Anyone experience severe side effects increasing Bupronion dosage.

@xede
I have taken Bupropion for years without those side effect, but everyone is different. I also have RLS, and just recently started taking gabapentin at night and seems to be working.
I suggest you go back to your provider and tell him you do not think it is working and side effects are not tolerable. There are many anti-depression and sometimes it is trial and error to find right one.

Was there a reason he switched you to Bupropion ?
Has the provider suggested a treatment for RLS?

Thanks for responding Laurie. As I mentioned, I have been on SSRIs for 34 years with some side effects that I could live with. The RLS started about 15 years ago but very intermittently. It became a daily, sometimes twice a day event over the last 4 years. Gabapentin does not work for me but Pramipexole has been a saving grace except I have lately experienced augmentation which is known to occur with Pramipexole. I hate the thought of being this dependent on the drug but cannot do without it due to the severity of my RLS.
It is known that SSRIs contribute to RLS and I discussed with my Doctor a change in anti depressant treatment. At first the Bupronion 150mg did not do well for me but after a restart it worked better, not entirely though. When it came time to step up I found that I could not tolerate the higher dosage. There is some anecdotal evidence of the side effects I am experiencing but feeling like a zombie is not something I can tolerate much longer. I have faith in this community and thought I would reach out rather than go it alone.

I’ve been taking 150mg Bupropion for 4 months. Increased to 300mg a few days ago, and not for me. I was so jittery, and felt anxious. My HR increase and just overall felt wired. The 150mg didn’t have such an affect but in the beginning was slightly stimulating. With the 150mg I felt a good amount of normal energy throughout the day with no extreme highs or lows. I wouldn’t say I felt “motivated” to do things I needed to do, but I oddly I just did the things I needed to do, i.e. gym, clean, stay at work to complete a task. Was I happy and motivated to do these task? Nope, but I just did them anyway. I’m still trying to understand that. It’s helped for those things in life. It sounds like you’re having the opposite effect unfortunately. I wish we could get a test on what neurotransmitters we are deficient in so we know what meds work effectively, or at the very least know if we need a SSRI, SNRI or NDRI. I don’t want to treat something I’m not deficient in because that could do more harm than good. This is just my experience, I hope your symptoms get better and if not there’s other options out there. Best of luck to you!

Thank you for your good wishes. I feel exactly the same about over medicating. Suspect I am currently suffering RLS and am dependent on Pramipexole caused by decades of SSRIs.
I have tried to educate myself re Bupronion and found patients with many different experiences, mostly with the 300mg. My experience with the 150g is very similar to yours. I am concerned that my PCP wants me to maintain Fluoxetine 10mg along with Bruponion 150g but I am working on that, onwards and upwards!!

I only went from 150mg to 200 with good results. Going from 150 to 300 is HUGE if I read that right..

That may be the problem Laurie, will discuss with my Doc.

Agreed. It’s double the dose 😫

I have been on and off bupropion for years, was not able to take other antidepressants I tried (I’m now 80 so I’ve had depression most of my adult life). I’ve been on 300 mg for some time. Periodically I feel very agitated and still depressed- discussed changing w my provider but based on my history she thinks I should stay w this. I have found that different generics affect me greatly and have found a small private pharmacy that will continue to order the one generic that seems to work best. CVS/Walgreens etc only gets what the company orders in bulk. I hate this whole thing and sometimes think I might have been better off not to be on any but I think my system has adapted to needing it. Withdrawal is VERY scary and agitating for me even gradually. And I do think it affects my heart rate. Since I have AFib and other heart issues I worry it affects that. I do believe that Years on antidepressants affect your brain chemistry. I feel too old and have other health issues so I just bumble along. (Wow. That sure sounds like I’m depressed doesn’t it?). Very few practitioners in my area and mental health services almost a joke!

Thank you for sharing your experience. You’re so right on many points. I to wonder if being on this long term is the best choice for me, and I only say that because I don’t have serious depression mine is in the form of having issues with food. I know that sounds ridiculous to most but I personally feel depression has many forms. Your experience on different generics is very interesting, I’ve never thought of that but it makes sense! I’ve considered a compound pharmacy to see if they have any ideas on lowering dose but adding something additional. Not sure it that’s a thing or not. Your post has me reflecting…greatly appreciate your input and honesty.

Depression manifests in different ways. Food doesn't sound ridiculous.
There is quite a bit of research on generic Wellbutrin - a couple of generics were actually taken off the market, I don't know about compounding to alter this particular drug = worth checking out. For me, the benefit was their willingness to special order the specific generic that gave me the least problem. It's worth checking out to see. Good luck!