Easy to come off of. I’ve cold turkey quit many antidepressants. Insomnia will probably be your worst side effect. Sweating, agitation, restlessness, trouble focusing, and even increased depression and anxiety are common too. It’s an NDRI like Ritalin but much weaker and less selective. I think jogging, drinking lots of water, and an energy drink or coffee or two is more effective. Don’t expect much, but it’s definitely better than SSRIs, SNRIs, antipsychotics, etc."