"My wife recently started Wellbutrin XL 150. How long till it works and what side effects should we expect?"

OK.  So, first off, when it comes to any anti-depressants, what stinks about them is that they never work right away-thats the reason people give up on them, because they dont take them long enough to get the full effect.  When it comes to these meds, they have to build up in your bloodstream over time.  Wellbutrin, specifically, when you start WELLBUTRIN XL, you may begin to feel better within the first couple of weeks of treatment. However, the full antidepressant effect of WELLBUTRIN XL may not be seen for several weeks. It is important to be patient and give your medicine a chance to work, so keep taking it daily or as your doctor recommends.   You may notice a more "awake" feeling the first few days, but then it goes away.  Some other side effects are being anxious, snapping at people, anger, and lowered sex drive.  I have heard mixed feelings on this drug, vs. the wellbutrin SR.  If you feel icky, talk to your doc, some people cannot take this drug, and others it works wonders for.  Ive included some more stuff about it below.  I will tell you one anti-depressant with anti anxiety effects I believe is the best, is Lexapro.  There is a drug that came out first, called Celexa, but they refined it, and now have lexapro-some patients of mine take, it and so do I, and I swear by it. 

It is also important to continue your treatment for as long as your doctor recommends. Studies have shown that staying on antidepressant medication can reduce the risk of becoming depressed again in the future by 70%. Continued treatment with WELLBUTRIN XL (if recommended by your doctor) may help lower your chances of becoming depressed again in the future. Sometimes people stop taking it when they feel better, because they think they dont need it anymore.  That isnt so, it is just that it started working, right, and needs to be kept there.

Side effects may be more common shortly after you start treatment. The most common side effects with WELLBUTRIN XL are weight loss, loss of appetite, dry mouth, skin rash, sweating, ringing in the ears, shakiness, stomach pain, agitation, anxiety, dizziness, trouble sleeping, muscle pain, nausea, fast heartbeat, sore throat, and urinating more often.

Seizures may occur (studies showed an incidence of 1/1000 - 4/1000). The chances of having seizures increases with higher doses. Taking more than 450 mg/day increases the chance of serious side effects. If you have nausea, take WELLBUTRIN XL with food. If you have trouble sleeping, remember to take WELLBUTRIN XL in the morning. Do not change your dose or stop taking WELLBUTRIN XL without talking to your doctor.
Don’t use it if you’ve had a seizure or eating disorder, or if you abruptly stop using alcohol or sedatives. Don’t take with MAOIs, or medicines that contain bupropion. When used with a nicotine patch or alone, there is a risk of increased blood pressure, sometimes severe. To reduce risk of serious side effects, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems. Other side effects may include weight loss, dry mouth, nausea, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, sore throat, constipation, or flatulence.

WELLBUTRIN XL is formulated for once-daily dosing. In some cases, patients prescribed WELLBUTRIN XL have been mistakenly given the wrong bupropion pills. Taking the wrong medicine may result in serious health problems.

Look for the name WELLBUTRIN XL printed on your tablet, and always make sure you are taking the right medicine. If your doctor prescribed WELLBUTRIN XL and your tablets do not look like the tablets below, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

150 mg		300 mg
Tablets shown are larger than actual size.

I think 3 - 4 weeks and you will see a result.  Our experience was not good.  Be on the lookout for rapid mood swings and tell your doctor immediatley if it leads to outbursts of anger or any other uncharacteristic personality changes.

There is also the distinct possiblity of sleep problems that develop from the use of anti-depressants that continues long after discontinuing the medicine.

Don't get me wrong.  If this one doesn't work, try another, the benefits outweigh the costs if there is serious depression or other problems such as anxiety disorders but watch closely.

Good luck with its effectiveness.

But, I didn't take it for depression or anxiety...I took it to stop smoking.

After a day or two of taking it...I was no longer my 'bubbly, smiling' self.  I felt like a robot going from one project to another.  I felt like my personality had left my body.

People starting asking me if I was mad at them...I wasn't smiling or being active in conversations...just 'there'.

When I took a look at the label and saw 'possible seizures'  and, if I remember right, rapid heart beat...that did it for me...

So I lit up a cigarette and flushed the Wellbutrin down the toilet.

One more reason that I don't believe in chemical 'cures'.