Could Wellbutrin Sr and Xl have opposite effects?

[Daybreaker82]

I have been depresssed for years and only now feel comfortable to finally give something a serious shot as in medication.. It does not make me hyper -- This drug actually makes me a bit sleepy and drowsy so I take it before bed.

I took Bupropion SR 100mg for 3 days and felt instantly happier, less stressed out and brighter about life. My doctor gave me a perscription for severe depression but he wrote it for Wellbutrin XL 150 mg. The past 3 days I have been on the W XL and my mood has worsened to even worse than it was before taking Wellbutrin.

I'm going to try and go back on the SR 100mg now and see if there is a difference..
My question is it possible that once version of the drug makes me more depressed while the other once makes me happier?

Also -- I have been reading about some adverse reactions to these drugs when consuming sugar so I have been eating a few little bits of sweets the past few days because of the holidays. So perhaps I should take that into account?

[staley]

I recall reading a study, which found that the generic bupropion XL released its ingredient at a  different rate than the brand name Wellbutrin XL. Apparently, the generic pill released 34 percent of its ingredients in the first two hours (which caused irritability in some people), compared to 8 percent in the brand name. You could ask for the brand name to see if it helps.  Btw, I take the SR 150mg twice daily. I believe the XL is for once daily. Some people find that the drug takes several weeks to work, but everyone is different. The SR makes me less fatigued for sure. Also, it helps with minor ED. Check with you Dr. i haven't experienced any sides with my increased consumption of cookies over the past week.

[Daybreaker82]

Thanks Staley..

Your info has really helped me out. I have been back on the 100mg SR Bupropian the past two days ( i take it at night because it was making me a little drowsy ) -- But I have to say I take 100mg SR at 6 pm .. I am still feeling great at midnight.. But by morning it has started to wear off I have noticed that is like 8 or 9 am-ish...

The 150mg Wellbutrin XL i only took for 3 days but couldn't handle it -- I was feeling more depressed.

Tommorow I am going back to the doctor and I am trying to decided what to ask to do .. My idea was to take 100mg SR twice a day. But I'm afraid to get Wellbutrin over Bupropian because I feel too good on Bupropian so far. I know this sounds funny but almost too good. LIke for about 4-6 hours after taking the 100 mg I feel pretty euphoric and my sex drive is back. But by mid afternoon the following day or even noonish I'm down in the dumps.

It's been a bit of rollercoaster week starting this medication but I am happy that maybe it can help me at the right dosage. Do you suggest taking Wellbutrin over the generic brand?

[Daybreaker82]

Thanks Staley..

Your info has really helped me out. I have been back on the 100mg SR Bupropian the past two days ( i take it at night because it was making me a little drowsy ) -- But I have to say I take 100mg SR at 6 pm .. I am still feeling great at midnight.. But by morning it has started to wear off I have noticed that is like 8 or 9 am-ish...

The 150mg Wellbutrin XL i only took for 3 days but couldn't handle it -- I was feeling more depressed.

Tommorow I am going back to the doctor and I am trying to decided what to ask to do .. My idea was to take 100mg SR twice a day. But I'm afraid to get Wellbutrin over Bupropian because I feel too good on Bupropian so far. I know this sounds funny but almost too good. LIke for about 4-6 hours after taking the 100 mg I feel pretty euphoric and my sex drive is back. But by mid afternoon the following day or even noonish I'm down in the dumps.

It's been a bit of rollercoaster week starting this medication but I am happy that maybe it can help me at the right dosage. Do you suggest taking Wellbutrin over the generic brand?

[staley]

I have heard that with the SR, it doesn't make a difference of generic or brand (as it reportedly does with the XL). For this reason, I take the generic bupropion SR (also it is cheaper for me). When I started, I was taking the SR 150mg only in the morning, then after 4 weeks the dr. had me take it 150mg in the morning and 150mg in the evening. I could definitely tell the difference with the twice daily regimen, but for me it took several weeks to get the full effects; although, it helped with mild ED right away.  I'm not a Dr., but I think the generic SR is fine. From what I've heard, I would not take the generic XL. Everyone is different though. By the way, the generic and Wellbutrin have the same active ingredient, but sometimes generics release their drug at different rates (like I've heard with the XL). Also, don't increase your dosage without instructions from your Dr. to do so. He may let you stay on once daily for a little bit, and then move you up to twice daily like they did me. Let me know what they said at your appointment.

[Daybreaker82]

Well, my doctor put me on Bupropian SR 100 mg in the morning and another 100 mg in the evening. The side effects aren't bad at all and it has definitely helped me with my social anxiety and I'm just able to walk around and enjoy life more. I have been taking it for a bout 2 weeks now, and I have been travelling the whole time.  I return home tommorow so I will see how I feel in my normal daily life. But my depression is still pretty bad.. I've been having trouble getting over a long and drawn out break up the past year and a half -- that mainly drags me down in the mornings and before bed.

I am pretty sure I am happy with this drug so far even though I do feel like a different person since I have been on it. I think it  is definitely better in helping me function day to day and get things done and not be so dread-full about daily things. I can actually be in the moment more.

How long have you been taking it?

[staley]

Began in September. I go back later this week for follow up. Glad you're not having any bad side effects. When I first started, it made me a tiny bit dizzy, but that passed pretty quickly. May take you a few weeks to get the full positive benefits; just take it exactly as prescribed and report anything unusual to Dr.  Fortunately, buproprion has a low risk of sexual side effects (um, negative ones) common to some of the other antidepressants. I hope it can help you as it does me. If it doesn't help, there are plenty of other options available that can be tried.  Exercise also helps me, and may do the same for you.

[Daybreaker82]

Yeah I work out a lot and I take 6000 mg of fish oil and a multivitamin and liquid b 12 complex every day. My sex drive has definitely increased again since I have been on this stuff.

If you don't mind me asking how old are you?

[staley]

Don't mind at all. Forty-two. It was a lot easier to work out when I was your age (according to your profile), that's for sure, but I do what I can. I take an omega-3, vitamin B complex, vitamin D, vitamin E, and a multi-vitamin. Went back yesterday; he's keeping on it for at least a little while more.

[MJIthewriter]

Interesting post.  I know to avoid the xr version.  I was kind of wondering if there was a difference.  I'm on the 150 mg Bupropion 1x in the morning.  It seems to be helping, though I'm not sure if it has really been tested for autism + depression. I seem to feel overly hyper at times and have trouble falling asleep. l think I'll take hyperness over the depressed feelings that would keep me awake any day. I kind of made a note in my journal about my observations taking it so far.