Wellbutrin XL for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

• san...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 26, 2014

"I started taking Wellbutrin XL 150mg once a day for the first two weeks, back in November. At first, I noticed a slight change in my mood. The doctor bumped me up to 300mg once a day. I have gotten a lot better now, not depressed, angry, sad all the time. Also, before I started taking this, I was having awful anxiety attacks to the point where I'd black out and wake up vomiting. I was losing a ton of weight because I was so depressed I had no appetite. Although I haven't experienced weight gain with this medication, I still don't have much of an appetite but I have gone back to my normal weight. Drinking while taking this makes the alcohol affect you a lot quicker than usual, also causes me to black out 98% of the time."

• Rln...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2023

"I was on bupropion for 12 weeks, and I was experiencing fatigue, GI issues, and headaches. My doctor suggested I try Wellbutrin XL name brand to see if it would make a difference and gave me samples to try. Immediately, the side effects went away, and I had tons of energy. However, my insurance would not approve for me to take name brand even after a PA. So, I am forced to go back to generic, or I have to switch medications all because of insurance bureaucracy. So, my doctor is putting me on a medication that is similar to Wellbutrin that is newer and just came out. Insurance should approve it. However, this costs more than the Wellbutrin name brand. So, long story short, generic is not the same as name brand."

• Lal...
• June 4, 2014

"Added this on along with my Cymbalta 60mg & Abilify 1mg. Took 150mg per day for 2 weeks until I realized I had major suicidal thoughts and ideation. Just out of nowhere. Immediately discontinued and felt better in 2-3 days. Beware of sudden mood changes please! The only good thing about this medicine is that it absolutely kills your appetite- lost 13lbs in 2 weeks. Not worth dying over though- sanity before vanity!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2013

"I have been taking 300 mg for a few weeks now, and I have to say this medication has definitely improved my quality of life. Such a big change from when I was trying Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, etc. Wellbutrin XL helps control my gloominess, anxiety, and even my appetite. I am more motivated to do things during the day. The biggest side effect for me right now is that I am more snappy and aggressive when I get angry, hopefully that will subside."

• Hap...
• December 8, 2017

"So I've been on it for about a month and a half. I've had severe depression for a long time now. I was in a relationship I just couldn't step away from. After this medication, I realized that I am better than that. I found the source of all my depression. I am going to leave him and start my life without him. I deserve better. Also, I am really different, it seems to help with my anger issues as well. Things that used to just piss me off no longer bother me anymore. It's really nice to enjoy things other than my bedroom."

• Hel...
• April 30, 2016

"Today was the first day I have had to take this medicine. I have already experienced dry mouth and not really caring to eat. I am only 20 years old. I've made a lot of dramatic changes in my life in the past month and I've dealt with depression for a while but was honestly scared to admit it. I have read many reviews and I am nervous about it, but at the same time, I'm pretty happy to see the positive reviews. I'm wanting to feel happy like I should and do things I want to do without worrying about what thought will ruin my plans for that day. Prayers would be appreciated while I get used to being on this and start learning if it's for me or not."

• Haz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2015

"I have been on the generic version of Wellbutrin XL since July 1, 2015. It took about a week for me to notice any change, but it was definitely for the better. I started to feel like my old self again: happy, fun, energetic, and social. Every once in a while I still have a bad day, but it's much more manageable now. I haven't experienced any negative side effects and have actually lost 30 lbs since I started taking it. Overall, I am doing much better now that I am on Wellbutrin."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2021

"I've tried almost every other selective reuptake inhibitor and a few different tricyclic antidepressants for moderate depression and severe anxiety. This Wellbutrin XL is the first one that hasn't increased my anxiety and has actually helped. Currently on 450 mg extended release."

• Klo...
• January 16, 2016

"I've been on this for about 6 weeks. So far it's working for depression. Much better than Zoloft was for me. With the Zoloft, I had no emotions. I was a drone just going through day to day. With Wellbutrin I'm not depressed (or at least not nearly as much), and I can actually feel joy again. Also, the weight loss is a plus. The cons to this medication is sometimes I have Cottonmouth, once in a while my hands shake (though this hasn't happened recently, could have just been when my body was adjusting. And it wasn't frequent), and I really have no appetite for breakfast or lunch (I need to force down my breakfast, and I'm just not hungry at lunch). I'm going to continue this medication for a while."

• Sno...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2012

"After a couple of years of trying to cope on my own with PTSD, the symptoms became overwhelming, so I sought help. How glad I am that I did. Wellbutrin has been amazing for me. For some lucky people, it takes effect very quickly, and that was the case for me: within three days, my profound sadness and paralyzing pervasive sense of despair was gone, replaced by a cheerful, calm outlook. I was stunned by the radical change! Suddenly, I had energy, was able to again face daily challenges, and once again look forward each night to the next day. I haven't felt like this in years! The old me is back! Side effects - nightmares & tremor in arms - were minimal & only during 1st week."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2015

"I was skeptical of both this medicine and the depression diagnosis, but I had to try something to break the cycle of low motivation and anxiety. I've only been on 150mg for three days, and the change has been incredible! My writing muse is back, and I've gotten fantastic feedback from my new job. I hope it stays this way!"

• Anonymous
• November 19, 2012

"I felt very little positive effect when I was on 150 SR for two months. After I switched to XL 300, I noticed a change. I have been taking this for about two months. All I can say is HANG IN THERE! For me, the side effects were awful, and it took so long to start feeling better. But now I do! I feel like myself again-I don't feel blissfully happy, and I still get down at times, but I feel like a normal human being. This quite literally saved my life."

• Anonymous
• February 23, 2012

"It's only day 2 and I swear I already feel more like myself. I don't even think it could be from a placebo effect...because I actually went to bed last night and woke up in the morning (this hasn't happened in years)! I used to wake up 4-5 times a night. I also woke up BEFORE my alarm and with energy! I regained my sex drive. I also feel more positive throughout the day, with less drops in energy. I am excited to see the effects as I continue this medication even longer. I tried for so long to battle my depression without meds, but feeling like myself again now has made me wish I did it sooner. I feel that I can be more productive & that my focus is better. Try it..there's no point in struggling so hard to feel normal, life is short!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2012

"I have been on some form of SSRI medication for 14 years. My last experience was with Zoloft. I was on it for a year and it made me eat too much, smoke too much, and I wanted to sleep all the time. I gained about 10 lbs on it. After doing some research, I told my Dr. I wanted to try Wellbutrin. I've been on it for three weeks, I quit smoking, have lost weight, and feel like the energizer bunny. I am more focused as well. I'm actually feeling emotions. Looking back, Zoloft made me feel like a zombie. Wellbutrin is a miracle for me, I feel like myself again. Just wished I tried it years ago."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2015

"I was afraid to take Wellbutrin at first, but my anxiety and emotions were out of control so I decided to give it a try. This is my first antidepressant med, and on day one, I noticed a feeling of calmness. I had no emotional upsets. Now I am on day 4 and I haven't cried at all. I sometimes find myself dazing off in space though with nothing on my mind. I sleep through the night and my appetite is back. I drink plenty of water throughout the day. I went to get a pedicure, and my legs were shaky for some reason. But overall, so far so good, I feel a lot better and looking forward to brighter days!"

• PBa...
• January 6, 2020

"I was hesitant to take Wellbutrin due to the negative side effects I read about, and I have never been on any sort of antidepressant before. The first week was not good and had a lot of side effects, the worst being a headache, ear pressure/pain, and flu-like symptoms. Has it helped? I’m definitely not as weepy and a little more optimistic, but it has not helped my anxiety much. I do have more energy. I still cry at times, but not as long or much, and I still have all my range of emotions and get annoyed with my family and worry about everything. I was hoping to lose some weight or for it to help increase my sex drive, but nope, no positive side effects for me. I guess I was expecting Wellbutrin to do much more, but maybe my dose is too low or I need more time. I am not prepared to deal with further side effects of a med increase, but I guess I will just have to take it day by day and see what it brings. Just not sure about it yet and hoping for more."

• Jon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2012

"Wellbutrin XL has so far been a miracle pill for me. I was always in a deep cloud of depression, and my mind was always so 'foggy'. I could never focus or think properly, and I was always too depressed to even get off the couch and do a load of laundry. I started on 150mg for a few weeks, then moved up to 300mg. Now I am loving life again, things that had no appeal before are amazing again. I've also lost a ton of weight while taking this, probably because I'm more active. I have also had some slight constipation (not bad at all, only slight at times), not to mention an increased sex drive. It seems I can be in the mood 5 times a day. The wife can't handle all that extra 'me' time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2018

"On my second day of taking Wellbutrin 150, I woke up and went to the gym. I had not been in 12 months. I also called my best friend, whom I have been avoiding for 12 months. I had been in a very dark space where I wanted to be just alone. I had sex with my husband twice in one week, and that hadn't happened in a while. Now I don't scream at him and my children, but I don’t talk much like I used to before depression (but I think that’s better than screaming at everyone). I don't take things to heart, and I listen and smile. I don't have to talk if it’s unnecessary. I’m happy to function, but my doctor added Topamax, saying they work well together and a sleeping tab I take when necessary."

• mom...
• April 9, 2018

"I wanted to share my experience with Wellbutrin XL, as reading the reviews in this forum helped me to decide whether to try it or not. I've been on 30 mg of Lexapro for several years. I recently experienced a personal setback, and the Lexapro was no longer helping. I was afraid of the side effects of Wellbutrin but decided to try it anyway. I started out on a half of a 150 mg tablet. I already had high anxiety, and this medicine did make it worse in the beginning. There were days when I thought I can't take this another day. I took 75 mg for about 2 weeks and then upped the dosage to 150 mg and cut the Lexapro down to 25 mg. By doing this, I felt so much better. Today, I feel about 75% better. I will eventually move up to 300 mg. The side effects I experienced were nervousness, anxiety, and a minor loss of appetite. I hope this helps, as reading several of these reviews was extremely helpful in making my decision when I was searching for a medicine to try. Best of luck to all of you!"

• spe...
• February 16, 2014

"I was on the generic for a while, unfortunately all of them didn't help. I switched over to the brand name 6 days ago and am experiencing fewer side effects so far and just feeling better overall. There is a big difference for me. I was able to find that the manufacturer has a program where the most you pay is $50 a month. I was lucky, they called my insurance and my copay is zero. There is definitely something going on with this, and I am sure the manufacturer of the brand name is reimbursing the insurance companies somehow. Either way, my opinion: no generic for any Wellbutrin."

• lex...
• February 16, 2014

"I have been using Wellbutrin XL for less than a month. The only side effects I have experienced are headaches and adverse reactions to alcohol. My depression is better, and I have more energy. I am a lot more irritable though, which is not part of my personality. The reaction to alcohol sucks because I am a social drinker: Wine gives a metallic taste in my mouth, beer causes headaches within an hour, and liquor leads to nausea and feeling the urge to vomit. I hope this goes away along with the headaches. I am scheduled for a follow-up with the doctor to discuss my progress. Maybe there is a recommendation for headaches. I forgot to mention that my appetite is more balanced, and my libido is back to normal. Both are positive!"

• Pur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2015

"BRAND NAME! I have been on this medication for a little over two weeks. I started off with generic 150 mg XL to 300 mg XL after a week. My insurance covers the generic for $5, but I've heard awful stories about it and ordered the brand name via the Internet for $50. Huge difference! I don't have the anxiety I had on generic, clammy hands constantly, fear, and it really didn't do much. The brand name is energetic, calming, focused, more self-motivated, and leads away from negative behaviors. This is my first day on the brand name, and I was compelled to tell my story and the difference. You can get the brand name through the Wellbutrin guarantee prescription online. Rated 9 because I am fully alert and still awake."

• ilo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2014

"This medication worked wonders for me. It took a while (3 weeks maybe) for it to fully set in, and I went from suicidal thoughts and self-harm attempts to actually being able to function in society. Wonderful antidepressant, no side effects, except that it is easier to become angry because this medication quickens emotional reaction time. I was put on Lamictal and Klonopin to help my anger and anxiety/paranoia/panic attacks that came with my depression, and they have both been wonderful. I do not have any complaint except the anger issue. I will occasionally have a breakdown and have only self-harmed twice since starting this medication. Would recommend to anyone suffering from depression."

• isk...
• September 18, 2016

"My depression is more work-related as I'm a happy camper when I don't have to work, but I get nasty and temperamental at work. Also, I wanted to quit smoking. I take the generic brand since I'm VA, so I have no choice, but it works fine! I am much easier to get along with at work, I have quit smoking (YAY!!), and I have zero side effects. Some may say I'm sleeping more than usual, but I'm OK with that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 28, 2015

"I had a great experience with this antidepressant. I am 18, and I've been on it for four years. I forgot to take it today for the first time in years. I've been crying and shaking all day because my body doesn't know how to function without it. Needless to say, I need it to get through everyday life. It's worked so well for so long. I can't see myself getting off of it anytime soon."