Wellbutrin vs. Zyban?

Todd SPN · Jul 21, 2003

Been on Wellbutrin for 6 weeks now. Hasn't stopped me from smoking, but I notice often times I will smoke half a cig and put it out subconsiously. They say using in conjuction with the patch has a better success rate.

doobiedo, RN · Jul 21, 2003

My husband has tried it numerous times...has good luck with it if he puts his mind to it. But never stops for long...Bottom line he likes to smoke (he admits it) and nothing is going to stop him except his own determination to stop and not start again....

My understanding is you are to take for 7 days prior to your stop date and then for 3 months...my husband has extended that to as long as 6 months...

I call it his happy pilll...he states it does not make him happy...however it makes me happy cuz it definitely cuts down on his irritability.....

He states it makes his cigarettes taste bad...usually does the wellbutrin with the patch....works better....

Just Angi · Jul 22, 2003

I have only been on it for a month- I do smoke less, just haven't stopped. Hopefully it won't be too long. I really appreciate all of the helpful comments. One of these plans is bound to work. :) Thanks again everyone!

PJMommy · Jul 23, 2003

Interesting posts! I've been on Wellbutrin for about 2 weeks with a quit date up and coming fast. Have also noticed I don't enjoy the cigs like before. I plan on using the patch on the quit day because I've also done the Zyban only and it didn't do the trick.

They use it as an anti-depressant which I personally think says a lot for why it works. When I quit last time, I was sooooo depressed for about 10-14 days -- and I'm not prone to depression at all. I think the Zyban gives you the boost of neurotransmitters (I want to say it's dopamine reuptake inhibition with Zyban??) you need to keep life happy when the nicotine is gone and the happy chemicals aren't firing like they used to. So, like other anti-depressants, you need to get to a therapeutic serum level...which takes about a week to 10 days...thus, the recommendation to quit after 2 weeks of taking it. :)

jschut, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2003

I have quit for about a week now while on Wellbutrin. Just didn't want it anymore.

Still have cravings, but I don't want to start again. I guess I've probably gained about 5 pounds! (Well~ it's TOM too, and that's major chocolate time for me!LOL!)

I do love the energy I have with Wellbutrin, and have had no negative side effects from it at all!

Good Luck with not smoking.....the 5 pounds gained is worth it for me.

Julie :)

Just Angi · Jul 23, 2003

I've gained so much weight within the last year that 5 pounds won't hurt! It would be worth it to get this habit done and over with!

jadednurse · Jul 23, 2003

Originally posted by PJMommy
Int
They use it as an anti-depressant which I personally think says a lot for why it works. When I quit last time, I was sooooo depressed for about 10-14 days -- and I'm not prone to depression at all. I think the Zyban gives you the boost of neurotransmitters (I want to say it's dopamine reuptake inhibition with Zyban??) you need to keep life happy when the nicotine is gone and the happy chemicals aren't firing like they used to. So, like other anti-depressants, you need to get to a therapeutic serum level...which takes about a week to 10 days...thus, the recommendation to quit after 2 weeks of taking it. :)

Wellbutrin/Zyban is a selective seritonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and as w/ most SSRIs it can sometimes take 8-12 weeks before they start to take effect.

I like the idea of using Zyban and the patch...makes sense.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jul 23, 2003

Bupropion (Zyban/Wellbutrin) is largely dopaminergic while sertraline (zoloft) is a serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). I noticed Wellbutrin kicked in quite rapidly compared with the 3-4 weeks for Zoloft.

Joeknee · Aug 5, 2003

I've lost 5 lbs so far on Wellbutrin without trying to, it's just killed my appetite. In my case, it took about 5 weeks for me to start feeling the Wellbutrin "kick in".

Good luck to everyone who's trying to quit smoking. :)

Just Angi · Aug 5, 2003

Well, I still have not stopped. I have slowed down a lot. Hopefully I will be able to stop when my quit date comes up in a week. Thanks everyone. Angi