I am debating on which to take, wellbutrin or paxil? I tried wellbutrin and quit because of the irritability and heightened anxiety. I mentioned to my doctor that it was making my anxiety worse and he gave me paxil. I want to try paxil but don't want the weight gain and I want to quit smoking anyway. Pros and cons??

Hi,
One thing you might try is taking both together...
I have had experience with both medications both seperately and together....

*Wellbutrin is known for helping some with depression but it also in some caused heightened anziety and irritability as you stated...

*Paxil is a good medication for many issues. It usually takes between 4-6 weeks for you to feel it's effect and can take up to 12 weeks BUT for most doesnt. For me it was at week 5...I felt a HUGE relief from it but then about the 8th month that relief started to dwindle...I had the weight gain from it and I then went on both the Paxil and Wellbutrin together to see how they would work together...The heightened anxiety and irritability caused me to stop the combo and I am now just on .5mg of Xanax...

Now an alternate med can be given to help with the Anxiety and irritability such as Xanax or Valium and there are others also...that might be a suggestion you might ask your Dr about is doing both the Wellbutrin & Paxil with a side kick of something to relieve the irritability symptoms you are feeling...

~Good Luck~

and what about the initial side effects from wellbutrin, my doctor said it would take 4 to 7 days for my body to get used to it. ???

i have been on wellbutrin sr for about a week now,and i like it,a week isn't really that long to judge but there is no wieght gain and most people actually lose wieght on wellbutrin sr,the only problem is insomnia but if you can get a sleeping aid,i use gravol,it can be very helpful,i am not saying take something for sleep everyday but just when you feel it is necessary.so far i seem to have experienced more assertiveness and confidence boost,but no groggy feeling.i have tried a lot of different antideppressants and this is my last kick at the can,hopefully this will help,and it seems to be,otherwise i am going to go without any medication at all

Originally posted by bruins1977:
i have been on wellbutrin sr for about a week now,and i like it,a week isn't really that long to judge but there is no wieght gain and most people actually lose wieght on wellbutrin sr,the only problem is insomnia but if you can get a sleeping aid,i use gravol,it can be very helpful,i am not saying take something for sleep everyday but just when you feel it is necessary.so far i seem to have experienced more assertiveness and confidence boost,but no groggy feeling.i have tried a lot of different antideppressants and this is my last kick at the can,hopefully this will help,and it seems to be,otherwise i am going to go without any medication at all

I was given Xanax for the heightened Anexity that can be a side effect. My Dr said to take it only as needed. I also have tried a Spray with Lavender and Vanilla that I found at Bath and Body Works,they also have a Candle too, bought that. I have been using it now nightly and have had some results. The lavender is suppose to relax you. I spray it on my pillow and a little on the sheet, and I can drift off into a deep sleep. They say if you are having a high energy level to take your Wellbutrin several hours before you go to bed. Make sure it has been at least 8 hours since your last dose. I hope this helps.

I take Paxil and I didn't have any weight gain, it works really well for me, you should try it