[mossanimal]

Just wondering if any of the bipolar folks have reacted to Wellbutrin with anxiety. I started Wellbutrin (150mg.. my signature says 350 but that is wrong) because I went through a dangerous depression earlier this winter and have reacted disasterously to SSRI type anti-depressants in the past. It really seemed to be working for a while... but then I started having problems with a very big work project right around the time that we spent a crap load of money on a boat. We needed the money from this project so as not to deplete savings. Anyway.. that project came out swimmingly and a huge success... but the anxiety I was feeling just ain't leaving. I've had this ball of negative energy in my stomach for weeks now. I thought it was the stress... but I still have it and I should be stoked. My sleep dropped to like 5 hour on average during the period of that project.. and hasn't changed. In the past it seems like hypomania starts to kick in for me with the approach of spring... so I'm wondering if I should taper off the Wellbutrin for a bit. Any ideas?? My doctor didn't think that 150mg was a large enough dose to cause any negative reactions. Thoughts???

[bioChE]

Wellbutrin can definitely cause anxiety, regardless of the dose. If I were you I would drop it with or without your doc's approval, and see if it mitigates the anxiety.

Wellbutrin is very known for causing anxiety and I too have experienced it. Do you deal with anxiety when not on Wellbutrin? I have anxiety with it and without but the Wellbutrin increases my anxiety and heart rate for sure. It tapers down for me after a few weeks but it sounds like you've had an opposite reaction and it's gotten worse in time which is unfortunate. Wellbutrin has been the only drug which can consistently help my depression, but it does have draw backs and the increased anxiety is one of them. I get it even on a small dose like you are taking. Good luck.

[still_crazy]

hi. wellbutrin can be horrible for some people. Agitation, anxiety, hypomania...there are even case reports of straight up wellbutrin induced psychosis. I was on 400mgs/day and then dropped just because I've been simplifying my psych drug combination. Its...crazy. I'm suddenly calm, no sedatives required.

So, yeah. I'd drop the wellbutrin if I were you. there are other drugs for depression and mood you can try that might be better for you than this one.

[ghtyui]

Wellbutrin has many generic versions and some are better than others. Walgreens will carry one version and the grocery store will carry another so it pays to call around to check generic versions.
Unfortunately, frustratingly, it can take several months to get a drug, try it out and see how it's affecting you. It really helps to have a good doctor who will work with you and listen to you. You also need to educate yourself on your condition and the treatments out there. It seems daunting but the more you work on it the better it gets.

[bioChE]

I couldn't handle the generic versions of Wellbutrin. The only thing that worked for me was brand Wellbutrin XL.

[gina_re]

I've been on Wellbutrin SR for about a year and a half now and it worked great for me when it was prescribed. I find it to be somewhat activating because I no longer wanted to lay around on the couch or in bed all day anymore. I have had issues with anxiety recently. But if these anxiety symptoms are more recent, am I correct in assuming that I shouldn't attribute them to the Wellbutrin?

[mossanimal]

Thanks a lot everybody. I sure wish there wasn't this complication on the generic versus the real deal thing. I just looked at my bottle and it just says 'bupirion' or whatever. The pill is round, maroon and has sort of E symbol over the number 415 (hope that isn't mg!!). It is supposed to be an XL type.

Anyway... I sure thought it helped with depression and I wasn't getting this constant nervous feeling in the beginning .. maybe first couple of months? Other than helping with depression I noticed a big improvement in my impulsive behavior and volatility in minor personal disagreements, etc. I did have two days where I seemed to have a crazy rapid cycling. I woke up one morning practically crawling out of my skin, the need to run, etc.. great mood. But the next evening I blew up at my wife for no good reason and then the next day awful depression.... and then practically normal the next day. I've never cycled like that. Now I'm just constantly nervous and jittery.

I wonder if it has gotten worse due to going possibly into early stages of hypomania. My worst mania has always been in the spring.. and damned if it doesn't feel like spring here right now.. two months early.

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

Wellbutrin is very known for causing anxiety and I too have experienced it. Do you deal with anxiety when not on Wellbutrin? I have anxiety with it and without but the Wellbutrin increases my anxiety and heart rate for sure. It tapers down for me after a few weeks but it sounds like you've had an opposite reaction and it's gotten worse in time which is unfortunate. Wellbutrin has been the only drug which can consistently help my depression, but it does have draw backs and the increased anxiety is one of them. I get it even on a small dose like you are taking. Good luck.

No... I've never had this constant feeling of anxiety/nervousness.. except when appropriate. So... Okay. I better think about tapering maybe.

So one other question.. obviously I need to speak with my doctor.. but how is coming off Wellbutrin?

[mossanimal]

Well after I posted that I looked up 'constant nervous feeling in upper chest' and a bunch of anxiety links popped up. There was mention that the feeling is a built up of adrenalin and exercise eats it up. So.. I just went for a run. I've been skiing like crazy this winter but haven't run since last fall. Well.. I felt like I could go forever. And I do feel better now. Hmmm... I could turn this negative into a positive? If this helps me get back into the habit of regular exercise... then maybe I should just keep at it.

[Travelinglady]

I take Wellbutrin even though I've been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. While on it I have tapered down so much on Klonopin that my pdoc put me on a minimum amount of Xanax.

I guess different people have different reactions. Could it be other events in your life that also cause anxiety? I'm not one to vary much from what my pdoc says, but if you really think it's the Wellbutrin, then I guess you could do without it for a couple of days to see.

[Unrigged64072835]

When I was taking it Wellbutrin upped my anxiety, but it also got rid of my depression.

[Moose72]

I had anxiety on Wellbutrin at first but it went away soon.

Wellbutrin gave me horrible anxiety. But it's been a long time since I've taken it. I don't think I'll ever go on it tho. Too scared of the way it made me feel in the past. Luckily I can take srris. But snris give me anxiety.

I would taper off if I were you.

[mossanimal]

[Could it be other events in your life that also cause anxiety? I'm not one to vary much from what my pdoc says, but if you really think it's the Wellbutrin, then I guess you could do without it for a couple of days to see. [/quote]

Well that is the thing. I've been ignoring the anxiety because I was going through a very stressful period with work for a while. But that cleared up and actually became a huge success. But that feeling is still there.

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[gina_re]

Originally Posted by mossanimal

[Could it be other events in your life that also cause anxiety? I'm not one to vary much from what my pdoc says, but if you really think it's the Wellbutrin, then I guess you could do without it for a couple of days to see.

Well that is the thing. I've been ignoring the anxiety because I was going through a very stressful period with work for a while. But that cleared up and actually became a huge success. But that feeling is still there.

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[/QUOTE]

Me too! I still have some of the anxiety even though I was switched back to a role I was more comfortable with and productive in. But I've gone back into therapy to help because I can only do so much with the prescriptions. It started to lessen a bit, but I have so much more to do.

Important to know if you decide to taper off the wellbutrin -- the pills should NOT be split. Today's public service announcement.

Personal experience is that it is an AD I can actually handle. I've only taken SR form, which comes in 150 mg pills. I've had spells of being on it (2x/ day to make) 300 mg to pull me out of bad depressions, but mostly I'm at 150. When I've been on 300, I've sometimes gotten issues with agitation and irritability -- that's when I bring it down to the 150mg.(Oh, or none, but it's been quite awhile since that.)

Wellbutrin caused such bad anxiety I ended up in the hospital with a panic attack and suicidal thoughts.

[mossanimal]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

Important to know if you decide to taper off the wellbutrin -- the pills should NOT be split. Today's public service announcement.

Personal experience is that it is an AD I can actually handle. I've only taken SR form, which comes in 150 mg pills. I've had spells of being on it (2x/ day to make) 300 mg to pull me out of bad depressions, but mostly I'm at 150. When I've been on 300, I've sometimes gotten issues with agitation and irritability -- that's when I bring it down to the 150mg.(Oh, or none, but it's been quite awhile since that.)

Well my plan was to start splitting the pills. :-) Why should you not???

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[bioChE]

Originally Posted by mossanimal

Well my plan was to start splitting the pills. :-) Why should you not???

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It depends on which type of pills you have, and their method of time release (if any). If you have immediate release, it doesn't matter, split away. If you have the type that have a hard capsule around them, don't split as you'll defeat the time release mechanism. If you have a different type then read up on the formulation and educate yourself on how the time release works. Some can be split, some can't.

[mossanimal]

Hmmm... I'm getting confused. Will have to email my doc. I thought I had time release.. but the pills I have are hard and solid.

Well there is no doubt the Wellbutrin is causing this. I've been getting very high blood pressure readings during my doctor's visits.. I always have. Because of well.. anxiety. But lately the readings have been higher so I've been measuring them at home. In the morning and in the evening my blood pressure is normal... and I don't have (as much) of that upper chest nervous feeling. But in the morning after taking the Wellbutrin, and throughout the day.. it goes way up. Uggh.. I hate this because I do see the benefits as well. I know my wife does. What if I take them every other day?

Originally Posted by bioChE

It depends on which type of pills you have, and their method of time release (if any). If you have immediate release, it doesn't matter, split away. If you have the type that have a hard capsule around them, don't split as you'll defeat the time release mechanism. If you have a different type then read up on the formulation and educate yourself on how the time release works. Some can be split, some can't.

I just looked to be sure, and my SR-specific med info sheet says not to "chew, cut or crush". So best course of action would be to ask your pharmacist.

My SRs are also hard tablets, mossanimal. Have you ever used a pill identifier (not as replacement for checking with your pharmacist)? Such as https://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html

Mine are purple, round and have an imprint of IG 485 (IG is on one side, 485 is on the other, but it's all just called the imprint.) Punched in, what comes up is:

"Drug: Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release (SR)
Strength: 150 mg
Pill Imprint: IG 485
Color: Purple
Shape: Round"
The manufacturer of my generic (currently anyway) is Cipla.

The other interesting thing is that they refer to it as an extended release. Extended release meds usually have XL. Of which there is also in bupropion. Digging further, my med info sheet (from pharmacy) refers to them as "sustained release". No doubt more accurate if we consider the spelling. And on this sheet it says not to split. Even though it's not strictly an extended release. It's between an extended and an instant release (I don't know if it even comes in instant(?))

Asking the pharmacist is looking pretty good, eh?
(I'd skip the doc and go straight to a pharmacist for this stuff.)

[mossanimal]

Oh great info.. thank you.

Originally Posted by Innerzone

I just looked to be sure, and my SR-specific med info sheet says not to "chew, cut or crush". So best course of action would be to ask your pharmacist.

My SRs are also hard tablets, mossanimal. Have you ever used a pill identifier (not as replacement for checking with your pharmacist)? Such as https://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html

Mine are purple, round and have an imprint of IG 485 (IG is on one side, 485 is on the other, but it's all just called the imprint.) Punched in, what comes up is:

"Drug: Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release (SR)
Strength: 150 mg
Pill Imprint: IG 485
Color: Purple
Shape: Round"
The manufacturer of my generic (currently anyway) is Cipla.

The other interesting thing is that they refer to it as an extended release. Extended release meds usually have XL. Of which there is also in bupropion. Digging further, my med info sheet (from pharmacy) refers to them as "sustained release". No doubt more accurate if we consider the spelling. And on this sheet it says not to split. Even though it's not strictly an extended release. It's between an extended and an instant release (I don't know if it even comes in instant(?))

Asking the pharmacist is looking pretty good, eh?
(I'd skip the doc and go straight to a pharmacist for this stuff.)

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[Naynay99]

Hey. I take Wellbutrin but I don't think it gives me any anxiety.
I take Wellbutrin SR and agree with another poster re not supposed to split them. It is sustained release meaning is supposed to be slowly broken down I believe.

I have personally stopped my Wellbutrin before cold turkey and was not really any worse for wear. The depression eventually came back. But no physical symptoms were had. BUT they say u should not just stop them abruptly like that bc it can raise your risk of having a seizure. I figured since lamictal is an anti seizure drug that I would be covered, which is probably not very scientifIc or safe. Maybe if u take them 2 x a day reduce it to 1x perday until u can speak w your ur prof?? Idk. Hope the anxiety subsides. Hang in there.

[mossanimal]

Well... I'm going to my regular doctor tomorrow to see if I should get something to offset the high blood pressure. It is in my family after all.. My family left me all sorts of lovely genes. :-)

I'm also starting to wonder about anxiety in general.... if that has always been an issue for me.

[xRavenx]

Wellbutrin definitely made me more anxious. I felt a little less so when the dose was lowered, but I still felt "off," agitated, and eventually had manic symptoms. Insomnia and restlessness were symptoms it gave me that were really severe. I was taken off of it immediately after that.