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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ravenstorm on June 27, 2004, at 10:03:23
Just wondering how the two compare. I know about the once daily versus twice daily dosage and I know that they are the same med with different coatings etc.
I am not really looking for the "theory" on this but on personal experiences.
I know of one person who had less foggy headed/sleepiness (yes-sleepiness on wellbutrin!) on XL versus the SR version.
Just wondering if anyone has taken both and noticed any difference in the two when it comes to side effects.
Thanks!
Posted by King Vultan on June 27, 2004, at 11:10:34
In reply to Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects?, posted by ravenstorm on June 27, 2004, at 10:03:23
As I've mentioned before here, a fellow I work with takes 2 x 200 mg/day of the SR version for ADD. He did try the XL version, but I believe he had to go with 450 mg/day total because the size of the pills made it impossible to do 400, at least at the time. He did not like the XL version, saying it released too slowly for his needs and just didn't seem to agree with him. He returned to the 2 x 200 mg/day of the SR version.
Todd
Posted by watergirl on June 28, 2004, at 14:26:44
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects?, posted by King Vultan on June 27, 2004, at 11:10:34
I preferred SR. However my pdoc preferrs having me on long acting meds because I have mood swings as is.
On my 4th day dose of Wellbutrin XL 450mgs I had seizures. (I had fever and pnemonia too) No doctor will prescribe Wellbutrin to me.
I thought it was the best thing that ever happened to me (taking Wellbutrin), I miss waking up in morning and feeling good about getting out of bed.
Best wishes,
Cindy-About side effects, I cant say I experienced any (unless you count seizure) on the XL because I had already been on the SR for a few months and any had subsided. I was only mildly aggitated and had alittle insomnia the first week on SR
Posted by ravenstorm on June 28, 2004, at 21:27:40
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects?, posted by watergirl on June 28, 2004, at 14:26:44
Thanks Cindy. I'm so sorry you had a seizure! Do you have to take epilepsy medication now, or was it an isolated incident? And then to have to give up the medication that was helping you. . .big bummer.
Did you have anxiety problems? I am actually on remeron (15mg) so my anxiety is under control now, but I'm worried about adding the wellbutrin like my pdoc wants.
I'm going to start slow, 100mg SR. But I may wait until the fall to add it in.(Summer is the only time I feel good, so I don't want to spend weeks with start up side effects) I would love to get off the remeron entirely and switch to Wellbutrin alone, but I really doubt my brain is going to handle that!!
Posted by sfmom on June 29, 2004, at 0:28:29
In reply to Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects?, posted by ravenstorm on June 27, 2004, at 10:03:23
Well, I found a convenient way out of deciding which to take--I take both. 100 mg sr & 75mg xl in the morning and the same in the afternoon. I know it's king of a lot, but nothing else really worked for me. Wellbutrin has been amazing for me, though I know that not everyone has the same experience. But to answer your question, neither one nor the other worked for me, but the combination has been doing the trick for about 6 months now. Of course the problem is that I'm at the highest dose and am afraid to ween myself off, even though I want to get pregnant again soon. I guess I'm going to have to take that leap eventually. Good luck!
Posted by ravenstorm on June 29, 2004, at 9:21:25
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects?, posted by sfmom on June 29, 2004, at 0:28:29
Fascinating, fsmom! How did you stumble upon that combo? Did your pdoc suggest it?
Posted by theo on June 29, 2004, at 10:39:34
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects?, posted by sfmom on June 29, 2004, at 0:28:29
How do you take 75mg of XL? It only comes in 150mg and 300mg tablets and if you split them you completely loose the extended release effect.
Posted by sfmom on June 29, 2004, at 10:44:17
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects?, posted by ravenstorm on June 29, 2004, at 9:21:25
My pdoc hasn't been much help with regard to my meds or anything else for that matter. BUT, I actually did some research online and talked to some people and king of played around with what made me feel better. While I was going on to the WB, I was also going through withdrawal from both paxil and klonopin! It was a rough couple of weeks to say the least! The problem with my current does is that it's not safe to take any more so I don't really have anywhere to go when I have down days (weeks, months). But I'm hoping to come up with a plan soon to lower my dose.
As to the original question about side effects, I've been really lucky with WB. The jitteriness hasn't been a problem. The main problem was really bad gas! Luckily, that has tapered off. But as with everything, what works great for one person could be pure hell for another. . . Good luck.
Posted by sfmom on June 29, 2004, at 10:47:52
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects? » sfmom, posted by theo on June 29, 2004, at 10:39:34
I think they must be generic (I'm looking at the bottle but don't know how to tell) but that's what I have. They're purple if that helps and my srs are white.
Posted by ravenstorm on June 30, 2004, at 9:55:40
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects? » theo, posted by sfmom on June 29, 2004, at 10:47:52
sfmom--
I think those purple 75mg pills are actually the oldest form of Wellbutrin--the immediate release variety which isn't used much anymore.That makes more sense, anyway, since I've never heard of the XL version being given twice a day and the XL version only comes in 150mg and 300mg pills.
Glad its working for you!
Posted by sfmom on June 30, 2004, at 11:19:46
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects?, posted by ravenstorm on June 30, 2004, at 9:55:40
Thanks. If they're cheaper in any way, I'm sure that's what Kaiser gives me. Do you know why they're not used any more? That's kind of scary.
Posted by ravenstorm on June 30, 2004, at 20:50:50
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects? » ravenstorm, posted by sfmom on June 30, 2004, at 11:19:46
There is nothing wrong with the immediate release, so don't worry. All three types (SR, XL and the old immeditae release) have the same active ingredient, they are just formultated with different time release coatings.
The reason the immediate release has somewhat fallen out of favor is that you had to take it three times per day. (2x for SR and only once a day with XL) Also, once a med goes generic, the drug company doesn't push it on the doctors anymore. So, now the makers of Wellbutrin brand would obviously prefer doctors to prescribe XL.
Posted by sfmom on June 30, 2004, at 22:51:49
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR vs Wellbutrin XL, same side effects?, posted by ravenstorm on June 30, 2004, at 20:50:50
This is the end of the thread.
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