I read a review on this site from someone who found that adding wellbutrin to venlafaxine was helpful. I've been extremely depressed, as in doing nothing, even activities that are extremely enjoyable to me. Years ago wellbutrin seemed to help me get up and go. effexor (also taken in the past, but not concurrently with wellbutrin) gave me some help with depression). I have been for some time now in a very nerve wracking home situation, and need to get better to help myself deal with that situation. I have panic disorder and anxiety disorder also.
Can I take Venlafaxine and Wellbutrin together? I have taken these drugs at different in the past?
Question posted by jlamar on 22 Oct 2014
Last updated on 6 September 2015 by hamp10anna
5 Answers
hamp10anna
7 Sep 2015
I take 300 of Effexor and 300 of Wellbutrin. I have major depressive disorder and generalized major anxiety disorder. I also take Klonopin for panic attacks. This combination has down wonders for me. I finally feel wonderful. Don't get me wrong life happens and the meds don't keep from having to deal with it. They do help my reaction so much. It's been an amazing Year!
Laurie214
25 Aug 2015
I have takenat least 2 Effexor (Venaflexine) 150 mg/daily for 13 years now. In the mid-2000s, my psychologist upped it to 3 and then 4 for a short time (several family deaths in 5 year period). It really helped with my mood, crying when watching some commercials, reading some books and even with hot flashes (my ob-gyn told me it was doing double duty. It doesn't completely wipe out the hot flashes, but it certainly helps a lot. Entered menopause early at 45). In 2014 either the drug company or the insurance company mandated that 2-150 mg be the max. This year, they lowered it to one. My doctor has to send a letter to the insurance company stating I need 3 before I can get another yearly prescription.
With that said, this summer my mood has been down, listless, poor sleep, no energy, so last week my doctor added 1-150 mg of Wellbutrin to my ever-growing list of meds. (he refused to up the Effexor dosage to 4/day). After just two days, I am already feeling more like myself. I even reduced the Effexor to just 2 today with experiencing no hot flashes at all today.
I am waiting for the anxiety to rise but really hope it doesn't! So far I love it.
I have recently read that Venaflexine can cause weight gain and Wellbutrin weight loss. I gained almost 35 pounds the first 7 years on Ven. but somehow lost 15 of that the last 6 years. I would love to lose another 15 just from taking Wellbutrin!!
alishakeffer
19 April 2015
I started taking wellbutrin 300 MG for depression and stop smoking. The anxiety attacks became life threatening. My dr switched me to effexor xr 75 MG and then increased to 150 mg. I was seeing improvement with anxiety but not depression and was having awful sexual side effects. She just recently put me on wellbutrin 200mg (100 mg twice a day) along with my 150 mg of effexor xr. We are hoping I get the good I received individually from each and they will negate the bad. The only other major side effect with effexor is extreme sweating. So we stay may be switching down the road. I find it odd I am extremely sleep after taking wellbutrin (Not really with effexor alone) but I am assuming is beginning side effect. Any good or bad with this combination??? I have dealt with depression and anxiety since my MST 15 years ago but just now seeking treatment.
chadlee
29 Jan 2015
Long story short because I have a big list of meds I have tried until ultimately finding the perfect cocktail. I have Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. My treatment was Venlafaxine 150mg a day and Klonopin 1mg 3 x a day. Couldn’t get the depression beat down completely tho but felt like I was on the right track. I had read about using Ritalin together with the Venlafaxine (also Wellbutrin works in place of the Ven) to give it that extra edge and possibly help get that extra bit of left over depression out of the picture. It’s a mix of meds that sort of fight each other and typically would not be prescribed together but, I talked my doc into trying it and it works perfectly. The Ritalin is 30 mg, LA every morning. All is well even after years now and no issues with building tolerances up yet either. I also have tried Venlafaxine 150, Wellbutrin 300 and Klonopin together and it works very well also.
Treatment works best when combined with at least a minimal amount of regular exercise and only moderate if not zero alcohol use. Did not raise blood pressure but it should be checked regularly if taking a combo like this.
evrclr29
23 Oct 2014
I am prescribed both. Wellbutrin may make you more anxious so you might need to up your effexor to make up for it.
Not exactly what you meqnt but, I used to take them both in the morning and then tried them both at night. I found that wellbutrin will typically give me energy and effexor will make me tired so I decided to take them separately.
jlamar
23 Oct 2014
thanks so much for your help..very much appreciated!
Yesterday I took my first Effexor, hoping for at least a bit of a lift out of the deep in which I exist... not long thereafter I became so nervous that it felt as though I'd jump out of my skin... never had a problem with that drug before... so now am afraid to take it! being that I'm pretty uptight today also, may just wait and try again tomorrow.
LouAnnP
24 Oct 2014
has your doc prescribed a benzo to help when you are very anxious?
jlamar
25 Oct 2014
Thanks for your response. Yes, I've been on "benzos" for years. Presently on .5mg of Klonipin X 4/day. This med seemed very helpful when first began.
I am subject to extreme psychological abuse in my marriage. Unfortunately, at the start of that abuse I thought it had to some crazy misunderstanding. After 7 years of extreme abuse, I feel helpless to extract myself. People
don't believe that this lovely man could possibly do "his thing". I'm in a constant state of either "red alert" trying to keep fighting to find a way or fix for the extreme stress... am 73 years old and now have physical problems that complicate everything. Thanks for listening!
LouAnnP
27 Oct 2014
in sorry for your situation. is there a counselor or pastor you can talk to. they may help you to work your way thru the matter and make the best decision. at least they could help you to cope in the best way. is there a family member you could live with? just a thought.
Related topics
wellbutrin, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, venlafaxine, major depressive disorder, anxiety and stress
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