Effect of bupropion XL

I took bupropion for almost 5 months from January 2014 to May 2014. The comedicines I took were zincovit tablet, mega-3. Initially I felt more energetic and motivated. After 3 months, I did not feel enough motivation and energetic. I used to feel more sleepy. Along with this combination, I took calmagzinc (21st Century brand - calcium, magnesium and zinc). I felt severe headache which lasted for three days. The headache did not go even after taking paracetamol or aspirin. It went away after stopping calmagzinc. So, it appears that magnesium may affect dopamine synthesis and release by inhibiting the glutamatergic neurons.

Also, I read that all antidepressants impair the quality of sperms in males by affecting the DNA and other parameters (motility and count). Bupropion also is reported to affect sperm quality.

Brightness of vision and increased contrast detection

I really don't know how to call the effects I observed today. That's why I used the above title. Now, I could see more brightness in my house as well as on the roads. When I see my laptop monitor, I could see rich blues and rich rendition of colors and brightness. Previously I never used to see like this.

I used to feel this effect only when I was taking bupropion. At that time, I could see more clearly in my car's rear view as well as side view mirrors. Previously I could not see the distance between cars in those mirrors and cannot make any judgment about their relative location. I could only see bunch of headlights fashing in my car's mirrors. With rear view mirror, I could see something for the nearby cars but for the cars at little distance, I could not see clearly. The condition was worse with side view mirrors.

My diet today:

• Rice + 1 chicken drumstick for breakfast.
• Rice + 1 piece of fish + tea for lunch
• Rice + chicken egg omelet for dinner

My medicines today:

• Pharmaton vitality multivitamin capsules (contains ginseng) - 1 capsule at breakfast
• Folic acid 400 microgram - 1 tablet at breakfast
• Liv. 52 - 2 tablets at breakfast
• GTF chromium 200 microgram - 1 capsule at breakfast

Possible mechanisms:

It could be because of either folic acid or Liv. 52.

Effect of Bupron (Bupropion SR) - 150 mg

I discontinued fluoxetine and then I took bupropion 150 mg extended release once daily in the morning along with neurogistics multivitamin capsules for 3-4 weeks.

Positive effects:

• Improved mood - No negative thoughts, No depressed mood
• Improved energy
• No procrastination - I could meet the deadline in my job first time in the last 3 years.
• More focus - can remain in a task for more period of time enabling me to complete the work.
• More concentration - can think faster and do faster processing
• No sexual side effects - but no increased libido or strong erections
• Maximum resolution of anxiety - After 2-3 weeks, I experienced a maximum resolution of anxiety which was haunting me for more than 10 years. No worrying thoughts before driving the car. No worrying thoughts before the class. Sometimes, I used to feel tachycardia. This tachycardia went off after taking few deep breaths.
• My eye vision improved. I was not taking omega-3 supplements. Even then my vision did not deteriorate. I could see more brightness in the night while driving. Earlier, this lack of brightness was causing me more anxiety while driving in the night.
• Improved olfactory functions - Taste and smell sensation improved.

Negative effects:

• More aggressiveness - led to more fights with my wife.
• No difference in the affection. I was not able to like and love my family (This condition was there before taking medicines. So no improvement in this part.)
• Music was not enjoyable as like before.
• Dizziness and syncope

Suggestion:

• I may need a less dosage of bupropion to reduce the side effects
• OR I have to include 5-HTP once daily (either morning or in evening) to counteract the probable decrease in serotonin and GABA due to elevated dopamine levels.