So I just started taking 75 mg bupropion for the last 5 days. The first day I started taking it I got my period and I wasen't supposed to for 2 weeks and I still have it :/ The doctor said it would give me a lot more energy because I never seem to want to get out of bed lately. I hope im not loosing my mind but today I woke up and realized I slept 14 hrs. I slept a lot before but now I feel this is getting out of control. My doctor also told me I would have anxiety after taking it and I have none. I just feel like going to bed for the day after taking it. I also am soo angry and have been crying so much. I heard it helps smoking and feel like I smoke more since I started taking it. Another thing is its supposed to helps with food cravings, well Ive actually realized ive been constantly in the kitchen cupboards searching for food and constantly snacking when I'm up and around. Seems to me I've had all opposite side effects then what I was told and what I read. When he told me about this med I went home and reseached it and it sounded like it was perfect for me. I've tried so many antidepressants and I'm running out of options. I feel like I'm never going to be happy again and I'm only 21 yrs old :( I just read that the Wellbutrin and the generic might have some difference and thinking about calling the pharmacy tomorrow and asking that but I don't know if my insurance will cover it. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Anyone else have all opposite side effects from bupropion?
Question posted by Katie_Lynn21 on 13 July 2011
Last updated on 24 June 2023
3 Answers
I know your post is 12 years old but I stumbled upon it while searching Google for the same thing. Looking for anyone else that had the opposite effect. It makes me super relaxed & tired so my doctor recommended taking it in the evening instead of the morning. It makes me have an appetite and want to eat more, I also vape more.
Welcome to the site.
Very common potential side effect of Bupropion is "sedation" affecting up to 19.8% of patients being treated with this antidepressant.
Common possible side effect affecting 1% to 10% of patients is "decreased/increased appetite", this last one can go either way depending on how your metabolism reacts to the medication.
This is a bit repetitive of Laurie's answer, but I also take wellbutrin for major depression (I started at 150mg. then moved to 300mg.). I had the same issues you have and it did take a little over a month for the drug to start working but have had good results once I had an adequate level in my system. It does take time to increase the dosage but gradually increasing the dosage might be a good question for your doc... I know the depression symptoms are hard to slog through, but if you can, hold on for a while until it starts working.
Thanks so much! Your answer was helpful and I hope that it starts helping like it helped for you. It just feels like I was less depressed before taking it so I hope in time it will start making me feel better. They are also going to increase my dose when I go back to the doctor next week. Im crossing my fingers!! Thanks again!! :)
Hey Katie_Lynn,
First let me explain that it will take upwards of a month for the Wellbutrin (bupropion) to reach maximum effectiveness. You are on a low dose and will be titrating up, I suspect. You are going to have to give it time to work though. In my experience the generic is just as good as the brand. Besides I doubt the insurance company will pay for brand anyway.
Your symptoms are very typical for depression. I use to sleep long hours and take a nap during the day. Now that I am on the right antidperessant I have lost weight and sleep a more normal 8 hours. You are going to have to give the medication time to work. We are here to support you during this time. If you need to talk please stay in touch,
Laurie
Thank you so much Laurie! Yeah, thats understandable. I just feel more depressed than when I started taking the med so hopefully that changes soon. Thanks again! I will keep in touch, this helped me a lot!!
Katie
You are very welcome Katie and do stay in touch!!
Katie-Lynn, I'm 3 weeks in and in your same boat! My period just arrived and the depression is back where I started. All I can say, is the only truly poor reviews I read of Wellbutrin are from people who quit before the 2 month point.
Laurie, you're awesome, and I hope that when this therapy works for me *I hope it will, 3 weeks in I'm still a wreck!* I can contribute to the community and help out other depressed people like myself. It's a horrible place to be, but hopefully with the right therapeutic medications, therapy, and life style changes, we can manage it or even beat it.
Woo Hoo!!
Related topics
depression, smoking cessation, bupropion, side effect, doctor
Further information
- Bupropion uses and safety info
- Bupropion prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Bupropion (detailed)
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