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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Stephania on June 4, 2001, at 21:39:21
Hi all.
What is the difference of the SR vs the imediate release? Are there different sides? How does a pdoc chose which is a good choice?
Be well all. It has been a rough ajustment period! I am hanging on by a thread. My agitation is so bad:(
Steph
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 4, 2001, at 22:24:11
In reply to Wellbutrin. Sustained Release vs Imediate, posted by Stephania on June 4, 2001, at 21:39:21
The only difference is that SR is taken 2 times a day, whearas the regular version is taken 3 times a day. But their efficacy in depression is similar.
You may have some success with SR in relieving agitation.
Posted by Sunnely on June 4, 2001, at 23:43:34
In reply to Wellbutrin. Sustained Release vs Imediate, posted by Stephania on June 4, 2001, at 21:39:21
Hi Steph,
The main difference, IMHO, between Wellbutrin SR (sustained release) and Wellbutrin IR (immediate release) is in the degree of their peaks in blood concentrations. In contrast to the IR, the SR formulation avoids the rapid and high peaks in blood concentrations therefore, decreasing the risk of seizures.
In the early days of bupropion (Wellbutrin) when episodes of seizures were commonly reported, it was determined that the rapid and high peaks in blood concentrations were correlated with the occurence of seizures. Wellbutrin appears to reach its peak blood concentrations in 2-4 hours, the same period of time that seizures reportedly commonly occurred. As a result, Wellbutrin SR, with lesser high blood peak concentrations, was formulated. To further minimize the risk of seizures, it is recommended that Wellbutrin doses be taken at least 6-8 hours apart, and that each single dose of Wellbutrin be no more than 150 mg., which BTW, recommendations not always heeded by prescribers. (For example, for someone on Wellbutrin SR at 450 mg/day, will need to take this dose in 3 divided doses of 150 mg each single dose, at least 6-8 hours apart, such as 150 mg at 8:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 8:00 pm.) Of course, Wellbutrin is contraindicated in people with history of seizure or eating disorders because of their risk for seizures.
Not much difference in side effect profile between IR and SR formulation although the SR may be more gentle to your stomach. Based on the concerns described above, it will be clinically prudent for a doctor to prescribe the SR rather than the IR formulation.
On a final note, Wellbutrin SR is also Zyban (for smoking cessation) and therefore, should not be taken together, again, due to seizure concerns.
****************************
> Hi all.
>
> What is the difference of the SR vs the imediate release? Are there different sides? How does a pdoc chose which is a good choice?
>
> Be well all. It has been a rough ajustment period! I am hanging on by a thread. My agitation is so bad:(
>
> Steph
Posted by SLS on June 5, 2001, at 8:11:44
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin. Sustained Release vs Imediate » Stephania, posted by Sunnely on June 4, 2001, at 23:43:34
Hi.
> > What is the difference of the SR vs the imediate release? Are there different sides? How does a pdoc chose which is a good choice?> The main difference, IMHO, between Wellbutrin SR (sustained release) and Wellbutrin IR (immediate release) is in the degree of their peaks in blood concentrations. In contrast to the IR, the SR formulation avoids the rapid and high peaks in blood concentrations therefore, decreasing the risk of seizures.
I know someone who describes that the SR version actually feels different and better than the IR. It is almost as if they are different drugs. I have also seen the same sort of thing described about the patch version of selegiline feeling different and superior to the oral preparation. The differences described are global, and not limited to diurnal spiking or ebb and flow of effect. I wonder if the same thing is observed with the two preparations of Effexor.
- Scott
Posted by terra miller on June 5, 2001, at 14:47:46
In reply to Wellbutrin. Sustained Release vs Imediate, posted by Stephania on June 4, 2001, at 21:39:21
> Hi all.
>
> What is the difference of the SR vs the imediate release? Are there different sides? How does a pdoc chose which is a good choice?
Hi,Theoretically, I think the SR version is probably better because it is supposed to make it so that the drug is more spread out. I think the side effects with the SR version are supposed to not be as hard as with the IR version.
With the IR version, however, you are able to take less if that is where your body is at. The IR version comes in 75mg and 100mg tabs, whereas the SR version doesn't come in the 75mg tabs.
With the IR, you have to take it 3-4 times a day (depends on dosage, etc.) instead of twice a day with SR.
In my case, I seem to have a metabolism that just chews this stuff up. I started on SR and after 5 hours knew my body needed more. I was having really noticable peaks and lows on it. (I think my body must be backwards, because SR is supposed to help make it so that the peaks and lows aren't there!) So I switched to the IR version and take pills 4 times a day. It's more inconvenient for certain, but I don't have the peaks and lows like I did on the SR version. I also was able to start at a lower dose and work up more slowly since I'm taking 75mg tabs. In my body, the wellbutrin hits me hard and then slowly tapers off. So, taking the 75mg tabs means that I'm not hit so hard at first and taking it 4 times a day means remaining fairly level. That is just MY story however, and it seems to me to be so other than the norm that you probably just want to think of my case as one of those < 1% cases. I haven't heard of any others having to be so creative with their wellbutrin. *s*
terra
p.s. there's a great link to an RX site (Sal????... Sal knows where it is) and it tells you about both the IR and the SR version. The side effects are about the same, but slightly different. I found it helpful, since most people take SR and I'm on IR. Sal put this link up under "links of the day" or something like that, within this month.
Posted by Glenn Fagelson on June 5, 2001, at 21:12:44
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin. Sustained Release vs Imediate » Stephania, posted by terra miller on June 5, 2001, at 14:47:46
> > Hi all.
> >
> > What is the difference of the SR vs the imediate release? Are there different sides? How does a pdoc chose which is a good choice?Hi, I threw-up(vomited)when taking the
IR form of Wellbutrin, going on Wellbutrin
SR took care of that. And I did not
experience the nervousness that I felt
with the Wellbutrin IR.
Glenn
>
>
> Hi,
>
> Theoretically, I think the SR version is probably better because it is supposed to make it so that the drug is more spread out. I think the side effects with the SR version are supposed to not be as hard as with the IR version.
>
> With the IR version, however, you are able to take less if that is where your body is at. The IR version comes in 75mg and 100mg tabs, whereas the SR version doesn't come in the 75mg tabs.
>
> With the IR, you have to take it 3-4 times a day (depends on dosage, etc.) instead of twice a day with SR.
>
> In my case, I seem to have a metabolism that just chews this stuff up. I started on SR and after 5 hours knew my body needed more. I was having really noticable peaks and lows on it. (I think my body must be backwards, because SR is supposed to help make it so that the peaks and lows aren't there!) So I switched to the IR version and take pills 4 times a day. It's more inconvenient for certain, but I don't have the peaks and lows like I did on the SR version. I also was able to start at a lower dose and work up more slowly since I'm taking 75mg tabs. In my body, the wellbutrin hits me hard and then slowly tapers off. So, taking the 75mg tabs means that I'm not hit so hard at first and taking it 4 times a day means remaining fairly level. That is just MY story however, and it seems to me to be so other than the norm that you probably just want to think of my case as one of those < 1% cases. I haven't heard of any others having to be so creative with their wellbutrin. *s*
>
> terra
>
> p.s. there's a great link to an RX site (Sal????... Sal knows where it is) and it tells you about both the IR and the SR version. The side effects are about the same, but slightly different. I found it helpful, since most people take SR and I'm on IR. Sal put this link up under "links of the day" or something like that, within this month.
This is the end of the thread.
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