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Does anyone take Wellbutrin and Paxil for anxiety?

I have severe anxiety and panic disorder and mild depression. I have been on many many medications in the past and Paxil was by far my favorite for the long term treatment of anxiety. I rarely ever had a panic attack. The only thing I really hated about the drug was that it made me soooooo lazy!! I had barely any motivation to do anything. I also gained a little bit of weight but it was worth it to get rid of my anxiety. I also took Wellbutrin about a year ago (by itself) and I was alot more active but my panic attacks were worse on this drug. I wanted to know if anyone was taking Paxil and Wellbutrin together and what the result were for you? Thanks!

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Taking Paxil (paroxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) is a fairly common combination of medications and it sounds like it could indeed help you.

    Wellbutrin is typically very effective for depression but it is not typically a great medication for anxiety yet Paxil is typically effective for both problems. Actually Paxil is FDA approved for major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Yet Wellbutrin is only approved for major depressive disorder, not panic disorder.

    Wellbutrin is in a different class of antidepressants than Paxil. Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor whereas Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) so they act on completely different neurotransmitters.

    Wellbutrin, as you said, tends to be somewhat stimulating (its a distant relative of amphetamine) and it typically cases some weight loss. Often a SSRI like Paxil is combined with Wellbutrin since combining medications can provide increased benefit especially in a case like yours where you have two problems (panic disorder, depression). Paxil is also the most sedating SSRI so the side effects it caused are not uncommon.

    Some people do benefit from Wellbutrin for anxiety, current evidence indicates that Wellbutrin has level 3 evidence for treating panic disorder meaning only a small amount of evidence shows it may be beneficial. On the other hand Paxil has level 1 evidence for panic disorder meaning it has been established in multiple high quality studies to be effective.

    So talk to your doctor and see what he thinks. Hopefully with both you can keep the depression, anxiety, and panic disorder under control without significant side effects. Some people, however, do experience increased side effects by taking both medications but typically those side effects dissipate over a few weeks. And there are many other medications that could help like Effexor XR (venlafaxine extended-release), Tofranil (imipramine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Serzone (nefazodone), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin/Rivotril (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and many more.

    Source(s): M.D., C.M. psychiatry, internal medicine (Québec) Hons. BSc pharmacology Canadian Psychiatric Association Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Anxiety Disorders American Psychiatric Association Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with panic disorder Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Clinical Practice Guidelines for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia American Academy of Family Physicians Treatment of Panic Disorder American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines For The Treatment of Patients With Major Depressive Disorder Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Clinical Practice Guidelines for Depression Canadian Psychiatric Association Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment of Depressive Disorders Paxil and Wellbutrin Product Monograph (Health Canada) Paxil and Wellbutrin Prescribing Information (FDA)
  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    Wellbutrin For Anxiety

  • Anonymous
    6 years ago

    This Site Might Help You.

    RE:

    Does anyone take Wellbutrin and Paxil for anxiety?

    I have severe anxiety and panic disorder and mild depression. I have been on many many medications in the past and Paxil was by far my favorite for the long term treatment of anxiety. I rarely ever had a panic attack. The only thing I really hated about the drug was that it made me soooooo lazy!! I...

    Source(s): wellbutrin paxil anxiety: https://tr.im/qVKRQ
  • 1 decade ago

    I have not taken them together however I have anxiety as well and take Xanax for it, but while taking 450 mg of Wellbutrin a day I would have panic attacks several times a week. It took me a long time to realize that the Wellbutrin was causing them. Ive since learned that people with Anxiety shouldnt take anything that "hypes" you up, which Wellbutrin did to me. I also have really bad attacks when attempting the diet pill Adipex.

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  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    Wellbutrin Reviews

  • Anonymous
    7 years ago

    That is not working. At first it makes you calm and relaxed. If you take enough you will sleep real well. If you take too much you won't remember much of what happens to you, you can do things and not remember at all. Then after a very short period of time it doesn't work as well, so you take more. And more. And the next thing you know you can't stop taking it. If you are anxiety suffer, than this will be of great value for you. It has been proven that over 95% of those that have joined http://goo.gl/NlqVEA have been successfully cured. Some of the most advanced relaxation techniques as well as one-on-one coaching are included in the program, as well some bonus features.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Paxil and Wellbutrin are not for anxiety - they are anti-depressants. If you need an anti-anxiety med, ask your doctor about Klonopin. I take 0.25mg of Klonopin twice a day and I'm very pleased how it has helped me.

  • 5 years ago

    While medications to treat anxiety conditions are often an important component in the management of anxiety, there is also many natural, do-it-yourself techniques that can help calm you down, either in place of medications or as a supplement to them. Learn here https://tr.im/vaA7k

    Next time you're too tense to cope, consider trying one of these natural options for relief.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Wellbutrin is a noradrenergic antidepressant that does NOT help with anxiety or pabic disorder, in fact it may worsen it. Paxil is an SSRI which is the recomended treatment (with CBT) for anxirty and panic disorder. There are other SSRIs that are approved for panic/anxirty one of these may suit you better.

    )

    Source(s): MD
  • 5 years ago

    Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

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