I have suffered from low-grade depression symptoms for the last 20 years. I began with Prozac, a miracle but it made me gain weight. Next was Effexor, almost as good, some weight gain but stayed with it for several years (After trying a couple of others with little result.). Then, the depression slowly returned, so my doctor put me on Wellbutrin, 450 mg a day, and it made a huge, wonderful difference; I felt like myself again and without weight gain or sleepiness. Now, after about 10 or so years, the depression is coming back like a descending, dark cloud, and I don't know what to do! 450mg seems to be the maximum. It was suggested that the efficacy of brand name Wellbutrin is better long-term so I tried that, no difference. I have seen suggestions of supplementing Wellbutrin with something like Prozac, Cymbalta, or Effexor, but I am worried about the side effects coming back, like weight gain (just adds to the depression), sleepiness, irritability, etc.. Has anyone had this problem before? I am starting to feel desperate and don't know what to do, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!
What do I do next if, after several years, Wellbutrin 450 mg. a day has stopped working?
Question posted by KLV333 on 29 June 2012
Last updated on 23 August 2022 by AidanGreb
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12 Answers
I am another 'me too'. It worked great for maybe 7 years, but by then even 450mg/day didn't help. I have severe seasonal affective disorder (catatonic major depression in the winter/spring). I felt blah all the time at any dose throughout the year. Now it only works for about a week if I increase the dose.
Rhodiola is a natural supplement that was recommended by a ND. It gave me back my feelings as well as my ability to think and read (yes, I lost the ability to read when Wellbutrin stopped working!). Rhodiola didn't stop the SAD (it did give me the ability to feel throughout the winter, but I felt horribly depressed!). It did prevent the associated muscle rigidity/difficulty initiating movement. Rhodiola made me feel like my normal self in the summer (I am prone to anxiety so I needed to medicate that - Rhodiola can be quite stimulating for some).
For this upcoming winter I started a go-fund-me account and raised the $3,000 necessary to try TMS, a scientifically sound treatment for MDD and other mental health concerns. It has a 68% success rate which is much better than anti-depressants (40-60%). I'm hoping it'll work and that I will be able to go off of psych meds altogether because they've destroyed my short-term memory.
Good luck. It sucks when your 'miracle drug' stops working. Trying new ones is so exhausting!
I'm right there, with you, in the cave of drug mazes... I don't have the answer as everyone is different... what works for one may not work for someone else.
Wellbutrin worked for me for the 1st 10 years and now I've spent the last 10 years trying/chasing whatever might work.
I've been trying the Wellbutrin 450 with Effexor XR 75 mg (both generic) and I'm pretty sure I felt a little shift after 6 days... I'm hoping it continues to shift more... I'll post back in a couple weeks.
I was very happy with the effects of Wellbutrin 450 for 15 years. When it pooped out my doctor prescribed Effexor XR 75's. Life is good again but it sometimes effects my ability to orgasm. I've been taking these for 6 months. If these stop working at some point will I be able to go back to Wellbutrin?
It's not uncommon for an antidepressant to lose efficacy after long term use... it's called "poop out".
If you did well on bupropion (Wellbutrin was the brand name) you might talk to your doctor about trying another atypical such as Serzone, Viibryd, Remeron, or Trintellix.
As far as weight gain is concerned, ALL psychotropic drugs have the potential to change your metabolism and fat storage mechanisms. Every one responds differently to every medication and just because you gained on one doesn't mean you will on another.
I, too, started on Prozac, but it did nothing for me. My son, on the other hand, at age 17, was given prozac and it induced a state of mania and psychosis for him, which became a 10+ year roller coaster ride that he's never recovered from.
Wellbutrin 450 mg worked good for me for 10 years and then it stopped working and all the symptoms of depression returned.
Now, for the last 10 years, I've been operating at 0-50%, tried a dozen+ other meds, seen a 1/2 dozen Quacks and nothing seems to work!
I started back on the Wellbutrin 450 in a desperate attempt of "hope that it works, again", but after 9+ months, I'm not seeing any improvement.
I'm at a loss, but not giving up.
I'm aware that what works for one person doesn't mean it will work for the other or the next person, but I'm open ears for any possibilities for something that will work.
... any suggestions are welcome...
Any new meds that helped with this? My beloved wellbutrin has suddenly stopped working after decades. (I think it's because I'm going through "the change... ") Any input appreciated!!
Hello! I came across this forum when my Wellbutrin (bupropion) 450XL a day wasn't working! Yes, 450XL. I am a 30 year old full-time college student and CPhT (Licensed Pharmacy Technician) of 6 years.
I was on wellbutrin150XL and then bumped up to the wellbutrin300XL once daily to stop smoking. Worked perfectly and lost weight! But I am a student and the wellbutrin300XL made me feel a little too space to stay organized with 5 classes and work. So I went back down to 150XL and I started taking adderall (don't do that) so I could get through school but that helped very very little. I was slowly going back to the "blah-ness" I had before. So I started taking the 300XL once daily again. Well it didn't work it's magic this time and I couldn't loose the weight again. I stopped smoking but I still had the blues and didn't really enjoy anything. It was terrible!! So... I went to see my doctor.
He did blood work and I had almost no VitD and I was Folic Acid deficient. My doctor read the results and put me on Deplin, a medical food aka vitamin if you research. IT SAVED MY LIFE! I take Deplin 15mg, Methyl B-12, Vitamin D and Wellbutrin 300XL. Amazing! I lost my weight again and I'm back to the "happy place" I had when I started the wellbutrin all together! My body wasn't absorbing the nutrition I needed to breakdown and absorb the Wellbutrin. I encourage everyone to talk to their doctor about Deplin!
--There is a difference between B-12 and Methyl B-12. The chemical structure is different. I take the Methyl B-12 with the Deplin because if you are Vitamin B deficient the Deplin won't do much at all. I did a lot of research before taking anything but Im SOOOO glad I gave it a shot! Research Deplin (formulated Folic Acid) and Methyl B-12!!
I hope this helps! Good luck to you all!
-- Oh and if anyone has anxiety research NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) It is a vitamin that relieves anxiety and stress. They even have time-released now. My husband started taking Wellbutrin 300XL he really benefited from it but he then started to have anxiety so he now takes a time-released NAC in the morning with his Wellbutrin 300XL. He reports no more anxiety :)
I suffer from depression as well. What is finally working is Wellbutrin & Pristiq.
Good luck.
I was on Prestiq, works wonderful as long as you have it. The side effects of not having it are beyond horrible, more like nightmarish. To add insult to injury the withdrawal symptoms go on for not days but months.
I will never take Prestiq again
I took Wellbutrin for 2 years and it was a God send! I had tons of energy, worked out all the time, lost 30 lbs, was very happy. Then it completely stopped working. I've been struggling to find something else that would work as well, but no luck. I took Citalopram in conjunction with Wellbutrin, but it did not help and it made my sex drive non-existent and I was physically numb. I couldn't orgasm at all. Once I stopped taking the Citalopram the sex drive and physical responsiveness came back. I am very frustrated at this point because my depression is back (I cry all the time at anything) and I have no idea what will work.
This is where you go see your doctor right away. There are some new drugs out theses days that may help you. Viibryd is one of them, but your doctor is the right one to ask.
Good luck,
RonMan
My experience has been going off a medicine for a time then returning can sometimes renew it's ability to work. I'd suggest you return to one that worked before for at least a few months then go back to the Wellbutrin. Going off Wellbutrin might take away a bit of energy. I have in the past used Wellbutrin along with Prozac. Or you could try using a SR of Wellbutrin, might be enough to change the helpfulness of the drug. Best wishes.
Check with your doctor as from what I have heard some meds do stop working after a period of time. I don't know why. Cymbalta made feel down. Some anti-depressant, huh? I am on Citalopram now and it seems OK. {{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}
Interesting that Cymbalta made me feel suicidal after 3 weeks and others have problems with it as well. I would put it in the "last to try category".
When I suffered from depression I was convinced the only help for me was meds, in this case it seems as though you probably do have to switch. I would urge you not to go to Cymbalta, for me it was horrible and lots of weight gain. Prozac was ok and do not have personal experience with Effexor.
There are many things we can do to combat the weight gain that is a side of almost all these meds, especially when it comes to water weight. I hope you & your Dr can choose an alternative that works for you.
I experienced a huge weight gain on Effexor. It had nothing to do with exercise or diet. I gained 30 pounds for no apparent reason, without changing my habits. After I went off it (withdrawal is terrible) I started to lose the weight only after almost a year. Now it is off and my usual diet and exercise regimen work fine.
I don't suggest it. Try something else.
Related topics
effexor, prozac, wellbutrin, depression, weight loss (obesity/overweight), weight
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