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Bupropion for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) User Reviews (Page 2)

Brand names: Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin, Budeprion Forfivo XL Budeprion SR

Bupropion has an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from a total of 44 reviews for the off-label treatment of Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight). 68% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 18% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Bupropion

  • Debbie
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 30, 2023

"I gained a lot of weight since the beginning of the pandemic. I was always eating and not healthy either. I started taking Bupropion 150SR twice a day about a month ago. I have already lost 11 pounds, cut all the junk out and don't think about food anymore as well as quitting a Diet Coke addiction. I love it and will stay on it forever, no more depression either!"

10 / 10
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11 Report
  • Big...
  • November 19, 2016

"I've been on wellbutrin for a few years, for my mental health. It seems to work well. But the dry mouth is bad, I've cut back on smoking a lot! But I have gained 50 lbs, I think it's more from the celexa I take for a mood stabilizer tho. Would love to go off the celexa!"

8 / 10
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49 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • July 18, 2023

"Lost 25 lbs on this but I was taking it for depression. And I found at first it was overwhelming with anxiety and sleepless nights, however, it did subside. I almost went off of it but I'm very happy that I changed my mind. I still get depressed at some points, but I'd recommend it. If you can get through the initial anxiety."

8 / 10
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8 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Vannn...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • December 28, 2021

"I was on 300 mg XL for depression and lost 30 lbs in 6 months. I took this dose for 1 year and went to 150 mg for a year & gained the weight back! (Not realizing it was from med dose decrease change) I have noticed an increase with depression also. My dr decided to decrease to 75mg instant release, which made me feel WORSE! Now have decided to switch back to 150mg XR and gradually increase to 300 mg XR. I was much happier & weight loss was a nice thing also!"

10 / 10
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16 Report
  • James
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 29, 2023

"I have been on this now for three weeks. I must say it has curbed my eating habits tremendously. I now can push food away, and my stomach rumbles now when I am hungry, which I haven't had since my teenage years. I need to get a scale, but I can see and feel weight loss. The side effects for me almost caused me not to continue, but I did, and I am so glad I did. (Stomach pains, nausea, but that has now subsided). :)"

10 / 10
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5 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Vlogbug
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 18, 2020

"I've been on 150mg bupropion for depression and Bulimia for 6 months and gained 10kg. No other lifestyle changes at all. Initially the depression lifted but I'm worse now and will be stopping Bupropion in favour of an ADHD med."

1 / 10
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19 Report
  • Losing...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 24, 2022

"I started on the 150 xl. It was increased to 300mg after 30 days. The Dr prescribed it for me for depression. I’ve been taking it for 3 months. I was considered obese at 201 pounds. I’ve lost 15 pounds without trying. I am now out of the obese range. I haven’t been exercising at all but I’m not as hungry when taking the Wellbutrin. 13 more pounds and I will be out of the overweight range and into the normal range. The biggest change for me though isn’t losing weight it is sleeping. I haven’t slept more than 3-5 hours a night in over ten years. I thought it was an age thing. No matter what time I went to bed, I’d be wide awake in 3-5 hours. So I would stay up until 1-2 in the morning so I wouldn’t wake up so early. Soon after starting the Wellbutrin, I stopped waking up after only a few hours. If someone wakes me up or I get up to go to the bathroom- I can go right back to sleep. I can easily sleep 8-10 hours now."

10 / 10
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11 Report
  • DJOHN
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 29, 2022

"My appetite was totally curbed 100%, and losing weight such as about 10lbs in 2 months. My desire to do things is no longer there, nor much energy yet. The medications make me see things and people for what they are really worth. I stay more level-headed now. I went from 150mg to 300mg."

8 / 10
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  • ABB
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 23, 2021

"I've been on 150 mg Wellbutrin XR for one year, prescribed as an add-on to 200 mg Lamictal (lamotrigine) for recurrent depression/mood disorder (possible bipolar II). Generally I feel pretty good, still have some lows every few months, and do not find it as effective as Lexapro in the past, especially not for anxiety or negative rumination. It has been amazing for my sex drive and ability to orgasm (I mean, AMAZING). But it has NOT decreased my appetite or caused weight loss AT ALL. I have gained at least 5 pounds - not that much, I admit (esp. compared to Lexapro which caused +30 lbs). But my appetite is out of control, and I find I binge eat (not in the shameful, disordered way, just that I eat way too large of portions, and while I know it's bad for me, I can't stop myself, just get so much PLEASURE from eating. I am not obese, just overweight. I'm afraid 300 mg would make the insomnia it causes worse, though, so I'm sticking with 150 for now & hope I don't continue to put on pounds."

6 / 10
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13 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 7, 2023

"My experience with Bupropion 150 mg ER/SR was not successful for weight loss. I’ve been taking it for going on five months for weight loss, and currently still taking it with no results, though everyone responds differently to medications. I haven’t had any side effects from the medication. I take one tablet by mouth twice daily. Not sure why it’s not working for me. I would recommend this drug for depression though, it hundred percent works, but for weight loss, I do not recommend it."

5 / 10
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  • Tara
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 12, 2022

"Bupropion 150mg x 2 daily. I'm having awful side effects on this drug, and about to wean myself off. I'm taking it for smoking cessation, but I do have 'night eating disorder' (BED) Bupropion is commonly given to those with binge eating disorders, to suppress appetite, but it's had the opposite effect on me. I'm eating far far worse at night, and the cravings are unbearable. I have gained 7lbs in the 4 weeks I've been taking it, and I'm so disappointed, as I was doing better with the disorder. To make matters worse, it's done nothing to help the smoking urges, and I'm irritable / snappy / emotionally low all the time. I've just bought nicotine replacement lozenges to wean me off cigarettes, and can't wait to get off this drug."

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • Fran
  • September 30, 2021

"Has anyone else experienced nausea? I am taking 150mg, have been for weeks with no weight loss at all, but I also have no appetite. But the nausea is getting me down and I'm afraid to up my dose because of it. Anyone else?"

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11 Report
  • L B
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 20, 2022

"I was prescribed bupropion by my doctor in January of 2022 for depression, actually, and it helped me lose 90lbs. My doctor did explain the side effects to me before hand and I was initially excited because my BMI score was 40 and I wanted to lose some weight. So far it has really helped with my depression although it did not treat my anxiety well and I had to get a prescription in tandem with my bupropion to treat it. Overall I can greatly recommend it if you are aiming to lose some weight from a decreased appetite due to bupropion or depression."

9 / 10
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  • Just...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 22, 2022

"Dealing with an anorexic, post-alcoholic husband, who needs mental help but won't get it, I felt in a fog. I was stress eating and wanted to stop. I had no energy. I asked to try Wellbutrin to get me out of my funk and won't cause weight gain. At 150mg, felt great but noticed a craving for carbs and sweets immediately. After a few months, it leveled off like I wasn't taking anything. Went up to 300mg XL and felt edgy, arms started breaking out in hives, blood blisters. The biggest thing I got very bloated, felt achy, itchy and packed on about 10 pounds in one month, 20 lbs total from the start. I was working out and watching what I ate and gained like crazy. I stopped cold turkey. First, maybe I wasn't truly depressed but dealing with living with a depressed person, so it didn't help. Now I'm stuck with trying to lose the weight which seems like a different weight gain, all around the waist, hips. But now I know and will go a completely different route with my mental health."

3 / 10
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  • mea
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 13, 2023

"I've been taking zyban for a few months. It's really helped my depression and to lose weight. I feel good, even. I've been walking daily, 10,000 steps and above. Today, I walked over 14,000 steps! I also practice portion control. So far, I have lost 32 lbs. I did gain 1 to 2 lbs due to eating more over the Easter Holiday. But I got right back to my exercise regime and I feel so much better. I can tell I've lost weight as well as others noticing my reduction in size. It has stabilized my mood, which helps to keep me motivated. I'm really glad I was prescribed Zyban. I have slowed way down on smoking, which was the original plan. I'm working on setting a quit date."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 13, 2021

"I started taking bupropion about a year ago and joined WW, I lost 40 pounds felt great but now I seem to be gaining it back and I haven't changed anything. What can I do. I don't want to gain the weight back."

10 / 10
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9 Report
  • Happier
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 25, 2022

"Started April, 2022., 56 year old woman. I wanted to lose weight after being mostly on SSRIs for 26 years and gained a lot of weight. Diabetes runs in my family and my A1c was creeping up. I have dropped 42lbs in six months and I’m very happy with the results. Appetite is under control and I don’t get insatiable cravings. A1c is now 5.9 so better than before. Side effects, some ringing in my ears, not as effective at reducing anxiety or it causes more anxiety but it is working for my depression. Dosage 150 mg xl (300mg created too many side effects)."

9 / 10
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6 Report
  • Laylay
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 31, 2022

"I often read these comments related to weight loss with Bupropion and wander just what I am doing wrong. I have been on this medication > 3 years with" NO" I mean no weight loss only weight gain. I watch what I eat, starchy foods are mostly always eliminated from my diet, exercise isn't consistent, but its some weekly and still no weight loss. I started taking this mainly for depression but emphasized the need for something that would not lead to weight gain as most antidepressants. My heart is saddened as I have more weight gain since starting, and this is definitely leading to an increase in my depression even with the medication. I just don't get it. I am older, so I know that increases my struggle alone but there should be some loss. I tried to take Naltrexone along with Bupropion for weight loss, which is the other ingredient in Contrave at one point, unfortunately I felt terrible so I stopped. The Bupropion is fair for the depression control but not great for me."

5 / 10
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  • curly...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 12, 2023

"I gained 75 pounds on Lexapro after 3 years (taken for OCD, GAD, and Bulimia). Begged for this medication. After a while, I finally got it. 7 ml in and I'm down 15 pounds, and my cravings are almost gone. I take 150 mg with 10 Lexapro."

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  • mlh
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 17, 2024

"I was given this medication for anxiety but hoping to lose some weight. I have been on it for 8 months and it's really difficult with the side effect of dry mouth! I also have constipation but eat a lot of fiber. I can't believe the reviews of all the weight loss. In 8 months I've only lost 2 lbs! I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it because it hasn't really helped with anxiety that much. I know I'm older and that might be part of the reason and I can't exercise, but still, you would think I would lose something more than 2 lbs! Female 65+"

5 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • June 22, 2009

"I lost 60 pounds. I don't have food cravings."

9 / 10
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253 Report
  • Sam
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • April 25, 2020

"I gained 20 -30 pounds on it"

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69 Report
  • Anonymous
  • July 29, 2009

Wellbutrin SR (bupropion) "Only downside - the dry mouth but I drink 8-10 glasses of water now."

9 / 10
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154 Report
  • syrk
  • February 10, 2010

Aplenzin (bupropion) "It helped me curb my urges to eat."

7 / 10
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116 Report
  • AJano
  • October 26, 2019

"My enemy is grazing on sweets. Break your normal dose into 3 equal doses (150 mg for me). "

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42 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.