Jump to content
SurvivingAntidepressants.org is temporarily closed to new registrations until 1 April ×

Tips for tapering off bupropion (Wellbutrin, IR, SR, XR, XL, Zyban)


Altostrata

Recommended Posts

  • Mentor

@Colonial I did that once too! 🤣 Overtired, I guess!

Now: 100 mg Zoloft am, 50 mg Trazodone.  Daily drug burden decreased from 2050 in 2018 mg to 150 mg 🐢🐢

Zoloft: 1/24/23 increased to 100 mg after suicide attempt 9/17/22 cut 6 mg, 8/14/22 cut 6.5 mg, 5/7/22 cut 12.5 mg 3/20/22 cut 12.5 mg 10/26/21 cut 6 mg 10/17/21 cut 5 mg, 9/17/21 Cut 3 mg,  9/13/21 cut 4 mg, 8/29/21 Cut 2 mg 8/8/21 Cut 3 mg  7/30/21 Zoloft: Converted 25 mg to liquid. Also take 100 mg pill & 25 mg pill=150 mg total
🌞 Feb 28, 2021 0 mg Gapapentin 2021 Gaba each dose 4x/day: Feb 27 7 mg (one dose only), Feb 10, 7 mg, Jan 14 10 mg 2020 Current taper schedule from Aug 30-present: drop 8 mg every 2-3 weeks. Aug 20 31 mg, Aug 18, 33 mg, July 29, 35 mg, July 23 38 mg, July 22 40 mg Jun 24 42 mg, Jun 15 44 mg, Jun 9 48 mg, May 22 50 mg, May 14 54 mg, May 7 56 mg, Apr 16 58 mg, Mar 28 60 mg, Mar 18 62 mg. Feb 26 64 mg. Feb 19, 66 mg. Jan 23, 70 mg. 2019 Dec 19, 72 mg. Nov 14 ,76 mg. Aug 8, 80 mg. Aug 6, 85 mg. Jul 26, 90 mg. Jul 11, 95 mg.

Jul 16 trazodone from 100 to 50 mg.

Jun 17-July 10 Slowly changed gab fr pill to liquid at same dose 100 mg 4x/d.

Apr 24 Stopped klon!!! 🌞 Apr 4  Decreased gaba to 400 mg (100 mg 4x/day)-Apr 4, 2019   0.25 klon March 11  Klonopin .5 mg twice daily, varied dose til Apr 15. Started Klon fast taper 25%, short use

Mar 16, 450 mg gaba 3x/day cut 600 mg--not exact!--updose after learning w/d

Feb 20, 2019 1800 mg gabapentin; MD taper; off 3 days=mvt disorder & autonomic instability. July 2018 temazepam 15 mg 1-2; prn several x/wk til Jan/Feb 2019 when cold turkey, flu illness for months

July 2018 started gabapentin 100 3x/day; titrated up to 1800 mg (600 3x/day)

Buspar, I forget how much, 2 pills a day Jan 2017-July 2018 cold turkey. On Zoloft since maybe 2004? After trying many.

*I speak from my experience. Nothing I say is medical advice. I'm not a doctor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Hi Guys,

 

I am on 300mg per day of Zyban SR ( 150mg twice a day ) And I need to know if I can crush the entire x2 Zyban SR 150mg pills and then divide the dose into 3 equal amounts and take 3 times a day like IR pills. I understand that the SR pills have binders in them. 

 

Plan would be for first 10% drop being 30mg for a month - 90mg at 6am, 90mg at 12pm, 90mg at 6pm. Total 270mg per day. This would be 300mg Zyban SR pills crushed and divided. 

 

Has anyone done this above with SR pills?

 

Also with changing from SR twice a day to now IR 3 times a day, would it be suggested I do the first month at my normal 300mg per day to get use to the change or should I just the first drop at the same time?

 

Many thanks guys. Your all awesome.

2015 - Started Zoplicone for sleeping off & on for 5 years ( No more than a week to 10 days at time )

2016 - Stared Thyroxine as I have Hasimotos Hypothyroid ( Still taking today 25mg )

2019 - Problems with Zoplicone started, Tried Temazepham with same problems

2020 - June - Had massive problems with trying different medications and had a breakdown

2020 -  July - Started 6mg Diazepam to help with side effects of Zyban ( Bupropion ) 300mg  

2020 - August - Started Diazepam taper as I have a dependence to Benzo's ( Funny that after they said zoplicone was not a benzo...)

2020 - Oct - 1.2mg diazepam ( Have had 5 major withdrawls since Aug )

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...

Hi @Altostrata

 

is it ok cutting bupropion IR into quarters or smaller piece?  How do you know the medicine is evenly distributed.  I have been cutting my 75mg IR into 1/8 pieces and using a scale to get precise measurement but I wonder if I should crush whole tablet completely and mix the powder before measuring out dose. What do you think?

 

thank you for this site!

1995 - 2001 Wellbutrin & Effexor, 2001 Stop Effexor (CT), Start Celexa. 2009 Start Trazodone, 2010 Stop Celexa (fast taper), Start Cymbalta. 2014, 2016 Reductions in Dosages Cymbalta and Wellbutrin
2018 Started Slow Taper of Cymbalta from 30mg

2021 May Trazodone Dose drop from 75 to 50 - Started Muscle Cramping and Spasms
2021 July 5th Stopped Cymbalta After 3 YR Taper (No method, I removed beads based on how I was feeling.  Got down to 4 beads, or about 0.4mg before stopping)
2021 July 5th Stopped Wellbutrin cold turkey (was taking 75mg.  Over last week on Wellbutrin, I skipped days taking 100mg SR every other day).  Took last dose of Wellbutrin July 5th.  Severe WD Started July 17th.
2021 Aug 3rd:  Start Remeron 7.5mg at Night 

2021 Aug 23rd: Reinstated Wellbutrin 10mg AM / 10 mg PM, Stopped Remeron

2021 Aug 30th: Changed WB Dosing to 10mg AM / 5mg Mid Day / 8mg Early Evening

2021 Sept 1st: Reinstated Remeron 7.5mg for sleep

2021 Sept 14th: Changed WB to 10mg AM / 6mg Mid day / 6mg Early Evening, Jan 24: Changed WB to 9mg AM / 6mg Mid Day / 6mg PM

2021 Sept 21: Re-instated Cymbalta at 1 bead 2X a day, Oct 12:  Updosed to 2 beads AM, 1 bead PM, March 11:  Updosed 2 beads AM, 2 beads PM
Currently on Trazodone 50mg and Remeron 7.5mg.  Cymbalta 2 Beads (0.1mg) 2X Day 7AM and 6PM.  Wellbutrin 9mg AM / 6mg Mid day / 6mg Early Evening

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrator

@SonSetFree Please read this topic from the beginning.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

I'm planning for my tapering. Is it true that it is only possible with IR tablets to transform it into liquid? I am taking 300 mg XR and would prefer to convert it into liquid because there might be trouble with the prescription.

2003- June 2019: Tavor (few weeks), Unknown, Paroxetine, Bupropion (Wellbutrin). A few times tapering OFF (in shortest time) and taken again.

July 2019: Tapering Paroxetine 40 mg- OFF (a few weeks). Started Cymbalta at the same time (up to 90 mg).

December 26, 2020: Cymbalta cold turkey  - OFF all medications

November 23, 2021: Started Paroxetine 10 mg 2 days, 5 mg 2 days, OFF - OFF all medications

February 2022: Started Mirtazapin (15 mg), Started Bupropion (150 mg), Risperdal for 4 days (0,5- 1 mg)

April 2022: Mirtazapin tapering for two days (7,5 mg), then increased again to 15 mg.

Bupropion increased to 300 mg. Lithium startet up to 675 mg. Tavor for 3 weeks (0,5-1,5 mg/d)

Mirtazapin: May 10, 2022: 15mg to 7,5mg; June 17 6,75mg

Current: 675 mg Lithium, 6,75 mg Mirtazapin, Tapering Bupropion:

July 18, 2022: 300 mg to 270 mg; 8/15 243 mg; 9/16 218,7 mg; 10/7 196,83 mg; 11/02 177,15; 11/16 159,53; 12/08 143,9

Supplements: Fish oil (750 EPA/DHA), 400 I.U. Vitamin E , 200mg Magnesium, 10.000 I.U. Vitamin D3 twice a week, 68,5mg Vitamin B6, 25mg Zink, 1000μg Vitamin B12 2x/ week

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator Emeritus
11 hours ago, Dany said:

I'm planning for my tapering. Is it true that it is only possible with IR tablets to transform it into liquid? I am taking 300 mg XR and would prefer to convert it into liquid because there might be trouble with the prescription.

 

Did you read Post #1 of the current topic which explains the various ways to get non standard doses.  Please read it very carefully, you might need to split your dose and take it more than once a day.  It includes the following information:

 

On 7/17/2011 at 6:28 AM, Altostrata said:

If you cut up Wellbutrin or bupropion XR, what's inside is regular immediate-release bupropion. When you break the time-release coating, the tablet loses its extended-release characteristic and you would be taking immediate-release bupropion.

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrator
On 6/1/2022 at 6:12 AM, Dany said:

Is it true that it is only possible with IR tablets to transform it into liquid?

 

That is correct.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Wellbutrin XL taper tips

 

Looking for any tips anybody has for being able to taper off Wellbutrin 150mg XL ? I have read the Wellbutrin section but was wondering if any real experience of tapering off it ? 

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with existing topic

On Prozac 20 mg from 1996 to 2012 started for post partum depression ? Pooped out

2012 - Switched to 1.25 mg Klonopin ( tapered off last dose march 6 th / 2017 ( 14 month taper) 

2012-15 mg lexapro came off nov.4 th /17 

2012- 150 mg Wellbutrin xl ( still on ) 
2019- Stabilized to be functional after coming off lex and klon waiting to get healthy to taper Wellbutrin

2021 Dec - Suprax and macrobid for UTI

2022 Jan - withdrawal symptoms came back with a vengeance ( antibiotics and uti only change ) 

2022 June - still in full withdrawal 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator Emeritus

@Soup

 

Have you read through this current topic?  (I moved your post here).

 

You could try doing a search for members who are taking Wellbutrin / buproprion and visit their Intro topics to see what version they are taking.  If they are taking the same version as you, then you could make a post in their topic asking how they are tapering it.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you I will try that 

On Prozac 20 mg from 1996 to 2012 started for post partum depression ? Pooped out

2012 - Switched to 1.25 mg Klonopin ( tapered off last dose march 6 th / 2017 ( 14 month taper) 

2012-15 mg lexapro came off nov.4 th /17 

2012- 150 mg Wellbutrin xl ( still on ) 
2019- Stabilized to be functional after coming off lex and klon waiting to get healthy to taper Wellbutrin

2021 Dec - Suprax and macrobid for UTI

2022 Jan - withdrawal symptoms came back with a vengeance ( antibiotics and uti only change ) 

2022 June - still in full withdrawal 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Need Help Tapering Wellbutrin SR

 

I've been trying to read through the posts on tapering Wellbutrin, but I'm still confused. I take 200 mg SR twice per day. Can I cut these or make into a liquid?

 

Thank you.

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

2015 Lexapro 10 mg

2020 Lexapro 20 mg, Wellbutrin 400 mg, Abilify 2 mg, Modafinil 200 mg ☹️

3/10/22 - begin 10% taper off Abilify 2 mg.

June 2022 - off Abilify

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator

@LeoTheLion

 

Wellbutrin SR cannot be dissolved. It is NOT possible to make a liquid of them. This also accounts for Wellbutrin XR. 

 

The only form of Wellbutrin that can be used to make a liquid is the IR (instant release) version.

 

But you can cut the SR. They become IR (instant release) then (only) in effect (still not dissolvable however). Since the become instant release effectively, you should not take a higher dose than 75mg of the cut pill at a time. Otherwise you get a peak in the dosage, which is not fun to experience....

 

I understand you take 200 mg SR daily. I would suggest you would start your tapering by taking 1 full 200mg pill in the morning. And by cutting of 10% of your total daily dose (10% of 400 mg + 40mg cut) of the second pill. Which would be 20% cut on 1 pill daily (and leaving the other 200 mg uncut)

 

So you would cut down the second 200mg pill to 160mg.  You could cut this 160 mg then in 2 or even better 3 equal parts and divide them over the afternoon en early evening. So you spread the IR effect.

 

You would best use scales that can weigh up to 1 mg. You need to weigh the total pill weight first. The pill weight of a 200 mg pill will be more than 200 mg because of filling and coating materials. 

 

If (FOR EXAMPLE) a 200mg SR pill would weigh 300mg, you would have to cut of 20% of the TOTAL pill weight (20% of 300 is 60mg), which would result in a Total pill weight of 300 -/- 60= 240 mg.

 

To be safe I would cut the remaining 240 mg pill weight then in 3 equal pieces (using the scales) and divide them over the 2nd part of the day.

 

Here is more info to be found:

 

 

Edited by Go2zero

1993    Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006      No medication

2006   Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro 

Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin

2016  Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg

November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems.

April 2017 – March 2019       Lexapro 0,6 mg        April 2017 - August 2018       Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step.

March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..)    

Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg 

October 2019        Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks       Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg

March 2020     Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg   Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin  until total off Prozac. 

February 2020 – November 2020   Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. 

Jan 2021  Prozac down to:  0,55> 0,53>0,51mg,   Feb 0,47mg ,  Mar 0,42mg,   Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg  Long hold of 172 days until March 2022

January 20, 2022:  Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg

March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14  Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11  Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 ,  June 0,07 , July 0,06,  0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009   Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007,  0,006,  0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb  0,0007.  0,0005,   0,0003, 0,0001,  

Feb 23, 2024:  0,00000

  

Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin

 

Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you very much for the information. I will try this .

2015 Lexapro 10 mg

2020 Lexapro 20 mg, Wellbutrin 400 mg, Abilify 2 mg, Modafinil 200 mg ☹️

3/10/22 - begin 10% taper off Abilify 2 mg.

June 2022 - off Abilify

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...

What would be the effects of taking bupropian Sr as a liquid twice a day?

 

I've only just realized that since 2017 I've been taking bupropian Sr as a liquid... I've made a post on my personal page yesterday asking for clarification on the difference between Odan bupropian SR, sandiz bupropian SR and Sanis bupropian SR... due to a change with my last rx from sandiz to odan, and feeling withdrawal effects while on Odan.

 

I came back to the site after being away for many years only to now realize that I've been making SR tabs as a liquid form and taking it twice a day... since 2017! I'm currently on 7mg SR, or 3.5mg twice a day.

 

Help!? 

-jan14 2016- off effexor!!-

wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half

-Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrator

@jen84 how are you making a liquid from buproprion SR?

 

Generally, the glue in the tablet interferes with making a smooth liquid from these pills. Members report they turn into a gel.

 

Hypothetically, if you make a liquid of any brand or type of bupropion SR, it become immediate-release bupropion, generally to be taken at least twice a day. See the first post in this topic.

Edited by Altostrata
updated

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator

 

Here is a video how to cut Wellbutrin XL.

 

As soon as you cut XL it becomes instant release. This kicks in much faster and stronger than XL. So the more you will spread the dosages over the day, the better.... I suggest 4 dosages per day when your daily dosage is not higher than 150 mg.

 

When you start cutting 150 mg, you might even cut the pill in 6 parts and see how you react. You can spread the dosages evenly over the day.

 

 

I take the smallest pieces before I go to sleep.  In my case the Wellbutrin  does not seem to affect my sleep. As long as the evening dosage is not big. Big would be more than 25 mg in my opinion.

 

The more you will spread the dosages over the day, (with the bigger parts earlier on the day) the more you will have the (more or less) similar effect you have from uncut XL pills.

 

When you cut these pills, you will most probably get pieces that are somewhat smaller and bigger than the other ones. So you can use that by taking the bigger ones earlier on the day.

 

post-1-0-09137400-1419285556.png

 

 

Look at the right side graph. 

 

This shows the pattern of the release of the active ingredient in Wellbutrin XL (XR is the same). Therefore we should best take a bit higher dosages earlier in the day. And taking no dosages during the night follows the same pattern as the graph. So no dosages during the night is not a problem. 

 

The graph for instant release is based on REAL Instant Release bupropion. Cutting a XL pill seems to give a bit slower release of the active ingredient than with IR. This is because the cut XL pill needs more time to dissolve in the body than an IR pill.

 

Edited by Go2zero

1993    Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006      No medication

2006   Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro 

Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin

2016  Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg

November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems.

April 2017 – March 2019       Lexapro 0,6 mg        April 2017 - August 2018       Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step.

March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..)    

Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg 

October 2019        Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks       Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg

March 2020     Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg   Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin  until total off Prozac. 

February 2020 – November 2020   Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. 

Jan 2021  Prozac down to:  0,55> 0,53>0,51mg,   Feb 0,47mg ,  Mar 0,42mg,   Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg  Long hold of 172 days until March 2022

January 20, 2022:  Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg

March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14  Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11  Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 ,  June 0,07 , July 0,06,  0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009   Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007,  0,006,  0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb  0,0007.  0,0005,   0,0003, 0,0001,  

Feb 23, 2024:  0,00000

  

Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin

 

Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Altostrata changed the title to Tips for tapering off Wellbutrin, IR, SR, XR, XL / Zyban (buproprion)
  • Administrator
On 2/26/2023 at 1:18 PM, Go2zero said:

This kicks in much faster and stronger than XL. So the more you will spread the dosages over the day, the better.... I suggest 4 dosages per day when your daily dosage is not higher than 150 mg.

 

Good points, @Go2zero, thanks for the video. 

 

Immediate-release bupropion is taken only 3 times a day. However, if you get "dose dumping" activation after a dose (nervousness, jump in heart rate, insomnia), you may wish to take smaller doses 4 times a day, which may not be so activating.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrator

@Go2zero, please explain what you've found about making a liquid from buproprion XR. This is the only form available in many countries.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Go2zero On the subject of strength and release rates of various time releases, do you think this chart is representing that with the Cmax and Tmax values?   If so, it would explain a lot of my early challenges with tapering.  

I am not a doctor and do not offer any medical advice, only my own experience.  Consult your physician.

2011-2015 tapered off 300MG of Effexor.  Back in the Paxil Progress days.  No rebound.   

2005-2021:  450 mg Bupropion XL Daily

2021 Buporopion May 450mg/June 400mg/July 375mg/Aug 10th 360mg/

2021 Dec - 150mg IR, 3x day = 450mg Bup, Heritage manufacturer-yellow color pill. 

2022 May 3 - 3 x 150mg IR Bup, Avet brand(pharmacist said they merged with Heritage-orange color) -migraines

REINSTATED-BACK TO MY LAST STABLE DOSE/TIME RELEASE

2022 June 5 - switched back to 3 x 150mg XL one time per day= 450 mg total Bup-Apotex brand

CURRENT TAPER 2022 Aug 31 - 450MG to 412MG IR Bup//Sep. 28, 2022: 412mg to 375mg//Oct 26, 2022: 375mg to 365 mg//Nov 21, 2022: 365mg to 327mg//Dec 27, 2022: 327 mg to 290 mg//Dec 31, 2022:  290mg to 262mg//Jan 28, 2023:  262mg to 190mg//Feb. 19, 2023:  190mg to 140mg//Mar. 18, '23:  140mg to 100mg//

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator
17 hours ago, j1290 said:

On the subject of strength and release rates of various time releases, do you think this chart is representing that with the Cmax and Tmax values?   If so, it would explain a lot of my early challenges with tapering.  

 

I think the chart shows clearly the differences between IR, SR and XR.

 

XR in 150 mg gives a much lower level of active ingredient, but over a longer period. Whereas IR gives a much higher level at once, which holds much shorter.

 

This also explains that when people take IR or cut XR (which becomes IR), experience that the drug kicks in harder than when taking XR.

 

In my case I experience symptoms like heavy sweating, anxiety and heart palpitations when taking IR is dosages over 40 mg in one time.

 

SR is a bit between IR and XR as it shows (which is logical in my opinion).

 

Very interesting chart. Thank you for sharing!

 

1993    Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006      No medication

2006   Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro 

Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin

2016  Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg

November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems.

April 2017 – March 2019       Lexapro 0,6 mg        April 2017 - August 2018       Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step.

March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..)    

Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg 

October 2019        Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks       Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg

March 2020     Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg   Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin  until total off Prozac. 

February 2020 – November 2020   Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. 

Jan 2021  Prozac down to:  0,55> 0,53>0,51mg,   Feb 0,47mg ,  Mar 0,42mg,   Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg  Long hold of 172 days until March 2022

January 20, 2022:  Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg

March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14  Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11  Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 ,  June 0,07 , July 0,06,  0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009   Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007,  0,006,  0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb  0,0007.  0,0005,   0,0003, 0,0001,  

Feb 23, 2024:  0,00000

  

Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin

 

Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
On 12/27/2022 at 2:58 PM, Altostrata said:

@jen84 how are you making a liquid from buproprion SR?

 

Generally, the glue in the tablet interferes with making a smooth liquid from these pills. Members report they turn into a gel.

 

Hypothetically, if you make a liquid of any brand or type of bupropion SR, it become immediate-release bupropion, generally to be taken at least twice a day. See the first post in this topic.

Hi Alto, I've been cutting a 100mg SR tab in half, then crushing it and mixing it with 50ml of water. I try to let it sit for a few hrs at the least before taking my dose so it has some time to dissolve. I've never experienced a gel, just liquid with a blue tint. 

 

I've just tried getting a prescription filled for IR tablets, and apparently they aren't available anymore. I might be able to get my hands on a compounded formulation, is this my only option if I want IR? I understand SR becomes IR once it's cut, but on the 1st page it also says to not cut SR. 

-jan14 2016- off effexor!!-

wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half

-Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrator
On 4/17/2023 at 10:00 PM, jen84 said:

I understand SR becomes IR once it's cut, but on the 1st page it also says to not cut SR. 

 

Correct. They don't want people turning their SR tablets into IR, but for your purpose, this seems to be working.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Altostrata changed the title to Tips for tapering off bupropion (Wellbutrin, IR, SR, XR, XL, Zyban)
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy