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Can I take wellbutrin to offset sexual side effects of lexapro?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
You can try it, although the full 300mg dose of wellbutrin is likely what's needed it if wil work for you. The 150mg doesn't seem to do much for anyone.
I tried wellbutrin with just about every ssri out there, in different combinations and dosages but in three years I haven't found anything that significantly offsets the sexual side effects of ssris.
Unfortunately, I think that if you're prone to the sexual s/e's of ssri there is nothing you can do about it - other than to stop taking them.
It really sucks because I really liked lexapro but in the end had to choose between stress/irritability and the sex.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Why take Lexapro and not Zoloft?
Lexapro has fewer side effects than Zoloft, such as dry mouth/ eyes and sexual dysfunction.
Does welbutrin cause sexual side effects?
Although Wellbutrin may be less likely to cause sexual side effects than other antidepressant medications, sexual side effects are still a possibility. Changes in sex drive and impotence are among the sexual side effects that may occur.
Is there a medication out there for depression that has low side affects?
All have side effects ,usually get better after a couple of weeks as your body adjusts. Sexual side effects may not get better with time.That's one reason Wellbutrin is popular...doesn't have sexual side effects for most people
Can Wellbutrin and Lexapro be taken together?
I have taken Wellbutrin and Lexapro together everyday for the past 4 years and have had no problems at all. I initially took just Wellbutrin but after about 6 months started having anxiety so my doctor also added Lexapro which was the trick. Although, it may seem strange to be on 2 anti-depressants these two were given to me and was great!AnswerWhile all medications can have side effects, if your doctor wants you to use those two medications it's because of a problem that he thinks can be solved with that combination. Using the two meds together can be effective for some people. The side effects do not affect all people, that part depends on your body chemistry and even if you do have side effects, reports are that they go away after going off the meds. In general, it's better to do what the doctor suggests, especially when anxiety and depression are involved.AnswerBOTH medications are antidepressants but in a different class. IF you were prescribed both of them by different doctors, I would definitely check with the doctor or pharmacist. I would still ask even if they were prescribed by the same doctor; it never hurts to question prescriptions you are given. And as I always say, ask your pharmacist for a print-out of the medications. The print-outs have a great deal of information about the drugs including drug/drug interactions, drug/food interactions, it explains exactly what the drug is and how it should be used, just about everything and anything you need to know and then some. It also warns about reactions with over-the-counter drugs, which many people forget to take into consideration. BE SAFE....ASK QUESTIONS.AnswerMy mom's Dr. Just Prescribed her Lexapro to supplement the 300mg Wellbutrin XL a couple days ago. The Lex takes care of the serotonin and the Wellbutrin re-uptakes the dopamine and the norepeinephrine. Yeah it's gonna totally give your little engine a rehall. In theory, it takes care of all the main factors contributing to depression, but you really never know what chemicals you need and which ones need not be messed with. It's trial and error, dude. The scientific method applied. I hope it works for mama, the lady is in a rut.AnswerThe answer to this question is YES, Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Lexapro can be taken together. There is no negative interaction. Strangely, the addition of Wellbutrin to Lexapro is said to reverse some of the latter's tendency to interfere with erection, libido, and orgasm in males (and Lexapro is BAD in this respect). The normal dose of Wellbutrin after titrating up from 150mg is 300mg, preferably in the XL (released gradually over time) form, and the Lexapro is normally one 10mg tab QD. I have seen these two meds prescribed together this way but I have not checked with the patients to see if it helped (problem was sexual s/e on the Lexapro). More common for sexual s/e in males is simply a prescription for Viagra. These two antidepressants do inhibit the reuptake of two different neurotransmitters as someone above wrote, but the actual effect of the two meds together is subjective and will be slightly different for everyone. Two antidepressants do not give you twice the antidepressant effect, but may result in a slightly better antidepressant effect, with fewer sexual s/e or reduced anxiety. Fortunately, you can test-drive this combo safely and see what it does for you. Generally, Wellbutrin has mild caffeine-like effects which some pt's like, but others feel it increases their anxiety. It has no sexual s/e. Lexapro does not have the caffeine-like side effects and is supposed to reduce anxiety as well as depression, but it interferes with male sexual function to a greater extent than its maker lets on. Based on what male patients have told me, my guess is that sexual dysfunction is an issue in at least 50% of male pt's taking an SSRI. But the answer to your question is YES, they can be safely taken together. You won't get an adverse reaction like you would combining SSRI's and MAOI's, or MAOI's and tyramine, or even certain SSRI's with other SSRI's.AnswerI have been taking 10mg Lexpro for three years, and about 3 months ago was put on 150mg wellbutrin XL to counter sexual side effects, most notably lower libido, but most frustratingly, lack of ability to orgasm. There has been some improvement in my mood and activity, and there is a definite change in libido, but the inability to orgasm has again returned. Along with those side effects, I have suffered from headache, transient nausea, muscle cramping and increased tinitus. From other boards I have read, this seems to be side effects from Lexapro, and also Lexapro withdrawal. I want to discontinue the Lexapro, but stay on the Wellbutrin for now. Has anyone done this? I plan a fairly lengthy taper, but I definitely don't want to be on it anymore. It did its job very well, as it stopped my GAD and panic attacks almost immediately and I haven't had a PA for three years, but I can't take the other side effects, especially the sexual effects anymore. I would rather have an occasional panic attack than be asexual right now. EDIT:Why is female libido never mentioned? Lexapro (and most anti-depressants) do the same exact thing for females as they do for males. It is as though female libido is not as important as whether or not a man can get it up.In my experience, Wellbutrin is a fantastic addition to if not replacement for antidepressants in regards to sex drive and the feeling of numbness you tend to get when taking antidepressants.I have GAD, panic attacks, and depression...I have been on lexapro for a year and a half...take the smallest dose you can for sexual side effects for this drug. After a while of being on lexapro I have seen the sexual side effects somewhat subside...I was prescribed wellbutrin but haven't taken it yet for an extra oomph and to quit smoking. but I read the two can have interactions. I still am going to take the two and ride it out to see what happens...but as far as female libido at first I wasn't getting aroused at all then no orgasm but with time (and a little effort and patience!) I am somewhat back to my old self and can have orgasms and I want to have sex...also I just got off birth control about 4 months ago and since getting off the pill my libido climbed a little...hope this helps..good luckAnswerI had 150mg of Wellbutrin added to my daily Lexapro dosage in January and I was amazed at the results. I had had serious problems with anorgasmia for years and after a month on Wellbutrin, things improved a great deal. After a while, my doctor agreed to let me slowly taper off of Lexapro. I've been on straight Wellbutrin now for five months. I do tend to get a bit more emotional than I am used to but I'm beginning to realize that this might actually be a good thing. When I was on Lexapro, I almost never laughed or cried about anything! I should also add that in addition to moving to Wellbutrin, I did some research on supplements to help combat anxiety. I now take a vegetarian multivitamin, evening primrose oil, Omega 3, and L-Theanine with my daily medication. I have not had any problems with anxiety since I started this regimen.Answer(Sorry for my poor English; I'm french). My doctor prescribed me 300 mg of Wellbutrin, for 1 year. And haded 5 mg of Cipralex (french name for Lexapro). The results were amazing. In the past i tried other medication and i was not able to fell anything. With Wellbutrin there were no side effect on my libido and no gane of waith. But the anxiety was still there. With only 5 mg of Lexapro the anxiety attack never came back. Now in french: Mon docteur m'a prescrit du Wellbutrin pendant un an. Depuis peu, il a ajouté 5 mg de Cirpalex. Les résultats ont été fantastiques. Par le passé j'avais essayé plusieurs autres anti-dépresseurs. Les effects secondaires étaient épouvantables. En plus, je ne ressentais rien. Avec le Wellbutrin les effets secondaires n'ont pas affecté ma libido ainsi que mon poids. Et maintenant, le Cipralex contrôle bien mon anxiété.
How long will Wellbutrin XL take to offset the sexual side effects of pristiq?
Pristiq is actually just a chemical cousin to an older drug, Effexor. While the actual half-life of the drug in the body is relatively short (1 day), its biological effects may last as long as 1-2 weeks due to the ability of this group of drugs to actually "re-model" some of the structures found in nerve cells. Wellbutrin may not really counteract its effects, but may simply take time for the biological aftereffects of the Pristiq to diminish over time.
Does Lithium cause sexual side effects?
No lamictal doesn't cause sexual side effects. It's probably your underlying condition of bipolar disorder or depression itself. It doesn't affect serotonin like the SSRI antidepressants which cause sexual disfunction instead it works through and independent mode of action acting as an antagonist at the NMDA receptor.
Are there sexual side effects of Wellbutrin?
It is the only anti depressant with the least knowen sexual side effects.
Can you drink alcohol while taking chloroquine?
I have been on Lexapro for 6 months (10mg). I have drank alcohol on Lexapro and usually doesn't effect me until the day after and the day after that. Night sweats, insomnia and rapid fire (out of control heart beat) are the worst part. Less drastic was the anxiety that returned which is why i was taking Lexapro in the first place. I am now getting off the drug. The sexual side effects are the main reason I am stopping this drug. I had rather have anxiety then be a sexual gimp.
What are the sexual side effects of depakote?
The majority of paych. Meds. Have caused major sexual side effects. Now have Rx for depakote. Are there sexual side effects with this medication ?
What ssri does not make gain weight?
Generally Fluoxetine (US: Prozac) does not cause significant weight gain, but it has stronger sexual side effects. Also Escitalopram (US: Lexapro, EU: Cipralex) should not cause much weight gain.
Can you wean off lexapro slowly then start a cheaper version of SSRI such as fluoxetine?
Yes of course, but don't do it if lexapro works good, because you don't know for sure fluoxetine will work, and generally, fluoxetine has more side effects, especially sexual ones. If you really can't afford lexapro and you don't have social insurance, try to find generic escitalopram (the active ingredient of lexparo) as the patent for the drug has expired or buy it overseas from a trusted on-line pharmacy from Canada or Europe.
What are the side effects of mixing Lexapro with L Carnitine?
I have combined the two substances for about a month now and it feels great for me. The lack of energy has subsided and the sexual side effects are mostly gone to including problems with erections. The first week i felt like i drank too much coffee , my hands were shaking and i was easy irritated but now i am fine.
