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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by likewater on January 22, 2002, at 21:49:15
Hi,
Why do doctors usually first prescribe SSRI's instead of wellbutrin? Wellbutrin's side effects seem to be a lot less bothersome.
like water
Posted by TSA West on January 22, 2002, at 22:39:30
In reply to why ssri's, posted by likewater on January 22, 2002, at 21:49:15
Many people cannot endure through the stimulation of Wellbutrin, and it can cause anxiety in the very beginning of treatment. Simply, SSRIs have more anxiolytic properties.
One doctor on Dr. Bob's Psychopharmacology Tips considered Wellbutrin "pro-convulsive"--a common reaction of doctors to the extremely low incidence of seizures with Wellbutrin. The actual rate of seizures with Wellbutrin is similar to that of tricyclic antidepressants: in the early studies done on Wellbutrin in the late 70's the rate of seizure occurence was about 0.30 percent in general patient populations taking dosages as high as 900mg.
Wishing you the best in your medical journey,
--------TSA West 1865-2002, over 400,000 soldiers--------------------------------
Posted by Mr. Scott on January 23, 2002, at 0:04:04
In reply to why ssri's, posted by likewater on January 22, 2002, at 21:49:15
Because most of the doctors prescribing Anti-depressants are primary care physicians who were scared away by the slight increase in seizures that ocurred from the immediate release formulation of wellbutrin back in 86 (I think it was 86). A constant onslaught of SSRI detail reps bashing the hell out of Wellbutrin probably hasn't helped, and also because it simply hasn't been shown to be effective for anxiety disorders.
Scott
Posted by Tammy on January 23, 2002, at 10:57:42
In reply to Re: why ssri's » likewater, posted by Mr. Scott on January 23, 2002, at 0:04:04
my regular doc gave me wellbutrin right off, and said it probably wont help the anxiety....(which is my problem) well let me tell ya it isnt even touching down on it.... he said if it didnt work then he'd switch me to effexor xr...... does wellbutrin eventually help the anxiety?????? or effexor xr a better choice? im only on my 8th day of wellbutin......and go back on the 11th, its not touching my anxiety as of yet......
and i dont want to continue taking ativan... i need a steady stream......
Posted by Mr. Scott on January 23, 2002, at 21:14:35
In reply to Re: does wellbutrin have an ssri effect? , posted by Tammy on January 23, 2002, at 10:57:42
If anxiety is caused soley by the depression than the makers of Wellbutrin claim that your anxiety will diminish eventually just as well as Zoloft. However, most studies by drug companies are not unbiased, and I don't know too many depressed people who couldn't also meet criteria for an anxiety disorder at some point.
My advice is to see it through for 4-6 weeks.
Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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