Hey everyone,

I might be starting on Wellbutrin XL soon, 150mg to start. I can't take it yet until my pharmacist can get in contact with the on-call psych who prescribed it for me, because he wants to make sure the psych knows I have epilepsy (apparantly Wellbutrin is bad for those with seizure disorders!)

But the reason for my post is that I'm wondering for those of you with Bipolar who have taken Wellbutrin in the past, or currently, what side effects did you have? Were the results of this medication positive, or negative? Perhaps my biggest question would be, since two of the three antidepressants I've taken in the past have caused me to go manic, could Wellbutrin cause this as well? Any responses would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

I take 300mg wellbutrin xl. I've had no problems with it. It can be very activating though, so watch for mania.

I take 150 mg every morning. It's the best antidepressant I've been on and i've been on many....i think if i took a higher dose I could see how I could go manic, but I take tons of other stabilizers to keep me steady.

Good Luck!

[Larfu]

300mg every day for me. I take it in the morning because it's somewhat activating for most people, and has a chance of keeping you up at night. I can't think of any side-effects really... your sex drive might accelerate. Mine did.

[blueoctober]

I've done well on wellbutrin with a mood stabilizer. I'm on 300 mg in the fall/winter and will have it reduced to 150mg in the Spring/Summer. I've had no side effects from it. I hope it works for you.

[sugahorse1]

I'm on 150mg. It is VERY activating for me, and I battle to sleep. But it has been a great AD for me-I had really bad, suicidal depression, and this has helped me. I did go through a hypomanic phase at first, but am now a lot better-bar circumstantial stress

[yagalada]

it was awful for me, at the starting dose I was constantly agitated, angry and throwing things (that's not really my demeanor at all). I had to get off of it immediately.

[sugahorse1]

I am anxious and do battle with irritability, but I'm no longer depressed. That's worth a LOT to me

[Omers]

I am Dx depression not bipolar but am on it. I was fine at 150mg & 300mg but pdoc and I think I started having seizures at 450mmg. It does lower the seizure threshold. I am back to 150mg and zyprexa and doing OK. I did not have other side effects.

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by Omers

I am Dx depression not bipolar but am on it. I was fine at 150mg & 300mg but pdoc and I think I started having seizures at 450mmg.

The max suggested dose is 300mg, so that may be why you had issues at 450mg.

[katertot]

I took 450 for a while and was hypomanic. I would have gone all out without the geodon i'm on. I'm on 300 now and it works well. I do take it in the mornings, as well, since it really gets me going. It has suppressed my appetite quite a lot, but it helps sexually, so it has its ups and downs.

[spunkygirl]

I take 300mg a day. It works fine without any side effects for me. I am sure it depends on the individual and other meds taken with it.

[Lucieko]

I tried Wellbutrin twice and both times I got really vivid hallucinations on it. That's obviously a very rare side effect but just wanted to tell you my experience. Hope it turns out to be a good medicine for you!

[Martina]

I just started on Wellbutrin about a month ago. So far I really like it. It brought me out of a deep pit of depression and gave me a lot of energy and the motivation to get out of bed every morning and go to work or get up early and exercise.

But then they all decided I had too much energy....and that I was maybe going manic. So they upped the dose of my anipsychotic and now I'm a zombie again.