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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JackD on August 26, 2000, at 3:48:59
I've read among previous posts as well as other internet sources that Wellbutrin could carry serious long term consequences. Supposedly, Wellbutrin diminishes the brain's release of Dopamine over time(Although it does increase the reuptake of the currently produced Dopamine). In time, this could lead to deterioration of memory, cognitive ability, and even the possibility of permanently lowering the brain's dopamine output. I'd greatly appreciate if anyone could inform me of ANYTHING regarding this or any other serious problem linked with long-term Wellbutrin usage.
Posted by Adam on August 26, 2000, at 13:10:56
In reply to Scared About Wellbutrin's Long Term Effects, posted by JackD on August 26, 2000, at 3:48:59
I would be interested, Jack, to know what evidence there is for the long-term health risks associates with chronic Wellbutrin usage that you have described. I am also taking a medication shown to artificially boost the levels of dopamine in the brain, which certainly does also lead to changes in dopamine secretion.
If you are really worried, it might comfort you to know that some believe the costs to one's health caused by not treating major depression (which can have damaging consequences for the brain, as well as one's overall health) outweigh the potential costs of treatment(barring rare complications). The question, of course, is if this cost-benefit assessment is correct. I have always been under the impression that it is. But I am always interested in reliable information to the contrary.
> I've read among previous posts as well as other internet sources that Wellbutrin could carry serious long term consequences. Supposedly, Wellbutrin diminishes the brain's release of Dopamine over time(Although it does increase the reuptake of the currently produced Dopamine). In time, this could lead to deterioration of memory, cognitive ability, and even the possibility of permanently lowering the brain's dopamine output. I'd greatly appreciate if anyone could inform me of ANYTHING regarding this or any other serious problem linked with long-term Wellbutrin usage.
Posted by Adam on August 26, 2000, at 15:32:00
In reply to Re: Scared About Wellbutrin's Long Term Effects, posted by Adam on August 26, 2000, at 13:10:56
Actually, no that's not true. I have NOT always been under the impression that antidepressants are worth the trouble they can cause.
My mind has been changed by my success. I would not trade one average day that I am coming to take for granted for relief from any of the side-effects I experience now, if it meant I had to be depressed again. I am inclined to say that even if someone told me that selegiline would shorten my life expectancy by twenty years, I might consider it an equitable trade. Life was that bad before.
Cost. vs. benefit, as I have said elsewhere.
> I would be interested, Jack, to know what evidence there is for the long-term health risks associates with chronic Wellbutrin usage that you have described. I am also taking a medication shown to artificially boost the levels of dopamine in the brain, which certainly does also lead to changes in dopamine secretion.
>
> If you are really worried, it might comfort you to know that some believe the costs to one's health caused by not treating major depression (which can have damaging consequences for the brain, as well as one's overall health) outweigh the potential costs of treatment(barring rare complications). The question, of course, is if this cost-benefit assessment is correct. I have always been under the impression that it is. But I am always interested in reliable information to the contrary.
>
> > I've read among previous posts as well as other internet sources that Wellbutrin could carry serious long term consequences. Supposedly, Wellbutrin diminishes the brain's release of Dopamine over time(Although it does increase the reuptake of the currently produced Dopamine). In time, this could lead to deterioration of memory, cognitive ability, and even the possibility of permanently lowering the brain's dopamine output. I'd greatly appreciate if anyone could inform me of ANYTHING regarding this or any other serious problem linked with long-term Wellbutrin usage.
Posted by JackD on August 28, 2000, at 1:38:58
In reply to Re: Scared About Wellbutrin's Long Term Effects, posted by Adam on August 26, 2000, at 15:32:00
Yeh, I think you're right. Depending on how severe your problems are, I think even if there are serious repercussions in the future it's still worth the benefits of the medicine. Funny thing is, I have an anxiety problem, and worrying about my medication is just another way of my anxiety manifesting itself. Now I'm actually worried about if and when my medication will lose its effectiveness!
Unfortunately I cannot seem to find any of the web pages where I read about these long-term problems. I'll keep looking. I'll let you know if I read anything about Selegiline too.
Posted by AndrewB on August 29, 2000, at 11:58:58
In reply to Re: Scared About Wellbutrin's Long Term Effects, posted by JackD on August 28, 2000, at 1:38:58
Adam,
It is my impreesion that longterm use of selegiline, the drug you take, has a neuroprotective effect on neurons with dopaminergic activity (at least at low doses), and, thus, a person using selegiline in proper doses may protect themselves from the gradual die off of neurons with dopaminergic actiivity and the associated drop in dopamine levels that is normally seen with aging. If Wellbutrin is indeed neurotoxic to dopaminergic neurons (and I've never heard this), it may be prudent to supplement with low dose selegiline.
AndrewB
Posted by Debby Painter on January 31, 2001, at 16:19:29
In reply to Re: Scared About Wellbutrin's Long Term Effects, posted by JackD on August 28, 2000, at 1:38:58
Long-term sides effects. I took Zyban (=Wellbutrin) for 8 days to quit smoking. 3 years 1 month later I am still experiencing memory, neuro, gasto and many other problems. I am not alone. AboutWomen.com used to be one of the best sites to find out about these long-term problems. Unfortunately this site was bought out by About.com and the message board is a mess. There are other sites out there. Just look harder.
Posted by orthius on January 31, 2001, at 20:26:20
In reply to Scared About Wellbutrin's Long Term Effects, posted by JackD on August 26, 2000, at 3:48:59
I do not know where u have gotten this information from but wellbutrin does not increase the reuptake of dopamine it slows the reuptake down over time it can interfer with the release of dopamine but not to a great extent
Posted by mikala_thompson on April 7, 2001, at 15:27:35
In reply to Scared About Wellbutrin's Long Term Effects, posted by JackD on August 26, 2000, at 3:48:59
from mentalhealth.com
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacological Actions:
The neurochemical mechanism of the antidepressant effect of bupropion is not known. Bupropion does not inhibit monoamine oxidase. Compared to classical tricyclic antidepressants, it is a weak blocker of the neuronal uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine; it also inhibits the neuronal re-uptake of dopamine to some extent.Limited clinical data suggest a higher incidence of adverse experiences in patients receiving concurrent administration of bupropion and L-dopa. Administration of bupropion to patients receiving L-dopa concurrently should be undertaken with caution, using small initial doses and small gradual dose increases.
This is the end of the thread.
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