Wellbutrin and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Woo...
• October 2, 2020

For Depression "I began Bupropion about a year ago. It took a while to kick in. Waiting eight weeks for the hoped-for effect was like waiting eight months. I had tried another med and it left me with negative sexual side effects, which is why the doctor suggested Bupropion. I've been taking a low dose of Viagra. Honestly, I don't know if I need it, but Viagra works. I told my doctor that I'm okay but don't seem to feel any drastic change from when I first began the med. She suggested upping to 300 mg extended release. After a week, I began to feel better, but I don't know if it is from the med or the high of knowing I made the attempt at trying to feel better. Wishful thinking is a good way to put it. So here's my question: Since I was already taking Bupropion at 150 mg/day extended release, should I expect the new dosage of 300 mg to take eight weeks to fully kick in? Has anyone had this experience?"

• Gsi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2014

For Depression "After starting Wellbutrin, I didn't notice any effects until week 5. I am now on week 9. I feel so much better than before. My self-image and self-confidence have skyrocketed. My libido increased. I am so much more optimistic and happy too. Honestly, can't say enough positive things about Wellbutrin."

• Hap...
• March 30, 2017

For Depression "I was feeling very depressed this winter. A combination of SAD and life. I was irritable, unmotivated, unsociable, negative, and sad. I could hardly recognize myself. I was nervous to try an antidepressant as I'd heard weight gain and loss of sex drive were often side effects. That would've depressed me more! But my doctor said that Wellbutrin was often referred to as the skinny sexy pill. Now that made it sound a whole lot better. I know it seems hard to believe, but day three I felt like a weight had lifted...not sure if it can work that fast but I was able to jump out of bed and feel motivated. My appetite has decreased, I'm happy, my libido is still as good as ever, and I have experienced 0 side effects. Love it!"

• Sda...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2019

For Depression "This drug is amazing. It has lifted my depression, and I have endless energy. The side effects are even better - weight loss and increased libido. It is the only antidepressant I've tried that has good side effects."

• dar...
• January 7, 2015

For Depression "I've been struggling with depression and anxiety/panic attacks since I was a kid. I'm now 36. I tried every antidepressant they threw at me from Celexa to Zoloft. None of them worked and came with side effects I couldn't handle. Weight gain and loss of sexual function. When my psychiatrist suggested Wellbutrin, I was afraid of more side effects, but I was desperate. I also take Valium and Klonopin for my anxiety, so I'm not sure if those might mask any increased anxiety, but I have to say, I noticed a difference the first day. I take 200mg SR in the morning, and I've got more energy and almost no interest in smoking, which is a bonus. It's only been a week, but I feel an improvement every day. I think I finally found the right one."

• AAn...
• November 13, 2014

For Depression "I was on Prozac and felt tired all the time, still depressed, and no sex drive. I thought maybe the dose wasn't enough and I was going through menopause, but the doc put me on Wellbutrin. I'm with the person above, I cannot believe in one day I felt better. I thought it was in my head. I made phone calls I would avoid because of anxiety, I got things done instead of sleep, and I felt so much happier next to my husband. Day two I woke up ready to start the day, completely the opposite of what I had been experiencing. Everyone is different, and you just have to see what works for you. Prozac is in a different class, and I just needed this antidepressant."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2017

For Depression "I have been taking 150 mg of the generic of Wellbutrin for the past month. I can't believe how amazing I feel! After dealing with depression for the past 4-5 years, I finally feel like myself again. I was diagnosed with PMDD and mild depression but tried to deal with both of these with Prozac and hormone birth control. After three months of Prozac, I quit. It made me tired and took away my libido. It didn't help my depression at all. I've tried three different birth controls (I'm 46... it wasn't for birth control, just to try to help my hormone levels.) Nothing helped my depression. Finally, my doctor prescribed Wellbutrin. I filled it but didn't take it for 8 months because I was afraid of the side effects. Now I could just kick myself!"

• win...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2014

For Depression "Wellbutrin is amazing. Prior to Wellbutrin, I was put on Zoloft, Prozac, and Valdoxan, all of which either killed my sex drive, did nothing, or made me too sleepy to function. For 2 years, I stupidly went off medication and just thought everything in life was crap, and probably said some things I regret to people. Eventually, it came to the point where I was failing at work and angry at everyone. The ADHD medication I was taking also worsened my depression. With Wellbutrin, I have been on it for around two months, and I feel great. I have energy, more motivation, increased libido, and I feel content, although I still have moments. Also, I have lost more than 5 pounds without dieting or exercising."

• Bec...
• January 13, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Wellbutrin has saved my life. It's a miracle. About 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and localized anxiety disorder. I was put on Lexapro, which didn't help much, and the side effects were awful: total loss of sex drive, bad headaches, and nightmares every night. Then, about 3 months ago, they put me on 200mg of Wellbutrin daily, and I started feeling better within a week. It was incredible! I am now happier than I have ever been. I feel like a new, improved version of myself. My sex drive has drastically improved, but my appetite has not returned. In fact, I have lost weight despite not changing my eating or exercising habits. Other than those, I have no side effects."

• Anonymous
• June 30, 2010

For Depression "I was tired all the time. I have been to Iraq and back, and the way I felt was just the way I thought I should feel. I was lazy sometimes, would put things off, irritated, and got upset quickly. For years and years, I just thought that was me. I was a major drinker and smoker, couldn't ever get enough sleep, and had no motivation to get out of bed. Again, I thought that was me. I started to have anxiety after my wife had a miscarriage. Then we got pregnant again, and things really started to get out of control. Wellbutrin saved me. I quit drinking and smoking! I'm motivated, love being a dad, work is great! Slight sexual side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2018

For Depression "I’ve been on Wellbutrin for a little over a year, and honestly it’s been life-changing. I’ve been able to go farther in my weekly talk therapy and get to issues that were blocked in the past because of depression and anxiety. I’ve gone further in my career and found a lot of daily comfort from feeling generally better and able to get through depressed times. I think I finally see an end point to therapy (it’s been nine years). I lost a few pounds and initially had a burst of sexual energy that has sadly dissipated. Now I’m back to normal sex drive, which is so much better than an ill-fated Lexapro trial years ago that prevented me from trying other antidepressants for years. I’m so very glad and grateful I found bupropion."

• Ane...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 18, 2015

For Depression "Taken all types of antidepressants. None worked until a friend mentioned Wellbutrin. Started off on 150mg SR generic brand. Anxiety increased, smoking decreased, sex drive moderate, no change in weight or additional side effects. After two years, doctor finally prescribed 24 hr Wellbutrin. Taking name brand. Day 2 & WOWWWWW. I'm feeling fabulous. I have Valium in case of emergency anxiety attacks. But I honestly believe this is a winner."

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 3, 2023

For Sexual Dysfunction, SSRI Induced "I took Wellbutrin for about 10 months without any major issues... or so I thought. A few weeks after starting, I realized I couldn't orgasm, but joked with my boyfriend that he 'broke' me and didn't think it was the bupropion. It took a few months, but eventually, my orgasms came back, just much weaker than before. I never once thought it was the bupropion (if I did, I would have stopped) until I left the bottle behind on vacation and realized that after I stopped taking it suddenly, my weak orgasms fizzled down to nothing at all. This was a slow fade over ~6 months, and I only put the puzzle pieces together another six months after that. Now, 2 years later, I see that I went from naturally having multiple amazing orgasms a day to barely being able to eke out roughly 2/10ths as much pleasure post-bupropion. I'd warn anyone on Wellbutrin that they should be extremely careful tapering and keep an eye out for issues, as bupropion is not known to cause sexual side effects but most definitely does."

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 3, 2023

For Sexual Dysfunction, SSRI Induced "I took Wellbutrin for about 10 months without any major issues... or so I thought. A few weeks after starting, I realized I couldn't orgasm, but joked with my boyfriend that he 'broke' me and didn't think it was the bupropion. It took a few months, but eventually, my orgasms came back, just much weaker than before. I never once thought it was the bupropion (if I did, I would have stopped) until I left the bottle behind on vacation and realized that after I stopped taking it suddenly, my weak orgasms fizzled down to nothing at all. This was a slow fade over ~6 months, and I only put the puzzle pieces together another six months after that. Now, 2 years later, I see that I went from naturally having multiple amazing orgasms a day to barely being able to eke out roughly 2/10ths as much pleasure post-bupropion. I'd warn anyone on Wellbutrin that they should be extremely careful tapering and keep an eye out for issues, as bupropion is not known to cause sexual side effects but most definitely does."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2018

For Depression "I have been on this for about a month now. I'm taking it for depression and to quit smoking. I feel totally amazing, it's like a dark cloud was lifted off me. I'm also on a maintenance medication for using opioids. The maintenance medicine completely killed my sex drive. It almost ruined my marriage. Now adding this to my meds has reversed all side effects from the maintenance meds. It took a while to start making it better, but now I'm back to the sexy living woman I used to be. Not to mention how great I feel again. I'm me all the way around again. Thank you!!!!"

• ADH...
• December 22, 2015

For Depression "I'm 18 years old. I started taking Wellbutrin 3 months ago when my psychiatrist put me on. I looked up reviews in here, and recommended I should be prescribed. Anyway, the first couple of months were horrible, but don't give up! 1 month ago, all my problems with Prozac were alleviated, my focus was 10X better (I also have ADHD, so my grades skyrocketed)! And my depression died. Yes, DIED! I laugh so much now, people at my school ask me why I laugh so much. It's refreshing, actually. Anyway, Prozac gave me severe loss of libido (on a serious note). I'm 18, so it bothered me horribly that I had a low sex drive. After months on end of taking Prozac, my libido became ED. And I lived a fairly healthy life, trust me. Wellbutrin fixed my problems."

• com...
• December 31, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was on 150 mg Effexor for nearly a year and continued suffering with depression and anxiety. It affected my libido to the point that I couldn't stand being touched by my husband. I've been on Wellbutrin for nearly three weeks, and it's been a miracle for me. My energy level is up, I can focus again, and my libido has increased. The only negative I have had is it doesn't help my anxiety."

• Jan...
• April 9, 2016

For Depression "I have had episodes of depression throughout my life. I have been on SSRI meds off and on. They never seemed to help, and side effects were horrible, tired, lack of energy, sexual side effects, increased anxiety. After my son was born, I experienced the worst depression and anxiety. After over 3 years, I finally went to seek help and refused to take SSRI meds. They first put me on Buspar for anxiety, which is a great alternative to other addictive meds. Then they added 150 mg of Wellbutrin once in the morning. The first day, I felt like I actually woke up for the first time in 3 years, had energy, but after a week, felt like it wore off too quickly. I am being upped to 300 mg XL and hoping I'll get better results. Still, best med I've ever tried!"

• anx...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2019

For Depression "I've been taking Wellbutrin along with medications for OCD and ADHD for many years now. I take this to improve my mood, give me a bit of energy, and counteract some of the sexual side effects that come along with my other meds. This med makes me 'racy,' and forget certain words sometimes, but I do feel less lethargic and the feelings of hopelessness and desperation have gone away. Interestingly, I was smoking cigarettes when I began this medication, and within days, the cigarettes started tasting nasty. Found out this drug is an anti-smoking drug and can see why. So, if you smoke (and are looking to quit), this drug could help you in that area as well."

• Pin...
• November 19, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and have also suffered the loss of my family. I had 5 major surgeries in one year and have attempted suicide several times. I've been on a variety of meds and have watched my weight balloon from 140 to 240 lbs because of these medicines. Am I better because of Wellbutrin? Maybe at first, and it is easier to move my life along. Side effects: itching that drives me nuts, no sex drive, I've only been able to drop 40 lbs, can't sleep, agitated really easily over stupid stuff, crying at the smallest thing. Yes, I still have days I don't want to get out of bed, but after a while, I finally do. No suicide thoughts right now, which is good."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2024

"Hugely satisfied. I tried this medication based on reviews from this page and absolutely agree with those who have found it transformational. I’ve suffered anxiety and addictive tendencies all my life, am a recovered alcoholic and drug addict through Alcoholics Anonymous with 18 years sobriety, but continued to struggle with binge eating and anxiety which has increased in recent years, and associated weight gain in line with perimenopause. My libido also crashed a decade ago following birth of my first child and never bounced back. I’ve been on HRT for nearly a year and that’s really helped, but had been suffering increasing panic attacks and general sense of doom linked with rogue undermining thoughts. I’ve been avoiding SSRIs as just couldn’t have any further weight gain or sexual issues (gained weight and lost sex drive on SSRIs in the past). Did a bit of research and found this. I’m on the Zyban brand as that’s all we can get down in NZ. On 75/75 SR."

• Duc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 16, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Wellbutrin for 5 or 6 years. The counselor gave me the choice of this or some others, which all had sexual side effects that were not acceptable to me. Taking 150 twice a day. If I forget it for a couple of days, I get very irritable, so even if I forget some of the others (for blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart problems), I try always to take the Wellbutrin. But, in the last year, I'm finding that there are few times when I'm not down in the hole. Won't be seeing the psych for another 6 months, but don't really want to talk to her anyway. My recommendation: if it helps even a little, keep taking it; it's better than going nuts."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2012

For Depression "I have been taking this medicine for 2 weeks now, and I feel much better. I was extremely depressed and unmotivated. I tried taking Lexapro, and the sexual side effects were severe, and the benefits were not worth the trade-off, so I stopped taking it. My psychologist recommended Wellbutrin as an alternative, and I am SO glad that I tried it. I am more focused in school, exercising, and I have an overall more positive attitude. The only problem that I have experienced is that I have a very hard time falling asleep and staying asleep at night. It is VERY annoying, but worth it to me. No sexual side effects and no weight gain."

• hop...
• May 23, 2010

For Depression "I have taken Paxil, Effexor, and Lexapro. These drugs helped but left me feeling like a zombie, had sexual side effects, and extreme night sweats. Because of these side effects, I always went off the prescription after a year or less. When I went off Effexor, I was energetic, worked out, and felt great. I thought if I could just maintain working out, I would be okay. Well, I slowly quit working out and got angrier and angrier. I tried to fight it for 3 years before I couldn't take it anymore. This time, the doctor put me on 150 mg Wellbutrin XL. I started feeling better within a couple of days. I did experience bad headaches and had an upset stomach for the first month. It was worth it. I have no side effects and feel 100% normal."

• Jan...
• March 4, 2021

"22-year-old male. I’ve struggled with depression my whole life, but due to certain events in my life, I reached an all-time low the past year. I would have panic attacks daily. I tried to just keep going on my own because I did NOT want to get on any medications. I hit a point where I knew that things weren’t going to change unless I did something about it. I gave in and decided to get on Wellbutrin so I wouldn’t have any sexual side effects from SSRIs. I am now on day 10, 150 XR. The first 8 days of this drug were absolutely terrible. It actually made my depression worse the first 5 days. BUT I can say, on day 10 now, all those side effects have begun to get better and better the past couple of days, and I feel a lot better. I feel relaxed, and it has helped a lot with anxious and depressing thoughts. Night and day difference. You just gotta push through the first couple of weeks until your body starts adjusting. And if I can do it, anyone can. Keep going! Give it a chance."