How Long Does The Effect Of Wellbutrin Remain?

Posted on Thu, 4 Dec 2014

Question: I have taken Wellbutrin twice. The first time, with 150mg, took just over 3 weeks to work. Then it was a miracle. I woke up one morning and felt refreshed. My fatigue was gone and I felt great for about 3 weeks......then it stopped working. The second time was with 300mg. I had exactly the same results.
So my question is, is there any way to make this medication continue to work for a longer period of time? Nothing else come close to working as well as Wellbutrin for me. However 3 weeks on and then a layoff and then another 3 weeks plus to have it work again means I am spending more time being majorly fatigued than not.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

Wellbutrin is indicated in depression, ADHD, smoking cessation and neuropathic pain. You however seem to be giving a picture of fatigue and lethargy having problems with lack of energy.

Both Adderal and Wellbutrin are stimulants and you are using them at quite high dose. I would have recommended an alternative such as Korean Ginseng or St XXXXXXX s wort in consult with your doctor, in place of adderal. You may continue Wellbutrin in the same dose if it gives you the feeling of wellbeing associated with its use.

Please get your blood counts including ESR ,metabolic profile including Thyroid function ,blood sugar, urine R/E done in consult with your doctor if the symptoms persist.

Let me know if you have any query

wishing you best of health

thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (24 minutes later)

I appreciate your response. I should clarify that I am not currently taking Wellbutrin as to the explained short life of its effectiveness. I didn't mention a dosage of Adderall so not sure how you came to the high dosage conclusion.
My fatigue has been diagnosed as a result of depression hence the Wellbutrin. I was given Abilify to perhaps help sustain the life of the Wellbutrin. However it was of no help. I was wondering about another med that might work better in conjunction with Wellbutrin. I have tried ginseng with no results. Willling to give the St. John"s wort a try.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sustained release medications might work better on you...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Let me clarify.

Adderall increases toxicity of bupropion and may also lower seizure threshold. In my previous reply, I meant you are already on high dose of wellbutrin. Taking adderall along with 300mg wellbutrin (bupropion) is not advisable. Please check with your doctor.

As far as wellbutrin is concerned, it also comes as sustained release forumlation. You can ask your doctor for wellbutrin SR ( sustained release ) formulation which doesn't vanish its effect so quickly.

Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju