Question:
Problems with wellbutrin post op?

I used wellbutrin pre-op to quit smoking and had no problems. I am now 7 months post op and have started smoking again. I started wellbutrin again but do not seem to be doing as well as I did pre-op. Anyone think it may be absorbed differently post op so I may not be getting the full benefit or...maybe I'm not quite as strongly motivated as I was when waiting for the surgery. Any answers greatly appreciated.    — [Anonymous] (posted on March 13, 2001)

March 13, 2001
I don't think being post-op has anything to do with it. My husband and I took Zyban about two years ago to quit smoking. We quit for almost six months, and then started up again. I need badly to quit now, not just because of this surgery, and have tried Zyban twice since then with no success at all. I'm going to have to dump the butts cold turkey, especially now that I seem to have developed chronic bronchitis.
   — Dee P.

March 13, 2001
Talk to your doc about upping the dose; up to 4x100 or 3x150, but be careful. Contrary to what you may have read here in previous posts, from all the Wellbutrin experts, NEVER break a TR to make it easier to swallow. Getting too much too soon can cause seizures.
   — [Anonymous]

March 13, 2001
I use Nicorette Gum these days which works for my figity ways of needing something to do. Wellbutrin made me gain serious weight and I would never use it again.
   — Nancy Z.

March 14, 2001
Tried Zyban to quit smoking with absolutely no success. When the decision was finally made and having decided what I'd do when I got fidgety I went to the drugstore and bought some generic nicotine patches, slapped one on and after a week had managed to kick it. But I think a lot of my motivation came from my Dad being diagnosed with lung cancer.
   — Lynn E.

April 7, 2001
I also take wellbutrin, mine is for depression. have also been having LOTS of problems with my levels since my revision. all I can say is work with your doctor on this.
   — dhuberty

January 14, 2004
Wellbutrin comes in several forms - regular, SR (Sustained Release) and ER (Extended Release). I took Wellbutrin SR before surgery. After surgery I had some problems with depression that went away when I switched to the regular form. It means I have to take the doses several times a day, so I fit them right in with my vitams. You'll also have to make sure you take it early in the afternoon so it doesn't keep you up at night. My guess is that Zyban is also a slow release form which would explain why it's not as effective for people after surgery.
   — Sonya T.