Posted by Racer on December 30, 2008, at 12:26:09
In reply to wellbutrin XL and seizures, posted by overtheedge on December 29, 2008, at 20:00:03
> My dr just put me on wellbutrin xl knowing full well i have anorexia, what do you really think the chances are that i would have a seizure, i am on 150 mgs i have taken it before and have not had one...
The seizure risk with Wellbutrin is far less with the XL formulation, and is not terribly high on any formulation at the dose you're now taking. With the immediate release formulation, the risk is 1:1000 at doses up to 400mg, and 1:250 above 400mg. Those numbers, though, don't tell the whole story. The seizure risk is highest for those with other risk factors: history of head injury, history of seizures, etc. The "eating disorder" concern comes from bulimia and purging forms of anorexia: if you are a non-purging anorexic, it's not an absolute no-no.
How active is your AN at this point? SLS is right -- the biggest concern is electrolyte balance. If you're still getting normal labs, you should be OK -- but it's still a concern. (I just had an electrolyte "event" thanks to another medication -- NOT something you want to experience first hand, with or without Wellbutrin on board.) If you are not severely restricting, and do eat a variety of foods -- meaning a variety of types of foods: fruits, vegetables, starches, and proteins -- your labs are probably more or less within normal levels. (For non-purging anorexics, labs often remain normal until the last stages of the disorder -- which doesn't mean that your health has not suffered.)
I hope you're getting help for the eating disorder, and that you can speak openly with your doctor about your concerns. In this case, my opinion as an amateur is that you're probably OK taking it.
I'm curious, though -- why did you stop taking it before?
poster:Racer
thread:871346
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081223/msgs/871423.html