switching meds

[medconfusion]

I have been taking lexapro (20mg) daily for the past 2 years am frustrated with the weight gain and also don't feel that it is as effective as it could be... still experiencing "hopeless feelings" and recently more anxiety.  Doc wants to switch me to Wellbutrin XL 150mg, she did not suggest tapering off the lexapro, just switch straight over to the Wellbutrin. Any expereince with switching? looking for another opinion. thanks

[wickedwanderer]

I would trust your doctor on whether they want you to taper off/slowly increase or just switch.  If lexapro is similar to wellbutrin (i switched from celexa to wellbutrin and needed to taper)...then you probably wouldn't need to taper.  I'm not a doctor though.  I also have switched from Effexor to Cymbalta, and I just switched, no taper.  

I'm on wellbutrin xl 150 right now; did ok for the first few weeks but I am going to get off it probably next week.  It has caused extreme agitation/anger/irritibility for me.


Anyways, yes, listen to the doc :)

[septemberCat]

I didn't experience any improvement with the antidepressants I took before Effexor.  Different medications work with different chemicals in your brain - sometimes it takes a bit of switching around before you find the right one.  Oftentimes what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for the other.

In addition, sometimes medications take up to 6 weeks to start working.  Of course, we think "well, I want to kill myself TODAY!  Work NOW!"  but you have to be patient with meds  Listen to your doctor and hang in there. :)