Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 331710

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Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?

Posted by Wildflower on April 2, 2004, at 8:37:29

Has anyone had luck with a 300 dose of Wellbutrin XL? The 150 doesn't seem to be working and I'm not sure if I need a dose increase or need a different med.

(I'm thinking of taking 2 150 pills for a while to see if it helps before going back to my pdoc.)

 

Re: Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?

Posted by King Vultan on April 2, 2004, at 12:08:26

In reply to Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?, posted by Wildflower on April 2, 2004, at 8:37:29

> Has anyone had luck with a 300 dose of Wellbutrin XL? The 150 doesn't seem to be working and I'm not sure if I need a dose increase or need a different med.
>
> (I'm thinking of taking 2 150 pills for a while to see if it helps before going back to my pdoc.)


I used to take the SR, which is the same strength but not as time delayed, and found that 300 mg/day worked fairly well but that 150 mg/day had almost no therapeutic effect. This stuff has a fairly narrow therapeutic index, and you could just be below the threshold of where the antidepressant effects start becoming noticeable.

I would suggest letting your doctor know how you're doing and ask if you might go up in dosage. There is no real need to visit in a case like this--call the office and ask someone to relay a message. I am currently waiting to hear back from my pdoc's nurse on a dosage increase on my own med.

Todd

 

Re: Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?

Posted by PeggyY on April 2, 2004, at 14:15:48

In reply to Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?, posted by Wildflower on April 2, 2004, at 8:37:29

I went from 150 mg Wellbutrin to 300XL. It has made a postive difference for me. I guess it depends on your situation. If you are experiencing anxiety I would not suggest Wellbutrin. It is a great AD, but can cause irritablity in higher doses, unless you have the right mood stabilizer. Everybody reacts differently.

Peggy

 

Re: Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?

Posted by greywolf on April 2, 2004, at 19:05:10

In reply to Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?, posted by Wildflower on April 2, 2004, at 8:37:29

I'm on 200 mg Wellbutrin XL right now, on my way to 300. I have noticed absolutely no therapeutic effect yet, and I'm actually as down as I have been in a few weeks. But I'm going to stick it out for awhile because I've been through so many other ADs that caused me side effects I couldn't tolerate, and Wellbutrin is relatively easy. I do have Xanax to counter the increase in anxiety I've experienced with Wellbutrin, but the low dose of that doesn't accomplish much, and a higher dose knocks me on my butt.

I second the recommendation that you at least call your doctor and let him/her know what you'd like to do about the dosage. I've always been concerned to maintain the level of trust with my doctor so he doesn't have second thoughts about how responsible I may be with some of the meds (like Xanax) that some doctors are uncomfortable prescribing.

Good luck.

 

Re: Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?

Posted by PsychoSage on April 3, 2004, at 11:05:36

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?, posted by greywolf on April 2, 2004, at 19:05:10

> I'm on 200 mg Wellbutrin XL right now, on my way to 300. I have noticed absolutely no therapeutic effect yet, and I'm actually as down as I have been in a few weeks. But I'm going to stick it out for awhile because I've been through so many other ADs that caused me side effects I couldn't tolerate, and Wellbutrin is relatively easy. I do have Xanax to counter the increase in anxiety I've experienced with Wellbutrin, but the low dose of that doesn't accomplish much, and a higher dose knocks me on my butt.
>
> I second the recommendation that you at least call your doctor and let him/her know what you'd like to do about the dosage. I've always been concerned to maintain the level of trust with my doctor so he doesn't have second thoughts about how responsible I may be with some of the meds (like Xanax) that some doctors are uncomfortable prescribing.
>
> Good luck.

I don't think there is a wellbutrin XL 200 -- there is an SR 200 which is pink I believe. SR 100 is blue I believe. SR 150 is purple. XL 300 is white because I take that.

I used to take SR 150 two times a day.

XL 150 is NOT the same as SR 150.

You should not dose escalate on your own ever. Your doctor will gladly try to optimize with you, so just be patient. At least you have something and not nothing.

Results are sometimes promised within a week, but it's more realistic to take a look at things after 4-8 weeks. That's much more fair.

 

Re: Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?

Posted by greywolf on April 3, 2004, at 15:31:56

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin XL - Dose increase?, posted by PsychoSage on April 3, 2004, at 11:05:36

Sorry, should have typed Wellbutrin SR instead of XL.


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