Question for those on effexor or wellbutrin

sleepyjean · February 22, 2006

My crazy doc said I could just open up the capsule/smash the pill, mix it in with my food and take it that way. But the nutritionist told me today that those are time-release meds and shouldn't be taken that way. Anyone else heard either way from their doc?

casinocat74 · February 22, 2006

I was also told that they are a time-release capsule and not to open them up. My doctor switched me to Lexapro and I am much happier with that one.

the best me · February 22, 2006

I had a prescription for Wellbutrin filled a few weeks ago, but it was the XR or whatever the time-released one is. It's too big and concerned me that it was not going through, so I only took 3 doses. My plan is to call the doc and switch to the plain ole Wellbutrin, which isn't time-released, and is, therefore, crushable. I don't know what the doage will be, but if I can crush it, I'm good.

My band doc told me to crush the OTC Prilosec post-surgery and I did with no ill-effects. It worked gret...but the two drugs are so different and used for differnt things, so I'm not willing to "just crush it anyway" on the Wellbutrin. Especially when all I have to do is change the pill.

anyhow, hope that helped.

LivinNY · February 23, 2006

Hi.. I have been taking effexor for well over a year now.. I had no problems taking my meds after surgery.. Effexor is one of the meds that is time released and you cannot open the capsule and take it that way...

Akbar · February 23, 2006

These medications come in both immediate release and sustained-release forms. It should be possible to simply crush the medicine if it is immediate release (usually 2x/day dosing). Sustained release might be a problem

lambchops · February 23, 2006

I agree- I went to my doc yesterday and she gave me a script for effexor 2x a day and I can crush it

sleepyjean · February 23, 2006

Rats. I was afraid you all would say that.

Now I have to wonder if my doctor knows what he's doing.

gentlespirit · February 23, 2006

I was on Wellbutrin XL once a day (I think it was 300 mg.) and they told me that I couldn't take that one cuz it was t oo big. So instead they prescribed me 2 150 mg. tablets, which are a lot smaller and are still time released. I take them both one after the other in the morning, but I can get them down because they are smaller. That might be an option. I was told not to crush them because of the time-release issue.

Emily

PhotoNut · February 23, 2006

I have been taking Effexor Xr my entire 6 weeks with no problems. I take the capsules (75mg). My doc told me that the exterior of the capsule disolves so its not like taking a pill that size. I just had a fill on Monday, could feel the restriciton, could feel the tightness even when drinking Water - still took the Effexor with no problems at all.