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Generic Name: Bupropion
hydrochloride
Other Forms: Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL,
Wellbutrin ( pronounced Well - bew - trin) XL is an anti
depressant created by GlaxoSmithkline; also known multiple
reuptake inhibitor, it is a relatively new anti depressant in
the market. Buproprion HCL ( Wellbutrin® ) is generally not
linked to weight gain and has been used with a certain degree
of success by those who want to quit smoking. It is one of
those antidepressants that do strictly fall under the
classification of SSRI’s, TCA’s or MAOI’s.
Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain for
which people turn to antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Paxil,
Zoloft etc.
Though it has been reported to cause occasional weight gain,
generally Wellbutrin is one of the few anti depressants in the
market which are weight loss has been more commonly reported.
In fact it is undergoing trials as a weight loss medication.
According to statistics nearly 28% of people have reported
loosing 5 pounds or more. Doctors also warn that if depression
has already caused a weight loss in your body and a further
weight loss detrimental to your health then taking Wellbutrin
is highly unadvisable.
Wellbutrin is approved only for those above 18 years of age
and doctors warn of the risks of seizures if there is an
overdose. Taking more than 450 mg a day is completely
unadvisable as this puts you at risk from some serious side
effects.
Weight gain is one the common side effects associated with
most antidepressants except Wellbutrin if you can stand its
side effects. The typical side effects associated with
Wellbutrin use include insomnia, agitation, anxiety, headache,
dry mouth, nausea, constipation and dizziness. Other uncommon
side effects are a strange body odor, sweating, nervousness
and tremors. Doctors don’t recommend it for those suffering
from an eating disorder.
Generally, it takes four to eight days for Wellbutrin to clear
out your system though for some other people it could take
longer.
The effect of the same drug is very individual for different
people. A patient reports being on Wellbutrin for almost a
year, increasing the dosage from 150 mg to 300 mg a day and
claims to feel much better now. Another patient is ecstatic
after being on Wellbutrin ; says that it is a wonder drug; she
has been able to loose 40 pounds after exercising regularly,
eating healthy and has never felt more stable.
Another patient experienced taking Wellbutrin for two years
without feeling any change even after increasing the medicine
to the highest dosage and simultaneously taking drugs like
lexapro and ambien.
An ecstatic college professor reported taking 300 mg of
Wellbutrin and 10 mg of Prozac a day and leading a fulfilling
life gardening, teaching and being a homemaker. She recommends
working closely with your psychiatrist and monitoring what
works and does not work for you and when things change in
terms of side effects and benefits.
Going through the blogs posted by various people, one gets the
feeling that majority of people are happy with the effects
though some do report extreme dryness in the mouth or nose
bleeding.
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