Hi Janet,

Wellbutrin comes in several (three) formulations:

-- regular (immediate release)
.......... taken 2-3 times a day. Medicine level rises and falls.

-- Sustained Release (SR)
.......... usually taken 2-3 times a day. Medicine level stays fairly even.

-- eXtended reLease (XL)
.......... taken 1ce a day. Medicine level stays fairly even.

The XL is the newest and most prescribed nowadays... I'm guessing that is what you are on, but you can find out by checking the bottle.

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I have taken all three versions of Wellbutrin.

I did fine with the immediate release and with the sustained release (SR). The SR version is the best antidepressant I've ever had. I took it for about 2 years.

At a later time, when I again needed an antidepressant, I was in a country where they only had the XL, so I was started on that. I could not tolerate the XL version. I felt wound up and had constant chest pain. Now, that does not necessarily mean heart problems, but I stuck it out for 2 weeks and it did not improve, so I gave it up.

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A problem with the XL is it comes only in 150mg or 300mg strengths, so if that is prescribed right off the bat, one has to get used to the full dose all at once.
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I would call your doc and let him/her know about your agitation and crankiness. Also let him know how sensitive you are to meds. You could ask if he would let you start out with low doses of the immediate release. This comes in 75mg and 100mg tablets, and you can cut them for lower doses.

The SR version comes in 100, 150 and 200mg tablets. Some people might process meds more slowly, and might be able to take this formulation only once a day once the target dose has been established.

Anyway, I would ask about these possibilities, because it can be a really good med.

Good luck, I hope you find something that helps you! Depression is awful!

waves