Posted by Cam W. on December 7, 2000, at 15:30:40
In reply to Help with Wellbutrin please....., posted by Soraya on December 6, 2000, at 19:32:44
Soraya - What you are probably experiencing are the start-up side effects of Wellbutrin (bupropion). The increase in dose causes the effects you mention, but they usually go away after a couple of weeks of being on that dose. Your body just hasn't adjusted to the drug, yet.
When I started Wellbutrin, I had the same side effects. It was like someone had implanted a vibrator inside me. This eventually went away, but it took about a month.Many people, it seems, begin to feel good within the first week of starting Wellbutrin. This is probably a start-up side effect and is not a true antidepressant effect. It may have something to do with increasing dopamine levels in the body's pleasure center (ie nucleus accumbens). Many people think that the drug has stopped working when this initial mild euphoria disappears, when in fact the Wellbutrin is just beginning to work. As with any antidepressant, one should give it an adequate trial of at least 6 to 8 weeks.
Seizure risk with Wellbutrin is low at 300mg per day, unless you have predisposing factors (taking drugs that lower seizure threshold - TCAs, older antipsychotics, history of seizures, head injury, etc.).
What you could do is try taking a Wellbutrin every morning and one every second afternoon for a week, before increasing to twice daily. Ask your doctor about this (also tell him/her about the side effects - keeps you on the same page).
All antidepressants (or all drugs, for that matter) cause side effects. With antidepressants, the side effects begin to disappear within the first month and can usually be explained by the changes the antidepressant is producing in the mix of neurotransmitters and receptors in your body (adjusting the levels back to "normal").
Hope this helps - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:50095
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/50147.html