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Side-effects of Welbutrin discontinuation?

Posted by mrshmallow @mrshmallow, May 3, 2016

Side-effects of Welbutrin discontinuation?
Does anyone know of any side-effects of discontinuing typical antidepressant medications?
I ask because I recently discontinued Welbutrin after about 12 weeks, and suddenly I'm experiencing some swelling in my right foot and hand. It could just be a coincidence.
But I also had some possibly related symptoms at about the time that I started Welbutrin -- some blood in the urine as well as atypical urothelial cells, and also some mild prostate enlargement. (I'm a 52-yo male.)
Thank you for any insight you may be able to share.

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pooresole | @pooresole | Jan 10, 2024
In reply to @mjfalk3 "Took 2 years to get off venlafaxine counting beads ( for hot flashes) with the help..." + (show)
Profile picture for mjfalk3 @mjfalk3

Took 2 years to get off venlafaxine counting beads ( for hot flashes) with the help of generic Wellbutrin 150 sr. Now 1 month of 150, 1 month of 150/100, one month of 100, one month of 100/75 ir, down to 75 ir and am sick - nauseous and fatigue. Went back to 100 mg and still sick 3weeks now. Please help. My doctor is no help.

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I did the same counting beads. I really thought that withdrawal was worse than my depression and past suicidal thoughts.

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melaniekims | @melaniekims | Feb 16, 2024
In reply to @chiaska19 "Hi....I am doing what you are. I am now taking 150mg every other day. After several..." + (show)
Profile picture for chiaska19 @chiaska19

Hi....I am doing what you are. I am now taking 150mg every other day. After several weeks, I plan on taking one every 3 days etc. My MD told me that getting off Wellbutrin should not be difficult. I have noticed a difference in how I feel, but not enough to continue as I was. I am willing to persevere because I want off anti-depressants just as you do.

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I’m down to 150 for a month now and want to try every other day now. How did it go for you?

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Chiaska | @bestseller2025 | Feb 16, 2024
In reply to @peggygris "I have been on Wellbutrin for depression 20 years. It is no longer working. How do..." + (show)
Profile picture for peggygris @peggygris

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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Hi Melanie...my journey of getting off the meds went well. There was a relief when I took my last pill. I went down to 75 mg. manybe twice a week to none. That period of total withdrawal lasted for about 8 months. I want to try psychedelics and legislation is moving forward to provide an alternative here in Arizona. I have a friend in Colorado who said that microdosing psilocybin treatments helped her son overcome depression and alcoholism. The pharmaceutical industry will allow this to actually happen about the time that they have a drug on the market that they can charge us big time for......glad that you are being persistent. Stick with it! Take care, Debra

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cmail28 | @cmail28 | Jul 29 1:07am

Good evening; my question is; is it safe for an elderly person to have their dose of Buproprion (welbutrin) lowered from 100mg daily to 50mg daily abruptly? My mother has some memory issues and has been on this medication for years. She also takes sertralene 50mg. She was recently in the hospital and it was recently adjusted. Upon discharge; she experienced increased confusion. She had also been given jardiance for low blood rate 40 percent, she was discharged home. That same night; she called the police and was confused and having false beliefs.

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daveshaw | @daveshaw | Jul 30 8:29am

Wellbutrin is also prescribed for people trying to quit smoking. It is not meant to be a stand alone drug to fight depression but rather a complementary drug to enhance certain SSRI’s like Sertraline/Zoloft.
You are searching for a problem that doesn’t exist in my opinion.

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roxiesmom13 | @roxiesmom13 | Jul 31 10:53am

I have been on and off Wellbutrin a few times with my doctors ok. . Because I take a low dose I am able to just stop and have no side effects. It is recommended however that you taper especially if you are on a higher dose or take other medications for depression.

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cynthiaefs | @cynthiaefs | 19 hours ago
In reply to @peggygris "I have been on Wellbutrin for depression 20 years. It is no longer working. How do..." + (show)
Profile picture for peggygris @peggygris

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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@peggygris
When you go off Wellbutrin after so many years, there are 2 different withdrawal scenarios to deal bc with. The first is what everyone talks about but then there is the second that only starts after being off it for 6-8 weeks; and that is the increase in pain, cold intolerance, taste sensitivities, sensitivity to touch, light etc., These withdrawal reactions are not directly related to depression but make life so unpleasant that depression results. That is why I stay onn150 mg and will prob be on it for life. It is a huge support to my entire nervous system.

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