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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sabrina1117 on June 8, 2001, at 8:41:05
Hello, my doctor just prescribed Wellbutrin to combat the side effects of the Depo-Provera shot I had been on for 2 years. (extreme weight gain, depression etc.) I have been doing some research on WB before I started, and there seems to be cautions and warnings about seizures. Does anyone know anything more about that side effect? As far as how common they are? I would not want to be driving somewhere and have one. So I wonder how long into taking the pill is there a chance of getting a seizure? and is the risk there the entire time your on it or does the risk go down after your on it for awhile? If anyone can help me I would truly appreciate it!
Posted by super on June 8, 2001, at 8:54:45
In reply to New, worried Wellbutrin user, posted by Sabrina1117 on June 8, 2001, at 8:41:05
Hi Sabrina,
I was worried about the same thing when I started Wellbutrin, especially because I was taking Lithium at the time, and my brother had a lot of seizures on Lithium. I never had a seizure and I think that they are very, very rare. So, don't worry! The Wellbutrin will probably help you.
Best,
super> Hello, my doctor just prescribed Wellbutrin to combat the side effects of the Depo-Provera shot I had been on for 2 years. (extreme weight gain, depression etc.) I have been doing some research on WB before I started, and there seems to be cautions and warnings about seizures. Does anyone know anything more about that side effect? As far as how common they are? I would not want to be driving somewhere and have one. So I wonder how long into taking the pill is there a chance of getting a seizure? and is the risk there the entire time your on it or does the risk go down after your on it for awhile? If anyone can help me I would truly appreciate it!
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 8, 2001, at 10:50:31
In reply to New, worried Wellbutrin user, posted by Sabrina1117 on June 8, 2001, at 8:41:05
The incidence of neurological disturbances is 1.7%, primarily seizures, headaches, and sleep disturbances. But that was just in clinical trials. What the incidence of seizure is in the general population is unknown.
Posted by JennyR on June 8, 2001, at 21:12:11
In reply to New, worried Wellbutrin user, posted by Sabrina1117 on June 8, 2001, at 8:41:05
People have posted on this in the past and the answers they got were that the seizures are extremely rare and only a concern if you have an eating disorder. I was worried at first too, I've never had a problem with it. You can check the archives for more info.
Posted by Cam W. on June 8, 2001, at 21:36:17
In reply to New, worried Wellbutrin user, posted by Sabrina1117 on June 8, 2001, at 8:41:05
Sabrina - I have only seen 2 instances of Wellbutrin causing seizures. Both of these were in people taking low doses of meds that lower seizure threshold (Mellaril™ - thioridazine & Largactil™ - chlorpromazine). I have heard of more instances of seizures occurring with Wellbutrin in our area, but have only been personally involved in 2 cases.
The risk of seizures is not extremely rare, but is rare (unless you are predisposed to seizures &/or, as said above, taking drugs that lower the seizure threshold).
Hope this helps - Cam
Posted by terra miller on June 10, 2001, at 17:20:48
In reply to Re: New, worried Wellbutrin user » Sabrina1117, posted by Cam W. on June 8, 2001, at 21:36:17
> I have only seen 2 instances of Wellbutrin causing seizures.
Cam, If one were to have a seizure, even be it mild, while taking wellbutrin, what would it look like?
I have symptoms that I attribute to PTSD and ativan dependence: starts with noticing that I am clamping down hard on my teeth and moves to increased anger and edginess from there. Usually this means for me that I need to either drink, eat, take my next wellbutrin dose or take an ativan.
This isn't seizure stuff, right? Thanks.
Terra
Posted by sl on June 10, 2001, at 17:42:20
In reply to New, worried Wellbutrin user, posted by Sabrina1117 on June 8, 2001, at 8:41:05
Yeah, what everyone else said.
Very unlikely unless you're already predisposed.I was on it for years, I drank regularly, and never had so much as a twitch.
Relax. :)
sl
> Hello, my doctor just prescribed Wellbutrin to combat the side effects of the Depo-Provera shot I had been on for 2 years. (extreme weight gain, depression etc.) I have been doing some research on WB before I started, and there seems to be cautions and warnings about seizures. Does anyone know anything more about that side effect? As far as how common they are? I would not want to be driving somewhere and have one. So I wonder how long into taking the pill is there a chance of getting a seizure? and is the risk there the entire time your on it or does the risk go down after your on it for awhile? If anyone can help me I would truly appreciate it!
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 10, 2001, at 17:49:08
In reply to New, worried Wellbutrin user, posted by Sabrina1117 on June 8, 2001, at 8:41:05
I think that the risk of seizures associated with Wellbutrin is exaggerated. In the early studies, the rate of occurence was about 0.30 percent in general patient populations at dosages as high as 900mg. This is about equal to the tricyclics. More recent studies indicate that the SR (sustained release) version of Wellbutrin at dosages up to 300mg carries no greater risk to produce seizures than most other antidepressants; the rate being about 0.10 percent. However, the rate of seizure increases significantly in people with a pre-existing seizure disorder. It is also increased when treating people who have an imbalance of electrolytes such is seen in eating disorders like bulemia. The rate of seizure also increases at dosages greater than 300mg. Even so, the rate at 450mg is no greater than that of the tricyclics. I would not want to speculate at dosages exceeding 450mg. More frequent dosing helps to minimize risk. It was during a pre-marketing investigation designed to study the efficacy of Wellbutrin in treating bulimia that seizures emerged. I think most of the bad reputation this drug has was born of that study.
Posted by Elizabeth on June 10, 2001, at 20:46:11
In reply to The truth about seizures in Wellbutrin, posted by SalArmy4me on June 10, 2001, at 17:49:08
> I think that the risk of seizures associated with Wellbutrin is exaggerated. In the early studies, the rate of occurence was about 0.30 percent in general patient populations at dosages as high as 900mg. This is about equal to the tricyclics. More recent studies indicate that the SR (sustained release) version of Wellbutrin at dosages up to 300mg carries no greater risk to produce seizures than most other antidepressants; the rate being about 0.10 percent. However, the rate of seizure increases significantly in people with a pre-existing seizure disorder. It is also increased when treating people who have an imbalance of electrolytes such is seen in eating disorders like bulemia. The rate of seizure also increases at dosages greater than 300mg. Even so, the rate at 450mg is no greater than that of the tricyclics. I would not want to speculate at dosages exceeding 450mg. More frequent dosing helps to minimize risk. It was during a pre-marketing investigation designed to study the efficacy of Wellbutrin in treating bulimia that seizures emerged. I think most of the bad reputation this drug has was born of that study.
Mostly true. See:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010605/msgs/66008.html
-elizabeth
Posted by Cam W. on June 11, 2001, at 7:45:57
In reply to wellbutrin seizures: Cam » Cam W., posted by terra miller on June 10, 2001, at 17:20:48
terra - the seizures I have seen and heard about were (I believe) of the grand mal-type; full convulsions with loss of consciousness, but of short duration. I am not sure if this is typical of the type of seizures with Wellbutrin, but I think it is. - Cam
>
> Cam, If one were to have a seizure, even be it mild, while taking wellbutrin, what would it look like?
>
> I have symptoms that I attribute to PTSD and ativan dependence: starts with noticing that I am clamping down hard on my teeth and moves to increased anger and edginess from there. Usually this means for me that I need to either drink, eat, take my next wellbutrin dose or take an ativan.
>
> This isn't seizure stuff, right? Thanks.
>
> Terra
Posted by terra miller on June 11, 2001, at 17:49:01
In reply to Re: wellbutrin seizures: Cam » terra miller, posted by Cam W. on June 11, 2001, at 7:45:57
> terra - the seizures I have seen and heard about were (I believe) of the grand mal-type; full convulsions with loss of consciousness, but of short duration. I am not sure if this is typical of the type of seizures with Wellbutrin, but I think it is. - Cam
that's kind of what i pictured happening, but i hadn't heard for certian. thanks for the reply. terra.> > Cam, If one were to have a seizure, even be it mild, while taking wellbutrin, what would it look like?
> >
> > I have symptoms that I attribute to PTSD and ativan dependence: starts with noticing that I am clamping down hard on my teeth and moves to increased anger and edginess from there. Usually this means for me that I need to either drink, eat, take my next wellbutrin dose or take an ativan.
> >
> > This isn't seizure stuff, right? Thanks.
> >
> > Terra
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