Wellbutrin and Irritability: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2014

For Depression "I am not a proponent of Big Pharma, and have always had to try to 'deal' with my problems on my own. I have a really excellent diet, exercise, don't smoke, eat an organic diet - I'm just saying I really take care of myself. I have had anxiety (with a little bit of depression) all of my life. I was diagnosed with PTSD a few years ago, as I was having severe anxiety about being accepted into nursing school, and if I would be able to handle the stress and constant pressure, and I also have concentration problems. I have been off and on SSRIs, which have been nothing but terrible for me... Paxil, Zoloft, & Prozac, of which made me feel like a zombie. Wellbutrin is GOLD. Not tired, less irritable, not panicky. It has changed my life."

• Nat...
• June 6, 2021

For Depression "Just starting this med. The first couple days, I didn’t think it was doing much, but I noticed I couldn’t sleep for very long. I wasn’t as hopelessly sad as I had been the week prior, but I was experiencing an array of stomach-related side effects (constipated until I was very much no longer constipated, bloating, stomach aches, and VERY nauseous the first night). Fast forward a few days, I still can’t sleep very much. I’m artificially active is the best way to describe it. I’ve been pretty inactive throughout the pandemic, but I walked to get iced coffee in 90-degree heat, cleaned my apartment, had people over, then went to the gym later because I was so jittery and couldn’t sit still. It also has given me quite a bit of anxiety and some irritability alongside the constant need to be active. I hope that over the next few days, the anxious thoughts, stomach issues, and insomnia calm down."

• Fai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2021

For Depression "I am on week 3 on Bupropion 150 SR, I went off Paroxetine cold turkey and started this. First week, I was tired all the time and had some weird nightmares that went away starting the 2nd week. Then the 2nd week, I felt awkward. I was not myself, I was very irritable, didn't want to be around people, had some headaches that week, and wasn't interested in doing many things. I was about to quit, but my doctor told me to please give it a try until week three when it is supposed to start working (from week 3 to 6). So I did with a lot of effort, and I am so HAPPY I DID HANG IN THERE!! I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER. Today is my day 22, and I at last feel peace, joy, and motivation again to do things I didn't want to do before. I am eating less, not so hungry, stopped smoking, and do not need caffeine to function as I did before. It doesn't have side effects on libido like Paroxetine. So far, it has been worth the wait of 3 weeks of not feeling so well. IT IS WORTH IT. PLEASE HANG IN THERE!! Pray for all to feel happy."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2024

"Female, 27, 150 mg XL for overeating disorder, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. After 10 days, insomnia improved by switching to taking it at night right as I'm falling asleep. It increased focus, energy, and contentment while reducing hunger. Initial agitation subsided quickly. Previous meds like Adderall, Vyvanse, and SSRIs had unwanted side effects, but Wellbutrin combines the best of both, allowing creativity and emotional connection. It's improved disordered eating, social interactions, and focus on work and creativity. Lost 3 lbs, feel more accountable, and have a better schedule. Glad I gave it a chance after being hesitant due to online reviews. It's nice to have my life back and feel like myself. I will update if anything changes, but for now I'm so grateful for this medicine."

• Ron...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2025

For Depression "This medication was very hard to use, there was stomach pain and acid reflux. Sleep was poor, and I couldn't sleep more than 2 hours without waking at night. I became very agitated with anxiety and sadness that would come and go very fast. The agitation became worse, and I was looking for anything that irritated me to lash out and went into a rage and confronted others. My heart was always around 100 beats when I was at rest. I also had very strange thoughts that worried me I was losing control of my thoughts."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2008

For Depression "I have been taking Wellbutrin for almost a month now and I have already noticed a change. I used to be this really upbeat, happy, positive person, and all of a sudden, I was tired all the time, couldn't sleep, was really sad all the time, agitated really easily, and also got snippy with people at the drop of a hat. My mom was the one who said I needed to go see the doctor and find out what was going on with me. I've tried other antidepressants, this is the only one that works for me."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2008

For Depression "I have been taking Wellbutrin for almost a month now and I have already noticed a change. I used to be this really upbeat, happy, positive person, and all of a sudden, I was tired all the time, couldn't sleep, was really sad all the time, agitated really easily, and also got snippy with people at the drop of a hat. My mom was the one who said I needed to go see the doctor and find out what was going on with me. I've tried other antidepressants, this is the only one that works for me."

• som...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2023

For Depression "I started bupropion 75 mg and was on it for 10 days. The first days, I was agitated and hypervigilant, had problems with driving as everything attracted my attention, and felt a bit more active. I became careless and a bit arrogant. My empathy and people-pleasing behaviors lowered. I could socialize, not feeling inferior. Slowly, the medicine lost effect. The next 10 days were bupropion ER 150 mg. It gave me grave depression, I feel like I am in a cage, extreme depression, and I feel people are all monsters. I still have empathy, but no joy, no happiness, nothing. I can study, and my brain fog is gone. I can focus if I eat something. Now I am on 300 mg bupropion ER. Still very depressed. No joy. My kidneys are starting to hurt, and I have some breathing problems and nasal dripping problems. Super aware of my surroundings, studying is easy. I have lost joy, and I sleep all the time. I have a dull headache. I feel like if I continue, I will have a mental episode."

• Shy...
• February 5, 2021

For Depression "I started taking 100 mg of Wellbutrin 2 months ago. I was prescribed it for ADHD, but I also suffer from severe depression. The first four days of this drug were absolutely awful, I cried and felt an extreme hopelessness. After the second week, the sadness was fading, but I felt numb. The only positive thing is that it has decreased my irritability heavily, like I used to snap at so many small things, and now I am unbothered, but this has been replaced with sensitivity and getting emotional/crying easily. It also has helped with my sex drive. It hasn’t helped my ADHD, and I also no longer have an appetite. Two days ago, I was bumped up to 300 mg a day, and the first day taking it, I went back into the same despair I felt, but the suicidal thoughts were worse this time, though luckily my boyfriend was there. I’m not sure if this is worth taking in the long run, but I’d rather be more emotional than have the irritability come back. Wishing everyone suffering from depression lots of love :)"

• Con...
• January 5, 2014

For Depression "I've been taking bupropion 75mg twice a day for the past 6 weeks and I feel like I'm finally back to the real me. I'm 18 and have been dealing with depression, but this medication helped me tremendously. I was originally on Paxil, but due to sexual side effects, I switched to this and it restored my sex drive. I also have a little bit of anxiety, but this medication cleared that up as well. The first week was hard. I experienced heart palpitations, very anxious, ridiculous energy, and I was easily agitated. After the first week, those side effects slowly diminished and now I don't have them at all. That is the only reason I didn't give this medicine a 10. It saved my life. I HIGHLY recommend this to any who doesn't want sexual side effects."

• NDC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2024

For Depression "I hesitated to take any medication for years and years, but after a series of difficult life events over the last year, I was feeling a heaviness and hopelessness that I just couldn’t shake. My eating disorder behaviors worsened, I gained lots of weight, and had no energy. After reading reviews on this site, I decided to try Wellbutrin. It’s been a month now, and I would say this medication has changed my life. I am more in control of my thoughts and am able to stay in the present. I am sleeping better, have way more energy, and feel way more in control mentally and emotionally, so the eating disorder behaviors have significantly decreased. The only side effects I have noticed are the decreased appetite and a bit more irritability. Otherwise, I am so happy I had the courage to take the plunge. It’s been great!"

• sad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2023

"Wellbutrin made me extremely agitated and angry and caused me to cry almost nonstop for a week. If I wasn't screaming at someone, I was in tears. The symptoms were so bad that my doctor took me off the drug, even after only having it for a little over a week. The side effects were completely unlivable. I could never have done that for weeks while I waited for it to work, I have bills to pay."

• Jos...
• January 3, 2021

For Depression "It is amazing to see the variability in how people respond to Wellbutrin! However, this is common for most psychotropic medications. I started taking it to see if it would help with my Seasonal Affective Disorder and fibromyalgia. I started to feel more energetic, creative, and almost stoned within the first week. I felt so much better I decided to leave my 23-year marriage because I felt like I now had the energy to break free and find a more positive relationship. However, after two and a half months on Wellbutrin, only at 100 mg, I started to feel edgy, anxious, and 'not myself.' I was feeling like I was losing myself, and it was starting to be quite scary! After two days off of the med, now I am feeling like myself again. When we take meds like this, we really need to monitor whether we are doing better or worse overall. Whatever you do, make sure you are doing psychotherapy at the same time. Whatever you do, don't give up on yourself!"

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2022

For Depression "If you're anything like me, you're scrolling these reviews, freaking yourself out over the bad reviews. I never wanted to take meds, but I gave them a try because I needed that extra help. Yes, the first two weeks suck. My anxiety skyrocketed, I was irritable, had dry mouth, and really bad brain fog. That's how it's going to be when taking a new powerful drug, your body needs to adapt. To be blunt, you just need to suck it up and push through, knowing these feelings will pass because they do. One day I was suicidal, so if that lasts more than a day or so, then yes, maybe it's not for you. Have a support system, friends or family, it helps a lot. Week 3-5, I felt no change, week 6 rolled around, and I felt GREAT. At peace, motivated, and clear-minded. I started with 100 mg, just went up to 50 mg. In order to heal, you NEED to pair medication with other help like meditation, yoga, exercise, therapy, and a healthy diet. I promise when you put that effort in, amazing things will come your way."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started Wellbutrin after taking Zoloft for about 6 months but had to stop because I gained 30 lbs in 3 months and was retaining water like crazy. Wellbutrin definitely stopped the water retention, and I’ve lost about 6 pounds since starting it about a month ago. Unfortunately, I have to stop taking this one too. I was hoping this would be the one— I’ve been back and forth on a lot of meds, but nothing has worked. I felt severely angry and would lash out. I’ve never been that way. I am convinced this medication has caused me to have anger problems when I never had them before. Coming off the medication hasn’t been great, super emotional, tired, lots of headaches, and irritability, but after day 12, I’m finally feeling better."

• Raq...
• September 24, 2020

For Depression "This medicine, Wellbutrin, just made me sleepy and irritable/depressed. Didn’t have any side effects like dry mouth or excessive energy. It kinda made my depression worse. Keep looking for the right med. It works for some, but unfortunately didn’t work for me."

• Blu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on 300 mg Wellbutrin (WB) for 6 months. I was in a deep depression, and WB gave me the drive to get out of bed and out of the house. The physical symptoms of depression were greatly reduced - more awake, alert, increased sex drive, normalized cognitive function. However, it made me feel very uncomfortable - wound up, agitated, irritable. I didn’t like the person I had become. It was almost as if my ego had been amplified tenfold. I reduced to 150 mg and felt immediate relief from the restless energy, which was worsening my emotional state. I am considering discontinuing."

• Blu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on 300 mg Wellbutrin (WB) for 6 months. I was in a deep depression, and WB gave me the drive to get out of bed and out of the house. The physical symptoms of depression were greatly reduced - more awake, alert, increased sex drive, normalized cognitive function. However, it made me feel very uncomfortable - wound up, agitated, irritable. I didn’t like the person I had become. It was almost as if my ego had been amplified tenfold. I reduced to 150 mg and felt immediate relief from the restless energy, which was worsening my emotional state. I am considering discontinuing."

• dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2019

For Depression "I'm nasty with Wellbutrin, irritability is a side effect, so my dosage was cut in half. Seemed okay for a short time, not back to the nasties. Seems occasionally some days I'm okay for a short time, about 1-2 hours, then back to being irritable. Can't even stand myself. Such a hard day trying to suppress the anger for the sake of others. This alone is causing depression symptoms."

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2012

For Depression "This drug was not for me. It's very stimulating. It made me aggressive, angry, and irritable. It had several unpleasant side effects, like headache, heavy head, agitation, and fatigue. Strange shock sensations in the brain, loss of appetite, unwanted weight loss, insomnia, broken sleep, nightmares, trembling, and dehydration. And with all that, it never lifted my mood at all. It made me completely dysphoric. I cried daily, screamed at my husband and kids, and hated myself and my body so much I had thoughts of self-harm. In the past, I have taken SSRIs and never experienced anything as negative as this. Although the sexual side effects on others were atrocious! That is one thing Wellbutrin didn't cause, sexual dysfunction. I am a 31-year-old female."

• Bra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

For Depression "I started on Wellbutrin XR 150 mg on June 20th. Was doing okay, nothing great, but maybe a slight change in my mood. Started the 300 mg on July 20th. Yep, I know I've only taken 4, but I am terribly irritable, frustrated, almost looking for an argument. I don't think I'm being too dramatic about the way I'm feeling and don't know if I need to see my doctor. Something just isn't right since starting on 300 mg."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2019

For Depression "I’m very pleased with the results after only two weeks. I have a lot more energy, I feel more social, and I don’t feel sad. There are side effects, however. I’m having trouble sleeping, I’m sweating more, and I feel a little irritable and kind of wound up. I’m having some trouble doing one thing and finishing it before starting something else. Also, I’ve lost about 4 pounds in two weeks and I don’t feel hungry. I am a little concerned that I’m looking too thin. But the overall positive effects outweigh the negatives for me so far."

• Ree...
• August 31, 2019

For Depression "Made me very irritable and gave me deeper depression whenever I took the medicine. Also kept me up late at night and didn’t help my depression at all. Quit cold turkey and am doing much better now. Best to stay away unless you seriously need treatment."

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2019

For Depression "I was prescribed 75 mg Wellbutrin 2x per day. I've only been on this for about 2 weeks, and the side effects are awful. Insomnia, total brain fog, can't remember mid-sentence what I was even talking about, killed my ability to climax (I also take Lexapro 20 mg, which killed my libido), massive panic attacks, severe agitation and mood swings, and irrational thinking. I'm so sad because I really wanted this med to work, but the cons outweigh the pros 100%. Good luck to everyone!"

• Rob...
• September 1, 2022

"By far the best antidepressant I've ever tried. The other two were Lexapro and Zoloft. Both left me foggy, and I always felt a bit disconnected from the flow of things, especially socially. Started Wellbutrin, and literally within a couple of days, felt amazing. The first thing I noticed was this excited feeling of wanting to jump out of bed to start the morning. Super motivated to get stuff done, following through on projects. Dancing to music while cleaning the house type of stuff. And it lasted all day. Life changing. Find the right dose for you. It works pretty quickly once dialed in. Note: Before starting Wellbutrin, I had what I would call moderate depression (of the unproductive and slow-moving kind) and a bit of social anxiety. I did have panic attacks, and sometimes I was agitated for no reason. I give Wellbutrin an A+ with gold stars. 10/10."