AboutEric Brandt Expertise I am a practicing pharmacist.On my drug information website, I have answered hundreds of questions to date. The articles posted on my site include Parkinson`s disease. depression, menopause, diabetes, sleep and aging, congestive heart failure, calcium channel blockers, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, ADHD, multiple sclerosis an more.
Experience I have experience in retail as well as hospital pharmacy pracice. Currently working in a hospital pharmacy. I am experienced in drug information. Over the last 6 years I have developed a successful web site for drug information.
The addressfor my drug information website is http://www.druginformation.bc.caThere you can read articles on varios areas of health interest. You can also leave me questions which I will personally answer. I also have a free health information newsletter called The Caplet. To subscribe send e-mail to
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Question I am currently taking Wellburtin XL 150mg and want to increase the dose. I began using it as an add-on with Lexapro. However, Lexapro is causing fatigue smyptoms. I have been taking it alone for nearly two years. Then we (my Dr. and I) cut the dose to 10mg Lexapro and added Wellburtin. It has been very difficult getting off of Lexapro. I really feel like I suffered withdrawl symptoms that would be associated with addictive meds. Anyway, now I am off of Lexapro completely. In the past I have tried Zoloft (experienced low libido), Paxil (caused significant weight gain) and Celexa (less refined version of Lexapro). I would prefer to simply up my dose of Wellbutrin. Weight gain is something that I cannot tolerate. If I gain weight from a side effect, it will certainly make my depression worse. I work hard to stay fit and that is very important to my emotional state of mind. I need an anti-depressant type med because I have chronic pain and I ever since my diagnosis my moods have become an issue. So given that history, my questions are:
1. Is it possible to up the dose? Or is it based on a person's height/weight.
2. What is the most common side effect when taking a larger dose?
3. Is it possible to maintain depression/anxiety using Wellbutrin alone. (I feel like I could crawl out of my skin right now. I can hardly wait until Monday when I can speak with my Dr.)What do you recommend?
Answer Hi Jennifer,
Wellbutrin 150 mg is not the maximum dose doe for this medication. I have seen doses go to 300 mg per day.
The medication is well tolerated. The most serious problem is seizures in susceptble people. This can occur with the fast release version of the drug and is seldom seen in the XL version. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication as it can contribute to loss of seizure control.
Wellbutrin can be used alone to manage anxiety/depression.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm
