I have been on the generic Wellbutrin for depression for about 3 to 4 months now and have packed on a significant amount of weight. I cannot get enough sleep, but I notice that I toss and turn all night long. Has anyone else noticed that this is a side effect of the medicine?
Does Bupropion make you gain tons of weight and also make you a very restless sleeper?
Question posted by brfyock2010 on 24 Aug 2012
Last updated on 25 June 2023
96 Answers Page 7
Are you on a generic? If so, what's the manufacturer?
I am on buproprion. The only letters on my bottle are ANC. Since I first wrote I have packed on another 20 lbs., even on a strict weight-loss program and 4-times-a-week workouts at the Y. There doesn't seem to be any way around it, even though I was told buproprion was weight-neutral. Less than a 1200-calorie diet is inappropriate for someone my age.
I have been on wellbutrin since last December and since gained almost 20 lbs I run on a treadmill everyday 2x a day and I get no results. im a light eater and eat pretty healthy.
I was on 20mg of Lexapro for several years - I did fine with it. I slept fine and I did not gain any weight. I did complain to my Dr. that I was starting to feel "blah" - like I had no motivation or energy to do anything. He then switched me to 300mg Wellbutrin. It did not help the lack of motivation/energy. It did, however, disturb my sleep... I would toss, turn, wake up frequently, have crazy dreams, unless I took a Xanax before bed. Also, Wellbutrin caused me to gain a significant amount of weight - 30 lbs in 8 months!!! My Dr. swears it is not the Wellbutrin because it's "weight neutral" - but the scale doesn't lie. The only lifestyle change was switching to Wellbutrin. I'm now back on Lexapro and the weight is slowing coming back off.
Hi brfyock,
I could NOT sleep when I tried Wellbutrin and I had terrible anxiety attacks on it as well. But no weight gain, in fact I believe I lost weight while on it. But that may have been due to having panic attacks, they truly make me lose my appetite.
Hope you find something that works, I switched to good old prozac and had a very good experience with it, no depression and no panic attacks.
Good luck to you
have you asked your doctor about giving you something to help with your anxiety issues ?
I've just taken my first weeks worth of wellbutrin to treat ADHD symptoms. I can't sleep past 5 am now, and am exhausted the rest of the day. In the past week, I've gained 5 pounds! Yikes!! I've also broken out on my face. I haven't really noticed any change, mentally. I'm a little calmer and have noticed better memory, maybe a little more positive? But I haven't been able to get that long stretch of focus needed to get my work done like I did on my Strattera. Anyhow, I'm going off this stuff immediately!
I'm taking a supplement called Focus Formula that I bought from GNC to help with ADHD. It is helping, though it's $20 for a box of 60.
I am going off this stuff; I gained 1.5 pounds already even though it isn't supposed to make you gain, AND I am not sleeping right.
If it's not the Bupropion then maybe it could be the Abilify. Anyone have any negative encounters with this antidepressant. I started taking it just a month or so ago. Also, I was thinking about switching from the bupropion to celexa... Any thoughts about that concerning the weight gain in particular??
people usually gain weight with abilify. celexa is said to be an annoying offender because it messes with your metabolism, so it doesn't matter how careful you are with your food choices or how much you exercise you will hang on to the extra weight until you are no longer taking it. it's also annoying because the weight won't come off quickly as it does in some other meds. wellbutrin is known to make you irritable, i was a mega bitch. back in the day i had a wellbutrin forum. so many wanted to stop because of that factor. i always told them if they (and their family and friends) could hang on for 8 weeks that the rage and irritability would stop. everyone who decided to give it more time remained on it. just sayin' in case you may want to try the wellbutrin in the future.
I started out with celexa and I gain so much weight on it! I hated it
I just started taking Bupriopion (literally just took my first pill). Haven't been on antidepressants for a couple years now but it was time to give them a shot again. So I can't answer your question about bupropion, but I did used to be on Celexa and Abilify. Was on Celexa for about a year and a half, felt that it had very little effect on me but also didn't experience any negative side effects. Because it wasn't working, my doctor switched me to Zoloft. Also felt like it had little to no effect on my mood, so he upped the dosage after a couple months as my depression was worsening. On the increased dosage, my mental state worsened to the point where I was hospitalized for dissociation/derealization. It's still not clear to me whether the increased dosage contributed to this or whether it just did nothing to prevent it. After leaving the hospital my doctor added 2 mg of Abilify. 2 weeks went by and I felt absolutely no change.
I know that they say that it takes a month before you can feel the full effect, but we all know that you can at least feel something by the two week mark and I didn't. So then he upped the Abilify to 5mg. It was like a miracle. I stopped lashing out at people, started leaving my house more often, and managed to pull it together enough to finish the semester in school. That said, I put on 7 lbs in 2 months. I was broke and couldn't afford to pick my refill up and, like an idiot, thought I would be fine going without it for 10 days since I'd been doing so well. WRONG. Over the course of the 10 days I got increasingly anxious, which culminated in a little mini-breakdown and a family member escorting me to the pharmacy to pick up the refill. I lost all 7 lbs in the 10 days. I went back on it for a few months and put on 11 lbs, which made me really unhappy. My doctor tapered me off of it and I didn't have a crazy breakdown with the withdrawal, but I also didn't lose any of the weight. It took me about 9 months to a year of dieting to lose the weight. After a year though I fell into depression again but was in denial about it for about a year until now. I'd lost 10 additional pounds and I won't bore you with the rest of the symptoms, with which I'm sure you're all familiar. I'm starting bupropion now as the two SSRIs that I took before (Zoloft and Celexa) never seemed to make a dramatic difference and though Abilify was a miracle cure for me, due to the weight gain I consider it to be a last resort. So in short, I experienced no weight gain from Celexa, but also no real benefit. Can't speak to the weight loss/weight neutral effects of bupropion as I've just started it, but one thing I can say for sure is that Abilify does make you put on weight. My doctor said that not everyone experiences weight gain on it, but I have two friends who have also been on it and who had similar experiences to mine. So I would say yes, it's most likely the Abilify that's causing the weight gain in your situation, and given that bupropion is reported to make people lose weight sometimes and celexa isn't really, it might be a better bet to counteract the weight-gain effects of Abilify.
well another one I don't recommend to anyone is Venlafaxine..is a anxiety pill that does help tremdiously for anxiety and depression but the side effects are unreal. you gain a huge amount of weight but you apitite is limited which doesn't make any sense and I work out 4 xs a week and eat very healthy. I went from 130 pound to 200 in a year. it was so awful..i also was feeling very fatigued so please everyone keep this medication in mind that if your doctor recommended it please don't get it..also you do struggle with memory loss on it. I am reporting it to FDA not to have this medication described it awful ..the side effect also is horrible dry mouth,itchy skin also you cant focus on anything not even driving..its really scary to be on.
so once I noticed the side effect I said ok I need off the meds 200 pounds??are you serious no way and I will not be a like a darn bear wanting to just sleep all the time and almost lost my job becaseue I was majorly screwing up on projects and no able to focus and almost got in a few car accidents because I was feeling so fagtiue it awful. so he switched me to this and it will be my first day trying it so hopefully it will be better for me.
yes just taking 2 Bupropion I have been doing better when I was taking abilify I was always 120 pounds all my life and when I took the abilify I gained over 30 pounds in 3 months time still trying to lose it
i just read on celexa to not mix with wellbutrin / bupropion
Abilify is horrible for weight gain I never tried Celexa but my sister did and she gained a lot of weight
I have gained 70 pounds on Abilify. I also take Wellbutrin XL 300 and have better sleep with Xanax. I know the weight gain is because of the Abilify, though, because I've gone off it twice and lost all the weight in a matter of weeks both times. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way I must stay on the stuff for sanity's sake. Best to you.
Celexa made me gain weight.
Been taking celexa for about 8 months gained almost 25 lbs. I eat pretty healthy no sugar, low fat, no salt and I have always ate that way but the weight just kept coming and no matter what it would not go away. So I got my doctor to switch me to Bupropion SL hope it works take the first tablet in the am. Wish me luck.
I gained alot on abilify
Its strange. I lost weight the entire time I was on Celexa. I had no appetite. Ive been on Bupropion XL for 4 weeks and I've gained like 5-6 pounds and the side effects are hell. I'm diabetic and can't afford any type of weight gain
Abilify made me gain about 20 lbs and bupropion, I lost weight.
Yes it did me. Im on bupropion 150 ER... I uzually wear a sz. 3... within 5 months I now wear 5-7... I have was a 3 all my life. Bupropion is the ONLY thing I have done different. Also since taking it I have become a bitch... after the 2nd month. I stopped taking it about 3 weeks ago feel much calmer. Bet it takes me a lot longe to get this weight off. Guess it affects ppl differently. I just use my Xanax, which I have taken for a long time with no weight gain or lash outs.
Do it make. Up pick up weight. That. What. My Dr.said that. It will comments. Back anyone
i usually get an opposite side effect / does anyone else have that . i am on 200 ? mg for 2 mths
and i have gained weight / i am hungrier ? --- on 75 mg of effexor i lost weight ??
Hi, I too have gained 25 pounds over the years of taking Bupropion 150 mgs per day! I gain weight on all of them! My doctor doesn't believe me! I would not suggest anyone stop taking their antidepressant medicine. When I once stoped taking it for 4 months the weight fell off. Sorry to say all these medicines affect people differently. Good luck finding one that doesn't cause weight gain!
Hi, I too have gained 25 pounds over the years of taking Bupropion 150 mgs per day! I gain weight on all of them! My doctor doesn't believe me! I would not suggest anyone stop taking their antidepressant medicine. When I once stoped taking it for 4 months the weight fell off. Sorry to say all these medicines affect people differently. Good luck finding one that doesn't cause weight gain!
I have had the same experience. I have gained about 8 pounds which is a lot for me because I am small. That also was the only thing that changed for me.
I have been falling a lot recently. Anyone else?
Yes I have gained weight too on this med regardless of what everyone else says everybody is different! They all cause weight gain; it's too bad. I was cranky too maybe you're on too high a dose?
I've gained at least 40 pounds over the years. Try to take it not close to bedtime because it will keep you awake \ I take 200 mg 2 times a day - I take Xanax also and used to take them together at bed time not realizing they were cancelling each other out
I'm glad to know this. I had always heard wellbutrin doesn't cause weight gain. I have been on it a little over a year and have gained around 30 lbs. I've been trying so hard to lose it. I even took hcg injections for 28 days and I exercise all the time! Now I'm thinking it has to be the wellbutrin. I take 300mg xl everyday. I am always so tired. I'm thinking I'm gonna stop taking it and see what happens. Thankyou. I'm so miserable I would try anything
I have only taken it for. 3 weeks and my clothes are now super tight! Plus I’m crying every day! I think it’s doing the opposite for me. The only days I don’t cry is if I take an Ativan as well. I’m on 150xl. How do I wean off of this??? Is weaning necessary?
Doctors keep telling me it does not make me gain weight. I have steadily gained weight, 20 lbs, and now was put on Contrave (Has wellbutrin in it) May 22, 2018. Have gained another 10 lb! Can't tell me it doesn't cause weight gain. I am stopping this all together.
Kelle, did you have to taper off of it gradually before going off? I’ve been on it 3 months and want to get off it. And if you did, were there any side effects? If you did taper off how did you do it? I’m on generic brand xl and 150 mg once a day.
I have to agree with Briards. I take 100mg of Bupropion Sr twice daily. I started out taking plain Bupropion then went to Sr. I haven't experienced weight gain at all. In fact have lost a couple of pounds. I too take something for sleep too. If it is continuous and bothersome to you, talk to you're doc. and let him know. Pristiq is another one that is good and not supposed to cause weight gain either. It didn't for me anyways. Good luck to you, and take care. Ruthie
it's unusual to gain weight on wellbutrin. it actually is a med that is weight-neutral, so many drugs say they are weight-neutral but really are not. some people will only take wellbutrin because they don't gain weight on it.
all i can suggest for sleep is to take it in the morning. i take meds to sleep, so can't help you there.
So true, wellbrutrin or bruproprion, zyban or whatever does NOT cause any weight gain. It is a stimulant and causes the opposite weight loss. I refuse to take any other anti-depressant. However if you are on it I would suggest an anxiolytic like atarax or a benzo like valium to counter the hyperness this drug MAY cause. Otherwise its been an excellent choice for me. It even helped me to loose the damn weight I had gained from taking that damn metoprolol. So glad I found this med. I was fine before during and after my weight gain and loss so I am still fine.But I prefer being five eleven around 135-138 I could accept nothing more honies. And yes I am gay by the way. Oy vey, Iam gay.
My doctor wants to give me paxil for depression... and I have diabetes it's really hard for me to loose weight and keep it off... so I was looking up antidepressants that don't make u gain weight... wellbutrin doesn't?
Cant be that unusual if people are posting weight gain, I started taking the XL in 3 weeks I lost 12 pounds, I was in heaven. It took then 5 days to call in my next script. I gained 2 pounds a day. One month later I am plus 5 pounds. I dont know what to do. I see one person did well on another type it wasnt XL. Need to back and look. I also take celexa. I am very tired and could sleep all day. Anyone have different experiences with different type of meds???
I've been on generic bupropion xl 300 mg for 7 years after having horrible side effects from prozac, paxil, and zoloft. I have an eating disorder and will only take the bupropion because weight gain is not a side effect, but it does make my chronic insomnia worse (I have PTSD) so I take a prescription benzo to sleep. Every drug interacts with every person differently and it's rough trying different meds until you find the right one for you.
I take mine in the mornings and have had no problem.
It's best to take in the mornings. I don't think it causes weight gain. Remember, depression causes us to snack more. I haven't gained weight or lost any weight & I surely could stand to lose some weight. But, I can go most of day & not eat a lot, but I make up for it in the evenings. So, I guess it keeps me balanced. I've been on Bupropion for years. And, I don't sleep good at night. It comes with age. Haha
I just got prescribed wellbutrin & gonna have to start taking it today. This is my fourth try I tried celexa, prozac & paxil. All didn't work for me. Everyone's different & I've heard good stories and bad stories about each medication but everyone's different I hope this one works for me! Tired of having to switch!
I also have gained weight on it. I've been talking it for right at a year and have gained 25 lbs. I'm exercising more and have count my diet. I'm concerned as to what is happening g to my body. Help please
I have been on Burop
ion sr 150 mg 2 times a day to help quite smo
king and i have been taking it for 5mos and i have gained 50 lbs
@new med 9999 the reason why your weight is not coming off and staying off is because you are taking CELEXA! An SSRI. SSRI's all cause weight gain horribly. Which is why I refuse to take them for my issues. The only one not known to really affect weight much is Prozac it is more like a stimulant causes the least weight gain and Luvox and Paxil are the most sedating causing horrible horrible weight gain. They all stimulate serotonin which make you feel better in change this also makes you feel hungrier hence the weight gain. The sedation can also make you lazy. Hence more weight gain. Celexa is the reason you are gaining weight not Wellbutrin.
@Synegal: Respectfully, your statement that Prozac doesn't cause weight gain is untrue. I was prescribed it and took it for nearly a year and gained 20 pounds in that timeframe. My doctor told me that is a lot to gain for my height/frame of 5'2. I regret ever going on that medication. I just got switched to Wellbutrin today and am hoping and praying it has the weight loss effect that my doctor told me about.
Everyone is different. There can also be drug interactions not seen as threatening during trials didnt have a significant effect on results. I started taking one i cant recall the name, it felt like a nightmare. Tried everything even wellbutrin alone, untill I started effexor nothing worked i lost a little weight, but became manic at 75 mg (but felt anazing lol). I have always taken Klonopin because my issue wasnt depression it was panic disorder. Two years ago i started bupropion along with effexor and Klonopin and gained 100% of my normal body weight in under a year. I quit taking the bupropion and have lost 30 pounds since end of jan, feb. Good luck and just pay close attention to your bodies.
Related topics
wellbutrin, depression, sleep disorders, bupropion, sleep, weight, generic
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.