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Wellbutrin / Bupropion taper

Posted by clearbean @clearbean, 1 day ago

I am currently tapering off Bupropion XL. Working with provider. Went from 450 to 300 a month ago. Energy and mood levels are lower. Also get infrequent brain zaps. Been on Bupropion over 25 years. I am tapering to see if I get a reduction in nightmares related to my RBD diagnosis. (REM sleep behavior disorder). Have others had similar tapering issues. I am seeking feedback from those who did not go cold turkey. FYI ... I have also been getting Spravato treatments for just over a year now. Any tapering feedback would be appreciated.

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bridgeback2 | @bridgeback2 | 1 day ago

My sister is a pharmacist, so I asked her for advice. When I mentioned your situation, she said that 25-plus years is a really long time, and the brain and body get very used to it. So, lower energy and mood are unfortunately super common and expected even with a slow taper.
She also said that brain zaps are a classic sign of the body adjusting, and since Bupropion has a very long half-time (especially the XL form), it can take a while for the 300mg dose to fully clear out and stabilise before dropping further.
It sounds like you're doing exactly the right thing by working with your provider and taking it slow.

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clearbean | @clearbean | 1 day ago
In reply to @bridgeback2 "My sister is a pharmacist, so I asked her for advice. When I mentioned your situation,..." + (show)
Profile picture for bridgeback2 @bridgeback2

My sister is a pharmacist, so I asked her for advice. When I mentioned your situation, she said that 25-plus years is a really long time, and the brain and body get very used to it. So, lower energy and mood are unfortunately super common and expected even with a slow taper.
She also said that brain zaps are a classic sign of the body adjusting, and since Bupropion has a very long half-time (especially the XL form), it can take a while for the 300mg dose to fully clear out and stabilise before dropping further.
It sounds like you're doing exactly the right thing by working with your provider and taking it slow.

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@bridgeback2 thank you so much for your very helpful and kind response.

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