Welbutrin

Posted by Jane Welbutrin on June 24, 1999 at 16:17:59
I have been prescribed Welbutrin due to recent difficulties (injuries from serious car accident ocurring 6 mos ago, long term relationship termination, job change, apartment change, etc.).  My blood pressure is up to 170 over 95 - it has always been low (100/70).  It has been 6 weeks on 150mg in the morning.  I have had stomach irritation (some nausea) and have tried alleviating this with Pecid AC.  I have hypothyroidism and take .125 Levothroid daily.  
I do not know if Welbutrin is the correct medication for me.  I have been having terrible anxiety.  This combined with the stomach irritation makes me wonder if this is the appropriate medication.  I am not under any care other than my internist and have considered counseling.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by HFHS MD-JM on June 29, 1999 at 20:32:48
Jane,
    It sounds like you are experiencing several stressors right now and are taking Wellbutrin SR 150 mg daily.  The average therapeutic dose is 300-400 mg
daily and is typically divided into a morning and afternoon dose.
    There is no doubt that you have taken Wellbutrin for an adequate amount of time however, the dose is probably not hig enough.  Additionally, you are experiencing nausea which may be related to the medication (5-10% of people
may have this side effect at this dose) and your symptoms are not improving.
  
     I recommend that you discuss these issues further with your physician and
preferably a psychiatrist.  One option could be to increase the dose of Wellbutrin SR to 150 mg twice daily with food.  Another option is to change antidepressants all together especially as some of the other antidepressants
are more effective with some types of anxiety.  Don't forget talk therapy can
also be beneficial especially considering the numerous stressors you are experiencing.
Good luck,
HFHS MD-JM
Keywords:  Wellbutrin SR