Is the correlation true?

refinnej:

What correlation would that be?

-Bean

I heard that it can cause weight loss.

refinnej:

WB can contribute to weight loss. For many, it has. That wasn't the case for me, though. But to be fair, I also take 5 other meds. With such a big cocktail, it's tough to say which drugs have done what in regards to weight.

All I can say is that WB is known for it's low SEs and for weight loss. As with any med, check with your doc. S/He'd know best.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

-Bean

Hi 'refinnej',

Good idea to always check with your doctor with these kinds of questions. But at this time bupropion is considered weight neutral. However personal experiences go both ways, some report weight loss, some report weight gain. Which hold with the general statement that everyone is different and may react differently to the same medication.

In the meantime, there are some new studies going on about this subject. It is being compared to some of the more typical weight loss drugs. There are some indications that are favorable. Another resource for an answer here would be to google bupropion and weight loss, there are a few articles dealing with the current research into this subject.

BE Peace and BE Love.... wayne

For me, yes. I take 300 mgs/daily. I no longer crave sweets daily like I used to. I also do not have the urge to over-eat like I used to. I have lost about 10 lbs in 2 months. I also credit the weight loss to Wellbutrin giving me "the energy" to want to work out.

Hi QueenofCorona! Have you been on WB300 for 2 mos? Are you taking IR SR Or XL?
Cheryl

I started out about the first part of June on 150 mg of XL then within two weeks gradually moved up to the 300 mg. I recommend taking it in the morning.

Queen of Corona:

Just wanted to stress what you've already said. WB should be taken as early in the morning as possible. Doing so will help lessen its negative effect on sleep.



-Bean

How did you "gradually" move up to the 300mg? Did you use IR at lower doses plus your 150XL? Do you suffer from anxiety at the higher dose or just when you changed the dosage? I've only been on WB for 16 days (6 only at 150XL) and appetite suppression has occured a bit during the day but the evening munchies still attack. No libido change as yet either. Could be the Mirtazapine and Lexapro I take are still dominating the neurochemical pool! That's why I'm thinking I may need to try the 300XL eventually. I'll probably do a full 2-mos on the 150XL to make sure I give this lower dose a full chance to do its thing.

Chinkes:

As you already know, 16 days is too soon to tell what, if any, SEs you'll have. Some appear gradually over time. Plus you still have the other meds in your system. WB is known to have low sexual SEs. Hopefully this will be the case for you. As for appetite, everyone I know on WB but me has lost a few pounds. But like I said before, I've always taken WB in combination with other meds. It's hard to single one out to blame. lol

Please keep us posted, esp. when you do increase your dosage.



-Bean

My doctor OK'd me to start taking 300 mg after about two weeks of the 150 mgs with no major side effects. My anxiety is actually alleviated with the Wellbutrin, although I think my heart beats a bit faster. I don't get the panicky, shakey, nervousness in social situations like I used to. I would hang in there a bit longer, I know with other meds I've tried in the past I had to give it a good two months before I felt any effect. Have you been excercising at all? That definitly helped me.

i started taking budeprion sr 150mgs. my doc never mentioned raising my dosage? Is that required to get a good result from the medication?

Many people get good results from 150mg, and might find 300mg to be "too intense" for them. Other people, like me, need 300mg to feel the benefits. We are all so unique. Give the 150mg at least a month. If you tolerate it well, and don't feel enough of an effect, you can always try 300mg.

Thanks Bean. I'm not thinking of increasing anytime soon; just getting feedback from people with GAD and curious how the higher dose affects them. It's good to know some of the SEs appear gradually over time. I'm hoping I'm one of the lucky ones that gets all the benefit from the 150mgs. Cheryl

Good advice. I will wait a good month, maybe two before considering the leap. I remember all too well, how month after month on Lexapro I continued to see improvement in mood, pain relief, anxiety relief, so I know it pays off to wait before asking for an increase. Thanks. Cheryl

I am sure that Sub meant to include "with your doctor's OK".

Peace and Love.... wayne

My doctor OK'd me to start taking 300 mg after about two weeks of the 150 mgs with no major side effects. My anxiety is actually alleviated with the Wellbutrin, although I think my heart beats a bit faster. I don't get the panicky, shakey, nervousness in social situations like I used to. I would hang in there a bit longer, I know with other meds I've tried in the past I had to give it a good two months before I felt any effect. Have you been excercising at all? That definitly helped me.
[/quote]

Northern Light, thanks for the response. I'm encouraged to hear that at the 300mg dose you don't have increased anxiety and in fact you experience the opposite. I will be sticking with this lower dosage to see what it does for me. At day 20, I haven't experienced any se's at all in several days. It almost feels like I'm not taking anything. Guess I'm tolerating it very well. Yes, I do exercise. I agree it helps... the body and mind. Cheryl

I sure did.

Sometimes I forget that, thinking it's a given, but I really need to include it every time.

i lost double-digit weight on wellbutrin. its a wonder ad.

I've been on WB for just over 2 months, currently taking 150mg SR and have not exprienced any real change in weight yet. However, I do notice that it allows me to stick to my diet plan easier since I don't have such intense cravings for fattening foods anymore. I've also been trying to add in some more exercise, so it would be nice to see some results eventually. I must admit that I was hoping for a more dramatic affect on my appetitie and weight, since I have a lot of weight to lose. The good news is that it's not making me gain weight, which was a huge problem for me when I took Lexapro. I wonder if these folks that are losing weight on WB are taking a higher dose?
Flippingout, if you're still reading this thread, what dosage are/were you at that helped you lose so much weight?

i am taking 300mg/day, for the past 6 months. it has helped dull down my cravings, so soda and snacks have been eliminated from my diet. i am finding that i am eating healthier. i also try to get good exercise.

flipping out:

Good for you! If only WB had the effect on me. lol

-Bean

LA, i was wondering the same thing as u, i've been on 150sr but only for a short while so far. How is it affecting u in other ways besides the weight? Is it working is what i'm asking i guess.

Hi FirstLast, I've been on 150mg for about five weeks now and was taking 75 for about a month before that. Just these last few weeks I've really noticed a major improvmenet in my emotions and mood. I'm so much more stable now and circumstances that would normally stress me out to tears just don't seem to bother me as much anymore. It's been a life saver so far! Now, if only that weight loss SE would kick in, lol!

I hear ya! I'm waiting for it, too. It's been 6 years. Any day now... *crosses fingers*

That's great to hear LA, thx for replying. I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed for the weight loss too!!

During the first week, I took Wellbutrin 200mg a day with some old pills, and it really lowered my appetite. Then I went off it for a few days, tried a different brand, went to 300mg, and my appetite decrease at all - I ate normal. I wish the former effect would have stayed.

Wellbutriner:

Do you mean that the WB you took were older pills? Or that you mixed the WB with some other pills?

If the older pills were indeed the WB, were they name brand or generic? Were the new pills the same?

Just trying to understand.

-Bean

Ok, I know I'm a little late posting on this one but it can't hurt...

I have noticed a moderate increase in my appetite after taking WB and I have gained 8 lbs in 2 months. I especially crave sweets. So even though alot of people lose weight on WB I wouldn't expect it.

I know that when I first started taking WB my appetite decreased and I actually didn't crave sweets. Its been about 3 months now since I've been on WB and that side effect has definitly subsided. Oh well, it does what its suppose to do otherwise and thats what counts.

I managed to gain weight on Wellbutrin, but I am on other meds that can increase weight. Just shows that we are all individuals and react to meds differently.

I had an appt with my doctor today and she informed me that I've lost 20 lbs from when I began WB in early June. I must stress that WB has given me the go power to work out and workout I do. I excercise my behind off. My appetite came back after a couple weeks on WB or maybe I was more hungry having started working out again. I dunno. At any rate, everyones body is different and I wouldn't say take this in hopes to lose weight alone.

I am on Day Four of Wellbutrin XL 150mg. As I write this, I have just downed an entire milk chocolate bar and a box of vanilla almond cluster cereal (dry). I have little appetite during the day, but after dinner, look out. I hope I lose weight, but I will not lose it eating like this! LOL. I take Restoril for insomnia, but I took it three hours ago and I am still wide awake. I guess the Wellbutrin is still messing with my brain receptors. The Restoril normally knocks me out cold in about 20 minutes.

KC

Been on WB150 XL for six weeks and 75mg for two weeks before that. I'm on a half-dose of Lexapro (5mg) for about 2 weeks. I've not had any increase in anxiety or panic so I'm about to dump Lexapro and see how I do. My doc told me to stop lex and take WB300XL when I felt no symptoms (SEs). Lexapro se's of weight gain, dead libido and laziness are pushing me to this decision. I just hope my GAD doesn't return with this experiment. As for weight gain, I've lost a pound and that wasn't easy. I can't truthfully say I feel anything with the WB; we'll see what happens as I increase it. I still take Remeron primarily for sleep, so that doesn't help matters, but I won't give it up. To the girl that lost 20 pounds. NOT FAIR!!! I'm happy for you, but jealous. I only need/want to drop 10 vanity pounds; something's gotta give. Cheryl

Hey Northern Lights! Congrats on the 20lb loss, that's great (assuming you had the lbs to lose). I notice that the WB is also helping me to work out more and work out harder. It's awesome really, I can't wait to start seeing some real results. It doesn't help a whole lot with my appetitie, but at least it doesn't make me gain weight.

I really have been so impressed that I don't have food on my mind all the time as I am 100 pds overweight and have been eating emotionally for a long time. Add more stress = I add more food (normally). Granted, this is only my 5th day (I think?) on WB - but I am not thinking of food all the time! Yeah! I am not sure if it is because WB is helping me to deal with life therefore I don't NEED to eat to deal with it or because it is suppressing appetite? Not sure, but feeling good about it and ready to tackle the weight problem before it affects my health. I already have pain in my feet (ALOT), pain in my knees and back and diabetes runs heavily in the family. I'm just so glad that I finally have the attitude that I really believe that I CAN get to a healthy weight. Hope it continues.

BTW, I'm on XL 150.

Does anyone else think that the weight loss that sometimes happens on WB might just be from getting your head in a better place?

I do find it...strange, I guess that is the right word how I am with this medication at times. I have been an overeater most of my life and now I almost have to make myself eat sometimes. For example, I came home for lunch today and warmed up leftover spaghetti and it just doesn't sound good...I don't want to eat it. Nothing sounds good, I'm not hungry. I know I'll be hungry later though so I'm sitting here think I should eat something, but the thought of putting food in my mouth just is not appealing right now. This is odd for me.

I am currently on Lexapro (20mgs) and am thinking of talking to my doctor about adding Wellbutrin to help with the complete lack of motivation and the fatigue I get. I also have problems with anxiety (which the lexapro helps with) and I am wondering if the Wellbutrin will still increase my anxiety although I am taking Lexapro? Or will I just have to try it and see? Anyone else here taking both and having anxiety problems?
I would really love to have the energy and motivation to stick to my diet and workout plan...I am currently "obese" and I really need to get my weight down, not only for my own health, but also because my fiance and I plan on having kids in a couple of years, and I want to be as healthy as possible before becoming pregnant.
Thanks for any insight anyone can provide!

This post has been edited by Poogles213: Oct 17 2007, 09:09 AM

I was on Wellbutrin for a few months about a year and a half ago. I lost a small amount of weight... maybe 5 pounds, but I didn't have much to lose. However, when I went off of the Wellbutrin, I gained about 10 pounds really fast