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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by vanessa33 on November 14, 2003, at 15:06:05
A medical doctor recently prescribed me wellbutrin to quit smoking. (This is a well-known side effect of wellbutrin. It's been shown to stop cigarette cravings, he says). It's sitting on my shelf, and I'm feeling uncertain. Since I have a little experience with psych meds, I'm feeling like starting a new one shouldn't be taken this lightly! He has prescribed it JUST because he wants me not to smoke. I'm aware that smoking is a terrible habit. But is it wise for someone with a history of needing psych meds and having panic attacks to start taking something like this just for that one purpose? His message was basically, "It'll be fine. Anything's better than smoking." But I'm not so sure. This is a time when I'm thinking of getting OFF psych meds completely. I hate to add a new one just because my doctor hates cigarettes. I'm not defending cigarettes! Just wondering whether this isn't a somewhat casual distribution of a psych drug.
Posted by vanessa33 on November 14, 2003, at 15:35:54
In reply to wellbutrin to quit smoking, posted by vanessa33 on November 14, 2003, at 15:06:05
Added comment: I haven't had a chance to ask my psych. doctor about this yet, cause I only seem him once in a while. This was just a medical exam in which the doctor, after learning I smoke, decided I should go on welbutrin. When I told him I'm already on Zoloft and have a history etc...he was unconcerned. Just wanted me to quit smoking.
Don't know what my psych doctor will say. In the past, he's said that as a medical doctor, he advises me to quit because of lung cancer etc. But as a pyschiatrist, he says, he has no opinion about tobacco and prefers to stay out of it. Says smoking is "complicated" from a psychiatric standpoint and best left up to the patient.
Not sure what to do! The medical doctor was adhement.
Posted by sac on November 14, 2003, at 16:12:22
In reply to wellbutrin to quit smoking, posted by vanessa33 on November 14, 2003, at 15:06:05
Yes, the ingredient in Wellbutrin(bupropion) is marketed also as "Zyban" to quit smoking. My sister had great success quitting smoking taking Wellbutrin 150 2x day and she still remains on the drug because she says she feels better on it. As for me, I am Bipolar II and on Prozac, Depakote, Lamictal and low dose of Wellbutrin (50 mgs. ) I find it to be very stimulating and I'm not so sure that will help you if you are anxious. Everyone is different though. Some doctors prescribe 150 mgs. 2 x day right off the bat which for me sent me into a rageful, aggressive state. It is supposed to work very well to reduce the cravings for cigarettes though just proceed cautiously. Just some thoughts, Good Luck.
Posted by dandelion on November 14, 2003, at 16:27:02
In reply to wellbutrin to quit smoking, posted by vanessa33 on November 14, 2003, at 15:06:05
> A medical doctor recently prescribed me wellbutrin to quit smoking. (This is a well-known side effect of wellbutrin. It's been shown to stop cigarette cravings, he says). It's sitting on my shelf, and I'm feeling uncertain.
Hi....My psy. MD prescribed Wellbutrin XR (recently changed to XL) about 2 months ago, in hopes of decreasing these fits of rage I'd been experiencing. Currently, i'm taking 300 mg. I must say that I have not noticed that much of a change in regards to my mood (perhaps less apt to anger so easily), but I can sincerely say, that this is the first time EVER, I have had virtually no cravings/temptations to smoke. About a month ago, I suddenly realized that I hadn't smoked - and I didn't want to! I have smoked for 7 years, so I'm not just the casual smoker. Did your MD also tell you that Wellbutrin is exactly the same medication as Zyban, a drug that is prescribed for smoking cessation? The FDA marketed the two with different names, though they share the same active ingredient (Bupropion), because they are indicated for different purposes. Also, some insurance companies will cover for Wellbutrin prescribed for depression (or so they think), but not Zyban. I would definitely talk about this with your psy MD however. All of your MDs should always be aware of any medication changes, or additions. hope this helped a bit!
p.s. never take Wellbutrin and Zyban together. This will lead to an increased dose of Bupropion, which can be very dangerous.
Posted by vanessa33 on November 14, 2003, at 19:11:33
In reply to Re: wellbutrin to quit smoking » vanessa33, posted by dandelion on November 14, 2003, at 16:27:02
Thank you both for your responses! I appreciate it. Sounds like you agree that taking Welbutrin shouldn't be too much of a giant undertaking? (That's what I'm afraid of - trading tobacco for something that'll interfere with my psychological progress .... which is something I care even more about, I must say.)
Maybe if I try it, I'll know pretty quickly whether it causes panic attacks and I can quit immediately, before quitting becomes a big deal.
I'm scared of panic attacks because way-back-when, before a doctor found zoloft was right for me, someone prescribed me Paxil. Which was DISASTROUS for someone prone to panic attacks! It caused one almost immediately - the worst I'd ever had. And then another the very next day.
So I've been cautious of the "speeding up" type of antidepressants ever since.
I would like to quit smoking, I guess - but not at the expense of my mental health!
Posted by wondering on November 15, 2003, at 9:34:44
In reply to Re: wellbutrin to quit smoking, posted by vanessa33 on November 14, 2003, at 19:11:33
I struggled to quit smoking for years. Hated it, but just couldn't stop. Zyban/Wellbutrin + Nicotine patch made it possible. I had tried the patch alone, hypnotherapy, cold turkey, many techniques. It was not until the combination of Zyban + patch that I was able to quit. It was a challenge, but very manageable – surprisingly so.
I think finally quitting smoking was about the best thing I've ever done for myself. (I started at 13 and smoked for 27 years -- with several serious efforts to quit over the last 10 years.)
I would think that the stimulant effect of nicotine might actually be contributing to problems for you -- or masking problems. A couple years after quitting, I was diagnosed with ADHD, inattentive type. I think all those years of smoking, I was "self-medicating" for the ADD.
The course of Zyban for quitting is limited. Seven to ten weeks usually. Once you are off both cigarettes and Zyban, you may find that you feel a lot better. When I quit, I felt physically better immediately. And feeling healthier, I started exercising and taking care of myself in other ways. I think smoking takes a lot out of you (at least that was my experience, but I smoked A LOT).
Some people do have a negative reaction to Wellbutrin. My sister was prescribed it for depression and did not like how she felt on it at all. I, on the other hand, didn’t notice much effect, aside from the fact I was able to make it through day after day without smoking. I tended to wake a bit earlier, feeling more ready to start the day, but that side effect I liked.
Even if you are not scheduled to see him (or her) for some time, you may want to give you psych. doctor a ring to check in before starting. If you have a negative reaction, I think you’ll know it pretty quickly, and can stop. In that case, you might want to try quitting with the Patch alone.
Posted by vanessa33 on November 15, 2003, at 12:04:05
In reply to Re: wellbutrin to quit smoking, posted by wondering on November 15, 2003, at 9:34:44
Thank you for your comments, Wondering! That was very helpful.
Actually, the doctor who prescribed the welbutrin said NOT to go on the patch. He said he's quite sure I'll "sneak cigarettes" (How's that for a vote of confidence? :) But he's probably right!) And he says that sneaking cigarettes is VERY bad for you while on the patch.
He says smoking while on welbutrin, however, is fine. So he recommended simply taking the pills, continuing to smoke, and letting the cravings decrease to where I'm smoking a little less each day, and finally, not at all. But he said, "Don't do the patch. Cause I know you'll smoke while you're on it and that's BAD."
Interestingly - in case others find this interesting - he also said there are different "kinds" of smokers and that I'm the kind who will do better with welbutrin-quitting than patch-quitting. He says some people are very, very addicted specifically to the nicotine. And for them, the patch is best. But others like me, are more addicted to 'the idea of smoking', and for them, welbutrin is more effective than the patch. Just thought that was interesting!
Thank you all for your remarks. I'm starting to look at those pills differently and thinking I might give it a shot.
Has anyone else quit on welbutrin?
Posted by shadows721 on November 15, 2003, at 15:31:51
In reply to Re: wellbutrin to quit smoking, posted by vanessa33 on November 15, 2003, at 12:04:05
I just started Wellbutrin to help counteract the side effects from Lexapro (sleepiness, sexual problems, and weight gain). I have noticed that I have a tremor now. Have any of you had this? If so, how long will this last? I am hoping this is temporary.
Posted by dandelion on November 16, 2003, at 8:12:32
In reply to Re: wellbutrin to quit smoking, posted by shadows721 on November 15, 2003, at 15:31:51
I never noticed any tremor when i started on Wellbutrin, but i did have that side effect when i began taking Effexor, which was about 10 months ago. My psy increased the Effexor very gradually. but as it increased, i began noticing my hands trembling. It wasn't out of control ( i mean, i could hold a pen, drink a cup of coffee, etc), and generally i was able to tolerate it. It disappeared completely within a few weeks. I think overall, you should be confident that the tremor will subside. I work as a social worker with chemically dependent/mentally ill adults (ironically enough), and one of my clients did have a very severe tremor, to where it was even difficult for him to sign his name. However, he was on a plethora of meds, and had suffered this effect for a number of years. I'd say if it really bothers you, and doesn't go away in a few weeks, to contact your psy MD. Good luck!
Posted by linkadge on November 16, 2003, at 10:51:09
In reply to Re: wellbutrin to quit smoking » shadows721, posted by dandelion on November 16, 2003, at 8:12:32
A freind jestfully told me once, that the absolute
best thing to kick the habbit was cocaine :)Linkadge
Posted by vanessa33 on November 18, 2003, at 11:28:06
In reply to cocaine is best for smoking cesation :), posted by linkadge on November 16, 2003, at 10:51:09
That's very cute, Linkadge! :-) Nothing like a sense of humor to cure almost anything.
Posted by ditzypixy on November 18, 2003, at 14:58:46
In reply to Re: cocaine is best for smoking cesation :), posted by vanessa33 on November 18, 2003, at 11:28:06
trazodone is what to get off your shrink if you ever melt your head on coke.
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