[JustWannaDisappear]

I started Wellbutrin XL two weeks ago and on Friday morning I was itchy but didn't notice anything until Friday night when I noticed hives all over my body. I took some benedryl and it knocked me out but stopped the hives. Same thing on Saturday night and Sunday night but each morning I wake up and awhile later notice them again. They don't itch as bad anymore but they burn! Could this be an allergy to the Wellbutrin? I skipped my dose today and am scared to skip tomorrows dose.

[knossos13]

Another poster has mentioned exactly this symptom on Wellbutrin - yes it's an allergic reaction, and yes you'll need to discontinue Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin as you know effects both seratonin and norepinepherine: that doesn't just go for blocking the reuptake of those transmitters in the brain, but will/does also effect the peripheral nerves. Taking an anti-histamine was a good try, but it wouldn't knock out this problem. Furthermore, an anti-histamine would tend to aggravate the problem on rebound (itching goes to burning.)

Get your psychiatrist on the phone pronto and let him/her know why you need to discontinue. If he/she is not helpful in that regard, (they durned well oughtta be... if not-find a new pdoc) taper off in small incremental titrations (reduce/eliminate dosage gradually over the course of about 2-4 weeks). If you have any nasty withdrawal side effects, don't be a 'trooper,' get back to the last effective dose, wait a bit, then continue the reduction. You'd only been on this stuff for about 2wks(?) should take 4wks max. to come off, I'd think - 'Slow and steady.' If you'd skipped a dose already, it might be possible to kick this stuff to the curb cold turkey, but I wouldn't recommend it. Wellbutrin (not XL) has a half-life of 20hrs. Maybe it's worth seeing if it works to alternate days of the med (one day take, one day don't) as the first reduction to try.

In the meanwhile, speak with your m.d./gen.practitioner about the problem. Maybe there's something topical that could provide relief that has no interaction with buproprion: Calamine lotion possibly(?)

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[perpetuallysad]

Actually, considering that you've taken it for 2 weeks and only at the end of that time started having an allergic reaction to something, I think it's a jump to assume it's the wellbutrin. I would call my pdoc today and let them know the symptoms, but then also think about everything else you've been in contact with, have you changed shampoo, deo, soap, laundry soap, drier sheets, even started using a different kind of bread for sandwiches? There are a lot of things that could cause an allergic reaction and abruptly stopping your meds because you think it might be that isn't a good idea without your doc's advice.

I hope this goes away and you find some relief quickly.

[knossos13]

This is not a problem for pdoc, though they should certainly be informed of the issue. This is a problem for a g.p.. Two weeks is a perfectly reasonable/expected timetable for developing a toxic level of buproprion sufficient to start seriously irritating the nervous system. Or, 'Pardon me, might you have rolled in some poison sumac, yesterday? Or changed from Tide to Cheer? Or perhaps (?)' I'm sorry I really don't mean to be rude, but I don't want to obscure the urgency of this point with politeness. Could it be something else? Yes, sure it could be any one of about 10,000 other allergens - hell, hives can also be a psychosomatic stress response, would it make sense in this case to proceed on that assumption and check for each one when Wellbutrin is the most likely culprit? Is Wellbutrin known to cause this side effect in a significant percentage of patients, even in the context of its dubious clinical trials? Yes. Is there a warning on the box that clearly says if you develop hives or itching you should contact your doctor immediately because it could be a serious symptom? Yes. Are there potential consequences to not addressing the problem with an M.D. (yes, also inform the psychiatrist) immediately? Yes. I'm not fully certain whether the m.d. will say 'Stop taking it completely & immediately, and don't bother with titrations-' but that's what I'm guessing.

[sunrise]

JustWannaDisappear, as a first step, please call your prescriber right away. Do not be worried about disturbing him/her on the weekend, or whether this is truly an allergic reaction, just call! He/she will tell you the next step, whether that means stopping or tapering the drug, contacting another doctor, etc.

Originally Posted by knossos13

Wellbutrin as you know effects both seratonin and norepinepherine

Wellbutrin's main affects are on dopamine and norepinephrine.