antidepressants and grinding - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

alorcoy · 07-11-2007, 09:30 AM

I know this has been talked about before on this board, but I wanted to ask some additional questions and find out your experiences.

I took Paxil earlier this year and it helped some with the pain, but am trying to get pregnant now and so stopped taking it b/c of possible side effects. Now I'm on Wellbutrin, which my doctor said was safer, but my jaw feels EXTREMELY tight since I started it. Wondering if it's the medicine causing this. I know I read Wellbutrin can cause clenching.

Anyone have experience with Wellbutrin?

katie57 · 08-12-2007, 08:35 PM

Yes, I have taken Wellbutrin for about 2 years. I never had any TMJ problems until last year. I wondered if it could be from the Wellbutrin, but my doctor dismissed this idea. I also questioned my Fosamax as a cause for my jaw pain.

Anyone else?

Thelma-Louise · 08-12-2007, 09:17 PM

I have heard of certain anti-depressants causing clenching with Paxil being the most common one, but if Wellbutrin is a like-kind drug, it could do the same - I only tried it for a few days before another dr told me it would not help me and instead prescribed Triavil.

I have also read studies on fosomax causing jaw pain and heard a news story regarding the same on a local tv news station not long ago. There are also certain heart meds that do the same - if you really want to know if certain drugs taken for other health conditions can affect your jaw and teeth, ask an OS, since they ususally see the results these drugs can have over a period of time.

ctrl-alt-del · 08-14-2007, 04:11 AM

Wellbutrin is like legal medicinal cocaine. It's method of action is primarily inhibition of dopamine - the same chemical that cocaine releases which makes you very energetic.

There is NO DOUBT that Wellbutrin is making you clenth your teeth. It is an agitating and stimulating drug... and anything that stimulates, also causes muscular tension (including tension in your jaw).