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Q: Wellbutrin - Weight Gain/loss
asked by: tasil on May 11th, 2005
New User
Help... I have been on wellbutrin for a few years, and recently I switched from 300mg to 150mg xl.. In the short time that I have decreased my dose, I have gained at least 8 lbs, which on my small frame is a lot. I went on the wellbutrin because I have slight ocd and depression. Well, now that I have gained 8 lbs im completely obsessed with the weight and food ii think about it all day) not to mention being depressed over the weight gain. The reason I lowered the dose was because I was not sleeping.. Help.. Has anyone else experienced this.. And if so .. What can I do for the insomnia.. I need to get back on the 300mg so that I dont obsess over my issues.. Has anyone gone up and down in dosage before.. What did you experience?
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BUNNIE777
replied on June 2nd, 2005
New User
Wellbutrin
I just started welbutrin xl. It has much less chances of weight gain. Make sure you contact your doctor and get the right welbutrin. It does cause me insomnia, but in one week I alredy notice a great difference. I told my doctor I really didnt want any antidepressant that caused weight gain, and he told me that this one doesnt. So far this week I lost another 2 pounds. Check into this asap.. Karen
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Devious
replied on July 27th, 2005
New User
Wellbutrin Xl For Weight Loss
I was just put on wellbutrin xl yesterday for excessive weight gain and some depression. Today I have hardly been able to stay awake! I know they say it causes insomnia, but it appears to be doing the opposite to me. Has anyone else had this problem? Do you think it is a good product to help with weight loss?
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spitak
replied on May 20th, 2006
New User
Re: Wellbutrin Xl For Weight Loss
I just quit taking effexor recently and I have been getting some strange withdrawal symptoms. Effexor and paxil made me gain 60 lbs over the past 4 years!!! I finally changed my family doctor, and I thik there is hope: he gave me wellbutrin xl 150 and will double that dosage real soon. He also suggested adipex for weight loss. Losing those 60 pounds is urgent.

I am battling obesity and depression -- hopefully things wil get better soon.


Anyone experienced adipex? Let me know pls! I need your help.
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devious wrote:
i was just put on wellbutrin xl yesterday for excessive weight gain and some depression. Today I have hardly been able to stay awake! I know they say it causes insomnia, but it appears to be doing the opposite to me. Has anyone else had this problem? Do you think it is a good product to help with weight loss?
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Crazyness24
replied on August 4th, 2006
Experienced User
I started wellburtin xl 150 ive lost 15 pounds...This stuff is amazing!
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smilebig
replied on August 25th, 2006
New User
Wellbutrin
Ive taken wellbutrin in the past and have lost 10 pounds in half the dose in about two weeks. I was only on it for 2 months I did manage to keep that extra weight off for about six months. It also increased my sex drive, not in a bad way either :) this I feel is for temporary depression and always works for me. But I did end up with pancreatitus at one time nothing major ,just do nott consume any alcohol .
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SHALLIEMAE
replied on August 28th, 2006
New User
Very Depressing Help
I have been on anti-depressants most of my life. Very few have helped me, the majority of them make me feel more depressed.

I started wellbutrin last august and noticed weight gain. I went off it.
I was also on estrogen and wellbutrin.

I started back on wellbutrin and noticed a weight gain very quickly. I find when I take these meds that I just want to eat all the time. It does stimulate me and I do feel better on it, although at times agitated. It has also helped with my sexual desires.
I started on estrogel and wellbutrin at the same time. I noticed weight gain within a few weeks. I am up to 157 pounds and 5'2", i've never weighed this. I took myself off the wellbutrin gradually and started dieting. I have lost 7 pounds in 3 weeks. I am so happy with that.
However, my depression is getting bad again, i'm tired, and my husband said that I am flying off the handle again. (i had stopped doing this after a couple weeks on wellbutrin.
I don't know what to do !?
Any thoughts out there ?
What to do
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Crazymom
replied on February 6th, 2009
New User
Weight gain
I have been taking Lexapro and stopped because of weight gain, changed to Pristiq, MORE weight gain. Has anyone lost weight on Wellbutrin XL after gaining on exapro and Pristiq. I have never weighed more than 125 lbs in my life and now I weigh 140 and can't fit into my clothes. Help
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jones9640
replied on February 8th, 2009
New User
Weight gain on lexapro
I too was put on lexapro for anxiety attacks. It works wonderfully. However, I gained nearly 30 pounds in a years time. I was extremely depressed with this weight gain. My family doctor recommended starting Wellbutrin in addition to the lexapro for the depression and weight gain. I've been on it for only two weeks but have already lost 5 pounds and my appitite is much less now. Before I was constantly hungry and thought about food all the time. So far, I am very optimistic about combining these two medications.
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Felixboo
replied on April 7th, 2009
New User
Weight Gain
Help - I was on Effexor XR and was gaining too much weight and no sex drive. My doctor put me on Wellbutrin XL and I am gaining more weight than when I was on the Effexor. Pants I wore last week, I can't wear this week due to weight gain. Any answers as why this is happening. I feel like I am 6 months pregnant and didn't weigh this much when I had our son! I can't stand the depression but hate the weight gain. How can you feel good when you see pictures of yourself and can't stand to look at yourself anymore. I feel like a big fat cow! Help
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japier75
replied on May 21st, 2009
New User
Weight Gain
I too have been on Wellbutrin Xl for a year the first 4 months lost 25 lbs. But slowly gained it all back plus 10 more in the last six months and can't lose an once of it. I have been trying exercising but i will be weaning off this crazy med tomorrow!
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all4health
replied on June 8th, 2009
New User
welbtrin
I've gained 25 lbs.in 5 months since STOPPING welbtrin sr. couldn't sleep and was given trazodone as a sleeping aid,agitated all the time given ativan ect ect. before you know it your carring a shoe box full of pills just for the side effect from welbtrin! Getting off welbtrin was tuff but trazodone is impossible. Maybe depression is the lesser of the 2 evils?
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sunshineey
replied on June 9th, 2009
New User
I was on effexor for 2 years and gained 70 plus pounds!! When I approached my doctor about it, he said it was my eating habits. Just today I convinced him to let me try wellbutrin. It is near impossible to lose weight while on effexor and he actually recommended gastric bypass knowing I put the weight on from being on meds. The best part of all of this is, it didn't even help with my depression. I see more counsellors now than I did when I initially started and was 70 pounds lighter!!! I am at my whits end and very depressed over weight gain! I even feel like I lost my boyfriend to a thinner girl cause I gained so much weight...and that makes me even more depressed!!! there has to be a happy medium or some answer to to this dilema!!
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Lemon11
replied on June 13th, 2009
New User
I choose XL over SR
To all4health and others:

I, too, quit Wellbutrin SR for the way I felt - shaky, confused, anxious, irritated. I also took Trazadone to help me sleep. HOWEVER, my doctor recently prescribed WELLBUTRIN XL and I swear it's like night and day! I think the way it is released or made accounts for this difference. I am benefitting without the side effects now. I am very happy this works for me. With either Wellbutrin type, I did lose weight, but I believe some of that is from the fact that I am less fatigued and depressed, so I am more active and happy...therefore, I eat less and burn more calories. I only take 1/4-1/2 of a 50mg Trazadone now, but only when needed (not often anymore). I found it easy to back off the Trazadone by slowly reducing it and temporarily taking 1 Benadryl with it at bedtime. Honestly, the Wellbutrin XL seems so different. I am still a happy customer over a month later. Though everybody responds differently to medications, I thought my experience with XL would be helpful. Good luck and good health! Smile
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