Welbutren anti-depressant and sex drive
I wanted to ask this because I'm concerned for my guy friend who takes Welbutren(sp?) for depression. The only reason he takes it is because his wife isn't willing to give him the amount of sex he needs to feel happy and loved. It affects his mood greatly and really gets him down. Are there any adverse side effects of taking this medication? Would it make it worse for him or actually help him? Thanks if you can help.
Tarnished_Halo 01/07/2007
Replies:
I cannot imagine any doctor who would prescribe Wellbutrin because a guy "isn't getting enough." This is a major drug with major side-effects up to and including thoughts of suicide and increased risks of seizure.
I doubt that he is giving you the whole story and you are damned right "it affects his mood greatly." It is supposed to affect his mood.
This is not an issue for a sex information site; it is for major psychotropic site. Whether or not he got onto this bwith a prescription, he needs a doctor to keep him on and/or get him off. DO NOT MESS WITH THE DOSAGE. Withdrawal is bad news, too.
Brandye
I've been on Wellbutrin for over a year, so I can only relate my own experience. BUT I have tried most other antidepressants, and Wellbutrin (for me) has the least number of side effects. It would be odd for a doctor to put him on this for his particular problem, because Wellbutrin can actually INCREASE your sex drive, at least for awhile. It did for me. Most of the other antidepressants (in the SSRI family - which Wellbutrin is not - but Zoloft, Effexor, Paxil, ect) have been known to interefere with sex (again, they certainly did in my case). Mainly they make it very difficult to orgasm, although they can affect libido as well.
Whether his lack of sex is contributing to depression (which is why a Dr would prescribe) is hard to say, but I also doubt he would be put on it for just that reason. He probably has other contributing factors, and if the doctor is worth his salt he would have tested him first. Also, it shouldn't "bring him down", it's supposed to be a mood elevator. If it isn't doing that then it's probably not the right med for him.
Not that it's related to what you asked, but Wellbutrin is also the "anti-smoking" drug, Zyban. It's just a weaker dose.
DVDBear
