Wellbutrin XL and Side effects??

Question

I've been on it about 2 weeks now. Switched from Lexapro to Wellbutrin and over the last week or so I've been getting dizzy, lightheaded to the point of feeling like I'm going to pass out, mild headaches, and am not sleeping for anything! Has this happened to anyone else?? What did you do?? I'm going to talk to my Dr tomorrow and skipped my dose today as I was feeling like such crap yesterday and was hoping it would go away, but I'm starting to feel lightheaded and such again...... any ideas?

Answer 1

I started Wellbutrin XL a week ago and have been having side effects on and off. One day I feel great, the next day I feel lousy (both physically and emotionally). However, overall the side effects have been diminishing and my mood has improved slightly (though this could still be the placebo effect). As many others have commented, every medication affects people differently.

One important thing to remember is that Wellbutrin is an atypical anti-depressant, as it works on ONLY norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake. Many people in Yahoo answers have given differing responses as to the mechanisms for Wellbutrin.
Lexapro is an SSRI and works primarily on seratonin.

This is an educated guess, but most likely your symptoms are a result of your withdrawal from the Lexapro rather than your new Wellbutrin regimen. SSRI's (Lexapro, Celexa, etc) tend to have relatively severe withdrawal symptoms in a great number of individuals. Nonetheless, Wellbutrin has also been known to cause many of the symptoms you've described, so that's probably an added factor.

My advice is to stick out the Wellbutrin. It is NOT advisable to skip doses of anti-depressants. If after another two weeks you continue to have unbearable side-effects, you should then consult your doctor about trying a new medication.

As always, the advice of your doctor should be followed first and foremost. However, I will say that many general practitioners are NOT aware of much of the literature published on these drugs. Doing your own research on these medications is highly advisable.

Answer 2

Stay clear of Wellbutrin! Wellbutrin is harmful in itself however is even worse while combined with prozac. I used to be on 80mg of prozac after which given 150mg of Wellbutrin. The 5th day of being on Wellbutrin I had a Grand Mal Seizure. My health practitioner advised me that taking the 2 in combination can shrink your seizure threshold. I used to be then informed to consume extra to counter act this with electrolytes. Not however 2 days later I had a further Grand Mal Seizure that lasted four minutes. I used to be taken to the ER had a head CT and the whole thing to make certain I did not have a tumor they usually concluded it used to be the blend of the 2 medicinal drugs that prompted my seizure (shock). I used to be informed via the health practitioner within the ER to certainly not take Wellbutrin once more considering that with my prozac it multiplied the toxicity of the 2 medicinal drugs inflicting very extreme seizures. They even advised me that it used to be well that I had this response early on while taking this med considering that there were circumstances wherein longer term customers expand epilepsy even after they're taken off the drug. I am off the Wellbutrin for per week now and have not had a seizure for the reason that however the medical professionals advised me that that's no warranty that I have not constructed epilepsy and that my subsequent seizure might be days, weeks, or months from now even after being taken off the drug.

Answer 3

The following side effects are associated with Wellbutrin XL Oral:

Common side effects:
Feeling Restless Severe
Anxious Severe
Dry Mouth Less Severe
Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Less Severe
Dizzy Less Severe
Abnormal Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
Excessive Sweating Less Severe
Involuntary Quivering Less Severe
Loss of Appetite Less Severe
Weight Loss Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
Throwing Up Less Severe
Stomach Cramps Less Severe


Infrequent side effects:
Ringing in the Ears Severe
High Blood Pressure Severe
Pain During Periods Severe
Itching Severe
Hives Severe
Rash Severe
Severe Headache Severe
Gas Less Severe


Rare side effects:
Hepatitis caused by Drugs Severe
Joint Pain Severe
Cannot Focus Thoughts Severe
Hallucination Severe
Feeling Faint Severe
Seizures Severe
Chest Pain Severe
Abnormal Liver Function Tests Severe
Confused Severe
Delusions Severe
Paranoia Severe
Having Thoughts of Suicide Severe
Blurred Vision Less Severe
Throat Irritation Less Severe
"Change of Life" Signs Less Severe
Muscle Pain Less Severe
Drowsiness Less Severe
Fever Less Severe
Taste Problems Less Severe
Temporary Redness of Face and Neck Less Severe
Heart Throbbing or Pounding Less Severe
Diarrhea Less Severe
Frequent Urination Less Severe
Nervous Less Severe
Feeling Weak Less Severe
False Sense of Well-Being Less Severe

I would stop taking it too.

Answer 4

I've been on it for at least 2 years now with no ill side effects, but if you are having them definately get your dr to try something else. I had headaches & dizziness with some I tried before this.

Answer 5

Good idea to see your dr. You should not stop antidepressents on your own. If you have been taking them for a long time you must ween off. Usually if you have side effects they will go away in a couple of weeks. If they continue you need to change meds as prescribed by your dr. Not taking them one day will not get rid of symptoms. It takes several days to get out of your system. Listen to your dr. Good luck.

Answer 6

i had trouble go to the doctor