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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jammerlich on May 26, 2006, at 13:55:38
I've been prescribed 150mg once per day for a week and then twice per day thereafter. I took my first dose last night and I HATE it. I'm still shaky and jittery and I think my blood pressure is elevated. This feels worse than being on nothing at all.
Is it safe to cut these pills in half? I'd like to try a lower dosage.
Posted by fca on May 26, 2006, at 14:59:37
In reply to Is it safe to cut Wellbutrin SR??, posted by jammerlich on May 26, 2006, at 13:55:38
these are the predictable side effects and they do subside--it is an activating drug--I do not think (and the operative word is think no know) it is prudent to cut the SR --you can get smaller doses (100 sr) and immediate release but I do not recommend that-the immediate release comes on like a bomb shell and dosages of immediate release are hard to manage.
Posted by Klavot on May 26, 2006, at 15:24:23
In reply to Is it safe to cut Wellbutrin SR??, posted by jammerlich on May 26, 2006, at 13:55:38
> I've been prescribed 150mg once per day for a week and then twice per day thereafter. I took my first dose last night and I HATE it. I'm still shaky and jittery and I think my blood pressure is elevated. This feels worse than being on nothing at all.
>
> Is it safe to cut these pills in half? I'd like to try a lower dosage.Generally speaking, no. As I understand it, Wellbutrin is supplied in SR (slow release) and XR (extended release) preparations to minimize the risk of epileptic seizure. By tampering with these tablets, you would be interfering with the slow / extended release properties.
Posted by bassman on May 26, 2006, at 15:33:05
In reply to Is it safe to cut Wellbutrin SR??, posted by jammerlich on May 26, 2006, at 13:55:38
Can you get XL instead? The slower release might feel better. Also, try having it after a meal-which you've probably already tried, but it works well for me. A couple times I've taken Wellbutrin with a cup of coffee before breakfast...boom! :>} No thanks.
Posted by yxibow on May 27, 2006, at 1:39:13
In reply to Is it safe to cut Wellbutrin SR??, posted by jammerlich on May 26, 2006, at 13:55:38
> I've been prescribed 150mg once per day for a week and then twice per day thereafter. I took my first dose last night and I HATE it. I'm still shaky and jittery and I think my blood pressure is elevated. This feels worse than being on nothing at all.
>
> Is it safe to cut these pills in half? I'd like to try a lower dosage.No, it is not safe to cut Wellbutrin SR -- it is specifically formulated to deliver drug over a 12 hour period, approximately. It would be dangerous, you would get a spike and compound your problem. It does take a while to get used to a stimulant, and Wellbutrin, being distantly related to Tenuate, a not very used today weight loss drug, is definately a stimulative medication.
If a stimulant drug works in your system like Wellbutrin, these are transient effects and they will disappear in treatment. You should ask your doctor for some propranolol or atenolol to control your heart rate for the time being, if you wish to continue with the medication. If it is really a danger to your heart, of course, it shouldn't be something to continue on.
The lowest dose of Wellbutrin SR is 100mg. The lowest dose of regular Wellbutrin is 75mg -- you really don't want to be on regular Wellbutrin, it increases the chance of seizures and nasty stuff -- SR and XL are better choices.
Posted by KayeBaby on May 28, 2006, at 10:23:50
In reply to Re: Is it safe to cut Wellbutrin SR?? -- NO » jammerlich, posted by yxibow on May 27, 2006, at 1:39:13
I have two seperate Psyche Docs say that it is ok.
I take mine this way.I think the medication may be distributed throughout the tablet and the coating is not the primary time release mechanism.
Now, I am on a low dose so it may just not be much of an issue because of this. I can tell no difference in taking it split or whole as far as how fast it kicks in or how strong it is.
I know that the coating melts pretty fast. I accidently dropped one in a cup of water about a week ago.
Peace,
Kaye
Posted by bassman on May 28, 2006, at 10:40:01
In reply to Re: Is it safe to cut Wellbutrin SR??, posted by KayeBaby on May 28, 2006, at 10:23:50
http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_wellbutrinSR.pdf
“a study comparing chronic dosing with
WELLBUTRIN SR Tablets 150 mg twice daily to the immediate-release formulation of
bupropion at 100 mg 3 times daily, peak plasma concentrations of bupropion at steady state for
WELLBUTRIN SR Tablets were approximately 85% of those achieved with the
immediate-release formulation. There was equivalence for bupropion AUCs, as well as
equivalence for both peak plasma concentration and AUCs for all 3 of the detectable bupropion
metabolites. Thus, at steady state, WELLBUTRIN SR Tablets, given twice daily, and the
immediate-release formulation of bupropion, given 3 times daily, are essentially bioequivalent
for both bupropion and the 3 quantitatively important metabolites”.
Sounds like the two pdocs were right; cutting in half is O.K.I had to toss this in about Wellbutrin from Crazymeds.org:
Wellbutrin / Wellbutrin SR / Wellbutrin XL's Not So Common Side Effects: Strange body odor, sweating, nervousness and tremor. Basically Wellbutrin could make you look like the guilty party, so you better have a damn good alibi at all times in case some big, unsolved crime goes down.
This is the end of the thread.
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