Effects - Wellbutrin (Bupropion) ... compared to Ritalin (Methyphenidate)

[Str8]

Can someone attest to how drugs like Wellbutrin compare to something like ritalin ?

My friend Stub has never been on antidepressants but he has done lots of other drugs like ritalin, opiates... etc.

Does one get the same come-up & come-down on Wellbutrin/anti-d's as something like ritalin ? Or is it more constant ?

He doesnt like to take the ritalin during the workweek due to the comedown / nervousness.

Any thoughts ?

[chillinwill]

Well Ritalin or Methylphenidate, is a psychostimulant prescribed for ADHD and fatigue as well as narcolepsy. Methylphenidate is a potent central nervous system stimulant derived from amphetamine, and is thought to exert its effect by increasing dopaminergic stimulation in the brain

Wellbutrin or Bupropion, is an antidepressant that is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It acts as norepinephrine and not on the central nervous system like methylphenidate. Because of this action, when compared to methyphenidate, it doesn't even come close to the same recreational potential.

Red Rock has been on both and methyphenidate is definitely the more recreational drug. Bupropion almost had no recreational effects when taken. He was prescribed this for a short while (a month or two) when the doc took him off his ADHD meds when he found out he was abusing them. The Bupropion had no effects on him and didn't help with his depression at all. As for as the come up/come down, Red Rock never felt any come up or come down with Bupropion.

[tripfromthetropics]

By experience swim don't think it has any similarity with Ritalin. Swim already took 600mg of Bupropion and the only thing he got was some sleepness.

[dyingtomorrow]

There is no comparison in SWIM's opinion.

SWIM has had an RX to both.

Ritalin actually made him feel okay for a while. Eventually he stopped taking it, because he doesn't like being on drugs. (his heroin addiction was after this - heroin is a totally different story to him, the only thing that feels "clean" to take). You can get high off Ritalin if you snort it or take a bunch or whatever.

Doctors tried to put him on Welbutrin 2 times. Both times within a week he was laying on the floor all day crying and obsessing about killing himself. The second time his mom was so afraid and freaked out by him she actually gave him money to get heroin.

Even if Welbutrin helps you, it definitely won't get you "high."

[staples]

Originally Posted by chillinwill

Well Ritalin or Methylphenidate, is a psychostimulant prescribed for ADHD and fatigue as well as narcolepsy. Methylphenidate is a potent central nervous system stimulant derived from amphetamine, and is thought to exert its effect by increasing dopaminergic stimulation in the brain

It is derived from piperdine, which is structurally similar to amphetamine. Unlike amphetamine, though, methylphenidate does not cause the release of dopamine into synapses, it only blocks the reuptake transporter protein. It also acts the same way, but less so, for noradrenaline.

Originally Posted by chillinwill

Wellbutrin or Bupropion, is an antidepressant that is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It acts as norepinephrine and not on the central nervous system like methylphenidate. Because of this action, when compared to methyphenidate, it doesn't even come close to the same recreational potential.

I don't know that bupropion acts as norepinephrine and I'm a little skeptical about that. It does in fact have a very similar pharmacological action as methylphenidate, and it certainly does act on the central nervous system. Bupropion, too, blocks reuptake of both dopamine and less so norepinephrine. However, bupropion has a much lower affinity for these transporter proteins than methylphenidate, indeed much lower than SSRIs have affinity for serotonin receptors. This would probalby be why buporpion seems to have less recreational potential than methylphenidate.

Just to note, in case it is not clear to others: Bupropion, while mostly used as an antidepressant, should not be confused with the term antidepressant that is typically used to refer to an SS(N)RI. It is because bupropion has efficacy for treating depression symptoms that it is also referred to as an antidepressant, and it is commonly used in conjunction with an SSRI medication to completely cover depression symptoms, or it is used on its own because it doesn't have the same typical side effects as SS(N)RIs.

Originally Posted by chillinwill

Red Rock has been on both and methyphenidate is definitely the more recreational drug. Bupropion almost had no recreational effects when taken. He was prescribed this for a short while (a month or two) when the doc took him off his ADHD meds when he found out he was abusing them. The Bupropion had no effects on him and didn't help with his depression at all. As for as the come up/come down, Red Rock never felt any come up or come down with Bupropion.

I have also been prescribed to both. I found out after being taken off Buspirone that, apparently my little sister was interested in trying bupropion but her doctor said it was contraindicated by the fact that our brother has a mild form of Tourrette syndrome. However, my parents never really explained my brother's condition to us, and it was well-controlled by a small dose of a neuroleptic. So I didn't know to provide my doctor with such family history and tried Bupropion. I liked it, it is probably the most effective treatment for depression that I've been on yet, but I began having symptoms related to Tourrette's syndrome, and eventually almost constant Parkinsonian tremors to the point where I needed both hands to hold a glass of water. Needless to say, I tapered and discontinued Bupropion. I don't think it would be a wise choice to use recreationally, as it can greatly increase the risk of having a seizure.

I was prescribed methylphenidate 1-1.5 years later for symptoms that had been ruled down to adult ADHD. It seemed to help a little at first, my dose increased to 54 mg sustained-release methylphenidate (name-brand Concerta) along with 10-30 mg instant-release methylphenidate in the evenings. It never felt particularly "good," just helpful. Eventually I noticed that my appetite was very much decreased, not simply the lack of hunger, but a feeling that I would probably throw up anything I ate. I felt as though I became more and more sensitive to these side effects and tried Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) to rule out the pharmacological action of the levo isomer. I continued to feel sick and eventually changed to the amphetamine-based prodrug lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), with which I have enjoyed very good results.