I started taking Wellbutrin four days ago and it does not seem to be working. I still cry over everything. How long does it take for these to work? I used to take effexor and they would work within 8 hrs but they made me feel really tired. What's the deal? I'm sick of being depressed and I thought these pills would help!
2006-10-31 16:11:43 · 11 answers · asked by ? 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I'm with you. I have taken Zoloft and it worked for me immediately. I am now on Effexor and it too works well. They say to give it a couple of weeks to work at full strength,but considering you have taken something before and had immediate results maybe you should talk to your Dr. and get put on something else. I really feel for you I have been in your place. Just remember you are not alone in the way you feel. There is always hope you will feel better your life will be great. Maybe try Zoloft I think it works great. Whatever you do I wish you luck.
2006-10-31 16:21:05 · answer #1 · answered by rufi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bupropion is the generic name for the antidepressant Welbutrin. This medication is also sold under the brand name Zyban as a stop smoking aid.
Most antidepressants, Wellbutrin, included take sometime to reach an effective level in the human body. We must take them in a dose that is small enough no to shock our system, so the anount that builds in the body does so slowly. For most antidepressants the time ranges from 2 weeks upto 8 weeks. Some work faster, some slower. It depends a lot on the medication, your chemical make-up and how your body accepts and stores the medication.
I was taking Paxil (antidepressant) along with Seroquel (mood stabilizer) for my bipolar disorder. I had open heart surgery on Oct. 4 and my surgeon switched me from Paxil to Wellbutrin. He did so to help me break a 25 year 2 pack/day cigerette habit. I have not had a cigerette since my surgery but I'm going off the deep end without the Paxil. I saw my primary doctor yesterday and we put me back on Paxil. We are increasing the dose a little over 4 days to my full dose. Then we will reduce the Wellbutrin by half for 2 weeks then cut it completely. But Welbutrin may work well for you, Give 6-8 weeks and see. If not try another one. You will find one that works great for you.
For complete information on Wellbutrin see the links in the SOURCE section below. If you need more information please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Terry
E-mail: terry@ourbipolarworld.com
Visit "Our Bipolar World" my personal website at:
http://www.ourbipolarworld.com/
2006-11-01 00:43:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Four days is not long enough for the medication to work. Give it time. Stay with it. The medication you are taking is rated highly and should help. Try to keep busy. Do not sit around and meditate. Talk walks. Go to a mall and walk around. Be with people who are basically happy not cranks. I hope that your doctor has diagnosed your problem and knows why you are depressed. If you are going to a Family Doctor then be sure he knows what he is doing. Most GPs don't know very much about depression. They merely push pills. If you do not feel better within a few weeks you must see a psychiatrist.
2006-11-01 03:19:10 · answer #3 · answered by wunderkind 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4 days is not enough time for Wellbutrin to take hold. It may take up to 4-6 weeks to reach it's peak. With depression, it may take several trials of meds to find the one (or two) that works for you. If this has been a long term depression, you may need an additional med to accompany Wellbutrin. There are two substances in your brain that control moods. They are serotonin and dopamine. Wellbutrin works on dopamine mostly. You may need one for serotonin. When one didn't work for me I was put on an accompanying drug along with Wellbutrin and that combination works great. Don't get discouraged. Talk to your Dr. or psychiatrist about different treatments. Along with the meds, talk therapy sure would help.
2006-11-01 00:43:58 · answer #4 · answered by RBRN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing is instantaneous in real life; I take wellbutrin, My doctor calls it: "the happy and healthy pill" I am pleased with it...like the opther posters have noted it may take a little over a month to fully kick in...I assume you are on a "loading dose" and will go onto the full amount you'll take in a month or so...This is to minimize possible side effects; but I did not have any nor did anyone I know taking this particular drug...exercise does help get the endorphins kickin' sooner...
2006-11-01 00:44:34 · answer #5 · answered by ronibuni 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most anti depressants take 3 to 4 weeks to really be effective. I know this is true with wellbutrin...I was on it for over a year.
2006-11-01 00:19:40 · answer #6 · answered by Daphney T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have taken wellbutrin for years now. The very first effect it gave me was a little more alertness and energy. That smoothed out and it has worked very well. Try giving it a few days if you can.
2006-11-01 00:47:34 · answer #7 · answered by laura d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welbutrin will begin to work between 7 days to 14 days, but you need to discontinue your effexor Little by little at the same time that you take also Welbutrin. wich is one of the better antidepressants.
2006-11-01 06:13:01 · answer #8 · answered by rbeblu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to give meds at least 3-6 weeks to get into your system and let it work. It doesn't work over night, they aren't miracle pills.
to add: different meds work differently. some work faster than the others, some you need to work with the meds and some take a few weeks.
2006-11-01 00:14:25 · answer #9 · answered by LilahFairy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every antidepressant works differenlty. i may take a week
to 2 weeks of taking the welbutritin to build up in your blood stream before begins to work. hang in there better days are ahead!!
2006-11-01 03:57:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋