I have PTSD, depression and anxiety. I've been on Prozac for years and in March switched to Wellbutrin. I began having bad headaches, fuzzy thinking and just didn't feel right. I heard taking Prozac and Wellbutrin together can be more therapeutic together. Will taking Wellbutrin with Prozac possibly minimize the side effects I had just taking Wellbutrin?
Taking Wellbutrin and Prozac?
Question posted by k13collins on 9 Oct 2013
Last updated on 1 August 2021
Added 12 Oct 2013:
I'd like to take everyone for their help.
Kathleen
16 Answers
bry143
24 Feb 2020
Wellbutrin wasn’t good for me but works well for a friend of mine. If seems to me from what I have read it’s not a good fit if you have anxiety. I think it treats depression better but I have both and it made me feel worse the longer I took it. I am just on Prozac now and he added abilify. I think I like it pretty good.
Kxc536
24 Feb 2020
I was taking the maximum dose of prozac and 450 mg of wellbutrin for awhile, it gave me severe tremors but it worked for a bit until the tremors were too much for me. I dont think taking wellbutrin and prozac together will dissipate your side effects. As soon as I went off prozac my tremors went away it was a relief. My antidepressant cocktail of choice is lexapro and wellbutrin together. Ive tried zoloft, effexor, cymbalta, and some of the bipolar medications. Im on 30 mg of lexapro which is above the therapeutic dose and 450 mg of wellbutrin which is maximum dose. The vyvanse (70 mg) really helped me with my depression.
bry143
24 Feb 2020
Thanks lol I think I commented on a old post of yours. I’m just getting used to this stuff lol. I am taking Prozac and abilify. I have had 2 drs to want me to take the ability as a add on for depression. He said it works good. I have been on it 7 days so far. I think it’s gonna be good.
bry143
1 Feb 2020
Hi Kathleen. Do you still take either of these medicines? I am in Wellbutrin and I too feel foggy and have more anxiety with it. My contemplation is to either add or switch back to Prozac. Can you help me out on this? It’s so hard to make a decision. Especially when it takes so long for them to work. Ok have a trip planned in 2 weeks lol
Smilingbrunnette
16 Nov 2019
I was prescribed r0 mg of prozac and 150 mg. Hcl Sr Wellbutrin . I have some serious,anxiety issue's so I also take 2mg of klonopin 3 times a day. I was still feeling depressed and very much in a dark and gloomy place. I went down to 20 my of prozac no better . I asked my doctor is I could take the Wellbutrin twice a day .. She said yes. I have been feeling more upbeat and not as gloomy I can definitely tell a difference in a positive way.
Today I am experiencing a little more anxiety and that feeling I always carry around being slightly down. I'm considering going back up to 40mg of prozac.
I have been fighting depression, generalized anxiety and social anxiety and recently mood disorder or a low level of bipolar for all my life . I can't say exactly how many year's I have been taking medication but I know it's at least 20.
It's a constant battle I fight everyday. I do believe I inherited mental illness from my mother and the way I was raised and my environment.
Looking back as very young child I was suffering from depression I just never new what it was until I was an adult.
I sometimes think especially after battling it this long I never developed the ability or emotion.. to be happy.
I often say I don't have the happy gene. It has ruled my life I have never a day I wasn't experiencing some degree of depression or anxiety.
Anyway sorry to go on and on..
Yes Wellbutrin and prozac can be taken together just make sure your doctor tells you the right dosage of each for you.
Another note all my drugs are generic and I don't know what brand if there is a difference of generic. I once would have told you it made a difference but after years of changing medications and combinations and name brand and generic I no longer think that's a factor in if they work for you or not .
Good luck and be sure to talk to your doctor.
NaveedZ
1 Aug 2021
For Wellbutrin, Sandoz or Mylan are good generics
jodew71
15 Dec 2018
I've been on Wellbutrin 450mg for years and it stopped working a while ago. My doctor has changed my meds (antidepressants and ADD) 6 times this year alone. I'm told I metabolize them too quickly for anything to work. I'm now trying 450mg Wellbutrin, 40mg Prozac and 90mg Adderall. I'm not finding any of it helps but at least I don't have horrible side effects. The only thing that worked for me was Wellbutrin and Lamotrigine. I had to go off it because of the side effects though.
Camaro92
9 Oct 2018
I posted a response but u sure if you got it.
Camaro92
9 Oct 2018
Thanks for any suggestions and or help
anita1964
6 July 2018
I taking 60 mg of Prozac I start Wellbutrin 150 I hope they are good together
Btclayton
12 April 2018
I've been on Prozac 40mg for awhile now and now Dr put me on bupropuin/Wellbutrin and I feel good with it 175 mg but I can't handle the headaches, I don't know what to do
Healthwize62
12 Feb 2018
I too have taken Prozac for many years. I suffer from MDD, PTSD, anxiety, and Fibromyalgia (chronic pain). A year ago I was prescribed Wellbutrin XL 300mg and I had tapered off the Prozac for about six months.
I loved the fact that on Wellbutrin I could get out of bed and start to enjoy (tolerate) life again. However, I could not sleep and I became “more”anxious.
Since October 2017 I’ve combined the two antidepressants and feel better than I have in years!!
I’m not a doctor but I’ve been on at least six or more antidepressants in my life.
Qterri57
13 Feb 2018
What are the dosages of the Prozac and Wellbutrin you are taking please? I would like to talk to my doc about this. Thank you!!
fgavett
9 June 2018
What are the dosages you are on?
Lalyfa
9 Sep 2018
@Healthwize62 I know this is an old post so I hope you get it! I started taking bupropion several months ago and just added Prozac (10mg). I’m encouraged to read your reply but am wondering what doses you are taking? I’ve onlt been on the Prozac for a week and haven’t noticed any change yet. I know I might need to increase and I know it’s still early so I’ll be patient. I take 300xl bupropion. Again would you mind letting me know how much Prozac you take? I can’t wait to start feeling better!
Manic Pixi
15 March 2014
I have been taking Wellbutrin for 6 years for anxiety and depression. The first 2 weeks were awful, I had to take Xanax to keep the anxiety from becoming too bad. After 2 weeks of taking it I felt wonderful I was happy, outgoing, I lost 25 lbs, it was great! Then after a few years I was switched to the generic, not knowing there was a difference I took it for a couple years and felt nothing really, but I didn't have panic attacks so I settled. I recently went to a new doctor and he gave me a script for the brand name wellbutrin and he also started me on prozac based on my current depression.
I have been on both for 2 weeks and I feel emotional, forgetful, disorganized and lethargic. I'm not sure if it's just an adjustment period or if it will get better, but I feel awful.
If anyone else has taken Wellbutrin for a while and added prozac, please share your experience. Thank you!
VeryEndowed
2 June 2014
Manic Pixi,
I'll save all the chemistry and give you the simple answer:
There are two phases of antidepressant medication -
1) The physical aspect (metabolism, changing of enzyme concentrations that are responsible for clearing the drug out of the body)
2) The mental aspect (once blood levels begin to balance out, the brain is now able to make the necessary neurotransmission changes)
Prozac's long half life means that it takes about 30 days for blood levels to finally balance out (20 mg/day) in a healthy individual. But the therapeutic (antidepressant) effects won't be evident until a couple weeks after your cells have adjusted to the steady concentration of the substance. Bupropion is no different in that it also requires a couple weeks for blood levels to balance out, but its therapeutic effects are much quicker since the dopamine/nor-epinephrine is naturally more flexible than our serotinergic system.
However, with the added DNRI (Bupropion), the body is now forced to maintain homeostasis while combatting two substances, thus resulting in more pronounced temporary side effects. The general guideline is that the more gradual the change, the less harsh the side effects. Hope this helps!
Manic Pixi
6 June 2014
Very,
Thank you for your great answer and explanation! I am curious if, after years of taking Wellbutrin your brain has a hard time producing dopamine on its own when you stop taking it. I have zero of the really positive effects that Wellbutrin brought me in the first year I started taking it. I'm considering stopping Wellbutrin and just trying Prozac by itself. I only gave prozac 2 weeks before and I discontinued taking it but as you explained it def wasn't long enough to notice any results yet.
I want to feel "Wellbutrin'd" again! I felt amazing and better than ever. Is it possible to stop taking it for 6 months to a year, then once again start taking it and feel the benefits like the first time, or is it a one time deal? Sad if it is.
Anyway, thanks again!
(Nice name btw
Le29
13 June 2014
Hi... I suffer from depression and anxiety. I tried zolof and it was a nightmare. I cound't get anything done and all i wanted was sleep. Then i started Brupropion, the side effects were really bad, Headache everyday for 3 weeks, it was hard to fall sleep and if i happens to wakeup during the night to use the bathroom, forget it i coudn't fall back to sleep again. But it went away after a few weeks. This medicin didn't help with my anxiety but i finally could get everything done, i felt more active i even went back to the gym, but since i have a problem with stress and angry management it made it worst. I would snap so easy for little things. Sometimes i felt like an animal in a cage. So my doctor added prozac, what a difference. I'm only on day 6 and i'm feeling like million bucks, i feel like i was lost and now i found myself.
I always see people say that when they find the right medication they "feel like themselves again" I thought I understood that but I didn't, NOW i do !! I the good effects don't go away after a few weeks like the bad ones.
I guess the combo of this two meds was good !
cmh1980
18 June 2014
"I want to feel "Wellbutrin'd" again! I felt amazing and better than ever. Is it possible to stop taking it for 6 months to a year, then once again start taking it and feel the benefits like the first time, or is it a one time deal? Sad if it is."
I've been wondering this too. I felt AMAZING when I first started it and I'd like to get that back.
cmh1980
18 June 2014
"I want to feel "Wellbutrin'd" again! I felt amazing and better than ever. Is it possible to stop taking it for 6 months to a year, then once again start taking it and feel the benefits like the first time, or is it a one time deal? Sad if it is."
I've been wondering this too. I felt AMAZING when I first started it and I'd like to get that back.
godsbutterfly
26 Aug 2014
Has anyone had their vision affected upon starting on bupropion?
dearcupcake
13 Sep 2014
@godsbutterfly, because this class of drugs stimulate certain neurotransmitters, including nonadrenaline (which controls blood pressure) also known as the, "fight or flight" response hormone, Wellbutrin can actually cause high blood pressure in some individuals. If I were you, I'd check your blood pressure a few times of day to see if that might be the culprit of your vision changes.
Aboss33692
30 Dec 2014
i started off taking only prozac 20mg daily and gained about 30lbs within a few months so i swtiched to wellbutrin. 300mg per day. i had an energy burst for the first week, but after that wore off. i liked that it helped me focus and concentrate on things better instead of being distracted. but, i was becoming irritable, and it boosted my anxiety- so i added the prozac back in, same dosage and wow! my anxiety is down, my ocd rituals are way down which wasn't happening with only the prozac, my sex drive is fine. i can still cry and be happy, just my anxiety and panic/fear doesn't go overboard anymore.(crying all day) i feel like for once i'm free from a lot of my ocd issues and its great. i dont get as irritated with small things and im able to let more go. This combo has worked great for me!
Artchicky
18 May 2018
Have been taking Wellbutrin for almost 3 years but feel Very anxious... just now adding Prozac 20mg. but makes me feel like nothing is important enough to do... just feel like sitting! :-(
chuck1957
11 Oct 2013
Hi K13collins I would say yes it is very comman when you have several problems with anxiety that it takes more than one drug to balance use out and also they do many times use one to cover side effects of the other,Did your doctor tapper you off the prozac then go wellbutruin if not that could be one of the problems you don't just stop a ssri,prozac and start another unless it is a simular ssri medication.Ask you doctor as soon as you can there is no reason to have as many side effects with medications these days.Chuck Wise Pharmacy techniecian Cpht 35 YEARS retired.
k13collins
12 Oct 2013
Yes. I did taper off of the Prozac before I started the Bupropion HCL. I don't know why the side effect were so bad before with just the Bupropion alone.
kaw06
10 Oct 2013
I will tell you this, it absolutely depends on the generic brand of welbutrin that you take! Please, ask your pharmasist what brand you are on , and request different one before you give up.
k13collins
12 Oct 2013
I get my meds from the VA. I'm not sure if they're generic. Does that make a difference? I'm currently taking Bupropion HCL 75 mg two times a day along with Prozac 20 mg two times a day.
I've been on the new combo for a week. I haven't noticed any difference in my mood but the good thing is I haven't had any of the horrible side effects when I was just taking Bupropion alone.
kaw06
12 Oct 2013
Bupropion is Generic Wellbutin. I take it With Effexor, and was having nasty side affects and it wasn't helping. Then, I received a different brand generic and what a difference!
kaw06
12 Oct 2013
Bupropion is Generic Wellbutin. I take it With Effexor, and was having nasty side affects and it wasn't helping. Then, I received a different brand generic and what a difference!
k13collins
12 Oct 2013
So should I talk with my doctor about changing? I'm not having any side effects like previously.
kaw06
13 Oct 2013
Sounds like you're doing fine :^))
k13collins
13 Oct 2013
Thanks so much. I've got my fingers crossed that it will start making a difference and I won't get any side effects I did taking it alone. Again, thanks for the support and advice.
Kathleen
kaw06
13 Oct 2013
You're welcome! I've been in your shoes and this forum it's very helpful.
:^))
cmh1980
18 June 2014
What generic brands were good??? Thanks!
masso
9 Oct 2013
Interactions between your selected drugs
bupropion ↔ fluoxetine
Applies to: Wellbutrin (bupropion), Prozac (fluoxetine)
Talk to your doctor before using buPROPion together with FLUoxetine. Combining these medications may increase the risk of seizures, which may occur rarely with either medication. In addition, buPROPion can increase the blood levels of FLUoxetine, which may increase other side effects. You may be more likely to experience seizures with these medications if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumor or head trauma. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol during treatment.
It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Other drugs that your selected drugs interact with
Prozac (fluoxetine) interacts with more than 500 other drugs.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) interacts with more than 300 other drugs.
Interactions between your selected drugs and food
bupropion ↔ food
Applies to: Wellbutrin (bupropion)
Using buPROPion with alcohol may increase the risk of uncommon side effects such as seizures, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, mood and behavioral changes, depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and panic attacks. On the other hand, sudden withdrawal from alcohol following regular or chronic use can also increase your risk of seizures during treatment with buPROPion. If you are prone to frequent or excessive alcohol use, talk to your doctor before starting buPROPion. In general, you should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with buPROPion. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
LaurieShay
9 Oct 2013
I take Wellbutrin with my other antidepressant and have found them to be a great combo. Wellbutrin targets dopamine which the other antidepressants do not. Whether Prozac will eliminate side effects from the Wellbutrin I doubt. Usually these side effects go away after being on the med for a few weeks.
Inactive
10 Oct 2013
Hi LaurieShay
I am taking Effexor..argued with my shrink about the dose..took 37.5mg xrfor a long time than 75mg xr..A little better but not a quantum leap after several months upped it to 150mg xr and wow! What a difference The doc was right that hitting that second neurotransmitter norepi was important So was taking wellbutrin..affecting the reuptake of dopamine..a big improvement for you? Do not want to go up to 300 mg xr of Effexor to affect dopamine just to high a dose!
Sincerely,
Jerry
LaurieShay
10 Oct 2013
The Wellbutrin improved my concentration ability and helped decrease the anxiety. Good to hear you are making progress. Its a struggle sometimes, but worth the effort.
Related topics
prozac, wellbutrin, depression, headache, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder
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