Getting off Wellbutrin with least amount of withdrawal or side effects

Posted by peggygris @peggygris, Apr 26, 2017

I have been on Wellbutrin for depression 20 years. It is no longer working. How do I go about stopping it with the least amount of withdrawal or side effects?

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aethos | @aethos | Jan 14, 2023

In reply to @lindasmith1222 "Good to know! Now I can talk to my doctor. I did not know there is..." + (show)

Let me clarify: Wellbutrin XL is extended release (24 hours). Wellbutrin SR is sustained release (12 hours). I have never been prescribed the XL version. I have only taken SR 75, SR 100 and SR 150 and have only taken them once a day.

chistiania | @chistiania | Jan 14, 2023

In reply to @chiaska19 "Hi...Per my doctor, 150mg is the lowest so that's why I am now taking it every..." + (show)

@chiaska19
Hi, would you tell me what the Fisher Wallace device is and how it works? Thank you so much.

lindasmith1222 | @lindasmith1222 | Jan 14, 2023

In reply to @aethos "Let me clarify: Wellbutrin XL is extended release (24 hours). Wellbutrin SR is sustained release (12..." + (show)

I would like to try psychedelics, too. If you could please share what you know about clinical use? I have PTSD which is why I take antidepressants, but the side effects are not pleasant. I think one or two time use of psych may be the answer vs. lifetime of antidepressants that don't really work well and having side effects. Take care!

aethos | @aethos | Jan 15, 2023

In reply to @lindasmith1222 "I would like to try psychedelics, too. If you could please share what you know about..." + (show)

Linda, I don’t know anything about psychedelic use for depression, maybe someone else on here knows more.

christol | @christol | Jan 16, 2023

In reply to @aethos "Linda, I don’t know anything about psychedelic use for depression, maybe someone else on here knows..." + (show)

In reply to Lynda. My therapist recommended exactly what you are talking about there are two known types that are in use at least in my neck of the woods. Be careful and do your research. My psychiatrist at this point is a no for me but that is me stay safe safe and hope you find something that works for you

siosal | @siosal | Jan 17, 2023

In reply to @lindasmith1222 "I would like to try psychedelics, too. If you could please share what you know about..." + (show)

The states of washington and oregon have legalized them.
Some cities (not state) have legslized them near boston.
There are many instutes of higher ed in US AND AROUND THE WORKD STUDYING THEM. Johns Hopkins is one.
Also read michael polins book. I think its calked How To Change Your Mind.
There are places in boston and nyc thst will treat with psychedelic but they are fone in s controled setting with trained therapists.
Sorry i am inable yo offer anything more specific
also check MATS website.

andytheman | @andytheman | Jan 18, 2023

In reply to @lindasmith1222 "Greetings. I want to stop antidepressant. I have been taking bupropion/Wellbutrin for depression for about 18..." + (show)

I’m on 3, 50 mg tablets of Wellbutrin every morning only.
I never tried getting off it cold turkey as it could send you to the hospital ER I was told. Never stop taking your medication without your doctor’s permission. You and the rest of us have no medical or psychiatric training and some of these meds have horrible consequences if you just quit.

I presently have Covid and been vaxed twice then with a booster.
Unvaccinated people have an 88% chance of being hospitalized so I’m happy to report that I have a moderate case and should be out of the woods in 90 days as far as being contagious.

Vaccinated people get Covid like anybody else because there is no cure for Covid. Pavloxid was given to me for 5 days only. Can’t be taken back to back.

I don’t really care who does or who doesn’t get vaccinated. It’s a personal choice. I’m glad now that ,as awful as it was, I survived it. My sister never got vaccinated because “it’s a hoax”.
She never got covid despite the fact that she traveled to Arizona with 3 other people and all vaccinated people got covid but not her. She never caught it so far. My State is considered a “hot spot “ and I’m high risk because of underlying health conditions.

So I decided that being in the 16% that were never admitted to a hospital with covid due to vaccination verses 88% of unvaccinated people I went with the 16%. My sister and I are close but the vaccine talks kept getting more heated so I have learned to accept her decision and hope that she never gets severe covid.

Vaccines have been politicized and I realize that so I backed off.
She doesn’t believe in my 88% figure. So be it. I however am a vaccine advocate because 8 out of 10 Americans have now been vaccinated and covid hospitalizations are still high but nowhere near what it once was when over a million Americans died from it.

Let me get off my soapbox but I only mentioned my view’s because you brought it up somewhat out of nowhere.

As far as quitting cold turkey because you feel better is never a good thing. Let your doctor wean you off slowly. Be safe.

bnancy | @bnancy | Jan 18, 2023

In reply to @lindasmith1222 "Greetings. I want to stop antidepressant. I have been taking bupropion/Wellbutrin for depression for about 18..." + (show)

You’re feeling better because ur taking Wellbutrin.
Stay on it

pamm87 | @pamm87 | Jan 19, 2023

In reply to @andytheman "I’m on 3, 50 mg tablets of Wellbutrin every morning only. I never tried getting off..." + (show)

@andytheman

Vaccinated people get Covid like anybody else because there is no cure for Covid. Pavloxid was given to me for 5 days only. Can’t be taken back to back.

Let me get off my soapbox but I only mentioned my view’s because you brought it up somewhat out of nowhere.

As far as quitting cold turkey because you feel better is never a good thing. Let your doctor wean you off slowly. Be safe.

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As with most medications, they should be titrated downward under a doctor's supervision. Wellbutrin (Bupropion) typically is best taken in the morning as it does have an activation component. When taken later in the day it can potentially interfere with sleep.