Posted by paxvox on July 30, 2001, at 13:00:14
In reply to Question about Wellbutrin chemistry, posted by Joe Schmoe on July 30, 2001, at 12:46:15
> I am wondering about something. I would like to decrease my Wellbutrin dosage (right now at 150 mg SR 2/day) but the instructions say not to slice the SR pills (I guess they lose their SR ability if cut open). I have not heard of an SR pill smaller than 150 mg either.
>
> I am wondering if the reason Wellbutrin SR is given twice a day is
>
Well.....Wellbutrin has a very LONG half life. There is a 100mg SR tablet available. NEVER cut a SR tab, as you will then get immediate release, and quite the start! You didn't mention how long you have been on WB. I have used 150 SR twice daily for about 3 years. It does take some getting used to, and there are dose-related problems. My doc tried to up me to 200mg SR twice daily, and I just can't deal with the chest pain either. I thought 150 SR X 2 worked well for me. My doc wasn't listening to me. I just had a low period due to some additional life stress. I only see the doc every 4 months for med refills (he's no Freudian). He jumped the gun this time. Also wanted me to use Depakote for sleep. NOOOOO!!!! I really didn't like that crap! (No, I'm not bipolar). The dosing of WB does have a lot to do with seizure risks, and 400 mg per day is the high end dosing according to my PDR. However, if you split dosing by at least 6-7 hours, you avoid too much, yet don't take second dose too close to bedtime (less insomnia). Overall, WB is a good med for mood lifting and AADH. The main side effects GENERALLY subside after a bit. But I am at the right dose at 150 x 2, that seems to be my tolerance level with the fewest untoward effects.
> a) to avoid seizures, or
>
> b) because it has a short half-life.
>
> In other words, would it be just as effective to take 150 mg once a day as it would to take 75 mg twice a day, assuming there was such a thing as a 75 mg SR tablet? I would like to reduce dosage due to these chest pains I am getting, but I suspect going to 150 once a day might not work very well if the drug has a short half-life.
poster:paxvox
thread:72525
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010725/msgs/72530.html