Wellbutrin SR and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• tah...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 29, 2014

For Depression "I was taking this for depression for about 3 years, and it was a miracle for me. I stopped taking it when I lost my insurance for about a year. The result was a weight gain of 20 lbs and severe depression again. I've been taking it now for about a year, and the result is that I'm happy again. I lost 30 lbs and experienced an increased libido. I've never taken any other antidepressant besides Wellbutrin SR."

• Jok...
• September 3, 2017

For Depression "Dopamine and norepinephrine are two major brain chemicals in the feelings of romantic love. Serotonin (key in SSRI) actually suppresses dopamine and inhibits feelings. This dopamine and norepinephrine (a stimulant) reuptake inhibitor can help and DRIVE without sexual side effects, weight gain, and apathy caused by SSRIs. Often prescribed with an SSRI to counteract side effects of it. Also, it is reported to have few side effects (unless you suffer from a seizure disorder that is). I recommend this over an SSRI or in addition to one."

• bec...
• October 24, 2009

For Depression "I have tried several other medicines and all they did was cause a large weight gain, about 45 lbs. So I suggested to my doctor about Wellbutrin SR and I have since lost the weight and have kept it off. So I'm now a happy and thinner woman."

• Son...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 14, 2020

For Depression "Wellbutrin 150 SR 2x daily was prescribed for me for severe anxiety and mild depression. This medication is great for energy, but I am so short-tempered and I get negative intrusive thoughts. I like the energy it gives me, and I don’t feel spaced out like on some antidepressants, but I’m debating going back on Effexor 75 mg. It is better for anxiety and irritability. I’ve gained 10 lbs, but I think it’s from the COVID lockdown stress eating, so I won’t blame it on the Wellbutrin. I would recommend Wellbutrin for people with lethargy, but not with anxiety disorders."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2018

"I'm a teenage girl living with depression, anxiety, and sensory processing disorder. Previous to Wellbutrin, I was taking Abilify for close to 5 years. I gained over 120 pounds on Abilify within that time and kept growing until I switched to Wellbutrin. One thing I found detrimental was that even though Abilify made me happy, I still had trouble with SPD (sensory processing disorder), anxiety, and weight gain, which was in its own way making me worse mentally. So far, it's been about a month and I've lost almost 10 kilos. 2 in the first week! I don't have the obsessive eating I had with Abilify, nor do most of my SPD triggers bother me as much anymore. It's amazing. I wish I knew about it sooner."

• D-0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2015

For Depression "I've been on the generic version of Wellbutrin SR 100 mg once a day a little over a week. Added to supplement my 20 mg Prozac twice a day and 0.5 Klonopin twice a day. I've been on the Prozac and Klonopin for over a year, and it began to be not as effective. I began to feel very depressed along with my anxiety, also, I've gained about 20 lbs, so my psychiatrist prescribed 100 mg Wellbutrin SR once a day in the morning to help. So far, I've noticed I'm extremely tired about 1 hour after taking it, so tired even my strongest cup of coffee can't keep me awake. I know Prozac and Klonopin can have this as a side effect, but my body is well adjusted to that now, those side effects are long gone. I've noticed better focus and reduced appetite, so now I will just wait."

• Coa...
• July 6, 2015

For Depression "I've been on Wellbutrin for 2 weeks, and I don't really feel any better. I notice weight gain and more irritability than usual. I've read that I must be patient and continue taking it, and I should see improvement after about a month. I took this years ago, and it was the reason I was able to quit smoking. My wife called it the happy pill because she saw a big difference in my mood. So far, it's not having the same effect it did 15 years ago. I do like that I am not having any other side effects. My sex drive is still good, and I think my anxiety has improved somewhat. I'm on 100 mg a day, and I take it first thing in the morning."

• 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."

• Txm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2015

For Depression "I started this after talking to my doctor about how I was scared to gain weight with an antidepressant (I gained 15 pounds on Zoloft). This medicine made me feel crazy! I took it for 2 weeks, and every day I felt like there was a brick on my eyes/head. I felt like I was going to have a seizure any moment (no, I've never had one, I just felt like I was going to). I was sensitive to light and couldn't see when I was driving at night. It was awful!!! I'm on Prozac now and seem to be doing ok :)"