Question:
WHICH WELLBUTRIN DO I TAKE??
Hi, I went to my doctor and she gave me samples of the Wellbutrin XL but now I'm reading all different opinions on this. There are 3 different kinds. Has any one had luck with the XL or should I ask her to change my script? I'm all confused and how long does it take to kick in? Thanks, kelly* — Kelly* P. (posted on April 2, 2004)
April 2, 2004
I DONT THINK OUR SYSTEM ABSORBS THE XL PART THE WAY OTHER PEOPLES DO. I
WOULD GO BACK TO THE TWICE A DAY VERSION.
— MARSHA D.
April 2, 2004
Sometimes you just have to try the different forms to see what works best
for you. My husband (who has had RNY) was started on Wellbutrin SR 150mg
once a day, then was increased to twice a day. He started having some side
effects, so the doctor changed him to Wellbutrin XL 150mg daily. It works
fine for him and no side effects.
— koogy
April 2, 2004
Due to possible malabsorption, I switched from 150 mg XL
once a day to 75 mg twice a day. Everything has been fine.
— Patti S.
April 2, 2004
I couldn't take the XL - it didn't work for me. So, I went to the straight
Wellbutrin. 100mg three times per day. Works great - no side effects that
I can tell.
— Mary W.
April 2, 2004
I take Wellbutrin SR 150mg 2x a day and it works great.
— Cathy G.
April 2, 2004
The XL is time released and after surgery we are no longer supposed to take
these. The reason is it won;t stay in our tummy long enough to be time
released. The Wellbutrin SR would be the way to go.
Good Luck!
Tiff
— Tiffany B.
April 2, 2004
Just an FYI - SR is sustained release, XL is extended release. Many times
with these forms of medication, the drug is being absorbed in the gut, not
in the stomach. They are intended to break down slowly. I really think what
you can tolerate may have something to do with how much intestine was
bypassed, if you had RNY.
— koogy
April 2, 2004
Pre Op I was taking Welbutrin SR 150mg twice a day. As a post op my
depression got even more dangerous than before. Finally I had to take
Welbutrin 100mg twice a day. SR is TIME RELEASE.... the other is'nt. I
don't know what the XL is but I'm betting it is also time release. With the
exception of a time release anti biotic (Zpac?) I can NOT take any time
release anything since wls. Not even time release potassium. Time release
just doe'snt work for "most of us" anymore.
— Danmark
April 2, 2004
Kelly, I was taking the SR before surgery and didn't even think about it
being slow release, but noticed that I was feeling more jittery and short
tempered. Went to my family doctor who had prescribed the SR and told him
that I didn't think it was working. So he put me on the regular
Wellbutrin. So even tho I have to take it 3 times a day, I find that it
works better. Lots of luck.
— lharbison
April 2, 2004
Hi there, I have taken Wellbutrin SR and XL. Yes, the SR is absorbed
faster and the XL is a longer sustained extended release. I responed to
the SR, but with the XL I fell farther into depression than I have in
YEARS. Of course, this is my personal experience. You have to find what
works for you and unfortunately it can take trial and error. - It also
depends on if you took any other medications for Depression? Anxiety? in
the past and were they effective?
Wellbutrin deals with a different chemical than say Prozac or Zoloft which
help boost production of seratonin.
I previously did respond to Prosac, but had to up the dosage every nine
months to keep it effective. Just as food for thought, I finally decided
that me and my PCP weren't doing a good enough job figuring out my
medication, so I went to a psychiatrist for medical management. I was very
pleased with the result. He suggested putting me on Lexapro which
addresses the low seratonin very effectively. It has 90% active
ingredients and only 10% inactive, this cuts down on side effects and makes
the drug much more focused and effective in a shorter period of time.
Other SSRI's are more like 50% active ingredient and 50% inactive (which
produces more side effects and takes the medication longer to have effect)
Hope I haven't confused you. You can definately research all this on the
internet, talk to your PCP or I recommend even talking to a psychiatrist.
I know I didn't completely want to, just because the word psychiatrist can
conjure up all kinds of stereotypes, but really, they are speciallists in
their field and you can go to them strickly for medical management - you
don't have to counsel with them.
Feel free to contact me if you need any encouragement. I know how tough it
can be, but don't give up. There is relief out there for you!!! God
bless. Athena
— minerva
April 2, 2004
I switched from the SR to the XL a few months ago. I don't think the XL
works as well for me and will probably be switching back to the SR at my
next appt in 3 months. My dr. doesn't want to put me on the
"regular" wellbutrin as I took it many, many years ago and
couldn't sleep.
— missesrita
April 2, 2004
I don't do SR or any other form of timed release. Too iffy. There is an IR
(immediate release) or just known as a regular tablet. Then *I* am the
timed release mechanism. We should not ever crush or open any SR types
(ask your pharmacist why), so whenever possible, I just get the plain
version.
— vitalady
April 2, 2004
the wellbutrin XL works great for me. I took Sr preop, then decided to take
my elf off it, and about a year post op decided yes, I really do neeed it.
doc prescribed the XL and it works as well as preop. I think with different
amounts bypassed that we may have different levels of malabsorption.
— **willow**
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