My psychiatrist says that there is an optimal threshold dose for Buproprion and 150 mg would be low. 300 mg he says is minimum and he got me up to 375 mg by taking a 300 mg XL and then half a 150 mg SR.
When I first started I was on only 150 mg I was irritable and awful. Upped it to 300 mg 2x 150 mg 1 first thing in morning and 1 about 6-8 hours later and the results kicked in, no side affects, maybe slight irritation, but much better, so I think too low a dose can be a problem.
I would not take buproprion anywhere near bed time, because it really does pep you up, so taking it just before bed would result in sleep problems I suspect. I don't have sleep problems with it. I am much more alert and have more energy. My psychiatrist says Wellbutrin works well on people who have ADHD either in family or themselves, as that their brain chemistry is right for Wellbutrin's dopamine enhancing affects (which peps you up). He reckons the pepping up, giving me more energy has helped with my anxiety because I can do and cope with more, which sort of makes sense. It has helped with depression but cannot possibly stop it as my depression is situational so nothing will stop that, just maybe curb the effects.
I was changed to the 300 mg XL which I cannot get in Australia but there is a Canadian chemist that you can order online and it is perfectly legal to get 3 months worth at a time shipped in to Australia and the cost for 3 months is about the same as the cost for 1 month here. (something to note
@Flossy as the zyban costs a fortune over here) Plus you can get the generic brands which you can't get in Australia. Though I have opted for the Wellbutrin to start as I was changing from Zyban SR 150 mg x 2 to one 300 mg XL, so didn't want any possible problems with generic brands not working as well.
The increase by 75 mg to 375 mg caused me problems. My psychiatrist said the optimal dose would probably be 375 mg for women, and as you can't get a 75 mg he said cut the 150 mg SR in half and take in morning with 300 mg XL. Cutting the pill stops the slow release but he said should be fine with food. I tried and for 4 days got awful headache, irritable, tightness in jaw and forehead and irritated stomach. So I went down to just the 300 mg XL and that is fine.
My psychiatrist says it takes 3 days for Buproprion changes to take full affect on brain. So if you reduce dose you would feel affect 3 days later not straight away.
So it has worked well for me. And I wanted a antidepressant that does not cause weight gain. I knew if I put on weight I would get more depressed and it puts more strain on my bad back. Hence I went for buproprion which is less likely to cause weight gain and can even lose weight, which it has done. It has curbed my appetite. So I have lost some weight which has helped with my mood because I am overweight and nothing worked to lose it, this has helped me feel better. So doubly pleased. I don't know why they prescribe overweight people antidepressants that cause weight gain when they can at least try out ones that don't first. They tried suggesting SSRI which is always the stock ones they put on first, I said no.
