Wellbutrin and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Woo...
• October 2, 2020

For Depression "I began Bupropion about a year ago. It took a while to kick in. Waiting eight weeks for the hoped-for effect was like waiting eight months. I had tried another med and it left me with negative sexual side effects, which is why the doctor suggested Bupropion. I've been taking a low dose of Viagra. Honestly, I don't know if I need it, but Viagra works. I told my doctor that I'm okay but don't seem to feel any drastic change from when I first began the med. She suggested upping to 300 mg extended release. After a week, I began to feel better, but I don't know if it is from the med or the high of knowing I made the attempt at trying to feel better. Wishful thinking is a good way to put it. So here's my question: Since I was already taking Bupropion at 150 mg/day extended release, should I expect the new dosage of 300 mg to take eight weeks to fully kick in? Has anyone had this experience?"

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2017

For Depression "I have been taking 150 mg of the generic of Wellbutrin for the past month. I can't believe how amazing I feel! After dealing with depression for the past 4-5 years, I finally feel like myself again. I was diagnosed with PMDD and mild depression but tried to deal with both of these with Prozac and hormone birth control. After three months of Prozac, I quit. It made me tired and took away my libido. It didn't help my depression at all. I've tried three different birth controls (I'm 46... it wasn't for birth control, just to try to help my hormone levels.) Nothing helped my depression. Finally, my doctor prescribed Wellbutrin. I filled it but didn't take it for 8 months because I was afraid of the side effects. Now I could just kick myself!"

• com...
• December 31, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was on 150 mg Effexor for nearly a year and continued suffering with depression and anxiety. It affected my libido to the point that I couldn't stand being touched by my husband. I've been on Wellbutrin for nearly three weeks, and it's been a miracle for me. My energy level is up, I can focus again, and my libido has increased. The only negative I have had is it doesn't help my anxiety."

• Ane...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 18, 2015

For Depression "Taken all types of antidepressants. None worked until a friend mentioned Wellbutrin. Started off on 150mg SR generic brand. Anxiety increased, smoking decreased, sex drive moderate, no change in weight or additional side effects. After two years, doctor finally prescribed 24 hr Wellbutrin. Taking name brand. Day 2 & WOWWWWW. I'm feeling fabulous. I have Valium in case of emergency anxiety attacks. But I honestly believe this is a winner."

• Gsi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2014

For Depression "After starting Wellbutrin, I didn't notice any effects until week 5. I am now on week 9. I feel so much better than before. My self-image and self-confidence have skyrocketed. My libido increased. I am so much more optimistic and happy too. Honestly, can't say enough positive things about Wellbutrin."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2012

For Depression "I have been taking this medicine for 2 weeks now, and I feel much better. I was extremely depressed and unmotivated. I tried taking Lexapro, and the sexual side effects were severe, and the benefits were not worth the trade-off, so I stopped taking it. My psychologist recommended Wellbutrin as an alternative, and I am SO glad that I tried it. I am more focused in school, exercising, and I have an overall more positive attitude. The only problem that I have experienced is that I have a very hard time falling asleep and staying asleep at night. It is VERY annoying, but worth it to me. No sexual side effects and no weight gain."

• jen...
• July 31, 2011

For Depression "After 3 years of a dark depression, I hit bottom and started Wellbutrin 300 mg every day. Over the next 2 years, I've lost weight (because I was trying), I quit smoking (because I wanted to), and I discovered a small part of life that was tolerable (a small part). I increased to 400 mg in July because I felt myself slipping back to the dark place, and it's the first time I've noticed side effects: marked insomnia, unfavorable irritability, a little bit of numbness, I crave sweets, and I don't seem to want sex as much. So I'm thinking 300 mg was the therapeutic dose for me and will call my doctor to see what the plan is. On the bright side of the 400 mg, I'm sitting here tonight writing a positive review for the medicine I believe in."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2010

For Sexual Dysfunction, SSRI Induced "Has always worked for me. Zero sexual side effects."

• BiP...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 2, 2022

For Depression "I have had great success with Wellbutrin. It has helped me quit smoking twice. I feel it supports an upbeat mood without being overstimulating. I get good energy from Wellbutrin. I also like that there are no sexual side effects, no weight gain, and no noticeable withdrawal syndrome. Highly recommend Wellbutrin (bupropion!)."

• cow...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2022

For Depression "Coming off of paroxetine, I have found bupropion to be a godsend. The sexual side effects of paroxetine became too much to handle. I was hoping they would mitigate to some degree, but they did not. Tadalafil solved the ED problem but not the lack of interest or inability to orgasm. I asked my doctor to put me on bupropion, and he started me on 150 mg daily and has now increased it to 300 mg daily. My mood and depression have been replaced with just being happy. No anxiety. No depression. It's the first time I've felt normal in a very long time. Sex? It has returned in spades. The desire, arousal, and ability to orgasm and ejaculate are back full force and then some. The orgasms are incredible! Bupropion has allowed me to treat my depression without sacrificing my sex life."

• Sda...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2019

For Depression "This drug is amazing. It has lifted my depression, and I have endless energy. The side effects are even better - weight loss and increased libido. It is the only antidepressant I've tried that has good side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2018

For Depression "I’ve been on Wellbutrin for a little over a year, and honestly it’s been life-changing. I’ve been able to go farther in my weekly talk therapy and get to issues that were blocked in the past because of depression and anxiety. I’ve gone further in my career and found a lot of daily comfort from feeling generally better and able to get through depressed times. I think I finally see an end point to therapy (it’s been nine years). I lost a few pounds and initially had a burst of sexual energy that has sadly dissipated. Now I’m back to normal sex drive, which is so much better than an ill-fated Lexapro trial years ago that prevented me from trying other antidepressants for years. I’m so very glad and grateful I found bupropion."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2018

For Depression "I have been on this for about a month now. I'm taking it for depression and to quit smoking. I feel totally amazing, it's like a dark cloud was lifted off me. I'm also on a maintenance medication for using opioids. The maintenance medicine completely killed my sex drive. It almost ruined my marriage. Now adding this to my meds has reversed all side effects from the maintenance meds. It took a while to start making it better, but now I'm back to the sexy living woman I used to be. Not to mention how great I feel again. I'm me all the way around again. Thank you!!!!"

• Ric...
• February 22, 2018

For Depression "Closing on 21 years with Wellbutrin. My depression has always been treatable, but at high dosages. Started with Pamelor after a lifetime of depression, worked up to 100 mg, and it worked well; kicked in in about four weeks. It also lowered my blood pressure about 20 points, which made standing up problematic. I was next switched to Wellbutrin, but not enough as it turned out. The dosage prescribed worked up to 300 mg. This dose left me on edge, and I switched again after 4 months. Then to Zoloft, 150 mg. This worked well also, but the sexual side effects manifested after 5 months and were totally unacceptable. I then switched back to Wellbutrin again to mitigate the Zoloft side effects, but worked up to 450 mg, the maximum non-clinical dosage. But there is a cost. Now I am also being treated for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, both common side effects of Wellbutrin, but worth it for the mood stability."

• Hap...
• March 30, 2017

For Depression "I was feeling very depressed this winter. A combination of SAD and life. I was irritable, unmotivated, unsociable, negative, and sad. I could hardly recognize myself. I was nervous to try an antidepressant as I'd heard weight gain and loss of sex drive were often side effects. That would've depressed me more! But my doctor said that Wellbutrin was often referred to as the skinny sexy pill. Now that made it sound a whole lot better. I know it seems hard to believe, but day three I felt like a weight had lifted...not sure if it can work that fast but I was able to jump out of bed and feel motivated. My appetite has decreased, I'm happy, my libido is still as good as ever, and I have experienced 0 side effects. Love it!"

• Los...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 24, 2016

For Depression "Started post-breakup. Happy now, don't credit meds, but still take WB and never want to stop (unlike Clonaz. and Desipr.) because of other reasons to take. Lost weight, gained energy, desire to be social. Now only anxiety and IBS; the WB counters some sexual side effects of other meds. NOT a morning person, but 450 SR (12hr) right before sleep (RIGHT before or insomnia) = hop out of bed at alarm. If I take 450 in the morning, easy to resist food. Wish I could have both, but splitting dosage or taking XL (24hr) doesn't work. 167 lbs 6 years ago at start, down to 125. 3 years of 130 lbs but built-up tolerance, so then 150 lbs 2 years ago. Took at night for months, then back to morning, and now 1 year 135 lbs. 450 mg is max. New doctor: split time night and morning. But that would defeat half its purpose."

• Bec...
• January 13, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Wellbutrin has saved my life. It's a miracle. About 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and localized anxiety disorder. I was put on Lexapro, which didn't help much, and the side effects were awful: total loss of sex drive, bad headaches, and nightmares every night. Then, about 3 months ago, they put me on 200mg of Wellbutrin daily, and I started feeling better within a week. It was incredible! I am now happier than I have ever been. I feel like a new, improved version of myself. My sex drive has drastically improved, but my appetite has not returned. In fact, I have lost weight despite not changing my eating or exercising habits. Other than those, I have no side effects."

• dar...
• January 7, 2015

For Depression "I've been struggling with depression and anxiety/panic attacks since I was a kid. I'm now 36. I tried every antidepressant they threw at me from Celexa to Zoloft. None of them worked and came with side effects I couldn't handle. Weight gain and loss of sexual function. When my psychiatrist suggested Wellbutrin, I was afraid of more side effects, but I was desperate. I also take Valium and Klonopin for my anxiety, so I'm not sure if those might mask any increased anxiety, but I have to say, I noticed a difference the first day. I take 200mg SR in the morning, and I've got more energy and almost no interest in smoking, which is a bonus. It's only been a week, but I feel an improvement every day. I think I finally found the right one."

• AAn...
• November 13, 2014

For Depression "I was on Prozac and felt tired all the time, still depressed, and no sex drive. I thought maybe the dose wasn't enough and I was going through menopause, but the doc put me on Wellbutrin. I'm with the person above, I cannot believe in one day I felt better. I thought it was in my head. I made phone calls I would avoid because of anxiety, I got things done instead of sleep, and I felt so much happier next to my husband. Day two I woke up ready to start the day, completely the opposite of what I had been experiencing. Everyone is different, and you just have to see what works for you. Prozac is in a different class, and I just needed this antidepressant."

• win...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2014

For Depression "Wellbutrin is amazing. Prior to Wellbutrin, I was put on Zoloft, Prozac, and Valdoxan, all of which either killed my sex drive, did nothing, or made me too sleepy to function. For 2 years, I stupidly went off medication and just thought everything in life was crap, and probably said some things I regret to people. Eventually, it came to the point where I was failing at work and angry at everyone. The ADHD medication I was taking also worsened my depression. With Wellbutrin, I have been on it for around two months, and I feel great. I have energy, more motivation, increased libido, and I feel content, although I still have moments. Also, I have lost more than 5 pounds without dieting or exercising."

• roa...
• May 30, 2010

For Depression "Suffer from SAD and PTSD. Tried Zoloft but had sexual side effects and still felt depressed. I have taken Wellbutrin with much success. Occasionally, I have stopped taking it, and the depression returns. No sexual side effects, and I'm back to my usual happy, positive, and energetic self. I've had to increase the dose to 300 mg XL four times daily, still felt the blues and lack of concentration on 150 four times a day. Doing great! No extreme side effects. Ringing in ears stopped, love the decrease in appetite, and am now able to, and desiring to, exercise, so the weight loss is a plus. Occasional nausea, but able to deal with it. I love feeling back to my old self; highly recommend!"

• hop...
• May 23, 2010

For Depression "I have taken Paxil, Effexor, and Lexapro. These drugs helped but left me feeling like a zombie, had sexual side effects, and extreme night sweats. Because of these side effects, I always went off the prescription after a year or less. When I went off Effexor, I was energetic, worked out, and felt great. I thought if I could just maintain working out, I would be okay. Well, I slowly quit working out and got angrier and angrier. I tried to fight it for 3 years before I couldn't take it anymore. This time, the doctor put me on 150 mg Wellbutrin XL. I started feeling better within a couple of days. I did experience bad headaches and had an upset stomach for the first month. It was worth it. I have no side effects and feel 100% normal."