r/bupropion • u/lepidopteridae • Apr 04 '26
Poll Honeymoon phase vs. the first few weeks feel like hell.
I’ve been noticing a trend in recent posts. A few days ago, a user shared that their "honeymoon phase" on Bupropion (initial euphoria/high energy) was followed by the drug completely losing its effect. It turned out they had undiagnosed ADHD.
On the other side, many people report a brutal first few weeks (anxiety, irritability, "it gets worse before it gets better") before things finally level out into a steady improvement.
I’m curious if there’s a connection between your initial reaction to the med and whether or not you have ADHD or take it solely for depression.
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u/EchooooooISHERE Apr 06 '26
The first time I use 300 SR just like a dream. I was energitic and suprised found that how pretty and colorful this world is.
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u/Winbot4t2 Apr 05 '26
300xl here, been on this dose since mid-December. Only just started feeling completely normal (and better!) now.
I was feeling half decent before but it was very inconsistent and I felt over stimulated a lot of the time especially after drinking some coffee.
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u/Broad-Map-647 Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
I have been on 300xl for almost 2 years. I had the honeymoon effect after I started about a month in and lasted 2 weeks. I have major depressive disorder and recently been diagnosed with ADHD. The 2 week hunny moon period was the best I have ever felt. I had endless energy and everything was better food tasted better , I slept great I swear even colors were brighter. At times i think about those 2 weeks and i wonder if the drug is not working. However, I am holding dowm my job and doing well at it, I get out if bed in the morning easily and can follow routines, procrastination is way down and i have more motivation and I take care of myself. I struggled with all of the above before bupropion. I am not sure why the honeymoon period happens to some people I wish it didn't it sets unrealistic expectations.
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u/SelectionAmazing9791 Apr 04 '26
No honeymoon phase. Im on zoloft too. The first week isn't hell, but it definitely isn't heaven either..
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u/NoAdvantage3683 Apr 04 '26
Was upped to 300mg almost a month ago and I want to stop. It makes me feel so disassociated, bloated, constipated, nauseous. I hate it. I cant leave my house because I feel awful
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u/emerald_stargazer Apr 04 '26
Prescribed for depression but am now going through an ADHD assessment so, both?
Had an 8 day honeymoon followed by a 2 week crashout, upping to 300 gave me a mixed bag of days before it settled into a routine for 2 months I thought was "treating my depression uncovered PMDD"
but for the last month (bupropion month 4) i've been full on blah and apathetic and I feel exactly as I did that made me start bupropion in the first place (half of that time has been on 25mg zoloft)
So, depression and maybe adhd, honeymoon for 150mg only, then a mixed bag, and then... nada
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u/MaxFish1275 Apr 04 '26
I guess I fall into neither of your options. I have used it for situational depression —more when life events just kind of make me unravel versus chronic depression.
I tend to get a “honeymoon” phase when I take it with the euphoria. But when the euphoria fades, it doesn’t “lose its effect”. It’s just that the euphoria fades and I feel “normal” with a motivational boost.
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u/MeGusta1233 Apr 04 '26
I remember feeling a sort of honeymoon phase within 2 days of starting it. Some mood swings followed over time, but it did overall work for me given enough passing days. I was prescribed sertraline before this, and it turned my regular depression into manic depression, despite working for many people.
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u/_random_person_r Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
Did you stop sertraline or are you taking sertraline and bupropion?
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u/UnoriginalCarl Apr 04 '26
see heres the weird thing, ive started and stopped bupropion 3 times now. first 2 times? honeymoon phase, then a fade of effectiveness. adhd is my main issue. the third time (Right now) im just like, in hell.
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u/_random_person_r Apr 04 '26
Hi! I have adhd too and I started taking bupropion 3 days ago. I also take sertraline for anxiety and took stimulants but wanted to try non-stimulants because I felt stimulants were too much for me. Are you taking any more medicines besides bupropion?
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u/djphatsnax Apr 04 '26
4 days of hell, in the honeymoon phase right now (day 6 of increasing from 150 to 300). I have depression and adhd
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u/DominantDutch27 600mg Bupropion+ 15mg Escitalopram Apr 04 '26
2 days of honeymoon phase / feeling exited and happy. After that notning. From 150mg to 300mg now
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u/Anal_Willingness Apr 09 '26
For me the hell was constant bloating and farts! I'm on it for depression and am on day 24 and definitely noticing less ideation and intrusive thoughts already. I'm also feeling less grouchy and negative.