Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Taking Effexor And Wellbutrin. No Appetite And Loss Of Interest In Socializing. What To Do?
Question: I have been taking Effexor 150 mg and wellbutrin 150mg for approximately 3 to 4 years. 2 years ago I had 3/4 of my lung removed and my depression got worst and at that time my husband left me. I am 71 years old and I lost 20 lbs since te operation. I am now 83 lbs. I have no appetite. My doctor doesn't seem to think I am in any crisis taking these two antidepressants but I am tired all the time and don't really want to socialize. What is your opinion
Brief Answer:
Try hiking up Effexor.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
I understand that you still have not recovered in spite of taking two anti-depressants. You still have loss of appetite, easy fatiguability and loss of interest in socializing.
In my opinion, you are taking both medicines in dosages which are okay but can be easily hiked if the response if not complete. Milder symptoms would have responded to this dosage but since you still are suffering, please ask your doctor to hike up at least one of these, preferably Effexor.
I find Effexor to be more effective than Wellbutrin and so would prefer that first Effexor is hiked to at least 225 mg/day. If this works for you, then perhaps you can be maintained on only Effexor and Wellbutrin can even be stopped. The dosage of Effexor can be easily taken up to 300 mg/day, however this should be done slowly given your age. Wellbutrin also can be hiked up to 300 mg/day which is the usual dosage required to treat moderate to severe depression.
If you do not wish to hike up these medicines, but are willing to try new medicines then I would suggest trying a medicine of the SSRI class (escitalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine etc). However, in my opinion, the better option will be to build up the dosage of current medicines.
The other thing which must be considered is whether any other factors are preventing your recovery. For example, people with hypothyroidism do not respond well to treatment unless the hypothyroidism is rectified. Please get your blood tested for thyroid hormone levels if this has not been done in the recent past.
I hope this helps you. Please feel free to ask if you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Try hiking up Effexor.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic!
I understand that you still have not recovered in spite of taking two anti-depressants. You still have loss of appetite, easy fatiguability and loss of interest in socializing.
In my opinion, you are taking both medicines in dosages which are okay but can be easily hiked if the response if not complete. Milder symptoms would have responded to this dosage but since you still are suffering, please ask your doctor to hike up at least one of these, preferably Effexor.
I find Effexor to be more effective than Wellbutrin and so would prefer that first Effexor is hiked to at least 225 mg/day. If this works for you, then perhaps you can be maintained on only Effexor and Wellbutrin can even be stopped. The dosage of Effexor can be easily taken up to 300 mg/day, however this should be done slowly given your age. Wellbutrin also can be hiked up to 300 mg/day which is the usual dosage required to treat moderate to severe depression.
If you do not wish to hike up these medicines, but are willing to try new medicines then I would suggest trying a medicine of the SSRI class (escitalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine etc). However, in my opinion, the better option will be to build up the dosage of current medicines.
The other thing which must be considered is whether any other factors are preventing your recovery. For example, people with hypothyroidism do not respond well to treatment unless the hypothyroidism is rectified. Please get your blood tested for thyroid hormone levels if this has not been done in the recent past.
I hope this helps you. Please feel free to ask if you need any clarifications.
Best wishes.
Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
