Genevieve - Larry fairly much covered the details. My clinical experience has been that seizures from Wellbutrin™ (bupropion) occur when one is taking another medication that lower seizure threshold (eg. Mellaril™ - thoridazine, and other older phenothiazine major tranquilizers). I have been personally involved in two cases, both of which I would never have guessed that there would have been a problem. Both people had no personal or family history of seizures.

In both cases, the people were taking low doses of seizure-lowering medication (25mg of Mellaril in one case and 50mg Largactil™ - chlorpromazine) in the other. I personally have never been involved in a case where these medications alone have caused seizures, although I have read of cases in which they have happened; although the medication doses were usually quite high.

I guess what I am trying to say is that before these incidents I was very complacent about seizure risk with Wellbutrin. Now, I am a little gun shy. The ultimate decision to take Wellbutrin rests with you. I am a little leery of the new doc saying that because he is prescribing Wellbutrin for a person who has an increased risk of seizures, therefore it should be safe for you. I try to avoid these blanket generalizations because I have been burned several times when I have made similar claims myself (not just with the Wellbutrin).

OTOH, it is difficult to not be able to use a medication that works for you. It is so hard to find a medication, or combination of medications, that allow one to live a reasonably productive, fulfilling life. If you do decide to restart the Wellbutrin, make sure that your doctor follows your progress carefully.

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam