5 replies to this topic

[steelsky]

Well, after I have had great success with Bupropion for a bit over a week (150mg), effect started to decline, even after I've added another 150mg to the daily regimen.

So I took a long break (about, hmmm, a couple of weeks or more). Now I decided to try again. Took one in the morning and bingo - had the same day I had back on my first dose - extremely motivated and energized. The effect also lasted throughout the day, as before.

So now I wonder whether there was a downregulation of sort.
I also wonder whether I ought to cycle, which is weird since unlike Ritalin and Modafinil - I understand that Bupropion is a drug that builds up in your system over time. I'd at least like to know if it is safe to cycle. I might try a regimen of taking it for the three first days of a week and than use another thing (Ritalin or Modafinil) for the rest of the week (where hopefully my "sensitivity" to it will return back at the begining of next week).

[quasi13]

Well, after I have had great success with Bupropion for a bit over a week (150mg), effect started to decline, even after I've added another 150mg to the daily regimen.

So I took a long break (about, hmmm, a couple of weeks or more). Now I decided to try again. Took one in the morning and bingo - had the same day I had back on my first dose - extremely motivated and energized. The effect also lasted throughout the day, as before.

So now I wonder whether there was a downregulation of sort.
I also wonder whether I ought to cycle, which is weird since unlike Ritalin and Modafinil - I understand that Bupropion is a drug that builds up in your system over time. I'd at least like to know if it is safe to cycle. I might try a regimen of taking it for the three first days of a week and than use another thing (Ritalin or Modafinil) for the rest of the week (where hopefully my "sensitivity" to it will return back at the begining of next week).

Bupropion users often describe a honeymoon period of 1-2 weeks. This period is often followed by a period where the user doesn't feel anything. Then, 4-6 weeks in or so, people often describe it working again in some fashion but not as well as during the honeymoon. I bet you could find tons of personal accounts of this by searching for "wellbutrin honeymoon."

I tried it for 3 weeks (150mg SR). I was not lucky enough to have the honeymoon period. What I'm curious about is whether there is a correlation between the honeymoon period and the eventual effectiveness of the drug. I haven't been able to find much info on that. I didn't really notice much positive with the drug, except on occasion, I had an insane libido. It felt great!

Regarding cycling, I think many recommend not cycling antidepressants due to the delay in taking effect. I think Dopamine (the ImmInst member) takes it on an as needed basis, but I haven't seen anyone else recommend it (or against it). IIRC, I read that some of the active metabolites remain in the body for up to 11 days.

The usual disclaimer for bupropion is not to go too crazy on the dosing due to the seizure risk. <=450mg is OK in XL or SR forms, but I don't know if I'd try that in instant release, especially on an empty stomach.

[steelsky]

I know that some metabolites remain in the body for a long period (I doubt 11 days, though).
I have no clue why the semi-honeymoon is something you get after prolonged use. I'm not sure if mine came back after a month of use, but it definitely wasn't as I started.

I would really hate to give up the feeling I have now. It is perfect for what I wish to resolve in my case (energy and motivation). It seems, however, that I probably have to cycle, in some form or another - which I'd be glad if someone recommended (i.e. taking it semi-daily, or for a couple of days every week...)

Edited by steelsky, 07 August 2009 - 03:53 AM.

[quasi13]

I know that some metabolites remain in the body for a long period (I doubt 11 days, though).
I have no clue why the semi-honeymoon is something you get after prolonged use. I'm not sure if mine came back after a month of use, but it definitely wasn't as I started.

I would really hate to give up the feeling I have now. It is perfect for what I wish to resolve in my case (energy and motivation). It seems, however, that I probably have to cycle, in some form or another - which I'd be glad if someone recommended (i.e. taking it semi-daily, or for a couple of days every week...)

I can't find where I read 11 days so don't take my word for it. The half-lives for the major metabolites is listed here. A high degree of variability between people is noted. If hydroxybupropion is active, it would seemingly be in the body for a long time since it is formed from bupropion. Also consider that hydroxybupropion has a longer half-life than bupropion so it will accumulate at a higher rate than bupropion.
http://en.wikipedia....harmacokinetics

Given the large variability in half-lives, you will probably have to experiment with cycling.

Some good info, but probably not much help to you:
http://www.preskorn....lumns/0001.html
2/3 way down shows a dose-response curve for seizures:
http://www.preskorn....ks/ssri_s7.html

[steelsky]

I know that some metabolites remain in the body for a long period (I doubt 11 days, though).
I have no clue why the semi-honeymoon is something you get after prolonged use. I'm not sure if mine came back after a month of use, but it definitely wasn't as I started.

I would really hate to give up the feeling I have now. It is perfect for what I wish to resolve in my case (energy and motivation). It seems, however, that I probably have to cycle, in some form or another - which I'd be glad if someone recommended (i.e. taking it semi-daily, or for a couple of days every week...)

I can't find where I read 11 days so don't take my word for it. The half-lives for the major metabolites is listed here. A high degree of variability between people is noted. If hydroxybupropion is active, it would seemingly be in the body for a long time since it is formed from bupropion. Also consider that hydroxybupropion has a longer half-life than bupropion so it will accumulate at a higher rate than bupropion.
http://en.wikipedia....harmacokinetics

Given the large variability in half-lives, you will probably have to experiment with cycling.

Some good info, but probably not much help to you:
http://www.preskorn....lumns/0001.html
2/3 way down shows a dose-response curve for seizures:
http://www.preskorn....ks/ssri_s7.html

Thanks.
Firstly, I do not intend to ever take more than 300mg SR at a time. The most I see me taking is 450mg SR throughout the day, though I really wish to keep it not more than 300mg daily. Note that in my past experience the most I took was 300mg SR at once. Surprisingly, it didn't seem to make much difference (maybe it did mildly over the first few days of "upping" the dose, if I recall correctly).

So yeah, I believe cycling ought to improve my experience, yet I'd really like to get some advices or instructions on it, if anyone can share.

[winston]

I believe the initial honey moon effects are the result of a different mechanism than the long term ones. I read it in some thread the other day but can't remember where. Hopefully someone will clear it up.