Wellbutrin and Dry Mouth: What Users Say

• Rae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2022

For Depression "I had very high hopes for this medication. My brother takes it, and it’s magic in a bottle for him. He does very well, no side effects at all. So I have GAD, PTSD, panic disorder, and depression. I take Xanax to help control the anxiety and panic, and I’ve been taking it for 15 years. I’ve had no side effects with that. I lost my mother a few months ago and noticed that my depression was getting worse, and so I decided to try Wellbutrin. I have been on this for a little over 17 days now, and I decided today was the stopping point. I know this is just my experience, and maybe due to my particular medical problems, this medicine just was horrible for me. I could not eat, I can’t hold water down, the nausea is crazy, dry throat, dry eyes, headache, constipation, thoughts of death like OCD fixated on death. My stomach hurts so bad, I’m getting the chills, then hot flashes. I have GERD and hypothyroidism, and maybe this isn’t something that works well with those conditions. Not for me."

• Ean...
• January 31, 2021

For Depression "I took generic Bupropion 150 XL from Dr. Reddy Pharmaceutical for 10 days. My doctor said there were no serious side effects. I might have dry mouth, she said, but it'll help with your loss of energy. The first two days, I certainly had dry mouth (and increased urination), maybe a little more energy, but on day 3, I started experiencing flu-like symptoms, awful body aches, diarrhea, vomiting, profuse sweating. I felt terrible! To make matters worse, my normally low heart rate (around 50 beats per minute) skyrocketed to 130-140. I felt delirious, and I immediately went off of it. I almost went to the ER, but I decided to stay home and monitor my own symptoms as I'm in healthcare myself. Currently, day two off of it, but I am still experiencing flu-like symptoms and now eye pain with dizziness. Thankfully, my heart rate is slowly going down. My biggest concern is with people who have high blood pressure. Do not go on this medication. Try a different one. These side effects are not worth it."

• 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."

• Use...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Does nothing for depression. Dried me out to the point of needing steroid eye drops and regular eye drops every 4 hours. I would also wake up every night with a dry mouth. Don't take if you have insomnia. More of my life wasted trying potions."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2018

For Depression "I experienced most of the side effects, thankfully, I didn’t have a seizure. I’ve been off a few days and am still having side effects. Made my heart race, chest hurt, chest pressure, dry mouth, and forgetting everything. This medicine, did however, help my depressed laziness. I had the get up and go and wanted this med to work because it gave me that. My chest still feels like a hippo is sitting on it."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2020

For Depression "I'm on day 3 of Wellbutrin. So far, it's been miserable. I'm on the lowest dose and still having horrible stomach side effects. I can't eat, I have no appetite, severe diarrhea with intense stomach pain. I'm also exhausted but can't seem to sleep more than a few hours at a time. My mouth is dry and my eyeballs feel like sandpaper. And to top it all off, just looking at my husband arouses me. I'd actually enjoy that side effect if I could stay off the toilet. I'm gonna try to stick it out in hopes that this will pass. I know I need to give it some time."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2014

For Depression "I started taking Wellbutrin about two weeks ago. The first week was fine, but in the second week, my blood pressure became elevated along with uncontrollable muscle tremors, trouble concentrating, overheating in my face, difficulty concentrating and speaking, dry mouth, sweating, and headaches. I had to quit taking it."

• wan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on bupropion 150 SR once a day for 8 days. So far, I'm only feeling side effects: dry mouth, sweating, jaw clenching. It has not lifted my depression or energized me. Celexa and Zoloft used to work for me but then slowly stopped working. I'll try to stick it out for a few more days. I was really hoping that this med would work for me. I feel that I may be drug-resistant to A/Ds. I also take 1 mg Klonopin to sleep and to lower anxiety."

• 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."

• Tho...
• September 24, 2018

For Depression "I was prescribed 50 mg Wellbutrin to take 1/day for my ADHD symptoms and depression. I had read good things about this drug, so I was excited to try it, and I was hopeful about it being able to work for me. The first two days I took it, I felt better-more energy, happier outlook on life! But after the third day, I felt like I wasn't taking any pill at all. No noticeable positive effects and only negative side effects, like dry mouth, headaches, and sore throat. A week later, I decided to ask my doctor to up my dosage to the XL 150 mg. What a mistake! I started having paradoxical effects from it. I was CONSTANTLY exhausted, no motivation to do anything, and I became so irritable and angry that I would start the day already in a bad mood, and small things would set me off. It made me feel unbearably depressed, which I had not done that in many years. I can see how this may be a miracle drug for some, but definitely be wary of how it affects you. Still looking for mine.:("

• Alw...
• August 28, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been taking Wellbutrin for 10 months. I had 6 migraines in the first 10 days, but then the headaches stopped. I also had dry mouth for about a week when I started taking the 300 milligram tablet. After that, no side effects at all. Unfortunately, I have had no positive effects either. I feel as though I am taking a sugar pill. I am still dysthymic all the time and have had several depressive episodes lasting weeks since beginning this medication. I agreed to take it for a year, but I don't see any improvement at all."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2017

For Depression "Wellbutrin worked very effectively in treating my depression. It lifted me out of a major depression I had been in for years. However, I am facing an issue because while Wellbutrin is great for treating my depression, the side effects are terrible. I am having excessive sweating all the time and extreme dry mouth. The dry mouth is causing bad breath and cavities. I am doing everything I can to combat the dry mouth and sweating with no avail. I was told the side effects will diminish over time, but it has been over a year and the side effects aren't any better. Does anyone know of effective ways to combat the side effects?"

• Meg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 13, 2020

For Depression "This medication was a miracle for me in the beginning. The only side effect I had was weight loss, which was an added benefit for me. It worked great for 3 years. I had to up my dosage from 300 to 450 once while I was going through some extra tough stuff, but I eventually lowered it back down to 300 mg. I recently moved to a different country, and very suddenly I had the WORST dry mouth! My teeth were literally rotting out of my mouth, and I couldn’t figure out why. Constipation was so bad, I’d be backed up for weeks and on the verge of going to the hospital. This medication is hard to obtain in this new country I moved to, so I had to switch, which I was sad about until I stopped taking it and the dry mouth and constipation subsided. What the actual heck?!"

• TDi...
• January 20, 2010

For Depression "I have suffered from severe depression for over 3 years, mood swings, irritability, loss of interest, huge lack of energy, absolutely no motivation, anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks. I was prescribed 100 mg extended release 2 times daily, and it's amazing how quickly it works. I don't have nearly as many mood swings as before, I have tons of energy (once you are on Wellbutrin, you realize just how much depression really affects you without even noticing it), tons of motivation. (I used to debate whether I should do this or that, now I just do it, there's no question whatsoever). However, it did not help my anxiety or panic attacks. The side effects for me were a very annoying twitching and dry mouth. I have only been on it for a week, so time will tell."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2021

For Depression "I have found Wellbutrin to be the best for me. I've tried Zoloft, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Adderall, Vyvanse, Prozac, and Strattera. These others made me too agitated or too zombie-like. No dry mouth, no jaw clenching, no yawning, no RLS, no anxiousness, no headaches with Wellbutrin/Bupropion. Feel uplifted, more my old self, laugh and love easier, and anxiety a bit better. Less achy too! My long-term memory has even improved. I don't mind the vivid dreams, kind of fun. I do have some side effects which make me wish and plead for a lower dosage to be available. I'm taking 150 XL here in the USA. I really wish they'd make a 75 XL for sensitive types like me. I often get into a hyperfocus mode with this dosage of Wellbutrin. I can get a ton of reading done, internet research, etc., but then procrastinate things of higher priority. Please, manufacturers, please offer 75 XL as well. I think you'd be helping a ton of people."

• Aug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2020

For Depression "Having fallen into a serious depression which led me to have great difficulty in doing everyday things, getting up in the morning, brushing my teeth, washing, and also couldn't get important sleep. It was getting really difficult. My neurologist prescribed Wellbutrin XR 150mg once a day in the morning. I was very hesitant to take the drug for fear of the side effects. Today, after 3 months of treatment, I sincerely thank her. I have found energy, reconnected with my social relationships, etc. In terms of side effects for me, it's mild: dry mouth, a few palpitations often at night, and slight weight loss. In 3 months of treatment, I lost 4 pounds."

• Rep...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Coming from a very problematic childhood, I've been labeled everything from A to Z by psychiatrists and given a slew of meds. Wellbutrin, in my experience, has been beyond beneficial. At first, for the first week or two, I had slight tremors, irregular heartbeat, major insomnia, and headaches, but I dismissed them. I still have slight insomnia, which is why I take them when I wake up. But reading comprehension, multitasking, thought focus, and moods overall have dramatically improved! I'm one of those people that may have to take them for the rest of my life, but I'm not complaining =). One thing that does bother me, though, is dry mouth from Wellbutrin, but I take Biotene, which helps a bit. Enough to make it worth it anyways lol."

• Cas...
• June 8, 2013

For Depression "Was taking 20mg of Prozac, which worked pretty good. Have taken Adderall in the past for ADD and asked my doctor about it again. He suggested I take Wellbutrin. Been on it for 2 weeks and I really noticed a difference. I actually feel great! 300mg XL. Side effects are minimal. I did feel like a zombie the first and second day. The third day I had the giggles. But, things started to even out after that. It wasn't anything terrible. It is a little bit harder to go to sleep at night, however, I've never been a good sleeper. And, dry mouth is kind of bad. Other than that, no anxiety or depression. Haven't noticed anything about my ADD yet. I'll give it a couple more weeks."

• Anonymous
• January 13, 2010

For Depression "By no means a miracle drug, but it really pulled me out of a deep depression. After just a few days, people began to notice a change in my appearance and mood for the better. I began to take an interest in people and places. I began to do the things I used to love again, such as play the guitar and go to sporting events. Side effects were: really dry mouth, which I did not mind because I switched from craving soda all the time to craving water instead. Slight ringing in the ears. I only sleep 6 or so hours a night, but it's not a big deal because I'm more energetic now than I was when sleeping 9 hours."

• gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2023

For Depression "I’m on day 5 of Wellbutrin. I’ve had severe anxiety and depression for the past 10 years, and I’m 26 now. I’ve been hospitalized twice for suicidal feelings. Tried all different kinds of medications for the past 8 years. I had no hope anymore. I switched doctors this week after getting fed up with my old psychiatrist, who I felt didn’t understand me and couldn’t give me the care I needed. My new doctor understands me, and she started me on Wellbutrin this week. The first day of taking Wellbutrin, I felt relief. The fog of hopelessness was lifted, and although my situation is still bad, I now feel like I have the ability to overcome it. Now on day 5, I’m feeling much better, like I can actually focus more on the present moment rather than being stuck in my head. Side effects have included dry mouth, some stomach issues, anxiety, and insomnia. My doctor gave me trazodone to sleep better, which has helped. Please do not lose hope or be scared to try medications. They can help."

• Vic...
• February 13, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Wellbutrin has changed my life! I was such a terrible, irrational, and very depressed person before this medication. My partner and I were always arguing, mostly due to my own fault. I had such a hard time getting out of bed and taking on the day. I would absolutely need a mid-afternoon four-hour nap to get me through. Wellbutrin has given me so much mental clarity. It has saved my relationship and allowed me to go through my days feeling 'normal'. The only downfall is it gives me a very dry mouth, which is not good for my overall oral health, but I have found some toothpaste and mouthwash that help a little. It's worth it for the clear mind."

• Msq...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2020

For Depression "I've been on and off taking Wellbutrin from 200 mg to 150 mg for two years now. It's good for your depression. The only side effects I experience are dry mouth, mild headaches, and stomach pain. Other than that, I have no problem with Wellbutrin. It keeps me calm. I'm not overthinking about anything, I just feel relaxed and numb."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2019

For Depression "I only have good things to say about this medicine. It worked for me for my anxiety, even though it started to really work 2 months after I started the medication. So far, I have been on it for about 4 months. I feel great, I feel happy, and I have lost 14 lbs. Dry mouth is the only reason why I don’t give it a 10."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 29, 2019

For Depression "In summer 2017, I had a depressive episode worsened by Cymbalta. I was suicidal with no emotions or appetite. I told my doctor and started Wellbutrin 300 mg. I was wary because the last two medications I took didn’t help. Two weeks later, after Cymbalta’s horrific withdrawal ended, my emotions returned. I could enjoy things again. By week four, I was happy for the first time in years. I could cry again (a weird thing to be happy about, but it felt good to feel again). I had mild side effects: a dry mouth and shaky hands. I think how I felt the following year is how healthy people feel. I’ve never felt better. In fall 2018, things went downhill. I was having panic attacks and dark, depressing thoughts. I thought it was stress, so I reduced my workload. It didn’t work. I was depressed/anxious daily until now because I was too nervous to tell anyone. Last week, my doctor prescribed an extra 150 mg (450 mg total). Nothing yet, but the higher dose may help. If I can edit this, I’ll add my experiences on 450 mg."