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MedHelp Member's Question

Wellbutrin/Zyban as a tx for addition

by counselor, Apr 29, 2001 12:00AM
Tags: Addiction
I would like to know the most recent information available for the treatment of addiction with Wellbutrin/Zyban.  I was in a one-hour siminar on antidepressants this week and the speaker mentioned Wellbutrin as a new tx for alcoholism.  My 19-year-old son is battling an addition to pain pills.  He has been in rehab, IOP and goes regularly to NA meetings, but continues to relapse. Is it possible that Zyban might help him kick this addiction?  Your response would be most appreciated.
Member Comments (39)

by Brighty, Apr 30, 2001 12:00AM
To: Counselor
I am unable to give you any specifics on recent use of Zyban for addiction per se although the doctor may reply and know this and you may also find more information on the web or directly by contacting the pharmacetical company... they will tell you of any studies and possible approvals for particular uses.



What I am familiar with, and I think it's been widespread over the last 6 or so years, is the use of this med for specifically, nicotine addiction because of it's action on dopamine.



My husband went on this medication to quit smoking... it did not help him... I think it may have to do with both the dosing and also the personal motivation needed to pick up and make changes... he expected it to work like a magic bullet.



My information also, is that Zyban is the same as Wellbutrin SR which is the slow release formula they use for the smoking. Regular wellbutrin is not slow release and has more possibility of causing seizures because of the quick release.



An antidepressant primarily and it was noticed in studies that a side effect was that people on it just naturally cut back or quit smoking with no intention or effort. So that was how it got to be used for smoking addiction.



Hope you find more information you are looking for.

Love, Brighty

by Francoise, Apr 30, 2001 12:00AM
Brighty is right as usual. Zyban and Wellbutrin are exactly the same drug. If it's prescribed as Wellbutrin for depression, insurance companies will pay for it. If it's prescribed as Zyban for smoking cessation, insurance companies won't pay for it. It's nice to know the ropes, the stupidity, of insurance companies, what?



I used it for smoking cessation, even though I had it prescribed as for depression for the obvious reason. However, I am dependant on oxycontin as I use a maintenance dose of it for chronic pain, and I can tell you that taking Wellbutrin for opiate withdrawal would be like taking a garden hose to the Chicago fire. There are other drugs for opiate withdrawal: klonopin, buprenorphine, and if you can  find a place outside the US for treatment, the most promising medication is ibogaine. Look it up on the internet. Treatment is available on St. Kitts. Contact Dr. Deborah Mash, University of Miami. One treatment with ibogaine seems to do the trick. If I ever have to get off my pain med, it's St. Kitts for me - or some other place that's not so expensive - if I can find one.



Best,



Frank

by siliconboy, Apr 30, 2001 12:00AM
To: all
Wellbutrin is one of the current antidepressants that doesn't claim it's action from serotonin uptake inhibition. It's the closest the pharmo's have come to addressing the other neurotransmitter AND the endorphin issue with non-addictive/abuse potential drugs. Currently they are working on a new crop that is more specific. Two years ago the doc switched my very ADHD son from ritalin which is essentially speed with a much shorter half life than amphetamine / methamphetamine, to weelbutrin. It was a while before effective but once we got him titrated properly it "took" and is helping him. Everyone has their own blueprint of brain chemistry and what works for one doesn't translate necessarily. Any of these meds - in order to ascertain if helpful, take patience. If you don't chronical behavior ie., cravings - it is very subjective at best. From what my limited understanding of this drug is, I suspect it may be an aid for chemical dependency. I say this because it's a fairly accepted thought process in some circles that 'ALL" chemical dependency may be in some way related to an underlying condition resulting from low endorphin production. This is a very complex issue, and SPOOK should jump in and take it from here.

by Brighty, Apr 30, 2001 12:00AM
To: Siliconboy
Welcome back !!! That was knock your sox off information !!! I hope you and Luke keep posting here.



Love,Love,Brighty

by counselor, May 01, 2001 12:00AM
Thanks to all for your information and support.  This is, without a doubt, the most painful and difficult situation we as parents have dealt with.  Oh for the days when it was homework issues and curfew violations.  Thanks again.  Counselor

by Thomas, May 02, 2001 12:00AM
To: Francoise
Hello, my friend,

Aren't insurance carriers wierd about meds? The same med and one, you can have it; the other, you can't. Typical! Hang in there, Francoise. You're going to be OK, man. As long as there are people who care about you .....



Thomas (Patrick)



by Thomas, May 03, 2001 12:00AM
Sorry to hijack the thread, but you know how it is ... I had a rather interesting experience as the result of having another benzo-withdrawal seizure. True to form, I went through my Xanax too quickly -- ran out last week (the same week I started a high-pressure tech writing job). My wife takes Xanax from the same doctor and I further screwed myself by assuming I could refill and borrow some of hers. The doctor said no-go to both of us -- not very smart when you consider my seizure history -- but, anyway, after two days without any Xanax, I had a petit mal "absense" seizure right in front of all my new co-workers, bosses, etc. As usual. I woke up in the ambulance on the way to the ER. Of course, I assumed I had just lost another good job (and it was a very good job, too).



But, you know, people will surprise you, sometimes. My wife arrives at the ER and comes back to my room to tell me that half the company got into their cars and followed the ambulance with me in it down to the ER -- just to make sure I was OK. I was so moved I almost cried (truly). When the boss realized my company med insurance didn't start for a while longer, she told my wife that the company would pick up all my medical bills -- they valued me that much. I was humbled and more than a little overwhelmed.



Being a writer in the cut-throat software industry and an rx drug addict for more than 30 years, I'm not used to being treated even remotely like a human being by much of anyone, let alone virtual strangers. You all know what I mean: the second it becomes apparent your problem is in any way related to drug addiction, people line up for the right to take a **** on your face.



I was quite overcome, to tell you the truth. Needless to say, I owe my new friends at that company some real loyalty. When my doctor found out his staff had refused to let me come in to be seen the day I ran out of my Xanax, he reamed some major nurse ass while I stood there and watched. Something tells me I won't have any problem getting an appt after this. Anyway, I thought you guys might find this story amusing. Most places I've worked for would have just fired me for having the seizure. In fact, what's funny is, the guy who in fact did fire me for having a benzo-withdrawal seizure a few months ago is now sending me his resume asking me to help him get hired at my new company! I haven't decided what to do with him yet …



Peace.

by Thomas, May 04, 2001 12:00AM
To: Shiny and Wizard
Shiny, if you're on regular doses of some good pain meds, then I personlly would be surprised if you had a benzo seizure. When I had lots if darvon and vicodin, I didn't really miss the benzos. I think I just took more of the pain meds to compensate. As long as you've got narcs, I wouldn't worry.



Wizard: the first (and worst) benzo-withdrwal seisure I've ever had was coming off of Ativan. Ativan is what they'll give you at the hospital if you do seizure. Either stay on them or come off very, very gradally. Ask any doctor. It's no secret about benzos.

Good luck.

by Francoise, May 04, 2001 12:00AM
To: Thomas!!!!!!!
So. You're a technical writer?!? How marvelous.



I'm a technical writer too.



Actually, I've been managing technical writing groups (similar to herding cats in many respects) for the last eight years.



I thought I felt a certain sympaticoness.



Charmed, I'm sure.



Francoise

by cindi, May 04, 2001 12:00AM
To: ANOTHER PHARMACY STORY CAN THEY DO THIS?
sorry to interrupt this thread but ihave a question and of course I could not post....ok,,,,monday I called my doc for something for pain (I asked for only enough until i could get into see her) she called me in 20 ultram  1 tablet 4 times a day...on thrusday i went to see her and she is sending me for an MRI to make sure i have not herniated any more discs and she is working on trying to rule out a few other problems...ok, anyway,  there are days when it is nealy impossible for me to walk and nights impossible to sleep due to the pain so on these "bad" days she gave me 60 vicodin ES 1 or 2 4 times a day, and then on the fairly good days when i don't need the vis but do need something she gave me 100 Ultram....2 every 4 to 6 hours  so, she did up the dose for me.  I took the ultram script to the pharmacy and even with a new script and dose increase they would not fill it....i called today and they basically said in a very demeaning tone that I had just had 60 vics filled  why the ultram?  I explained the situation etc, and they basically said they probably would not fill the ultram.... they also acted really wierd about the parafon forte they filled for me also  does anyone know if they are allowed to refuse a script if they feel that since i already have the vics why bother?  they are 2 seperate drugs and the doc said I could even alternate them,,, this is the same store that on their computers if they feel you are taking too many meds they have a screen that goes up saying  "warning"  possible drug addict.....just curious as to whether or no they are alowed to do this...is this not violating something?  oh well, just curious..thanks  love to all    cin

by pelle1985, May 04, 2001 12:00AM
To: cindi
I don't know whether or not the pharmacies are technically "allowed" to do anything or not (probably are, sadly -- as private enterprises anywhere usually reserve the right to refuse services of any kind), but as a former prescription drug junkie, I have to ask what seems to me a fairly obvious question -- why not just go to a different pharmacy (i.e., not in the "chain" you are going to)?  Unless distance (or cost) is a factor or something. . .I mean, I used to have scrips all over town at different drug stores, usually multiples of the same and/or similar narcotics, at the same time, and never ran into any problems this way.  Not the most healthy answer, perhaps, however I *am* trying to help. . .just curious.  Let me know, okay?



Peace,

Pelle