Wellbutrin and Dry Mouth: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• ADH...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2021

"I have Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder. I’ve tried SSRIs, Abilify, and Lamictal before, and while they did help somewhat with depression, they did not help with executive function and enjoyment of hobbies/interests in the way that Wellbutrin does. As for side effects, it does cause a bit of dry mouth and lack of appetite for water (especially if combined with Ritalin). I have lost 15-20 lbs on it in 8 months, but I think that’s not the drug so much as because food is no longer my main source of dopamine; I’m not eating more than I need to anymore. The first week, I had sensory experiences in dreams I didn’t think I could have (temperatures, textures, complex emotions, etc.). They weren’t all nightmares; most of them were kinda fun and cool actually, but they were a little disorienting when I woke up. That went away though within a week and only happens now if I take it right before I go to bed or nap during the day. Even then, the dreams are really not as vivid as when I started it."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Mik...
• January 22, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Stopped taking Suboxone for opiate addiction and Wellbutrin saved my life. Only thing I use that I should’ve looked into years ago for my depression, anxiety, and slight ADHD! Highly recommend it to opiate users coming off blockers or meds. Side effects: insomnia for the first week, and dry mouth. Otherwise, I’m a big placebo guy but I noticed an instant change in mood (for the better)!"

• 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."

• 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?!"

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2019

For Depression "Best medication I’ve ever taken. I didn’t realize how depressed I was before taking it. Now I have energy to get through the day. It also helped with my obsessive thoughts. I’ve never felt so much relief in my life. The only side effect is a slightly dry mouth but I’d take that any day over the hell I was living in."

• 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."

• 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.:("

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2017

For Depression "This drug has saved my life! I have struggled with methamphetamine addiction for about 4 years now. The hardest part about quitting was the extreme depression and suicidal thoughts. They always caused me to relapse. My physician prescribed Wellbutrin and it has worked like a miracle. I have been clean for over half a year and feel like I have my old life back! My relationships are healing and my family feels like they have their son/brother back. I am back in college and passing my classes! I don't attribute all that to the drug. Counseling and AA were extremely helpful but I know it was Wellbutrin that got me through the horrible depression to the other side. Only upfront side effects I had were jitteriness and dry mouth."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2017

For Depression "I wanted to share with those who have dry mouth. I also did if you go to Walmart and go to the toothpaste aisle, find the toothpaste I believe was called dry mouth in a blue package. I used it once and it helped my dry mouth the same day, and I was able to use my regular toothpaste for a couple of weeks before having to brush again with dry mouth toothpaste. I wanted to share this because the dry mouth is what almost caused me to stop taking Wellbutrin, but it works so great for me. I wanted to try everything possible first. :) I really hope this helps."

• 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?"

• 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."

• 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."