Wellbutrin SR and Headaches: What Users Say

• rou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2014

For Depression "I have been on bupropion for a month. I have lost the sadness, obsessive dark thoughts, and have more energy and fewer aches and pains. I felt a little weird taking it at first (mild headache, taste in my mouth) but those have gone. This is great stuff, and I feel hopeful and focused. I am not snappy and withdrawn from my spouse."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2013

For Depression "I am only on my 3rd day with Wellbutrin SR (150mg once a day for now) but I really feel good about this medicine already! I'm brand new to antidepressants but had been on Lexapro for 2 weeks prior to getting the Wellbutrin prescription, and I really did not like the Lexapro. With it, I had been having a headache every day, tense muscles, felt emotionally numb, was tired all the time, couldn't focus, and absolutely could not reach orgasm even having sex every day (which was extremely frustrating). Since switching 3 days ago, I have had more energy, more ability to focus, I feel happier about life as a whole, and I have been really productive with school work (I'm a college student). I also have noticed that I'm not feeling as hungry. Good feels."

• Mka...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2019

For Depression "So, over the last year, I had noticed my anxiety has spiraled out of control, and I was beginning to feel depressed a lot. My doctor suggested Wellbutrin SR 150 mg for about 2 weeks, then I moved up to 300 mg. I’m totally impressed, I have no depression whatsoever since the first day I began Wellbutrin, and I went from getting headaches every day due to TMJ to very rarely having a headache. I still have some anxiety, so we’re working on taking care of that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2016

For Depression "I just wanted to say that I had a lot of these negative symptoms when I was on the generic 'Bupropion' (headaches, vivid nightmares) but after switching to the 'name brand only' I no longer had those horrible side effects. It's hard to tell in these reviews which people are taking the generic version (which was horrific) and who is reviewing the actual Wellbutrin SR. The name brand worked so much better!"

• Hap...
• September 2, 2010

For Panic Disorder "I started taking Wellbutrin SR about 2 weeks ago and I am already noticing a difference. I had a lot of anger, frustration, stress, and small panic attacks with uncontrollable crying. Now, since I have been taking it, I am much calmer and I am able to determine what is worth worrying about and what is not. I could not do that before. The crying has stopped, and I no longer feel stressed or angry. The only side effect I have is a mild headache, a little insomnia, and extreme thirst. Those I can deal with versus what I was dealing with. I am definitely going to keep taking it."

• Lor...
• November 5, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was taking 300mg every day, the generic for years, along with Xanax for anxiety. My doctor upped the dosage to 450mg every day. I just got the name brand and it's completely different! My life has new meaning, the generic is not half as good. I no longer need the Xanax and have no problems going out or living my life now. This medication (name brand Wellbutrin) should be available to anyone that needs it. The generic is horrible, loaded with side effects: shaking, headache, nausea, and extreme bouts of anxiety that do not occur with the name brand! I am shocked the generic for this medication is permitted to masquerade as the equivalent is not even close!"

• Sad...
• December 10, 2015

For Depression "I started taking it about 3 weeks ago at the 150 mg dose for depression. The first week I felt very little change, but that was actually a plus as many antidepressants I have tried have made me feel physically terrible and mentally kind of... sketchy? But with Wellbutrin, I only had minor headaches when smoking (not surprising considering its original use was as a cessation aid) and some very vivid dreams. At this point, I am really starting to feel a change; random weeping has gone down to once this past week rather than every damn day; I’m starting to feel hopeful about the future again, showing more interest in my past hobbies, and feeling grateful. The only downside is it has really increased my acne, so I had to step up my skincare game."

• Itl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2015

For Depression "I've been on Wellbutrin SR 150 mg for depression and anxiety. I was very hesitant to try another medication after negative experiences with other meds. I knew, however, that I needed more help than therapy alone, so I decided to give WB a try. Initially, I had some insomnia, nausea, headaches, and severe light sensitivity. However, these effects passed and were mild compared to how much better I felt. Within 4 weeks, I had more energy, felt less anxious, and the depression started to lift. I felt focused, peaceful, and content. All was well until about two months ago when some anxiety resurfaced (exams). The doctor tried to increase the dosage, but the side effects were terrible. So I remain on 150 mg, but still feel much better than my pre-WB days."

• par...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 29, 2020

For Depression "I was prescribed Wellbutrin SR as a boost for my regular antidepressant (I have seasonal affective disorder), since I am at the top end of the dosing and didn't feel comfortable increasing. Overall, excellent medication. I don't notice many side effects, and it has helped to increase my energy/mood enough to make it bearable during the winter months. If I miss a dose, I get a headache, which does grow into a migraine if left unchecked."

• sun...
• May 24, 2017

For Depression "The Wellbutrin XL gave me severe constipation and headaches, but the SR is working well. I have only been on it for 2 weeks and I notice an improvement in my moods, daily sleepiness, and it has NOT decreased my sex drive. Prozac worked well for me also, but it just killed the sex drive, and at my age, that wasn't acceptable. (38). I feel myself eating less, and hopefully, it may lead to a few pounds weight loss."

• iss...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am bipolar and have been on Lamictal for 5 years, but I was still having issues with depression, so my doctor suggested Wellbutrin SR. The first 3 weeks I was on it, I wasn't impressed and thought about discontinuing it. I was spacey and had horrible headaches. But I'm so glad I gave it a chance. Started to feel less depressed after a month of taking it, and I'm in my 4th month, and I still have my moments, but overall my outlook on life is much more positive. I also hoped it would help me quit smoking and lose weight. Only the latter happened, but still quitting smoking is pretty awesome. I've tried so many things to quit, and nothing helped until this. I'm still not at 100%, but still a big improvement. I totally recommend this."

• Tor...
• October 11, 2016

For Depression "I started taking this medication last week. I started suffering from depression when my marriage began to fall apart! I was trying for years to be there for my husband as he returned from a deployment suffering from severe PTSD! Right now I can say my opinion on this medication differs. One day I'm fine and can get through my day calm, other days I have severe anxiety and I'm freaking out, or I'm so tired with headaches that I just want to be alone and sleep all day! A big concern, even though I shouldn't be complaining about, is losing weight. In a week I have already dropped 5 pounds! I feel as if I should give this more time to balance me out! I'm only on 150 mg once a day."

• epi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2016

For Depression "I took Wellbutrin 150 mg once a day, alongside Zoloft (200 mg) and Atenolol (50 mg). The Wellbutrin worked well for the first four days, but then I suddenly began to plummet. Instead of feeling energized like everyone else in these reviews, I began to feel restless, drowsy, and dizzy. Even worse, I noticed my blood pressure was going up. By the third week of taking this medication, my head was pulsing, I had a couple of bad headaches, diarrhea, and nausea. I could not take the side effects anymore because I was experiencing almost every negative side effect. If you are sensitive to caffeine, this drug may not be for you. It felt similar to caffeine, which I am sensitive to."

• LAJ...
• June 2, 2011

For Depression "I've only taken Wellbutrin SR for a couple of days, and I've had a light headache, but I've been able to focus and concentrate, and I'm so happy that I've been productive too! If headache is the only thing I have to deal with, I'll keep taking it."

• wor...
• September 4, 2009

For Depression "Wellbutrin is the only antidepressant that has worked for me. I've tried 7 other kinds, and all made me worse. Wellbutrin's initial side effects were mild, mainly headache and nausea. But I noticed I was happier and more worry-free after a few weeks. I have to admit that this medicine made my appetite worse. I know it's sometimes prescribed to help with obesity, but it made me gain weight. If you are a smoker, be careful because it will make you sick if you smoke, which is why I was able to quit smoking."

• Kat...
• August 8, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been taking Wellbutrin for a month and only seen a slight improvement. I see the MD in the AM and going to ask for an increase in dosage. Currently, I take 75 mg once a day. I am sensitive to medications, and the MD wanted to start low and go slow. Hopefully, with the increase, it will help out. I rated it 7 because the only side effect that I experienced was a headache."