So you have had a good experience on Bupropion - no negative effects?
Well....My experience with Bupropion started in May. The first time I took the 150mg SR dose of budeprion (generic of wellbutrin) I noticed I could not sleep the following night - not that I tried that hard. Throughout the month I seemed to notice a further reduction in my ability to remember things as well as extreme difficulty following basic conversations and remembering them for more than a couple of minutes. Needless to say I found all of this extremely concerning - especially given that I work and pride myself as a computer technician. When starting to taper and then withdraw from the wellbutrin my symptoms became worse, panic attacks and extreme anxiety and inability to enjoy sleep/sleep until noon or whenever were added, and have taken several months to show any degree of improvement.
Now there are other commingling circumstances in this as well such as separation from my wife and kids in April, having a girlfriend that moreso initially had a tendency to over analyze things and always see the negative, loss of a primary friend, and criticism from the family that I became involved with this woman before I was divorced.
The links have been posted previously:
Bupropion Private StudyAlso note this excerpt from the study:
3. Bupropion is chemically unstable, in aqueous solutions and in the pill form - either during manufacture or post manufacture. On the basis of blood tests presented herein and from the literature, it is unstable in the human body as well. In the formulation, bupropion will undergo N-dealkylation to form two conjugated materials that will rapidly react in vitro to form 2-Amino-1-(3-chloro-phenyl)-propan-1-ol (hydroxybupropamine or HBA - not to be confused with hydroxybupropion, which is a known metabolite of bupropion.) HBA fits into the category of indirect-acting adrenergic agonist and is most similar in structure to meta-chloroamphetamine (MCA) - a potent neurotoxin that has multiple effects on the brain and the body. It is probable, based upon literature studies that have determined degradation of bupropion in the blood and upon literature studies showing false positive amphetamine results when bupropion is taken, these two degradation products will form HBA in vivo as well. In aqueous solutions and in a blood simulating mixed solvent system, the resultant products of this instability are erythrohydrobupropion (EB), threohydrobupropion (TB), 2-Amino-1-(3-chloro-phenyl)-2-propen-1-one, HBA and meta-chlorobenzoic acid (MCBA). All five of the degradation products exhibit pharmacological activity.
In regards to the probable - please note the blood samples that were taken from several volunteers later on in the paper that showed the presence of HBA in the blood.
Note the references at the bottom - specifically 112-116 that relate to the metabolism of a similar drug, Diethylpropion (Tenuate) and it's transition to HBA.
I have found studies that cite MDMA as a cause for panic attacks several months down the road from the first dose; thusly reinforcing the hypothesis that bupropion's metabolites are nerotoxic to serotonin axons.
Admittedly - Similar in structure to chloroamphetamines or chlorophentermine does not necessarily equate to similar in function. Thus the 'hand-waving' disclaimer at the end of the study. It has however been enough to cause great concern on my part until proven otherwise that bupropion's metabolites may have caused irreparable damage to my brain.
So....I need to know either more positive experiences taking wellbutrin (ideally the generic from Teva - and bonus points if you stored the drug in a hot cabinet/house exceeding 77 F) or proof that the metabolite of wellbutrin - 2-Amino-1-(3-chloro-phenyl)-propan-1-ol (hydroxybupropamine or HBA) - is either non-existent or not neurotoxic or recovering my normal functioning.
In the meantime every day pretty much seems like hell to me as I am left feeling like I am but a shell of my previous self.
If not for having the support of my girlfriend during this time - I'd probably end up offing myself - which is a 180 degree reversal from my normal attitude of wanting to live forever.
Any help in terminating this concern with 'extreme prejudice' is appreciated!
PS - Replies that just state 'Not likely' or similar without stating a line of reasoning or relation of personal experience with the drug will not be helpful.
Edited by dreamwolf, 18 October 2007 - 04:39 PM.