Bupropion (Wellbutrin) was first approved by the FDA in 1985 to treat depression. It remains a totally unique antidepressant. There is no similar antidepressant on the market. Unlike SSRI and SNRI antidepressants such as citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine and sertraline, bupropion is far less likely to interfere with love making. In addition, bupropion helps people stop smoking. The the price of the brand name in the USA is unbelievable. And some people report that generic bupropion pills do not work as well as the brand name.
A reader reports Wellbutrin (Bupropion) Helps Restore Libido
Q. My doctor diagnosed depression and prescribed me the antidepressant sertraline. Over time it caused a lack of emotion and a loss of libido.
She switched me to Wellbutrin. I experienced no side effects on this drug and my sex life returned to normal. Then the insurance company switched me to the generic bupropion. It has caused horrible side effects.
I don’t want to go back to sertraline, but a loss of libido would be better than feeling so awful. Why can’t I get the brand name at an affordable price
A. Many readers have complained about a lack of libido and other sexual side effects while taking antidepressants such as sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro) or fluoxetine (Prozac). Bupropion (Wellbutrin), on the other hand, may actually help enhance sexuality. Some people report that Wellbutrin can increase libido.
Other readers have reported that some generic bupropion formulations do not work as well as the brand name Wellbutrin.
Long-acting Wellbutrin (XL 300) could cost over $3,000 a month in the US. In Canada, the same brand name antidepressant could be under $200 for three months. You can learn a lot more about the pros and cons of various antidepressants in our eGuide to Dealing with Depression. It discusses sexual side effects in some detail. Our eGuide to Saving Money on Medicines also provides details on legitimate Canadian pharmacies. Both online resources may be found under the Health eGuides tab.
What About Smoking?
Chantix vs. Bupropion to Quit Cigs:
Q. I am a nurse who has smoked for 17 years. I used to enjoy it. As a single mom, smoking sometimes felt like my only friend.
Now I hate it. I get embarrassed lighting up in public, and I hate to think of the amount of money I have spent not only on cigs but also on body sprays, air fresheners, teeth whiteners, etc.
I tried Chantix when it first came out and it was horrible. I had nightmares, suicidal thoughts and didn’t care about anything. I thought smoking was better than these side effects.
This time around I started Wellbutrin, which is equivalent to Zyban. It has been so much better. My mood has been on an even keel. It’s been a week and I am down to four cigs a day.
Bupropion Helps Do Double Duty:
A. We congratulate you on trying to quit smoking. It is one of the most important things you can do for your health.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) is prescribed to help people stop smoking. It may take two to three months of treatment to overcome the habit. Bupropion is also prescribed for depression, which might explain your stable mood.
Wellbutrin: Tale of Woe and Intrigue:
Wellbutrin (bupropion) has had a checkered career as an antidepressant. It originally had to be taken three times a day. That made it a slow starter compared to drugs like Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline). People like to take one pill a day and forget about it.
Eventually a slow release (SR) form of bupropion was developed. It only had to be taken twice a day. That made it a little more convenient and sales picked up. Eventually a once-a-day formulation was introduced (XL). Wellbutrin XL 300 became very popular.
When Wellbutrin XL 300 lost its patent, generic formulations came along. There is a tale of woe and intrigue about some of those products. We were directly involved in getting the FDA to investigate this scandal. Eventually, products were removed from the market. You can read all about this debacle at this link.
We fear that the FDA has let down its guard…again. We have been hearing complaints about generic bupropion…again. Here is a link to the ongoing saga of generic bupropion.
Bupropion Helps Against Depression:
We have heard from many readers that bupropion helps against depression. In some cases, people discover that bupropion helps rather than hinders love making.
Rebecca in Washington shares her story:
“I’ve suffered from severe depression for over a decade. I’ve tried three different prescriptions over that time. None of them helped. Two had negative side effects.
“I started bupropion about 3 months ago, and it has been an absolute miracle worker. I’m happier than I’ve been in a very, very long time. The only negative side effect I experienced was an increase in the migraines that I already had. Even that went away after a few weeks.
“As for increasing libido, yes. It definitely did that for me, although I honestly might consider that a negative too, because for a while it got to the point where I couldn’t focus on anything else. I guess some people would probably enjoy that though.”
More Reader Comments:
Please share your own bupropion story in the comment section below. Have you found that bupropion helps with depression, smoking cessation or love making? Have you experienced side effects? Let others benefit from your experience.
