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  Nov 15 2005, 06:13 PM
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Admin Team
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QUOTE Bupropion Brand Name: Wellbutrin Overview Wellbutrin is the brand name for Bupropion, a type of antidepressant (aminoketone class) that also acts as a stimulant. Wellbutrin raises the amounts of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to more normal levels. Wellbutrin's effects can usually be felt in one to four weeks. Why is this drug prescribed? Wellbutrin is used to treat: 1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 2. Major depression 3. Bipolar disorder (depressive phase) 4. Chronic fatigue syndrome 5. Cocaine craving 6. Lower back pain Bupropion is also used to help people stop smoking. When it is prescribed for this reason, it is marketed under the brand name Zyban, which contains a different dosage of Bupropion than drugs used to treat mental disorders, and is prescribed differently. Warnings and Precautions The safety and effects of Wellbutrin in children under 18 years old are not known. Wellbutrin causes significant weight loss (more than 5 pounds) in 28% of people who take it. It should be not be used when such weight loss might be dangerous to the patient. Wellbutrin may impair coordination or mental abilities: patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery until it is known that Wellbutrin does not affect the ability to safely engage in such activities. For Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Wellbutrin's effects during pregnancy are not well understood; Wellbutrin is not recommended for pregnant women. Wellbutrin does pass into breast milk and could cause a serious reaction in the infant; women should not breast-feed while ta king this medication. Contraindications Bupropion should Not be used for people with the following medical conditions: 1. a history of seizures (such as epilepsy) or of brain damage - Wellbutrin can lower the seizure threshold, especially with high doses 2. a history of anorexia or bulimia - risk of seizures is increased in these individuals Precautions Wellbutrin may be used with caution in people with the following conditions: 1. weight loss associated with depression - Wellbutrin often causes weight loss 2. liver or kidney disease - dosage may need to be reduced 3. patients over 60 - lower doses are used 4. bipolar disorder - Wellbutrin may cause a rapid swing to the manic phase 5. addicted to narcotics, cocaine, stimulants, or using over-the-counter stimulants or diet pills - risk of seizures is increased 6. diabetes - risk of seizures is greater in individuals taking insulin or oral diabetes medication. Adverse Reactions Bupropion may cause the following reactions: 1. weight loss 2. decreased appetite 3. restlessness 4. agitation 5. insomnia 6. anxiety 7. constipation 8. dry mouth 9. diarrhea 10. dizziness 11. nausea / vomiting 12. headache 13. increased libido 14. skin problems 15. tremors 16. excessive sweating 17. hypomania 18. seizures 19. ringing in the ears 20. decreased white blood cell count Interactions with Drugs and Other Substances Drugs or substances that may interact with Bupropion include: 1. MAO Inhibitors (within 14 days) - can increase bupropion levels and lead to drug toxicity 2. alcohol - risk of seizures may be increased 3. marijuana - when used with Wellbutrin has been known to induce psychotic behavior 4. major tranquilizers such as thorazine 5. antidepressants or anti-psychotics such as Clozaril, Dilantan, Haldol, Maprotiline, Phenobarbital, Prozac, Tagamet, and Tegretol 6. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) - increases risk of seizures 7. Carbamazepine - may increase the effects of Carbamazepine and increases risk of seizures 8. Levodopa - may increase the effects of Levodopa, and increases the risk of seizures 9. Cimetidine - may increase bupropion's effects 10. Clozapine, Fluoxetine, Haloperidol, Lithium, Loxapine, Molindone, Thioxanthenes, and Trazodone - increase the risk of seizures 1 11. All Phenothiazines - increases the risk of seizures 12. Phenytoin - may increase the effects of Phenytoin, and increases the risk of seizures Sources http://www.health-center.com/db/PageReq?SessionID=2972&TopicID=406&PageID=2152&Action=view http://www.psyweb.com/Drughtm/buprop.htmlhttp://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/WEL1488.HTM
Someone in Chat last night seemed to need some more information and a tad more reassurance. 
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
~Lindsay
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~Lindsay, Forum Super Administrator, Founder   Hotlines
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May 8 2006, 09:23 AM
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Newbie
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I have been on Wellbutrin for about a year now. I lost a lot of weight, maybe, about 20-25 pounds (I was very slightly overweight). I didn't exercise, I didnt' do anything special. My appetite decreased though. Now I'm back to my 10-years-ago weight.
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Apr 24 2007, 11:50 AM
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Newbie
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QUOTE(econ @ May 8 2006, 09:23 AM)  I have been on Wellbutrin for about a year now. I lost a lot of weight, maybe, about 20-25 pounds (I was very slightly overweight). I didn't exercise, I didnt' do anything special. My appetite decreased though. Now I'm back to my 10-years-ago weight. Boy, wouldn't that be nice... Although to be back to my 10 years ago weight I would have to be 125 lbs. I was naturally skeletal. I'd certainly be happy losing 20-25 lbs, though. That would put me almost at my goal weight.
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Jul 21 2007, 06:04 PM
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Junior Member
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10. Clozapine, Fluoxetine, Haloperidol, Lithium, Loxapine, Molindone, Thioxanthenes, and Trazodone - increase the risk of seizures
Hmmm, my pdoc has prescribed trazadone to help me sleep and he also prescribes my Wellbutrin. I rarely take the Trazadone because I don't think it really helps much, but I found this statement about not mixing it with Wellbutrin to be interesting.
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Jul 21 2007, 08:14 PM
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Group: Platinum Member
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From: Chicago
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QUOTE(LA_Woman @ Jul 21 2007, 06:04 PM) 10. Clozapine, Fluoxetine, Haloperidol, Lithium, Loxapine, Molindone, Thioxanthenes, and Trazodone - increase the risk of seizures
Hmmm, my pdoc has prescribed trazadone to help me sleep and he also prescribes my Wellbutrin. I rarely take the Trazadone because I don't think it really helps much, but I found this statement about not mixing it with Wellbutrin to be interesting. LA Woman: Call your doc and bring this to his/her attention. You think your doc or even the pharmacist would have caught this. Or at least pointed out the potential risks. Definitely call you doc. Please let me know what he/she says. I'm very interested in this. -Bean PS It's probably a good thing that you rarely take the trazadone.
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Jul 24 2007, 08:16 PM
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Just Registered
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Joined: 28-May 07
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QUOTE(Beanchop99 @ Jul 21 2007, 08:14 PM) QUOTE(LA_Woman @ Jul 21 2007, 06:04 PM) 10. Clozapine, Fluoxetine, Haloperidol, Lithium, Loxapine, Molindone, Thioxanthenes, and Trazodone - increase the risk of seizures
Hmmm, my pdoc has prescribed trazadone to help me sleep and he also prescribes my Wellbutrin. I rarely take the Trazadone because I don't think it really helps much, but I found this statement about not mixing it with Wellbutrin to be interesting. LA Woman: Call your doc and bring this to his/her attention. You think your doc or even the pharmacist would have caught this. Or at least pointed out the potential risks. Definitely call you doc. Please let me know what he/she says. I'm very interested in this. -Bean PS It's probably a good thing that you rarely take the trazadone. This is very interesting to me as well. I've been on WB for about 12 weeks, and seems to be working, but my sleep has gotten very poor. I was forced to switch docs, and the new one (who knows I'm on WB) just prescribed Trazodone. I took it too nights at 50mg, but it seemed to make my sleep worse. Almost as though my blood pressure went super high (had the problem in the past). I think I'll stay off it until I have the chance to discuss this with him.
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Aug 3 2007, 09:28 PM
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Junior Member
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QUOTE(liveweyerd @ Aug 1 2007, 06:09 PM) Thank you, I am also prescribed trazadone but at a low dosage 50mg or 100mg, according to how I am sleeping.
Trazadone as an AD is prescribed median of 300 mg up to 600mg. Liveweyerd, that's the same dose I have. I'm not even convinced that it helps me sleep yet, but I do keep it around just in case.
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Oct 25 2007, 11:55 PM
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Just Registered
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From: South Africa
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Wow, thanks for posting all the info!!! I do understand it better now, just hoping it will do the trick! Anyone else want to share their experience on Wellbutrin?
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Oct 27 2007, 08:56 PM
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Just Registered
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QUOTE (myrainbow @ Oct 25 2007, 12:59 PM) Bupropion is also used to help people stop smoking. When it is prescribed for this reason, it is marketed under the brand name Zyban, which contains a different dosage of Bupropion than drugs used to treat mental disorders, and is prescribed differentlydont ike that, my WB is zyban 300mg. scared now   Hiya rainbow, Zyban and Wellbutrin SR/Wellbutrin XR are one and the same. Only difference is their marketing stradegy. good luck to you 
This post has been edited by zippo: Oct 27 2007, 08:58 PM
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Oct 28 2007, 02:43 AM
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Newbie
Group: Newbie
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Joined: 10-July 07
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That stuff made me mean, angry, irritable & I kept Biting my Lip it wasn't fun and didn't do anything to make me want to quit smoking.  MMM smoke
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Oct 28 2007, 02:45 AM
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Newbie
Group: Newbie
Posts: 15
Joined: 10-July 07
Member No.: 17,458
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QUOTE (LA_Woman @ Aug 3 2007, 09:28 PM) QUOTE (liveweyerd @ Aug 1 2007, 06:09 PM) Thank you, I am also prescribed trazadone but at a low dosage 50mg or 100mg, according to how I am sleeping.
Trazadone as an AD is prescribed median of 300 mg up to 600mg. Liveweyerd, that's the same dose I have. I'm not even convinced that it helps me sleep yet, but I do keep it around just in case. Isn't Trazadone Addictive?
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Nov 6 2007, 08:37 PM
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Newbie
Group: Newbie
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Joined: 6-November 07
From: MA, USA
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I've been on Bupropion for a few years now. I started taking it during my divorce. It seemed like it was working okay but recently (the past 6 months or so) I've been getting depressed more often. I have a lot of money problems and open issues from the divorce so I'm not sure if that's tied into it as well. I take 150mg daily but my dr. had prescribed 300mg. I didn't want to be really dependent on it and was afraid of moving up to 300. There have been a few times where I've noticed that my depression is getting worse and I've upped it to 300 for a few days with good results. I guess I'm wondering if I should be staying at the 300? My dr. had said that if the 150 was working not to mess with it. I've noticed some posts on anxiety and weight loss and I'm prone to both.
Any feedback or personal experience anyone is willing to share is welcome!
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The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn't matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark.
- Barbara Hall, Northern Exposure, Rosebud, 1993
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Feb 19 2008, 01:58 PM
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Junior Member
Group: Junior Member
Posts: 130
Joined: 18-February 08
From: South Africa
Member No.: 22,830
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QUOTE (MovingForward @ Nov 6 2007, 09:37 PM) I've been on Bupropion for a few years now. I started taking it during my divorce. It seemed like it was working okay but recently (the past 6 months or so) I've been getting depressed more often. I have a lot of money problems and open issues from the divorce so I'm not sure if that's tied into it as well. I take 150mg daily but my dr. had prescribed 300mg. I didn't want to be really dependent on it and was afraid of moving up to 300. There have been a few times where I've noticed that my depression is getting worse and I've upped it to 300 for a few days with good results. I guess I'm wondering if I should be staying at the 300? My dr. had said that if the 150 was working not to mess with it. I've noticed some posts on anxiety and weight loss and I'm prone to both.
Any feedback or personal experience anyone is willing to share is welcome! Hi there, I dont think you should take a different dosage every now and again. Keep it at the 300mg that was suggested by your Dr. I was also adverse to taking Anti Dep. but see it like this: If you suffer from cancer or say heart problems, we gladly take the correct medication every day like clock work, but if the there is a chemical imbalance in our brains we baulk at the very idea of taking any pills for it! Keep with the program I say. A divorce is hell on earth and it would be great if you can find a good therapist to help in conjunction with the WB. Hang in there and take the prescribed dosage, life does not end with divorce. In fact the exciting part now starts! Its a brand new life out there!
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Depression Forums - A Depression & Mental Health Community Support Group > DEPRESSION & ANXIETY MEDICATIONS - LOOKING FOR ANSWERS > Wellbutrin® - (also marketed as Zyban® & Bupropion)
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I don't take it very often, since I think it sometimes keeps me up rather than helping me sleep, so I guess I won't worry about it for now. Maybe I'll ask the pharmacist next time I'm there, just for fun.
