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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on September 1, 2001, at 21:06:31
My friend who has been on Wellbutrin started on the SR version, but had a bad reaction so her pdoc switched her to IR. However, now the doc is having her increase the dosage and because she still has some SR around, he told her to take one SR in the am, and an IR in the pm until her next appointment.
These pdocs are not without error, so I figured I'd throw the question out here and hopefully someone (Cam, JohnL, Sal, etc.) might know -- is it safe to combine the two types of Wellbutrin? Thanks.
-Janelle
Posted by sl on September 1, 2001, at 21:10:19
In reply to Is it ok to combine Wellbutrin SR w/ WellbutrinIR?, posted by Janelle on September 1, 2001, at 21:06:31
>still has some SR around, he told her to take one SR in the am, and an IR in the pm until her next appointment.
>
> These pdocs are not without error, so I figured I'd throw the question out here and hopefully someone (Cam, JohnL, Sal, etc.) might know -- is it safe to combine the two types of Wellbutrin? Thanks.Heh, well, I'm not so knowledgeable as Cam or Sal or John, but I like to think I know a bit. ;)
I'd think it'd be just fine, just make sure she's not exceeding the 150-200mg per dose that's normal for IR. Cuz if you think about it, since IR peaks in the blood and SR doesn't, if there's a dosage that'll cause probs it'd be IR. if that makes any sense to you. Anyway, think of what a standard dosage is and make sure she's not taking more than that (for me it's 150mg) in any form. :)
sl
Posted by Janelle on September 1, 2001, at 21:24:26
In reply to Re: Is it ok to combine Wellbutrin SR w/ WellbutrinIR?, posted by sl on September 1, 2001, at 21:10:19
You do know quite a bit, sl! :-)
Anyway, you made a really good point, one that I had already mentioned to her - not to exceed her therapeutic dose. The pdoc currently has her at exactly what you mentioned: 150-200mg/day, now divided between 150 mg SR in the am and 100 mg IR in the pm.
We thought that the SR might be causing a problem because she seems to feel yucky (a bit agitated, throbbing head) periodically through the day, and she and I figured this might be each time it "releases" (or does it just stream in constantly)?
I hadn't stopped to think that IR would peak, not SR! But if SR has "microbursts" throughout the day, this could explain the downswings she is getting. Hmmmm ...
Posted by sl on September 1, 2001, at 21:46:35
In reply to SL - thanks and another question: » sl, posted by Janelle on September 1, 2001, at 21:24:26
> I hadn't stopped to think that IR would peak, not SR! But if SR has "microbursts" throughout the day, this could explain the downswings she is getting. Hmmmm ...Well, I think SR peaks, but the peak is much LOWER and not so drastic as IR, for me it was barely noticeable.
I dunno if it releases a bit at a time or constantly....that's kind of an interesting question. I'd say if you know a really good pharmacist, ask them. Otherwise, a doctor who's had a TON of experience with psychiatric meds might know. If you can't find anyone and you don't mind long-distance calls, drop me a note and I'll send ya some phone#s for folks to ask. :)sl
PS thanks for feeding my ego. ;)
Posted by Janelle on September 1, 2001, at 23:45:18
In reply to Re: SL - thanks and another question:, posted by sl on September 1, 2001, at 21:46:35
Well, I scrolled up this very message board and found a thread on Wellbutrin, and although it doesn't address my specific question about combining the two versions, some of the messages there seem to indicate that SR does have peaks - some people reported feeling up and down during the day while on SR. Sounds to me like it does have "microbursts" of releases periodically over the course of the day.
However, it does stand to reason, based just on the words "Sustained Release" versus "IMMEDIATE Release" that the latter would be "stronger" when it peaks.
Unfortunately, I don't know a really good pharmacist (but Cam on this board IS a very knowledgeable one!) Thanks for your offer; for now, my friend is going back to taking just the IR version 100 mg twice a day and her next appointment with her pdoc is in just a few days. She'll ask him at that time about the safety of combining SR with IR and also about peaking of each version. Thanks for all your help here!
-Janelle
This is the end of the thread.
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