Wellbutrin XL and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2021

For Depression "I have been taking bupropion 150 XL for 10 days with some side effects, slight headache, poor sleep, and a weird feeling. I upped my dose on day 11 to 300 XL and have been on that for the last 2 days. I am pretty tired and feel slightly anxious, plus I have had minimal appetite since I started. I’m thinking about going back to 150 XL, as I was better able to handle it. Overall, I haven’t noticed any changes yet except the side effects from the medicine."

• Une...
• November 30, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "In January 2015, I was on Remeron 15 mg. By April 2015, I was at 45 mg Remeron. I felt normal and happy, but I gained 26 lbs. In September 2015, I was switched to Effexor 150 mg because of issues caused by the weight. By October, I was on 300 mg Effexor. Today is day two of 150 mg Wellbutrin. I am suffering headaches from going from Effexor to Wellbutrin. Tomorrow I increase to 300 mg Wellbutrin. I can say that day two on Wellbutrin, and I am not feeling as numb (unemotional) as I was two days ago. That's a positive. This is definitely a rollercoaster ride in trying to find the right meds to help with my major depressive disorder, anxiety/panic attacks, and insomnia. My only regret is that I didn't get help sooner. Instead, I suffered alone for years."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2022

For Depression "I went into this endeavor quite excited, knowing that there would be some compromises as always, and I was ready to trade. But this drug took away everything for itself. I was taking Zoloft and, upon me complaining about feeling well but not being motivated (probably I got used to SSRIs a little bit) to get my butt up and get stuff done, smoking 1.5 packs/day. Of course, to combat SSRI SD, we agreed on trying Welloft (Z 75mg - W 150mg). I've been taking Wellbutrin for exactly 20 days, and it's been a big disappointment. I definitely intend to take it for 2 months and know for sure if it's for me or not — not a day longer! Increased anxiety, aggression, appetite, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and short-term memory issues, worse depression, chest pain, headache. Severe climbing anxiety till it peaked at day 8, then I would have a bad one sporadically. I would consider myself almost impotent now. I remember Paxil days with a smile. Will update if anything changes at the 2-month mark."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2009

For Depression "This is the only medicine that worked for me in the last 12 years, but after 3 months of feeling normal again, it stopped working. The side effects that bothered me most were dry mouth and headaches. Tried it a second time and had severe headaches that nothing would relieve."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2009

For Depression "This is the only medicine that worked for me in the last 12 years, but after 3 months of feeling normal again, it stopped working. The side effects that bothered me most were dry mouth and headaches. Tried it a second time and had severe headaches that nothing would relieve."

• dad...
• May 31, 2010

For Depression "I'm 50 years old and got started on Wellbutrin XL (generic) about 14 days ago. Side effects are severe dry mouth and headache. I do feel somewhat better but am holding off still on giving rave reviews. Dry mouth is stronger during the night and then the headache comes in the morning. My morning suicidal thoughts have lessened, and I've noticed that I am whistling more, so I feel better, but I still have some lethargy."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2024

"I was initially prescribed Wellbutrin for ADHD and depression to hopefully address both conditions at once. Wellbutrin brought on intense headaches, waves of euphoric mania, and some irritability. After a month of 100 mg SR, the decision was made to bump me up to a 'clinically effective dose' of 150 mg/XL. That was brutal. I suffered some of the worst emotional instability I've experienced; the headaches kept coming and haven't stopped since stopping the drug. ADHD and depression aren't one size fits all conditions, nor are the drugs that help treat them. I was quite excited to start Wellbutrin at the suggestion of my psych, as I know several people who swear by it and have had nothing but good things to say. Ultimately, I was disappointed in what I had experienced while on it; but I can say that since stopping it, it was more effective than I had thought in addressing the ADHD."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2021

For Depression "Bottom line: 300 mg/day of the generic bupropion XL seems to really help. I've spent most of the past year fighting insomnia, depression, anxiety, and, worst of all, a debilitating fatigue that kept me lying in bed doing nothing for weeks on end. I think at one point the fatigue was caused by depression, then I suspect it was the side effect of 15 mg mirtazapine and/or 10 mg Lexapro, which I was also taking. I started with 100 mg of instant release bupropion, which seemed to help a bit, but eventually dropped Lexapro, cut the mirtazapine to 7.5 mg, and upped the bupropion XL to 300 mg. It seems to be doing the trick. I'm functional again. Only side effects: little dizziness, mild-to-moderate headache. I can live with those SEs to be functional again."

• Anonymous
• January 13, 2010

For Depression "I've only been taking Wellbutrin XL for about a month, but it works better than the other drugs I've tried. I'm still not 100%, maybe like 70% back to my old self. The side effects I have are dry mouth, ringing ears, and headaches. I haven't lost any weight like other people have said they have. I'm not that concerned with that part. I'm petite. I take 150 mg, and I'm 18."

• Cla...
• January 6, 2021

For Depression "I have been taking Wellbutrin for almost 4 weeks. I was advised by my therapist and OBGYN to take this for my sex drive and overall happiness. First 2 weeks - I had tons of side effects. Headaches, dry mouth, dizziness, stomach ache, lack of appetite, and insomnia. The lack of appetite did help me lose 5 lbs the first week, but I felt super sick anytime I didn't eat and had to force food down to feel better. I may have had a little more energy, though. Third week - started to feel better! Side effects lessened, and I had a sex drive for two days. Fourth week - feel terrible again. I have most of the side effects back except loss of appetite and insomnia. I am sleeping fine and probably gained all my weight back. And no sex drive. I am on my period, so I don't know if that is having an effect or not. I just don't know if I should keep at it or give up..."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2021

For Depression "I started Wellbutrin XL 150 mg a week ago for anxiety. I was fine for the first couple of days. I actually thought it might be working. By day three, I started to develop a bad headache and dizziness. On day four, I had muscle and joint aches. By day five, I was still experiencing all of these symptoms plus ringing in the ears and shortness of breath. Wellbutrin gradually increased my anxiety and led to a severe panic attack that almost landed me in the ER. My physician took me off the medicine right away and prescribed something else. Wellbutrin does seem to help others. It just wasn’t the right medicine for me. Everybody is different. Good luck in your search for wellness."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2022

For Depression "I started Bupropion in Jan 2022. I was diagnosed in 2007 with Bipolar II Disorder, but also have Depression, Anxiety, and ADHD. I have been on various antipsychotics and SSRI/SSNRI antidepressants for at least twenty years. My depression has always been problematic. I have achieved significant relief with my current medicine regimen, which is Sertraline 100 mg x1, Lamotrigine 250 mg x1, and Bupropion 450 mg daily. I titrated up Bupropion XL from 150 mg to 450 mg over the course of two weeks. Side effects first included severe constipation, headaches, stomach ache, and an increase in anxiety. After about two weeks, those side effects abated. When I upped it to 300 mg, I developed some leg restlessness (not Akathisia), which abated in about three days. When I titrated up to 450 mg, I developed diarrhea for three days. I am now on the 450s with no serious side effects. For me, the Bupropion only started working when I reached 450 mg. Although it has not been a game changer, I feel that it safely and effectively complements my other meds."

• Hey...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Worse medication ever. Dry mouth, headaches, nauseous, rashes on the skin. I'm still dealing with the rashes on my skin, they come and go."