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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Biff on June 6, 2006, at 23:24:50
Brief med history: for 3 years I've been taking ADs to good effect. However, I had to go from 20 to 30 to 40mg Lexapro due to decrease in efficacy. Each increase was after about 6 months. After 40mg became ineffective, my doc recommended 300mg Wellbutrin SR + 20 mg Lexapro. Over the months I've managed to drop the Lexapro to 10mg, but no lower. About the time I started Wellbutrin (one year ago), I started to get hives. They are red, sometimes raised, that over time have covered from feet to hands up to mid-back. They generally appear after exercise and disappear within a couple of days if I don't exercise. They don't itch or have any other symptoms, but they are unsightly and they appear to be getting worse. Antihistamines (Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec) only help slightly.
Anyway, so I'm thinking about going to 150mg Wellbutrin + 20mg Lexapro or maybe back to 40mg Lexapro only. I've read that the treatment of some illnesses benefit from cycling meds like this. Does anyone have any experience with cycling ADs? Also, does anyone else have hives from Wellbutrin?
Regards,
Biff
Posted by Caedmon on June 7, 2006, at 12:41:59
In reply to cycling ADs due to side effects, posted by Biff on June 6, 2006, at 23:24:50
I did get hives from Wellbutrin XL the first time I took it. My dermatologist told me to stop taking it. It went away, but not until about 2 months later.
This year I tried taking generic bupropion SR, and I didn't get any hives.
Re: cycling the meds, maybe you could try a different SSRI?
- Chris
Posted by Biff on June 7, 2006, at 13:47:36
In reply to Re: cycling ADs due to side effects, posted by Caedmon on June 7, 2006, at 12:41:59
I'm reluctant to try different meds, since the Lexapro and then Lexapro/Wellbutrin worked so well (except for the hives). Your experience is interesting, since Wellbutrin and Bupropion are the same drug, and both are extended release. I wonder if there's an additive in the formulation for Wellbutrin that is actually causing the hives?> I did get hives from Wellbutrin XL the first time I took it. My dermatologist told me to stop taking it. It went away, but not until about 2 months later.
>
> This year I tried taking generic bupropion SR, and I didn't get any hives.
>
> Re: cycling the meds, maybe you could try a different SSRI?
>
> - Chris
Posted by minimal on June 7, 2006, at 19:02:24
In reply to Re: cycling ADs due to side effects, posted by Biff on June 7, 2006, at 13:47:36
My experience exact opposite from one stated just above: on Wellbutrin brand I never experienced hives in 2 years. In a switch to generic for a month, I did develop hives. Funny, huh.
Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2006, at 21:27:17
In reply to Hives, posted by minimal on June 7, 2006, at 19:02:24
I've never heard of hives on any of these meds but anything is possible. Sounds like an allergy. Love Phillipa
Posted by minimal on June 7, 2006, at 23:05:42
In reply to Hives, posted by minimal on June 7, 2006, at 19:02:24
Hives are actually quite common with Wellbutrin. Most docs/people believe it is a result of coloring used in the tabs, but who knows if that is the only cause. After all, why do these reactions seem to result mostly (or only) from coloring used in Wellbutrin?
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on June 10, 2006, at 10:05:44
In reply to Re: Hives, posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2006, at 21:27:17
Hey there!!
I got hives on wellbutrin. Well, actually it was Zyban, but the same thing. I stopped it too.
Kind regards
Meri
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