Wellbutrin with clonazepam
Hey all. I have been on Wellbutrin 300mg for about 6-7 months. It does not seem to do anything for me. Recently I have had many issues that I thought were heart related but those have all been checked by doctor
I went to a new doctor and he thinks my anxiety is making this issue bad. I agree. He prescribed me .5mg clonazepam and told me to stop Wellbutrin immediately. I have always heard ton tapper off. Is this correct? And if not, can I take both together?
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Thank you. I am weaning off the bupropion. I just started the every other day thing yesterday.
@jadillow: To answer your main concern about taking Wellbutrin (or Bupropion) and Clonazepam, I do. It looks like you've had plenty of feedback about tapering off Wellbutrin, so I'll just address your most recent question. My mental health doctor has prescribed the two together, and she is not my primary care physician, so I trust she is aware of adverse reactions in regard to medications for depression, anxiety, etc.. I have been taking these two for about four years now, and these are the dosages: in the morning I take 100mg of Wellbutrin and .25 of Clonazepam. I take small amounts of the latter since even though it is an anti-anxiety drug and relaxant, it can intensify my restless legs. Therefore, I don't take it in the afternoon or at night. The prescribing doctor suggested I take it during the night to help with sleep, but I've tried that, and while it did make me drowsy, it still made RLS difficult, which resulted in me walking around trying to relieve restlessness with legs and being tired enough that I would nod off while walking. THAT didn't work well as I walked into walls, chairs, etc. during those times & woke up abruptly (and sometimes painfully). I know many people take larger amounts of Clonazepam for anxiety, but I would start out with small doses. I tend to be sensitive to medications, so I always do that anyway. If you notice you're needing to take greater and greater amounts to get the desired results, I'd recommend talking to your doctor about a substitute. There are several drugs in the same family as clonazepam: lorazepam, diazepam, alprazolam and flurazepam. It's possible one of those might work as well. Good luck. I hope this helps.
@jadillow
This drug has a long half life, over 30 hours which is why your probably not having withdrawal symptoms. Your going to regret your every other day taper unless your one of the very few lucky ones. Your sure taking a risk. Also, don’t try and taper off both drugs at the same time.
Good luck,
Jake
What’s your suggestion for a taper?
@jadillow
I’m working on a reply for someone else but will copy parts for you. It will be awhile.
Jake
Thanks
@jadillow
Hey buddy,
My theory of titration and that of many researchers is a 5-10% decrease. A lot of this information comes from the people who have tried various titrations and most are finding this the most effective. It is very important however that the 5-10% is based on each titration dose and not a particular percentage per 2 weeks or month. The problem with 5-10% per month is that although in the beginning your dose decrease in the beginning is indeed 5-10%, the farther into your titration you get those percentages to start to jump all over the place some decreases are 33% some lower some as high as 50%. The problem being the titrations are not consistent. Admittedly it’s going to take more time but the chance of withdrawal is almost nonexistent. There is a member here who is decreasing their dose by less than one half of 1 percent each month.
I wish you the best, you can do it,
Jake
Just an update guys. I have been Wellbutrin free for about 5 days. I have yet to take the colonzopam as I am trying to do this without meds if possible. We have had the flu going around my house with my kids the last week. I fortunately had the flu shot. Today however I am feeling very fatigued and foggy as I walk around. I’m wondering if withdrawal symptoms may be coming now
@jadillow This could well be. Also the flu shot is no guarantee but the symptoms will be as severe. My understanding. You may be feeling both as the medication is working it’s way out of your system. Keep up the trying as it is worth it. Takes time and being gentle with yourself.
Thank you. I have no fever. Just snotty and dizzy at times. Fatigue as well. Getting better