I was just prescribed 0.5 Xanax to take as needed for anxiety/panic I have been experiencing since starting Welbutrin XL.
My doctor told me to go home and try it without an anxiety attack to see how I respond to it, so we know if I am able to tolerate taking it during the day (at work/driving etc.) if I suffer an attack.
I took one last night and I was sooo sleepy, I couldn't hold my eyes open, I was slurring my speech and staggering like I was drunk!
I want to know, will the drowsiness, slurred speech get better as my body adjusts to it?
I am hoping so, otherwise it does me no good unless I have an attack while I'm at home. I surely can't go anywhere like I was last night! >
Best answer:
2 months ago
Maybe I should clarify...
I am not on Wellbutrin for depression. I had a hysterectomy at a young age and since I have had severe mood swings/anger that have been controlled well by Paxil for many years. BUT the Paxil caused me to gain alot of weight and have no libido whatsoever. So the doc switched me to Wellbutrin which has caused weight loss and increased libido, did wonders for libido AND is helping me quit smoking.
Best answer:
Hi Lissy!
The usual initial dose I see in practice is 0.25 mg three to four times daily. Try cutting the dose down by half initially and see how you respond to it.
To answer your question, yes, people do develop tolerance to Xanax's side effects (mainly drowsiness, dizziness, decreased concentration, some reterograde amnesia) while they continue therapy with it. But that is usually when they are on it regularly.
If you plan on taking it intermittantly for panic attacks and its making you so drowsy that you're falling asleep, the dose is too high. Like I said earlier, try a 0.25 mg at bedtime and see how that works for you. If its still too much, you can start at 0.125 mg (which is the starting dose for elderly patients).
One more thing, Wellbutrin is a very stimulating antidepressant. If the type of depression you have makes you have panic attacks, its not a good choice of an antidepressant, as we usually tend to chose antidepressants which have a sedating to neutral effect to counter that type of depression. Better options would be Effexor (Neutral, my #1 choice), Zoloft(Neutral), Paxil (Neutral), Celexa (Neutral), Remeron (sedating) and Luvox (sedating). Wellbutrin and Prozac are bad choices for that kind of depression because they're both stimulating. Maybe you should get your antidepressant re-evaluated. Remember, you have been experiencing panic attacks due to the Wellbutrin and its stimulating properties, and its wrong to treat the side effects of one drug by adding another. Dr's these days, sigh...
**Edit (after the additional details provided by Lissy): Ok, Wellbutrin and Remeron are the only 2 antidepressants which don't have sexual dysfunction as a side effect. Remeron is associated with a lot of weight gain as well, so I wouldnt go that route if its a concern. Wellbutrin is an appropriate antidepressant for you in that case. Other options you have is hormone replacement therapy, which can help with all the symptoms you stated. But thats another story...**
Good luck and I hope I've helped you with your question!
Snoopy, BSc. Pharmacy, PharmD
(Pharmacist)
Best answer:
I'm a pharmacist |
