Adderall With Wellbutrin

If that is true, why are different side effects listed for generic as opposed to the brand name Wellbutrin in some informational material? I had horrible side effects from the generic after taking Wellbutrin successfully for about 2 years. I felt like I was going crazy. Finally linked it to the generic and went back on the brand name. It cost me a lot more, but worth it.

I know this is an old thread, but I came across it so I'm hoping my post may still benefit someone.

I am currently suffering from ADD and Depression. I am a 26 y/o male taking 300mg of Wellbutrin and 30mg of adderall. Also 1 mg of klonopin. This was prescribed by an established and Peer awarded Psychiatrist. I have done much research on my own and it seems somewhat normal for adderall to be prescribed in combination with Wellbutrin. While I'm not a qualified health care practitioner, it does seem from my personal experience that adderall might not be the best drug for seniors, especially if they have any type of heart condition. Adderall can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. When I started taking it (10mgs) I experienced chest pains and a racing heart. This only stopped when I discovered, through trial and error, what were the best times of the day to take my adderall and how much to take. This was what my Dr. recommended.

The most important thing is that you and your parents understand the side effects. I have seen firsthand the negative impact of an antidepressant on a loved one's personality. Unfortunately it went unchanged for years as nobody near enough to her, including herself was familiar with the side effects and how that impacted her personality. When going on a psychoactive drug I think it is of the utmost importance to inform those closest to you, and have them familiarize themselves of the potential side-effects.

It can be hard for the person being treated to notice the changes them self, especially if they are experiencing the positive effects. Also these negative side effects are often not physical and can gradually set in over the course of weeks, months, or years, particularly if the patient is directed to steadily increase the dose. Some things I noticed in my loved one were: Emotional blunting(lack of romantic attachment), lack of interest or pursuit of social relationships, complete loss of sex drive, lack of sympathetic feelings, and the decreased ability to recognize or comprehend the emotional impact of their actions on loved ones.

You may consider asking your parents if you can attend a Dr's appointment with them, and ask them to sign a waiver that would permit their physician to share information and discuss their health with you. I went to 3 different Doctors before I bit the bullet and began paying out of pocket to see an actual Psychiatrist. The results have been worth it. I have piece of mind that I am getting competent treatment from a Dr. that is familiar with the conditions and drugs they are prescribing to treat them. My previous Dr's were clearly not on the same page as far as treating Mental Disorders. One actually had admittedly never treated someone for adult ADD. His treatment was based on a 10 question test that was literally designed for elementary aged children. In the case of my loved previously discussed. She was seeing a one size fits all general Nurse Practitioner in place of a OBGYN, family physician, and Psychiatrist. This LNP did not discuss the side effects and only required face to face evaluations once a year.

I am now a strong advocate of only allowing Board Certified Psychiatrists to prescribe drugs for the treatment of mental disorders no matter how common they may be. Unfortunately big pharmaceutical companies oppose this as it would limit their capacity to distribute their profitable products. And the other powerful player in this fight is the insurance companies, whom discourage or restrict their Doctors from referring clients to more expensive specialists.

Key points:

- Familiarize yourselves with all of the side effects.

- Consult a Board Certified Psychiatrist.

- Attend a Dr. appointment with your parents(I have done this with my mother).

- Have open discussions with them about their diagnosis and treatment.

 

Best of Luck!

I'm glad to see such recent posts on this subject too.
-I don't know of a problem in combining the two drugs mentioned, I know two others who've had success with their depression taking them, and hopefully me.
So far I've cut back to smoking 1 cigarette a day but, I'm worried about some other issues I'm having...
I'm prescribed Adderall, 30mg's and I've started taking generic Wellbutrin XL 300mg two weeks ago.
I still can't tell if I like the effects of Wellbutrin yet, I'm currently taking it at night because
When I tried taking it in the morning I became extremely tired through out the day regardless of the Adderall, I also had little to no motivation to work or have fun with my usually hobbies & interests, just felt like sleeping and staring at the TV, which made me depressed.
Before starting Wellbutrin XL, I was taking 60mg's of Adderall in the morning and feeling really good most of the day, but 7-8 hours in I'd start feeling anxious and really uncomfortable.
I've come to realize that I still have deeper issues than adhd, so I'm trying to deal with my depression better.
I'm also taking Subutex. I''ve been tapering but, I'm pretty steady on 4-6mg of subutex every evening.
Thanks for listening.

To the poster who stated that the generic versions of Wellbutrin are identical to the brand name - you could not be more wrong.  Please inform yourself prior to posting especially in regards to medications that can mean the difference between life and death for someone who is suicidal.

The generic form of Wellbutrin made by one company has been pulled from pharmacy shelves and the maker has been ordered to discontinue manufacturing it by the FDA. 

After thousands of complaints from doctors, patients and worse of all - family members of patients who had committed suicide or attempted suicide after being put on the generic form of Wellbutrin - the FDA finally did what they should have done in the first place.  It had controlled studies and chemical analysis done and determined that the generic form, in fact, was basically useless and in no way similar to brand name Wellbutrin.

This information is available for anyone to read via the internet and many major medical and news publications have written detailed articles about the above findings.  I encourage anyone and everyone to inform themselves before even thinking about taking a generic form of Wellbutrin.  The difference could save your life or the life of someone that you love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

i am so glad to have read this....it's given me a lot of comfort. i could have written that paragraph about myself. thank you.

Hi

 

Most of the forums I have read in this site seem to make sense to me. I understand some people take it for the energy benefits, and other's really do take it because not being able to stand still or focus is a problem. Personally, I am a bit of both. I was introduced to adderall my senior year of high school as the "student's helper" I liked it because of it's good effects and thought I can just take a couple more for my senior year. I might have taken about 5 or 6 total throughout that year. Up until my freshman year of college, I got into a car accident and my PC recommended me to see a psychiatrist because I had depression and although I felt that I didn't really need it but wanted the drug- he told me I might have an attention deficit. Ever since I've been prescribed adderal, I've been taking it at the right dosage given (10mg XR, two a day) yet there were some days I didn't take it religiously because I did not want to get hooked on something that is in the same category as cocaine. It is crazy to think about how kids now-a-days can get prescribed drugs so easily that puts many individuals at risk. I think I was one of them, I think I was a good actress to my psychiatrist and although I do have depression tendencies (child sexual abuse when I was 4-5- years old);  I believe I could of made it without this drug. A year and half ago, my doctor prescribed something for my depression and last time I saw him, he said I showed bipolar tendencies and that I have anxiety which could be PSTD( which could be potentially true due to my tragic event) but I don't want to be on these drugs anymore. I want to feel that I have control of myself without taking these drugs. I know coming down must be hard, seeing as my boyfriend has stopped taking his medication in the middle of a family situation (his parents are getting divorced) yet he's trying his best. I feel that when I take my dosage of adderall(20mg's) and wellbutrin (300mg split into 150 twice a day) it helps, but at the same time I feel the side effects. I know now where all my anxiety and over-emotional tendencies are coming from. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE DRUGS DO NOT HELP. And I hate to say this because I know there are many people out there who have been taking these drugs since they were children- and I respect that but for those of us who experience the side effects...wouldn't it be nice not to? to feel what is like not to depend on anything? I'm currently taking my dosage, but I have decided to stop taking half of it, that way  my comedown will not be as hard as others. I know I am a strong person and I'll do whatever I can to be clean. Has anyone tried to get off adderall and wellbutrin without telling their doctor? I am not going could turkey, but I know my doctor will just prescribe me something else for whatever I am feeling and I am sick and tired of this cocktail game that many doctors think it's right but at the end of the end of the day, it could potentially harm someone to the unthinkable. 

 

 

I can vouch for Guest on her comment. I was on adderal 20mg and Wellbutrin SR 150mg. I'm 34 male suffer from depression and I think the Wellbutrin triggered bipolar symptoms or maybe the coming off of Lexapro. I took Wellbutrin for 9months and still take adderall. During the 9months I was furious litterly everything I kept inside came out in a rage of anger and hate towards family and friends. I couldn't stop it either it was like watching myself change into this angry person and I could not stop it, all I could do was watch. Immediately afterwards I felt sorry and would apologize. I never ever acted like that or been an angry person my whole life. The whole I once never thought it was the medicine until I told my dad I think I need to check in to the hospital cause I'm afraid I might hurt someone or myself and I didn't have a care in the world if I did so. I stop taking the medicine all I take now is adderall. I suffer from major depression since i was 16 and was on antidepressants for 10 years. When I quit Wellbutrin I also stop drinking caffeine after 6 years of almost everyday having an energy drink. I felt better and happy and could cry finally but my depression is much worse now and I have cycles of mania every 3 weeks and they are bad from suicidal, overwhelming emotions, loneliness to over driven sex drive, tempted to almost call an escort service everytime for sex and I'm a good looking guy but I need it all the time when I'm going thru this period and well I'm single cause I do think any women could understand what I'm going through or even stick around after seeing me in my up and down stage. Before Lexapro I was never like this, either coming off Lexapro for 6 yrs at 30mg triggered this or immediately going into Wellbutrin after quiting lexapro triggered this either way I'm stuck with bipolar symptoms that seem to get worse and worse each episode.

Wellbutrin causes anxiety and panic attacks. Xanax would have done you better

I have been taking bupropion XL 300 MG (generic Wellbutrin) with 5 mg generic short acting Adderall (3x per day) for depression and ADHD, and I can tell you that these two meds in combination have made an incredible difference in my life. I am a 44 year old professional woman, and have struggled for years with undiagnosed depression and ADHD. I cannot emphasize how much these conditions have negatively impacted my life over the years. The Adderall was added after I had been taking Wellbutrin for several months, and I would argue that the Adderall is not only treating my ADHD but is also interacting with the Wellbutrin to improve my depression.

It saddens me at times to think that I have not had these conditions treated until the age of 44, and how many "lost years" I had in my past. I used to beat myself up psychologically that I wasn't "better" or more in "control" or achieving more on every level in my life, that the ensuing depression did lead me to street drugs to self-medicate. It then become a vicious circle. 

My life is 1000% better while I am on these meds. It makes me upset to read comments from individuals that are lucky enough to not suffer from these conditions call Adderall a "street drug." Sure, it can be abused and is. However, should we deny narcotic pain killers to people who suffer from chronic pain because this class of drugs is also heavily abused? Of course not. 

It's a prejudice against people that have a physiological imbalance in their brain. For me, it is genetic. Would you folks also like to heap shame on individuals that have Type 2 diabetes?

Hi guest, your post sounds familiar to how I have been.  It's only been a week since adding wellburtin but I think it is helping already.  I emotionally shut down and have a lack of focus and depression.  My DR has been wonderful in helping me find what is best for me.  Would love to talk more.  Noticed it's been a month for you, wonder how you are doing??

This is untrue. Do your research. It is NOT the same

I understand you viewing this from a person that can get up each day and do whatever you need to do. People such as me for example , let me explain a little about me, I've never tried drinking, smoking, or any "drugs" my whole life. I'm 41yrs. Never had handcuffs touch me, no kids, married, own my oun business in 3 states, 4.5yrs of business law at UCLA Ca. Physically (not proud of this) I've fist fought bare knuckle street fights from age 5yrs. Undefeated and no longer partake in that hobby as of 5yrs ago. I played hardball fast pitch baseball from 4yrs to age 28yrs,, I raced stand up Jet Skis untill I made pro then I suddenly was diagnosed with an enlarged heart, until this, I've never had a broken bone, stitches, any sicknesses besides the common cold, may have caught the flu once. The Cardiomyopathy (hypertension) was discovered in 2000.. Social Anxiety, Heart Rythmia as well. So my point is that I'm as manly as a man can be. I'm more physically able than the average 2 full grown men. YET,,, I'm a depressed person beyond anything I ever thought was possible for anyone, especially someone like myself. I learned later that depression doesn't discriminate and will take down the largest, strongest, smartest, you name it, person on earth. I WAS , along with everything I mentioned above the hardest physical worker I personally knew. The most optimistic. Mr. Problem solver, literally you name it, that was me.. Today, I sadly say that I am none of the above except depressed. I've heard very intelligent people say things about people who are depressed such as "hell, the next time I don't feel like going into work I'm going to just call in depressed, ask my Dr. For a pill, ha, ha, ha.., " These were professional people. Law enforcement. Average people conversing at a coffee shop. Ballgames. All places people frequent. My particular symptoms are that I always want to sleep. But I want to live every moment of my life out doing things, I have no interest in
anything, yet I absolutely love fishing, I turn down work, but I want to work, I refuse to take my medication that's right next to me, but I need the meds, I don't call in my medicine refills, then go through hell when I'm out, every minute I'm awake I'm depressed about the fact that I'm depressed, I don't even want to go to the kitchen to eat, I love to eat, things as simple as going to the restroom I'll hold off until I absolutely can not wait anymore before I will go, from those examples I think you can get an idea of what I go through every day. ? So from my prospective would you say that I'm wrong for wishing there was a medicine that would elieviate even half of my daily thoughts of worthlessness, self value, manhood, and perhaps even help with the way I was viewed by my wife that out of the blue wanted a divorce, keeping in mind that the only thing that had changed in our relationship was my depression, ?? I ask you this in hopes that you might view this terrible condition a bit more serious and realize that those of us that have this, as wimpy as it does appear and as easily as it seems to overcome, it's definitely not. I actually used to think of it as a condition for weak minded people or lazy, or irresistible.. But I wanted to take the time to tell you it's most definitely not a joke, or easily overcome... I thought so strongly about this I'm typing all of this from a cell phone in the middle of the night, , again due to another depression symptom, either always sleeping, or days and nights without the luxury of sleeping. ? Please give this story some serious thought. Thanks. ? For anyone I might be able to help. Or someone who might have any ideas. Even negative feedback is welcomed..

 ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

Please excuse the choppiness of my post. I worked 13 1/2 hours today, starting 19 hrs ago and I am tired and my ADHD med wore off a few hours ago.. but upon research of forums concerning my ambition to add Welbutrin (I did take prior to Adderall) to my regimen I ran across this and needed to reply. This life I know all too well........not ALL the successes you speak of prior to your falling, but my own hardship and success- knowing inside of myself who I am.... but it was only when I was sleeping- dreaming/reminiscing about that life I once had, or dreamed to have that I could feel I owned it and believe it existed. The harsh reality of the waking hours can rip a heart out and turn a brain to mush, make you numb and invaluable to yourself and feel like the journey to owning your life again is way too long, too much work. Knowing what I want and needed (medication, meal, bathroom, PEOPLE) and being the one with the 'power' to do that but yet it's mind trickery and doesn't make sense, it isn't true because the truth is NOT having the power to exist as whole as I once felt without needing the intervention, so .... is it stubborn? That's what some say. Secretly, (don't laugh),personally, I was also holding on.................maybe if I didn't resort to a medication solution, maybe if I didn't 'give in' I would be rewarded with all of my life back, that I would just wake up and feel whole again. Well, needless to say that didn't happen. I couldn't go back, I can still get depressed that the 'original plan' isn't the life I live but learning the harsh reality that I am not in control and plans can change and if we let ourselves we can take this same life and make other dreams come true was the best thing I ever did. I retrained myself on a daily basis to remember and KNOW this life will go on, thank heavens, just differently. A lot of deep breaths, tears cried, counts to 10, days in bed etc and Years passed and I returned to college to pursue my career in nursing. Among being questioned regarding my depression, I was tested for ADHD- results were 99.9%. Stubbornly skipped meds because of uneducated reasons. I began taking Adderall mid-2013, I wish I would have had the med in high school . I tried and tried in HS and nobody thought I did because the work didn't show the effort- Relationships in every aspect in life could not succeed because I just could not do it. I started working out months prior to the med so no shocking weight loss or speed rush with the med because it slows my mind to a bearable workable pace for me. It was the solution. Point is stubbornness (as I call it) is the demon to overcome. REalize your worth. Life with depression.....oh the times I wanted to check my self in (post divorce) because I wanted to just die (no exaggeration) but then I would have appeared weak so that was not an option; IT overtook me like another life inside of mine smothering me out. I am not weak, but I fall. I am not lazy, but I get tired. I try, but I do not always do well. I have learned to keep myself honest at heart and let it lead and usually I can follow through. Most of this journey was without medication, it was with the Welbutrin that I could start to look ahead. I stopped the Welbutrin prior to the Adderall due to some tremors. The Adderall helps tremendously but still some blanks there With my meds I do better, I can feel confident instead of looking back over the day at all I wanted to do and crying because I just couldn't 'get it together'. I am 36, life is tough but I learned by the grace of God I am tougher. No, I am not a faithful church goer or what have you, but I appreciate this existence, have angels all around me and refuse to stay in the pits of hell when I can be alive and trying. I can show how strong faith can hold us up. I guess you could say I redirected my stubbornness. Why should I live without meds and be dead to my kids and all of those I love and care for in my profession. It took years without med, it is taking years with med. Nothing takes it away like a magic wand. Our owning whats ours and working with the truth is the tool to survival. Cannot build on a lie and being honest with yourself and finding thanks in true blessings, realizing nothing about your life was to be so worshipped that you throw the rest of it away. My heart aches and eyes water for those in the early stages of this journey. I will testify though------ I was always the crybaby, abused , held back person and I did it thus far. Maybe few know it from that aspect but if you are held back now that is what was normal for me and then it got worse......dark hole. You can see the light in the dark tunnel and you might not like it but you didn't get this gift for yourself when the train comes out of the tunnel, hop on and ride...........smile and believe yourself because somewhere in there you too are thankful to see the light of day, dark of night, your own reflection as alive vs. others who have had no choice and battles of cancer or other chronic disease took their days to 'get over it' and recover. bEST WISHES

I'm sorry my friend but that is not a true statement. You are right on one part of it. The active ingredients and the method of delivery have to be the same. But the binding and fillers don't have to be. In a fair amount of cases that can have a very bad effect on a person who has been taking the brand name medication. I know this from experience and I did a 2 part series on it for my talk radio show. I suggest that you do a little research of your own and see what you come up with.

By law, generics ONLY have to have the same active ingratiates. Inactive ingredients can be completely different; i.e., physical characteristics and release properties aka colors, binders fillers, etc). The allowable variant of the active ingredient allowable is different depending on the type of medication. Meaning there may be slightly more or less of the active ingredient. See the relative FDA chart on Brands & Generics.

When prescribing to a patient with a DX of trigeminal neuralgia ONLY the Tegretol XR (brand) can be used as the generic equivalents do not work properly in Extended Release form. They are not absorbed evenly due to differences in the release mechanism resulting in plasma concentrations that do not remain at a therapeutic levels; e.g., a patient may loose the ability to ambulate temporarily because too much of the active ingredient is released early instead of evenly over the prescribed period. Many other medications, especially blood thinners and certain BP meds are prescribed "brand only."

Lastly, nearly 80% of all active and inactive ingredients come from abroad and 40% of finished pills come from overseas countries such as China produced in labs that are not monitored by the FDA. Do you really believe that are not inspected are producing perfectly identical generic drugs at cutthroat prices? Furthermore, there is no verification system in place to ensure that the pills shipped into this country have the ingredients they are supposed to.

In my opinion, the use of the word identical or bioequivalent is not accurate and disingenuous when used by the FDA. I hope my reply will help you make a more informed decision with regard to brand or generic drugs. As always, I would ask your prescribing physician if you have questions regarding this matter.