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Does Cutting The Bupropion Dose To 25 Mg Cause Withdrawal Symptoms?
Question: I have been taking bupropion HCL 50 mg for about 2 months. I noticed I feel very nervous and called my dr. and he said to cut the pill in half to 25mg. I am still depressed and feel I need the antidepressent and wanted a second opinion from another dr. Do you think I should cut the dosage and if I do will I have some bad reaction or should I gradually cut a small piece off every week or so. Also I keep getting up at night and the dr. said it is like having a lot of caffeine in you. I need a good nights sleep and hate the nervousness and anxiety I have. I suffer from bad anxiety already and now it is much worse and I am driving my family crazy. I take the pill in the morning. I used too take Remeron and took it at night and got a real good night sleep.
Could I stop taking the Wellbutrin and go back to taking Remeron which I had no side effects from. I took Remeron 20 years ago when I was depressed and suggested it to my dr. and that is why he put me on it. Please I need your opinion on what to do. I was supposed to increase the Wellbutrin to 100 mg but never did because of how I felt on 50 mg. Also, I have social anxiety and avoid restaurants and if I do go to one I get very nervous but when I get in I calm down. I am also taking Klonopin for about 2 years 3/4 mg a day -
1/2 of 1/2 mg 3 times a day morning noon and night but it isn't as effective because I have been taking it for so long and don't want to increase the doseage because I want to get off all the meds as soon as I can. Please let me know what you think. I also go to therapy once a week.
Could I stop taking the Wellbutrin and go back to taking Remeron which I had no side effects from. I took Remeron 20 years ago when I was depressed and suggested it to my dr. and that is why he put me on it. Please I need your opinion on what to do. I was supposed to increase the Wellbutrin to 100 mg but never did because of how I felt on 50 mg. Also, I have social anxiety and avoid restaurants and if I do go to one I get very nervous but when I get in I calm down. I am also taking Klonopin for about 2 years 3/4 mg a day -
1/2 of 1/2 mg 3 times a day morning noon and night but it isn't as effective because I have been taking it for so long and don't want to increase the doseage because I want to get off all the meds as soon as I can. Please let me know what you think. I also go to therapy once a week.
Brief Answer:
Bupropion is relatively less efficacious as compared to Mirtazapine
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. If we consider use of Bupropion then in most of cases it is used as add on drug for anxiety and depressive disorders. The drug is commonly used for mild depressive episode. You have been on 50 mg doses and the doses are very low doses and in my opinion these doses would not cause much benefit to you. As your symptoms are still persisting so in my opinion it is better to reduce the doses of drug and to replace it with some other good anti-depressant. Cutting the doses to 25 mg will not cause much withdrawal symptoms and you will have smooth tapering.
Rameron or Mitazapine is a good antidepressant drug. You have tolerated the drug without any side effects so in my opinion you should consult your doctor again for prescription of this drug. Mirtazapine is more efficacious as compared to Bupropion.
You are also taking Clonazepam for years and though you are not taking very high doses still I would advise you to reduce the doses gradually over 6-12 weeks and stop taking it. The drug has high dependence potential and should not be used for long periods of time. Try to keep its use on SOS basis in severe anxiety provoking situations. Discuss with your doctor for proper prescription.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Bupropion is relatively less efficacious as compared to Mirtazapine
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. If we consider use of Bupropion then in most of cases it is used as add on drug for anxiety and depressive disorders. The drug is commonly used for mild depressive episode. You have been on 50 mg doses and the doses are very low doses and in my opinion these doses would not cause much benefit to you. As your symptoms are still persisting so in my opinion it is better to reduce the doses of drug and to replace it with some other good anti-depressant. Cutting the doses to 25 mg will not cause much withdrawal symptoms and you will have smooth tapering.
Rameron or Mitazapine is a good antidepressant drug. You have tolerated the drug without any side effects so in my opinion you should consult your doctor again for prescription of this drug. Mirtazapine is more efficacious as compared to Bupropion.
You are also taking Clonazepam for years and though you are not taking very high doses still I would advise you to reduce the doses gradually over 6-12 weeks and stop taking it. The drug has high dependence potential and should not be used for long periods of time. Try to keep its use on SOS basis in severe anxiety provoking situations. Discuss with your doctor for proper prescription.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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