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Suggest Ideal Dosage To Wean Off Wellbutrin

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Posted on Mon, 21 Sep 2015
Question: I have been taking wellbrutin hcl sr 150'mg once a day since Brin surgery in 1995. No problems. Maybe insonmia, but that could be aging as well.
I want to stop taking this drug. My md says I should go slowly, andvtakevwellbrutrin HCL, as no lower dose comes in thr SRvform ? I am concerned that this products work differently on the brain.
Why can I not just cut the SR in half ??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Half a tablet is fine to be taken

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Wellbutrin (bupropion) SR 150 should ideally be given twice a day. So, if you are on 150 mg SR, you are already on a low dose. For tapering, you can shift to half a tablet of Wellbutrin XL 150 once daily. It is basically the same medicine but with a longer duration of action. There is no lower dose formulation available and neither is it essential as withdrawal symptoms are infrequently reported. After a few weeks, you can go for Wellbutrin XL 150 on alternate days and omit it altogether after another few weeks. Be sure to do this in discussion with your treating physician as this is a prescription medication.

I do not understand which product you ask about working differently on the brain. The names mentioned are the same in either case. Let me know and I shall clarify further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (17 hours later)
I apologize for being rather confusing with my question, allow me to restate:

I have been taking Wellbrutrin HCL SR 150Mg. once per day. For a very long time.
I began taking this WB after brain surgery in 1994- like 25 years now.
I am fully aware it is a low dose. Fro what ever reasons, it was all that was prescribed.. No side effects.. Insonmia mentioned i n my earlier not, but who knows why the insonmia. may not be drug relatred.

OK, Question I want to stop talking the Wellbrutrin. I spoke to my Neurologist.
He rx ed for Wellbrutrin HCL 75 Mg . (there is no lower dose of the SR)
Label says take 1 taB Every AM FOR TWO WEEKS, (75mG) then 1 tab eod for two weeks.
That sounds reasonable to me. BUT, the new stough is NOT the SR !!
So, I am wondering what effect it may have, switching from SR to the HCL 75 mg?
I realize it is the same drug, but the release form is not the same.
That is my question.
Does this seem like a safe thing to do? I am 76 years of age, and in general good health.
And oh, why can I not just cut the 150 SR tab in half? using a pill cutter of course, each half may not be itentical in compound. Would that matter the dose may not be identical in its proportion?
I hope this has benn more clear to you.
Thank you, XXXXXXX P
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I see no problems in cutting a SR into two. Either forms are safe.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

I have gone through the details provided. You need not worry about the difference in names. It relates only to the difference in duration of action There should be no problems if Wellbrutrin HCL 75 mg is taken. It is a safe thing to be done. It is also absolutely fine to cut 150 SR into two halves. In fact, I would prefer that personally. Slight difference in proportion would not matter.

Let me know if you have any further queries.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (37 minutes later)
I just want to thank you for your assistance. Your responses make sense!
as long as only a slight difference in that halved tab is not a problem, I will just use the pill cutter. Stick with the SR.

Thanks for this information, you have been very helpful.
Have a nice weekend.
L Paszek

doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Halving the SR will be a better idea

Detailed Answer:
Glad to know that you found my answer to be helpful. Sticking with the SR form is a better idea. Halving it will give a way to reduce the dose.

In case you found the answer to be helpful, I would request you to close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating. Feel free to contact me back again directly if you have any sort of health related queries in the future.

Wish you all the best.

Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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Suggest Ideal Dosage To Wean Off Wellbutrin

Brief Answer: Half a tablet is fine to be taken Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Wellbutrin (bupropion) SR 150 should ideally be given twice a day. So, if you are on 150 mg SR, you are already on a low dose. For tapering, you can shift to half a tablet of Wellbutrin XL 150 once daily. It is basically the same medicine but with a longer duration of action. There is no lower dose formulation available and neither is it essential as withdrawal symptoms are infrequently reported. After a few weeks, you can go for Wellbutrin XL 150 on alternate days and omit it altogether after another few weeks. Be sure to do this in discussion with your treating physician as this is a prescription medication. I do not understand which product you ask about working differently on the brain. The names mentioned are the same in either case. Let me know and I shall clarify further. Regards