How dangerous is it to just stop taking Wellbutrin XL?

I have been on Wellbutrin XL for a little over a year now and have steadily been gaining weight and have recently been diagnosed with a fatty liver which I think is linked to the meds. I want to come off of the Wellbutrin but can't get my dr's to return my messages to tell me the proper way to come off of it.

So I was wondering for a person with no history of seizures how dangerous would it be for me to just stop taking the meds?

Thanks,

Jennifer

[acuann]

Don't EVER just STOP taking antidepressents. It can cause horrible discontinuation symptoms. How much are you currently taking? You need to get the doctor or nurse to return your phone calls...If you are taking a low dose, then you could buy a pill splitter and try splitting the pills and slowly decreasing that way, but please be careful. I have seen some horror stories concerning wellbutrin, lexapro, paxil, and celexa.

You should allow 2-3 weeks, and you should probably be on a different med, or seek an alternative treatment like acupuncture and herbs.

Best wishes.
DOM

I've quit an anti-depressant cold turkey and was just fine. I'd try it for a few days, and if you experience any symptoms, slowly start taking them again before weaning off.

[MMMMForbiddenDonut]

Wellbutrin made me paranoid so when I went off of it, I felt awesome. I also had no other side effects from going off of it.

Now Effexor, on the other hand....

[mgl]

The main concern about abrupt stopping of Wellbutrin XL is a possible discontinuation syndrome. Some may experience only minor symptoms, for others, the symptoms may be so debilitating that they feel they cannot stop their antidepressant for fear of how it will interfere with their lives.

[agypsygrl]

First of all Wellbutrin is one of the least antidepressants to cause weight gain of all the rest. Second, why are you on this? You should not stop taking any of your meds on that basis alone but go to the doctors office and just tell them you had called several times and need an appointment to discuss your medications.

My son is on Wellbutrin as well as 2 others but he can not go without it. No, he doesn't like weight gain, but he can lose when on it if he cuts back on his eating, watches what he does eat, and exercises.
You were put on Wellbutrin for a reason so no, don't stop until you do talk to them.

I finally got in to see my doctor..I did have to make an appointment to do it so, instead of just getting a simple return call, so now I'm searching for a new doctor that seems to care a little more about me as a patient but that's beside the point.

I was put on the meds originally because of major mood swings and I have been on a regimented eating plan and exercising at least 4 times a week the whole time and I know that it is not supposed to cause weight gain and I am not saying that it is definetely what did it seeing as I have under active thyroid and liver problems as well I know it will be hard to pin point the actual culprit...but I am 5'3" and have just topped the 180 mark which is very hard for me because I was always naturally small as a teenager and young 20's and now it won't stop piling on despite my efforts to counteract the weight gain. But truthfully I believe that the wellbutrin is what caused the liver problems that I'm having.

Okay...I'm rambling now...I was on 300 and now the Dr. has put me on 150 for a month and then I am supposed to just stop from there. Now I'm just hoping that I will be able to cope without the medicine...I'm trying yoga and meditation to try and calm me down before my moods get out of hand again.

i had a seizure caused by wellbutrin. i injured my shoulder in the process. i stopped it cold turkey by the advice of the doctor.

I am on Welbutrin xl and I have gained weight and I feel tired and sad alot of the time. I want to stop taking it but I hear it is not a good idea. Maybe I will cut the 300 mil. in half and take that for a month and then cut the half in half (75mil) and stop from there. Does that sound okay. I am finding myself getting up from a sound sleep and eating something in the middle of the night, I only did once in a while now it is a every night thing and I am geting very sad because I feel my coths getting tighter, right before I went on the meds I lost tweny or more pounds I have now been gaining weight and I hate the way I feel. I am TIRED ALL the time!
I have been on the meds for 6-8 months and I want to stop taking them ASAP. Please if you have any sugestions let me know.
Thanks all :-)
Prettwhitekitty

[acuann]

My feeling is if you want to stop taking wellbutrin you need something else in place to help with your mood swings and depressions symptoms. There are other options out there and supplements like EFA's and B complex may be helpful, as well as herbal therapy and exercise.

But be careful just stopping, and decrease dosage gradually and with your doc's blessing. Glad to hear that some were okay just stopping this drug, but you are in the minority. Please be careful and research other holistic methods to help with your mood.

If you suffer from extreme weight gain please get a complete thyroid panel done to rule out thyroid problems, which can cause depression and mood swings.

Lastly, consider acupuncture - it is brilliant for depression.

Best wishes

DOM