Wellbutrin and Itching

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

I was diagnosed with depression and have been taking 200 mg of Wellbutrin a day, starting dose. Seems I have started itching, quite uncontrollably. No rash, just an intense itch...which gets more severe about two hours after each Wellbutrin pill. It stays for a while, abates for a while, comes back....

This med was slightly starting to work and I had few other problems so I hate to stop taking it. The pharmacist told me to stop to see if the Wellbutrin was the culprit, something about it being one of the dyes they use in the pill. The only other things I take are BCP's and Bactrim DS, which have never caused itching before.

Do I need to quit taking it? Is this a common side effect of Wellbutrin? What are my options? Being depressed and starting nursing school next week.....this is NOT what I had in mind!:crying2:

Thank you!:)

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

I take 150 mg a day, and I also get this intense itch in my hands- more specifically, my fingers. It is so bad that when I discovered a firm bristled hair brush bought me some relief, I went out and bought one dedicated to scratching my fingers with. I'd run this by your PCP, they may want to run liver assays (mine didn't, but a former boss of mine developed severe itching a number of years ago, and her PCP did. Probably a diff in the quality of our health care coverage :() Otherwise, it may just be a matter of whether you can tolerate the itching. Lanacane may help.

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

Thanks Mercy! Well, mine is not just on my fingers. It is everywhere! (Ok, I feel like Woogie off of "Something about Mary"!!). Crazy itching, but in spurts. Like I said, more intense after I take the pill. I searched on the net and found some info that your body gets used to it and the itching lessens. I don't start my new insurance until July so I can't go till then:o . I took Benadryl today...the only thing the Pharm said would help and it did. It also helped me fall asleep at my computer!!:rotfl:

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Thanks Mercy! Well, mine is not just on my fingers. It is everywhere! (Ok, I feel like Woogie off of "Something about Mary"!!). Crazy itching, but in spurts. Like I said, more intense after I take the pill. I searched on the net and found some info that your body gets used to it and the itching lessens. I don't start my new insurance until July so I can't go till then:o . I took Benadryl today...the only thing the Pharm said would help and it did. It also helped me fall asleep at my computer!!:rotfl:

I take 600mg of welbutrin a day and some times I use hydrocortisone cream

to help with itching and skin irritations.

:balloons:

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

Wow, explorer! I am sure you've probably considered this, but doesn't any dose above 300 raise your risk of seizures? I've not heard of a dose that high being prescribed.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Wellbutrin kept me up all night. And I can't imagine a dose of 600mg/day. OMG...I was on 150/day and ready to crawl out of my skin. I had to stop using it. And yes, doses greater than 150-300mg/day DO lower the seizure threshold in most people---particularly if taking certain other drugs or using ETOH. I know a girl who had no history of seizure that did seize while on Wellbutrin. It scared me enough to stop taking it.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I never had itching on the brand name Wellbutrin 300mg. Take it in the AM if it keeps you up. But since the generic Bupropion ER arrived I itch like crazy!! I suspect it's the yellow dye in it. I also take Protonix which is yellow and was taking Zoloft that was also yellow.

Benadryl (generic) is my friend at times like thes. That along with unscented Estee Lauder after bath creme.

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

You know, reading this thread is making me wonder if the Wellbutrin might also be contributing to my benign fasciculation; I've had it since my teens, but in recent years, it has gotten significantly more frequent. The other day, the whole side of my face twitched for like a minute; I was in a meeting at the time and can only imagine what everyone thought might be going on.

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Specializes in Rehab, Neuro, Travel Nurse, Home Care.

You guys got me nervous because I take it to stop smoking. I haven't had any itching, but I'm up all night. That helps because I work night shift.

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Hi, Why dont you call your MD and see if you can start on the 100 mg pills.... Then you can bump up. Wellbutrin gave me really bad headaches and itching for about a month and then it subsided.............( I took it for smoking sessation).

I would definately call the doc....

PS. IF you are on the SR or the XL do not break the pills.... Call the doc for a new prescription for a lower dose............................

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I take 600mg of welbutrin a day and some times I use hydrocortisone cream

to help with itching and skin irritations.

:balloons:

You must be on the old wellbrutrin with out the CR............ I thought the highest dose was 400 mgs a day......................................

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Specializes in OR, Hospice.

I've been taking Wellbutrin for several years now and never had any side effects, at either 150 or 300mg; however, my mother took it for a short time and got hives so her doctor took her off. I've never heard of the itching thing....very interesting. What's even more interesting is how many of us are on it! :chuckle

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