Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 134065

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Wellbutrin SR vs generic Wellbutrin-which is best?

Posted by PhoenixGirl on January 1, 2003, at 23:56:35

I've been taking various doses of Wellbutrin SR for a few years now. It has never seemed to have much effect on my depression, but it allows me to stay awake. I used to be so lethargic I could barely stay awake, but Wellbutrin helped that. A few months ago my doctor and I increased it to a very high dose, which helped my mood somewhat and reduced my PMS depression.
However, I am wondering if the generic Wellbutrin ("buproprion") may help more. The generic form is immediate release like most meds, whereas Wellbutrin SR is made to get into your bloodstream slowly. I know someone who got a lot better with a small dose of the generic Wellbutrin, and have read about someone who felt "high" from it. My doctor said that the immediate release form has a higher risk of side effects because it gets into the bloodstream faster than SR, but that some of her patients have done well on it.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this, have you heard anything about the SR version versus the original buproprion?

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic Wellbutrin-which is best?

Posted by vagen on January 2, 2003, at 1:24:21

In reply to Wellbutrin SR vs generic Wellbutrin-which is best?, posted by PhoenixGirl on January 1, 2003, at 23:56:35

The difference for me between the SR and bupropion is that that when I was taking the 75mg, about 45 min. later I was running around like the roadrunner. I did notice that the appetite definitely went away faster. But, it worked very well for me. Had the taste aversion and didn't smoke as much. Those were the se that I had, and a small headache in the afternoon. I did not have the insomnia that I have with the SR....
I moved to the SR cause I am forgetful about taking the p.m. dose.
I don’t get the same ‘fast’ feeling with the SR. Which, is probably better in the long run.

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic Wellbutrin-which is best?

Posted by PhoenixGirl on January 2, 2003, at 23:55:30

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic Wellbutrin-which is best?, posted by vagen on January 2, 2003, at 1:24:21

Thanks vagen. What difference in the mood effect did you see between buproprion and Wellbutrin SR?


> The difference for me between the SR and bupropion is that that when I was taking the 75mg, about 45 min. later I was running around like the roadrunner. I did notice that the appetite definitely went away faster. But, it worked very well for me. Had the taste aversion and didn't smoke as much. Those were the se that I had, and a small headache in the afternoon. I did not have the insomnia that I have with the SR....
> I moved to the SR cause I am forgetful about taking the p.m. dose.
> I don’t get the same ‘fast’ feeling with the SR. Which, is probably better in the long run.
>
>

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic Wellbutrin-which is b

Posted by VMD on February 9, 2003, at 17:36:24

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic Wellbutrin-which is best?, posted by vagen on January 2, 2003, at 1:24:21

Is that to say that the generic 75mg Bupropion is equivalent to the Wellbutrin SR 100 or 150?

I get a bit of a ‘fast’ feeling with the SR 150. I guess the generic would really set me off, but I wonder if it would help me with my focus. I feel mentally fine with Wellbutrin, but I could use a little more focus for my ADD.

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic - try Provigil » PhoenixGirl

Posted by wendy b. on February 12, 2003, at 21:06:46

In reply to Wellbutrin SR vs generic Wellbutrin-which is best?, posted by PhoenixGirl on January 1, 2003, at 23:56:35

> I've been taking various doses of Wellbutrin SR for a few years now. It has never seemed to have much effect on my depression, but it allows me to stay awake. I used to be so lethargic I could barely stay awake, but Wellbutrin helped that.


Hi PhoenixGirl,

I am not sure about differences between dosing your wellbutrin throughout the day, or keeping levels constant with the SR version. It would be simple to just try both and see which works best for you.
For the other symptoms, like the lethargy, I highly recommend Provigil (modafinil). What they call a "wakefulness agent," prescribed for narcolepsy, but also increasingly for depressive symptoms like anhedonia and tiredness. I am on 400 mg of Wellbutrin SR per day, too. The Provigil has made a huge difference in my daily functioning, including practically eliminating my longstanding depressive hopelessness... My doctor says that anyone he has prescribed it for (mostly for attentional problems) just stays on it, he doesn't have any patients who tried it and then went off; they all seem to derive benefits.

My very best,

Wendy

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic - try Provigil » wendy b.

Posted by zenclear on February 12, 2003, at 22:28:49

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic - try Provigil » PhoenixGirl, posted by wendy b. on February 12, 2003, at 21:06:46


> I am not sure about differences between dosing your wellbutrin throughout the day, or keeping levels constant with the SR version. It would be simple to just try both and see which works best for you.
> For the other symptoms, like the lethargy, I highly recommend Provigil (modafinil). What they call a "wakefulness agent," prescribed for narcolepsy, but also increasingly for depressive symptoms like anhedonia and tiredness. I am on 400 mg of Wellbutrin SR per day, too. The Provigil has made a huge difference in my daily functioning, including practically eliminating my longstanding depressive hopelessness... My doctor says that anyone he has prescribed it for (mostly for attentional problems) just stays on it, he doesn't have any patients who tried it and then went off; they all seem to derive benefits.
>
> My very best,
>
> Wendy

Do you find that the Provigil causes any skin problems, eg, dryness, irritation, etc? I tried it very briefly, and I experienced terrible dryness. So I stopped.

Also, if you skip a day, do you experience any letdown effects? Some people have told me they experience terrible headaches.

Many thanks,
Zen.

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic - try Provigil

Posted by viridis on February 13, 2003, at 1:24:29

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic - try Provigil » wendy b., posted by zenclear on February 12, 2003, at 22:28:49

I found Provigil very helpful for alertness and general energy, with no increase in anxiety. It just didn't help much for ADD (which is why it was prescribed), so I switched to Adderall. However, if lack of energy is the main problem, I'd recommend Provigil highly. I didn't notice any side effects.

BTW, I hated Wellbutrin for a variety of reasons that I've described here before, and would definitely consider Provigil first for increasing energy/wakefulness.

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic - try Provigil » zenclear

Posted by wendy b. on February 14, 2003, at 0:57:51

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic - try Provigil » wendy b., posted by zenclear on February 12, 2003, at 22:28:49

Dear Zen,

> Do you find that the Provigil causes any skin problems, eg, dryness, irritation, etc? I tried it very briefly, and I experienced terrible dryness. So I stopped.

Dry skin is a bitch, I hate it... Because I've only been on the Provigil a little over a month, I really don't know if it's going to help long-term. I just know I feel exceptionally well right now. (Hey, I'll take it!) Also, this has been the coldest, snowiest winter here where I live in many many moons, so EVERYTHING'S dry all the time! Forced air heating, etc. I have two humidifiers on continuously in my apartment, and it's still bad. The coldness and the dryness are VERY hard on my skin (sensitive person that I am), and I moisturize all the time, even through the work day. Anything with vitamin E works well. So I can't tell if the dryness will be permanent or not, we'll see in the humidity of July or August...

> Also, if you skip a day, do you experience any letdown effects? Some people have told me they experience terrible headaches.

I have been awfully careful to not miss a dose, so I can't say... I am pretty conscientious. If I do accidentally skip a dose, I will write to you with the results.
(Also I've lost 7 pounds this month... extra added bonus...)


> Many thanks,


My pleasure,

Wendy

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic - try Provigil » viridis

Posted by wendy b. on February 14, 2003, at 1:03:25

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs generic - try Provigil, posted by viridis on February 13, 2003, at 1:24:29

Viridis,

Thanks for the note...

> I found Provigil very helpful for alertness and general energy, with no increase in anxiety.

Same for me...

> It just didn't help much for ADD (which is why it was prescribed), so I switched to Adderall.

It was prescribed for attentional problems for me, too, executive function, etc. I am now finishing novels, remembering more things, opening mail, paying bills, none of which I was very good at for the past couple of years.


> However, if lack of energy is the main problem, I'd recommend Provigil highly. I didn't notice any side effects.

I haven't had *any* side effects at all (knock on wood).


> BTW, I hated Wellbutrin for a variety of reasons that I've described here before, and would definitely consider Provigil first for increasing energy/wakefulness.

The combo works well for me, but as they say, mileage may vary... I hope some of this will help VMD who posted earlier...

Anyway, catch you later, and take care of yourself,

Wendy



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