What about Wellbutrin?

ladioffaith · 01-30-2003, 06:25 PM

I am going to a doc next week who has been in the news locally in a story on Insulin Resistance (Syndrome X.) Based on my family history of diabetes and my weight, I am sure she will test me for this. The article in the paper said she usually prescribes glucophage to get insulin levels in check and Zyban (aka Wellbutrin) to curb carb cravings.

I have no problem with Glucophage, but I have major issues with taking a drug for a psychiatric disorder when I do not have one! I have heard that people who aren't depressed can have extreme adverse reactions to taking anti-depressants. I have heard that this drug is prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder, and I am not "obsessed" about carbs. I just prefer them.

I would be a "tough sell" on the low carb thing anyway, because I lost weight before on weight watchers even though many of my calories came from carbs. I just don't think I'd be able to take that big of a change all at once.

Is anybody on this drug? Is it working for you?

Poohgirl · 01-30-2003, 06:56 PM

I have been on Wellbutrin 100mg 3x a day for a few months do to depression, I was then put on Metformin 875 mg in October, I never would have thought there was a link between these two drugs at all, I can say I have lost about 27lbs since Nov 1 though.

If you have any other information on this can you please post it ?

Thanks

Statlady · 01-30-2003, 07:04 PM

I used to take Wellbutrin for depression. I think I lost about 5 lbs. while on it (I was only about 110 lbs at the time and 5'2"). It didn't work well enough for me, though, and I switched to Prozac which did work, but made me gain weight! Oh well. I'm not on either anymore. I've never heard of anyone taking Wellbutrin for carb cravings. That sounds a bit odd to me. On the other hand, I think Wellbutrin is a fairly innocuous drug. I didn't notice any side effects (other than a little weight loss) while taking it. Since she's a doctor and I'm not, I'd be inclined to trust her. It does sound kind of weird, though . . . .

ladioffaith · 01-30-2003, 07:41 PM

A friend of mine has issues with depression and found Wellbutrin not to be effective, so she switched to Prozac . . . didn't work so well and she gained weight, so her med doctor put her on Lexipro. Those of you who take anti-depressants might want to ask your doc about that.

I wish I could still find the article that was in the paper on-line, but I guess their search only goes back a week. I have never heard of Wellbutrin to curb carb cravings either, but I do know that it is linked to weight loss and that it is prescribed to people who want to quit smoking.

I intend to be a very tough sell and ask some tough questions. I'm sure she just LOVES patients like me . . .

Poohgirl · 01-30-2003, 07:48 PM

I do not blame you, I would definately want to know why it would be benefitial to me if I was not depressed, you should ask as many questions as you can and be totally comfortable with the answers she gives you.... And then come back and tell us what it is all about LOL if you wouldnt mind....

tan · 01-30-2003, 10:01 PM

Wellbutrin is prescribed in Australia to help stop smoking. They found it was not a very good antidep but many people on it gave up smokes. I am now on it for this purpose. Apparently it helps block what causes addiction in the brain. It is marketed here as Zyban. It makes sense it would also curb carb cravings. The government will only let you have 7weeks worth subsidised after that it costs about $170 Aus a month. Yikes!!!

regards

tan

Tam42na · 02-04-2003, 01:01 PM

My Dr told me last night that after we get the dose of MET correct that I have the option of taking wellbutrin to help lose weight. I remember hearing on the news that they found out a side effect of the drug is weight lose & were looking into using it for that purpose. Or maybe hes just hinting that i should be on an antidepressent! lol

tan · 02-05-2003, 01:04 AM

Just an update, it is making me feel loopy, irritated and aggressive. Effexor also had the same side effects for me and I think it may be the component which affects nora adrenaline and dopamine. SSRI's seem to be okay. Oh well, back to the drawing board!

tan

ladioffaith · 02-05-2003, 06:27 PM

Tan, two friends of mine took Effexor and had HORRID results from it. That drug really messed them up big time!

I would really encourage you to ask your doc about Lexipro . . . My friend is on it and says for the first time, she no longer craves chocolate during her TOM . . . she said that drug has really helped her with her depression also.

I talked to my new doctor, who is putting me through a 5 hour glocuose tolerance test

She said if I am insulin resistant, she would put me on something to help my body absorb insulin. (Translation: Met.) She said nothing about Wellbutrin. My guess is that since many people with insulin resistance also deal with depression, she prescribes it for her patients who need an anti-depressant.

The reporter who did the story in the paper probably talked to two such patients who said they took that drug and assumed it was the standard of care. Same thing with the diet . . . the article summarized "the diet" and made it look pretty standard, . . . the doc said afterwards everybody called wanting "the diet" and there is no "the diet . . . " they custom make an eating plan based on your habits and preferences. I would be able to eat carbs if I want to, as long as I "protein load" first to keep my insulin from spiking.

tan · 02-06-2003, 02:10 AM

Just worked out why I 'looped out'. The doc told me to take 1 a day for three days and then 2 a day on the fourth day. I took them at the same time and have just read the product knowledge (yes I should have read it) which says DO NOT take the second tablet until at least 8hrs have passed. Basically I took double the dose and also 75mg zoloft. DOH!!!!! Ladio I dont think we have Lexipro yet. We got yasmin over a year after you guys did. Our govt must use you guys as guinnie pigs

LOL We always seem to get stuff much later than USA and UK. Bummer! Has anyone had these prescribed to give up smoking?

tan

ladioffaith · 02-06-2003, 02:22 AM

We're not TOTAL guinea pigs! We're always hearing about meds that other countries have that we don't! But you're right . . . you probably don't have lexipro yet . . . it is very new. It's like paxil (I think that's what she used to take) but without the weight gain.

Since we don't have government sponsored health care, my guess is that drug companies like to introduce their drugs here because they'll make more money!

Oh . . . and call me Di!

ladioffaith · 03-05-2003, 07:30 PM

Well, last week, my doc sent me out of her office with several prescriptions, including one for Met and one for Wellbutrin. I asked her why she was prescribing a medication for a psychiatric disorder when I do not have one . . . she said it has had such good success that she hesitates not to prescribe it, that it helps manage carb cravings, and that if I had any problems they could always "taper me off."

She gave me this line about how she "doesn't set anybody up for failure." Five minutes later, she gave me an ultra low carb diet that looks suspiciously like Atkins. No wonder her patients have carb cravings!

I filled the other prescriptions but am REFUSING to take Wellbutrin for several reasons:

* I am not following her ultra low carb thing either. Instead, I am going with the Insulin Resistance diet, which allows me to eat carbs in limited amounts balanced with protein. That and the metformin are managing my carb cravings just fine! If that changes, I plan to look into chromium supplements.

• I have heard horrible things about people taking anti-depressants when they are not warranted. People becoming SUICIDAL on them! I feel very nervous about messing with the chemistry of a brain whose chemistry is just fine.

• That "taper me off" statement was the last straw . . . I am quite suspicious of any medication I would have to be "tapered" off.

Please understand me . . . I do not have any problems with people (including close friends of mine) taking anti-depressants when they are warranted. But I personally feel that people who are not depressed should not be taking medication for depression!

puffin2424 · 03-07-2003, 06:20 PM

I have herd about this.Prozac can also help.Thr reason for this is because they are seritonin reuptake inhibitersbut I would be weary of takeing them if you do not have depression.I have never herd of them being prescibed unless there was some depression issues,or ocd.The wieght loss and other things are just an added something that happens along with helping the depression .It's not the same for everyone.I can take prozac and do really well on it.My mother was on it and it did nothing,my aunt ,it made her mean and like she was on speed.So it's all up to you,as with any drug there is a testing period in which you find out if it's gonna work.Trial and error.Good luck in your dicision and hope things go well