Wellbutrin and Irritability: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Blu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on 300 mg Wellbutrin (WB) for 6 months. I was in a deep depression, and WB gave me the drive to get out of bed and out of the house. The physical symptoms of depression were greatly reduced - more awake, alert, increased sex drive, normalized cognitive function. However, it made me feel very uncomfortable - wound up, agitated, irritable. I didn’t like the person I had become. It was almost as if my ego had been amplified tenfold. I reduced to 150 mg and felt immediate relief from the restless energy, which was worsening my emotional state. I am considering discontinuing."

• Blu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on 300 mg Wellbutrin (WB) for 6 months. I was in a deep depression, and WB gave me the drive to get out of bed and out of the house. The physical symptoms of depression were greatly reduced - more awake, alert, increased sex drive, normalized cognitive function. However, it made me feel very uncomfortable - wound up, agitated, irritable. I didn’t like the person I had become. It was almost as if my ego had been amplified tenfold. I reduced to 150 mg and felt immediate relief from the restless energy, which was worsening my emotional state. I am considering discontinuing."

• Pin...
• November 19, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and have also suffered the loss of my family. I had 5 major surgeries in one year and have attempted suicide several times. I've been on a variety of meds and have watched my weight balloon from 140 to 240 lbs because of these medicines. Am I better because of Wellbutrin? Maybe at first, and it is easier to move my life along. Side effects: itching that drives me nuts, no sex drive, I've only been able to drop 40 lbs, can't sleep, agitated really easily over stupid stuff, crying at the smallest thing. Yes, I still have days I don't want to get out of bed, but after a while, I finally do. No suicide thoughts right now, which is good."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2010

For Depression "I've been on Wellbutrin for 3 weeks. For the first 2 weeks, I had a few side effects: grogginess, kind of spacey, nausea, and weight loss because I wasn't hungry. I did notice some changes in my mood. I was less anxious and less depressed, but it wasn't the miracle that took effect immediately like I had read in some reviews. I read a review that was helpful, it said to stick it out for the first 4 weeks of side effects, and you'll be happy with the results, so I am. The side effects have worn off for me by the end of week 2. There is one unexpected side effect-irritability. I'd say it's comparable to PMS. Little mishaps can get my blood boiling, like spilling something, and it's hard to cool down. I never was like that before, but it seems to be subsiding as well. So we'll see!"

• Shy...
• February 5, 2021

For Depression "I started taking 100 mg of Wellbutrin 2 months ago. I was prescribed it for ADHD, but I also suffer from severe depression. The first four days of this drug were absolutely awful, I cried and felt an extreme hopelessness. After the second week, the sadness was fading, but I felt numb. The only positive thing is that it has decreased my irritability heavily, like I used to snap at so many small things, and now I am unbothered, but this has been replaced with sensitivity and getting emotional/crying easily. It also has helped with my sex drive. It hasn’t helped my ADHD, and I also no longer have an appetite. Two days ago, I was bumped up to 300 mg a day, and the first day taking it, I went back into the same despair I felt, but the suicidal thoughts were worse this time, though luckily my boyfriend was there. I’m not sure if this is worth taking in the long run, but I’d rather be more emotional than have the irritability come back. Wishing everyone suffering from depression lots of love :)"

• dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2019

For Depression "I'm nasty with Wellbutrin, irritability is a side effect, so my dosage was cut in half. Seemed okay for a short time, not back to the nasties. Seems occasionally some days I'm okay for a short time, about 1-2 hours, then back to being irritable. Can't even stand myself. Such a hard day trying to suppress the anger for the sake of others. This alone is causing depression symptoms."

• Duc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 16, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Wellbutrin for 5 or 6 years. The counselor gave me the choice of this or some others, which all had sexual side effects that were not acceptable to me. Taking 150 twice a day. If I forget it for a couple of days, I get very irritable, so even if I forget some of the others (for blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart problems), I try always to take the Wellbutrin. But, in the last year, I'm finding that there are few times when I'm not down in the hole. Won't be seeing the psych for another 6 months, but don't really want to talk to her anyway. My recommendation: if it helps even a little, keep taking it; it's better than going nuts."

• Wis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2013

For Depression "After the first week, I felt more cheerful and energetic. After one month, I completely lost my craving for cigarettes. (I was a social smoker, maybe I would have five a week. But when I wanted one, the cravings were intense). However, my blood pressure was elevated, 157/110. (I am on lisinopril-HCTZ for that). My sister was sure the bupropion was causing my high blood pressure. After a couple of weeks, my smoking cravings came back, and my blood pressure was still elevated, so I went back on bupropion. Second time around, I am super cranky and have a heightened sense of smell, but still crave cigarettes."

• 000...
• December 23, 2015

For Depression "I started taking this a week ago, I think. I never wanted to use meds, but I'm in the middle of a major depressive episode that began around mid-late October. I'm a single mom of a 4-year-old. I feel like she takes more care of me than I can of her sometimes, and that makes me feel awful. I decided to ask my doctor to do something because I figured nothing could feel worse. Day 1, I had a lot of energy, days 2-4, I was very anxious and irritable over nothing. That has now passed, but I still don't feel better, not really. I don't feel overwhelmed with the feeling of wanting to die, so I guess that's good, but I still feel it. I'm not suicidal, though I have been in years. I just don't want to move out of my bed, clean the house, or do anything really."

• Fai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2021

For Depression "I am on week 3 on Bupropion 150 SR, I went off Paroxetine cold turkey and started this. First week, I was tired all the time and had some weird nightmares that went away starting the 2nd week. Then the 2nd week, I felt awkward. I was not myself, I was very irritable, didn't want to be around people, had some headaches that week, and wasn't interested in doing many things. I was about to quit, but my doctor told me to please give it a try until week three when it is supposed to start working (from week 3 to 6). So I did with a lot of effort, and I am so HAPPY I DID HANG IN THERE!! I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER. Today is my day 22, and I at last feel peace, joy, and motivation again to do things I didn't want to do before. I am eating less, not so hungry, stopped smoking, and do not need caffeine to function as I did before. It doesn't have side effects on libido like Paroxetine. So far, it has been worth the wait of 3 weeks of not feeling so well. IT IS WORTH IT. PLEASE HANG IN THERE!! Pray for all to feel happy."

• Nat...
• June 6, 2021

For Depression "Just starting this med. The first couple days, I didn’t think it was doing much, but I noticed I couldn’t sleep for very long. I wasn’t as hopelessly sad as I had been the week prior, but I was experiencing an array of stomach-related side effects (constipated until I was very much no longer constipated, bloating, stomach aches, and VERY nauseous the first night). Fast forward a few days, I still can’t sleep very much. I’m artificially active is the best way to describe it. I’ve been pretty inactive throughout the pandemic, but I walked to get iced coffee in 90-degree heat, cleaned my apartment, had people over, then went to the gym later because I was so jittery and couldn’t sit still. It also has given me quite a bit of anxiety and some irritability alongside the constant need to be active. I hope that over the next few days, the anxious thoughts, stomach issues, and insomnia calm down."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2019

For Depression "I’m very pleased with the results after only two weeks. I have a lot more energy, I feel more social, and I don’t feel sad. There are side effects, however. I’m having trouble sleeping, I’m sweating more, and I feel a little irritable and kind of wound up. I’m having some trouble doing one thing and finishing it before starting something else. Also, I’ve lost about 4 pounds in two weeks and I don’t feel hungry. I am a little concerned that I’m looking too thin. But the overall positive effects outweigh the negatives for me so far."

• Bip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2019

For Depression "I have bipolar II, and after a series of failed drugs, I was prescribed quetiapine (that's a whole other message board) and bupropion. I was on Activas bupropion 150 XL for about six weeks. It stabilized me, but I was still depressed - but functioning. Side effects - waking up early, feeling like a zombie, loss of appetite - went away within that time period. I've now been on Par Pharmaceutical's bupropion 300 XL for about a month. Side effects are irritability and jitters, but I'm hoping those go away. I tried Activas 300 XL - oval pills - and it seemed to dump a large portion of the medication about two hours after taking it, giving me a zombie effect. It also gave me a headache. Those things may have gone away with time, but I switched back to Par. Overall, I'm content, and my depression is gone."

• NDC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2024

For Depression "I hesitated to take any medication for years and years, but after a series of difficult life events over the last year, I was feeling a heaviness and hopelessness that I just couldn’t shake. My eating disorder behaviors worsened, I gained lots of weight, and had no energy. After reading reviews on this site, I decided to try Wellbutrin. It’s been a month now, and I would say this medication has changed my life. I am more in control of my thoughts and am able to stay in the present. I am sleeping better, have way more energy, and feel way more in control mentally and emotionally, so the eating disorder behaviors have significantly decreased. The only side effects I have noticed are the decreased appetite and a bit more irritability. Otherwise, I am so happy I had the courage to take the plunge. It’s been great!"

• Kba...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was prescribed Wellbutrin 150 mg, and so far it has been pretty good! I’ve been doing better mentally and only have a few side effects. Wellbutrin has made me stop biting my nails, which I’ve been doing for 14 years. It also has increased my sex drive, and I can get aroused so much faster! Another thing is that I am hardly hungry, so it’s helped me lose some weight. The only negative side effect I’ve noticed is irritability. I get very snappy, and it’s over the smallest things."

• Con...
• January 5, 2014

For Depression "I've been taking bupropion 75mg twice a day for the past 6 weeks and I feel like I'm finally back to the real me. I'm 18 and have been dealing with depression, but this medication helped me tremendously. I was originally on Paxil, but due to sexual side effects, I switched to this and it restored my sex drive. I also have a little bit of anxiety, but this medication cleared that up as well. The first week was hard. I experienced heart palpitations, very anxious, ridiculous energy, and I was easily agitated. After the first week, those side effects slowly diminished and now I don't have them at all. That is the only reason I didn't give this medicine a 10. It saved my life. I HIGHLY recommend this to any who doesn't want sexual side effects."

• oka...
• June 14, 2010

For Depression "I went on the 300 XL version for about 1.5 years when I was in college. It improved my motivation, concentration, energy, and mood, but I had hallucinations. Also, I did have a few severe major depressive episodes while taking it, but my rebound back to 'normal' was quick. I stopped taking the medicine for about a year - turned into the most severe episode of depression. When I went back on it, started at 150 mg SR - no problems, then back on the 300 XL and had terrible anxiety and agitation. Switched to 200 SR - it's perfect. I'm not as moody, mopey, or feeling sorry for myself. I don't spend hours on the couch. The fog is gone, but I think I will ask my doctor if I can take 2 times a day - my fatigue and concentration are getting worse. Overall, great medication."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2024

"Female, 27, 150 mg XL for overeating disorder, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. After 10 days, insomnia improved by switching to taking it at night right as I'm falling asleep. It increased focus, energy, and contentment while reducing hunger. Initial agitation subsided quickly. Previous meds like Adderall, Vyvanse, and SSRIs had unwanted side effects, but Wellbutrin combines the best of both, allowing creativity and emotional connection. It's improved disordered eating, social interactions, and focus on work and creativity. Lost 3 lbs, feel more accountable, and have a better schedule. Glad I gave it a chance after being hesitant due to online reviews. It's nice to have my life back and feel like myself. I will update if anything changes, but for now I'm so grateful for this medicine."

• 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."

• Rob...
• September 1, 2022

"By far the best antidepressant I've ever tried. The other two were Lexapro and Zoloft. Both left me foggy, and I always felt a bit disconnected from the flow of things, especially socially. Started Wellbutrin, and literally within a couple of days, felt amazing. The first thing I noticed was this excited feeling of wanting to jump out of bed to start the morning. Super motivated to get stuff done, following through on projects. Dancing to music while cleaning the house type of stuff. And it lasted all day. Life changing. Find the right dose for you. It works pretty quickly once dialed in. Note: Before starting Wellbutrin, I had what I would call moderate depression (of the unproductive and slow-moving kind) and a bit of social anxiety. I did have panic attacks, and sometimes I was agitated for no reason. I give Wellbutrin an A+ with gold stars. 10/10."

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2014

For Depression "I am not a proponent of Big Pharma, and have always had to try to 'deal' with my problems on my own. I have a really excellent diet, exercise, don't smoke, eat an organic diet - I'm just saying I really take care of myself. I have had anxiety (with a little bit of depression) all of my life. I was diagnosed with PTSD a few years ago, as I was having severe anxiety about being accepted into nursing school, and if I would be able to handle the stress and constant pressure, and I also have concentration problems. I have been off and on SSRIs, which have been nothing but terrible for me... Paxil, Zoloft, & Prozac, of which made me feel like a zombie. Wellbutrin is GOLD. Not tired, less irritable, not panicky. It has changed my life."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2011

For Depression "I have been on over 15 different antidepressants across every category. I have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Ensam), tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs (several - Effexor, Pristiq, etc.), and nothing worked. I'm taking Wellbutrin 150 mg once a day (along with the Effexor XR still at 300 mg), and it is incredible. I feel amazing. Unfortunately, after 3 weeks, I developed hives all over my body that were itchy. While the itchiness went away after 3 days and the hives only come out at night now, my blood work shows I'm having a bad reaction to it. I also lost 14 lbs in 4 weeks (a good thing). I do feel extremely anxious and agitated at times and can't stop wiggling my foot, for example. Combined with the Effexor (which causes too much sleep), my sleep is at the right length now."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2008

For Depression "I have been taking Wellbutrin for almost a month now and I have already noticed a change. I used to be this really upbeat, happy, positive person, and all of a sudden, I was tired all the time, couldn't sleep, was really sad all the time, agitated really easily, and also got snippy with people at the drop of a hat. My mom was the one who said I needed to go see the doctor and find out what was going on with me. I've tried other antidepressants, this is the only one that works for me."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2008

For Depression "I have been taking Wellbutrin for almost a month now and I have already noticed a change. I used to be this really upbeat, happy, positive person, and all of a sudden, I was tired all the time, couldn't sleep, was really sad all the time, agitated really easily, and also got snippy with people at the drop of a hat. My mom was the one who said I needed to go see the doctor and find out what was going on with me. I've tried other antidepressants, this is the only one that works for me."