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How Long Does Wellbutrin Take To Show Effect?

Posted on Wed, 4 Jan 2017

Question: Please tell me everything about welbutrin, the anti-depressent, that u can. Thank u! How long does it take to start working? How does it mix with nuvigil? What r it's effects? How does it work against (bipolar) depression? What should I expect of it in terms of effects? I have been taking it only for 6 days. Thank u so much for ur help. I look forward to hearing from u

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Wellbutrin is an atypical antidepressant. It takes 4-6 weeks to achieve maximum effect. It is safe to take with Nuvigil. It is not effective for bipolar depression, only for unipolar major depression. There are no major side effects, aside from some GI upset for the first few days, if at all.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)

Thank you for ur answers. One thing-- if welbutrin was not effective for bipolar, my psychiatrist would not give it or prescribe it to me. He is a very good psychiatrist, & wouldn't do that. However, if it is helpful, perhaps in a different way. I am taking 600mgs seroquel, so, if the Welbutrin is another antipsychotic, &, if he actually believes I need it, at the bipolar level, then that makes sense. But, he absolutely called it an antidepressant. Maybe it's an off--label issue? Or, could it be it's a very small percentage of bipolars , who are helped at the antidepressant level by Welbutrin?. Thank you. Answers appreciated

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Wellbutrin was developed as an antidepressant. It is not an antipsychotic. There is no evidence that antidepressants work for bipolar depressant, even though some doctors do use them for this (it is a mistake to do so). Seroquel is an antipsychotic that is effective for bipolar depression. I would recommend increasing the Seroquel dose, up to as high as 800mg daily, to treat bipolar depression.

It is clear that the maximum dose of Lexapro, 20mg daily, is not helping you. You need to work with a doctor to slowly decrease Lexapro, eventually to stop it, and start a new medication. Medications I recommend trying first would be either sertraline or fluoxetine.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee