Wellbutrin for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews

• alive
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 20, 2021

"Like others on this site, I have tried so many antidepressants. SSRIs take away any sexual feeling for me, and I tend to put on weight and not have the best self-image with them. Bupropion is the only medication that really allows me to feel my feelings, and talk more easily in social settings. After your adjustment (some insomnia for a few weeks) it actually helped me to sleep better. It took me a few times of trying this medication to really get it to work for me. It helped with my anxiety rather than making it worse, but depression was my biggest problem: hopelessness, fatigue, etc. This medication makes jokes funny, trees prettier, and makes me feel emotionally stronger. Remember that it takes courage and patience to get help and to stick with it until it works. God bless."

• Andi
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2020

"Give this medication Wellbutrin a fighting chance. I almost quit a month in, but I am SO glad I didn’t and toughed out the negative side effects. When I started, I felt dazed and sedated but wired and jittery at the same time. My insomnia was horrible. Other side effects I experienced included tinnitus, horrible anxiety, hand tremors, heart palpitations, and a really short temper. I desired nothing, but had the energy to do everything - weird combo. OKAY, now for the GOOD, and things I think people should know before giving up this medication - the side effects last a LONG time (two and a half months for me) but they DO all go away. I was now able to get up early to work out, got into cooking, lost weight, and felt hopeful about life. Sex also got WAY better now that I could stop living in my head, which was a huge plus. For the first time in a long time, I can really say I feel happy. So give it time!"

• F21
• June 14, 2020

"This drug Wellbutrin has been life-changing for me. After trying SSRIs and SNRIs that didn’t work, it did the trick. Yes, it sucks at first; the side effects are horrible, but you have to give it time. And on these meds at first, I got the head zaps, anxiety like I had never felt before, heart palpitations, lack of appetite and weight loss, headaches, nausea, severe insomnia - the whole nine yards. But after about 5 months on 300 mg, I turned a corner and feel better than ever. I can focus, I’m not tired but can sleep if I need to, my anxiety largely went away, I’m happy and can orgasm too. All the side effects pretty much subsided, save for the appetite one... I still don’t have to eat if I don’t want to, but I’m not repulsed by the idea of food anymore. So seriously, it isn’t a conventional drug and it’s bad initially, but PLEASE stick with it. Don’t expect it to work overnight... these things take time. I promise you will get results. You got this. Hang in there!"

• Salim
• April 26, 2020

"Wellbutrin was amazing to me. I was on it for depression, but I stopped smoking after. I used to smoke a lot a day. It gave me enormous energy and improved my depression a lot. I am thankful to the scientists who developed this drug. Don't let the negative reviews scare you. Try it and you will not regret it."

• David...
• March 27, 2016

"I really did not intend to review Wellbutrin... just curious what other people said... but so much 'neg' I felt I had to speak. I've been on it for 29 YEARS! I had been seriously depressed for a few months.. my therapist was a moron for waiting three months to send me to a psych! I was told it would take at least 2 weeks to be really effective... for me it was day 17. I woke up and when I first looked in the mirror (gut check time), I didn't say to myself 'wow I feel better', I said 'omg is this what normal people feel like when they wake up in the morning?' For all practical purposes, that was like my actual birthday... the day I became a fully functioning human. I'm lucky, it works and it keeps working."

• Joy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2020

"I’m 39 female that was prescribed Wellbutrin/Bupropion without a psych evaluation and soon as I started taking it... I began having dreams and sexual desires. I continued thinking things would change but they got worse. Weeks later I began to hallucinate and even forgot where I parked my car after going shopping one day and ended up calling police and reported it stolen when it wasn’t. I also started seeing things that weren’t there and having really dark thoughts. This drug took over my life and caused me to make irrational decisions like up and moving 1200 miles across country for no apparent reason whatsoever. A situation I regret! I got a second opinion and was taken off of wellbutrin immediately and given a psych evaluation. I was given prozac and trazadone but no longer take them. I just got a puppy, I changed my diet and lifestyle and learned coping mechanisms. I will never take another pill if I can help it."

• Vice
• February 13, 2020

"Wellbutrin has changed my life! I was such a terrible, irrational, and very depressed person before this medication. My partner and I were always arguing, mostly due to my own fault. I had such a hard time getting out of bed and taking on the day. I would absolutely need a mid-afternoon four-hour nap to get me through. Wellbutrin has given me so much mental clarity. It has saved my relationship and allowed me to go through my days feeling 'normal'. The only downfall is it gives me a very dry mouth, which is not good for my overall oral health, but I have found some toothpaste and mouthwash that help a little. It's worth it for the clear mind."

• Becker
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2019

"Hardly any side effects. Had a little nausea for the first few nights but that’s all. I’ve noticed a HUGE difference in my anxiety and depression. I’m better at work. I don’t get worked up when I’m overloaded with work. I take 150mg XL at 8:30 am and there’s no weird coming down feeling at night. It’s a beautiful medication. I couldn’t stop watching TV and now I can turn it off and do dishes, laundry, take my dog on a hike. I don’t have that gut-wrenching anxiety knot in my stomach anymore."

• ASDFG
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 22, 2020

"This Wellbutrin is the only antidepressant I can tolerate. It seems to be one of the more stimulating ones, which I need because of my hypothyroidism. I can't handle a high dose, so I have stuck with 100-150mg 1x a day for over 5 years, and I don't usually feel depressed. If I miss a dose, I feel a little down and lethargic. I've smoked on and off for 20+ years, and I can't say it helps me in that area--at least not at the dose I'm taking. I've been told I am wired differently than most (O-) and so far, this is the only mostly effective antidepressant I have ever taken without side effects."

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2023

"Took this years ago and it helped. Made the rookie mistake of stopping the meds because I felt I didn’t need them anymore. But duh that means they were working. When I stopped I got suicidal. Back on for two weeks now and it’s like a fog has been lifted. No real side effects. Just better thoughts and outlook on life. Can’t believe I stopped my meds before. Never again."

• senio...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2024

"I was on a low and had no energy and was self-medicating with alcohol. I was always in bed, no energy, just blah! Crying all the time, missing work. I decided to seek help, and my doctor put me on this med a month ago. All I can say is wow!! I've not been stressed and worrying about every little thing. I have no urge to drink at all, and I'm able to get out and do stuff with my kids. Depression sucks, but I'm glad this med is working for me."

• Niki9...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 27, 2014

"I have Major Depressive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I've taken Zoloft, Paxil, Citalopram. I'm currently taking Wellbutrin 300XL, Cipralex 25mg. Cipralex only got me out of suicidal thoughts, but Wellbutrin healed my brain. When my psychiatrist first prescribed it to me, I couldn't afford it, so I didn't fill my prescription. When she found out, she gave me some samples. Within a week, I got motivation. I had forgotten how it felt to want to do things. My thoughts were more cheerful. I was able to laugh and joke. My PTSD paranoia went down. I began walking, quit smoking, went back to work, traveled, and met the love of my life. It made me me again! I'm still taking it and will for as long as my brain needs it."

• Birds...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 6, 2020

"I’ve been on Wellbutrin xl with my dosage varying from 300-450. This is the best antidepressant I have every tried and I have tried many. Whenever I increase my dosage I do experience side effects for a little while. Mostly I’m more easily annoyed and fidgity. They always go away over time. This is the only medication that has been able to increase my energy levels and sex drive. I also have GAD, have had psychotic depression in the past, and panic attacks in the past. This drug doesn’t exacerbate any of those problems for me. I’m also on Seroquel though so that probably helps with my sleep. Many antidepressants have given me terrible headaches but this one does not. I get migraines a few time’s a year, same as before. If you’ve found that other antidepressants don’t work for you I highly recommend this one. Almost no side effects and definitely gives me the energy I need."

• RhettV
• July 6, 2017

"I've been on Wellbutrin for about three months now. It was prescribed to me by a psychiatrist due to depression and anxiety, low cognitive function, and bad working memory. Wellbutrin started working on me around week 8. Mood lifted immensely, better executive function, lower anxiety, became much more goal-oriented. Stopped delaying and procrastinating everything, became interested in my hobbies again, felt clear-headed, more energetic, and general mental well-being. Struggle with working memory a bit, still."

• Monica
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2019

"Wellbutrin has been amazing. I have anxiety, depression, ADHD & PTSD. It was hard getting used to this one as it amped me up a lot. Take with food as early as possible. The constipation and anxiety did subside. Now I can’t believe I’ve allowed myself to be so sad when this stuff even makes air blowing on my face feel incredible. Here’s what I found - after trying everything SSRI wise, if you have bad side effects right away, it’s not the right drug. Taking this Wellbutrin, I knew right away, was totally different. I did need Xanax to be a crutch with this at first because of the anxiety...but I was also tapering off gabapentin at the time so who knows why I was that anxious. So this is how “normal” people feel w/o depression...interesting. Lucky."

• Topsy
• June 29, 2018

"I've been on multiple SSRI's and was convinced that antidepressants just didn't work. My doctor insisted that I try something else, because my anxiety was dictating every aspect of my life. I'm so glad that she did. After about 2 weeks on Wellbutrin, I began to realize that I felt really happy for the first time in over 2 decades. The only side-effect I've really had is occasional mild irritability. It lasts for about a half hour and happens once every week or two. Though as I've been on the medication longer, the side effects are less severe. I know this medication isn't for everyone, but whatever was wrong with me, Wellbutrin fixed it. If you're struggling with anxiety or depression, be honest with your doctor. If your medication isn't helping you, tell your doctor. If your doctor won't help you, find a new doctor. You can do this, and you deserve to be happy."

• Stick...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 14, 2017

"I take this drug to help combat Major Depression (had for 1.5 years). I have also tried Paxil (made me crazier), Prozac (did nothing for me) and Effexor (worked well but the sexual side effects were worse than the depression). I started Wellbutrin at 150mg and slowly increased to 300mg after completely titrating off Effexor, had to increase to 450 because MD came back. So, here is the deal - at first this drug feels awful (realize that most antis are like this in the beginning). I had to stick with it for at least a month and the extreme anxiety has always normalized. But OMG - this is the first drug that motivates me to get out of bed and face each day. For me it helps to balance my down mood & 'urge to isolate' and sabotage my day."

• Mike...
• January 22, 2020

"Stopped taking Suboxone for opiate addiction and Wellbutrin saved my life. Only thing I use that I should’ve looked into years ago for my depression, anxiety , and slight ADHD! Highly recommend it to opiate users coming off blockers or meds. Side effects; insomnia for first week, and dry mouth. Otherwise, I’m a big placebo guy but I noticed instant change in mood (for the better)!"

• Namaste
• May 20, 2016

"I was at age 50 severely depressed about my future because I had screwed my life up so bad. I was so full of fear and anxiety as well. I started addressing things in my life one at a time, and one of those things was finding a good psychologist. I chose to get on Wellbutrin, 300 day and like others felt it working by day two. Within three months it settled in and completely changed my life. I'm happy to wake up, I enjoy work, I take care of myself, people respond to me better. I'm not worried about the future. I like myself again. It's been a miracle drug for me - all positive, no negative."

• sunny...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 19, 2020

"I have suffered from MDD for the majority of my life. I struggled for 5 years and through 16 different meds till we landed on Wellbutrin. One of the selling points for me is that this particular anti-depressant is well known for not causing weight gain. And I can attest to that! On top of it not causing ANY side effects whatsoever, I started to feel better emotionally/physically within 2 weeks of being on Wellbutrin (Bupropion). I take two 150mg a day in the morning with my breakfast. I will say it did NOT help my anxiety even one single ounce, however with how much it has done for my depression, I will happily take a second medication for my anxiety. I have more energy, it gives me a huge boost in my mood, and that hasn’t changed! I haven’t had to switch or change meds and I have been on it for just over a year now. Thank goodness for this medication, seriously, a drastic difference, I finally get to be finally me!"

• Weiner
• September 11, 2014

"I feel great and it has been only 3 days. I have battled with Major Depressive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, starting treatment in 2006. When I came back to the States, I was in 4 hospitals for months, treated by the best on 7-10 different medications at different times. I had ECT, etc. For me, all the medications did not do a thing for me but get suicidal thoughts and gained 60 pounds. One antidepressant medicine I was on for a few years was Lexapro. I was in Aruba and wanted to die. Through much thought and discussion, I weaned off of all the antidepressants. After 8 years, just last week a doctor said I never have been on Wellbutrin and put me on it. I have, for the last few months, been really down and out. Immediately, I feel better. It took only 8 years and wasted time in the hospital & ECT."

• BeckyP
• January 13, 2015

"Wellbutrin has saved my life. It's a miracle. About 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and localized anxiety disorder. I was put on Lexapro, which didn't help much, and the side effects were awful: total loss of sex drive, bad headaches, and nightmares every night. Then, about 3 months ago, they put me on 200mg of Wellbutrin daily, and I started feeling better within a week. It was incredible! I am now happier than I have ever been. I feel like a new, improved version of myself. My sex drive has drastically improved, but my appetite has not returned. In fact, I have lost weight despite not changing my eating or exercising habits. Other than those, I have no side effects."

• Tchrmom
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2014

"I have been taking it for a week and have tons of energy! I am excited and happy. I am getting a lot done and it is great. I do have trouble with winding down at night though. This is the reason for the rating of 9 otherwise it would have been 10."

• JXano
• June 22, 2017

"I was diagnosed with depression and panic disorder in 2013. The first medication I was prescribed was Zoloft, which turned me into a zombie. My doctor then switched me to Effexor, which had way too many side effects from mood and all the way to affecting my vision. I was then switched to Lexapro, which was great and masking the depression but made me gain 30+ pounds in less than a year and literally have zero motivation. 3 months ago, my doctor switched me to Wellbutrin and it's made the biggest difference in my life. In the first couple of weeks my anxiety was a lot worse but that went away entirely and I haven't had any other side effects. My energy is back and I genuinely look forward to the next day."

• Minti
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2024

"When my doctor offered me Wellbutrin, I said sure like I always did. I've been on a variety of different medications over the past 10 years, and none of them seemed to give me hope with my MDD. I was put on Bupropion about a month ago. I've always said there's no magic pill to make you get out of bed in the morning or cure depressive symptoms. I WAS SO WRONG! On Bupropion, I feel like a child again! I have found interest in activities that all seemed too much of a hassle to do, or that I didn't do because I had no faith in my capabilities. Bupropion has given me a newfound confidence in myself; I feel like someone has given me my soul back, and I'm able to feel things I never thought I'd be able to experience again. There are some side effects to Bupropion, but they're worth it to me as the medication is making it able for me to function. For me, it's weight gain, tinnitus, and joint pain."