Bupropion causes suicidal ideation/thoughts?

[ImogenHeap]

Began taking bupropion via a Psychiatrist's prescription post-diagnosis. He felt I might have anxiety, and gave me a 20d course and to reach back to him.

6 says into the course, I notice having increased (passive) suicidal ideation. I don't want to bring it up with the psychiatrist as he has my family's contact information, and might try to contact them, and I don't want that headache.

I am unsure if it's bupropion that's causing this; the last time I felt similarly (passive su ideation) was back in February and it subsided a few months later for no apparent reason.

Notable drugs I am currently on:
- Dutasteride .5mg/day
Notable drugs I stopped:
- Finasteride (1mg/day; stopped because started taking dutasteride; started taking in late '24, noticed minor NSFW symptoms that went away in a few weeks of starting)

 

[Forveleth]

First things first, if your meds are making you uncomfortable, tell your doctor. They are not going to lock you up for ideations as it is most likely tied to your new meds. Second, SNRIs affect everyone differently. I took bupropion for depression and it made me think about death A LOT but not necessarily suicide. I actually came to grips with my own mortality on bupropion. It really helped with my depression. Unfortunately, it made my anxiety and insomnia worse so I decided to stop taking it.

Either way, if the changes in your brain chemistry are making you uncomfortable, please tell your doctor. They can adjust your dosage or put you on something else. Also remember things are going to change a lot in the next few weeks as it takes a while for the drug to reach its full potential. Good luck!

 

[ImogenHeap]

First things first, if your meds are making you uncomfortable, tell your doctor. They are not going to lock you up for ideations as it is most likely tied to your new meds. Second, SNRIs affect everyone differently.

Thank you for the reply. I dont think this is going to work for me because I plan on bringing up my prior suicidal ideations w/ the psych so that they can better assess causality re the drug and my ideations. I think that would lead them to believe there's something deeper at play, and this path leads to them contacting my parents/family, which isn't something I want. If I don't bring it up, I might be getting rid of a decent drug pathway that's helped me reduce anxiety a bit.

What do you make of this?

 

[Forveleth]

I am confused as to why they would tell your family. Is medical information not private where you live?

It sounds like you want to not tell your doctor about side effects of the medication but you also want to talk to them about what has been going on with you in order to get help, correct? If you are honestly trying to get treatment, then being honest with your doctor is important. I was always honest with my doctor but I also knew anything I said to them would stay private.

 

[ImogenHeap]

I am confused as to why they would tell your family. Is medical information not private where you live?

It sounds like you want to not tell your doctor about side effects of the medication but you also want to talk to them about what has been going on with you in order to get help, correct? If you are honestly trying to get treatment, then being honest with your doctor is important. I was always honest with my doctor but I also knew anything I said to them would stay private.

I don't know, all I remember is the psych asking me for an emergency contact, and the website telling me they'll call the contact if and when they feel its necessary to intervene, or something like that (I don't recall the exact wording, it was enough to not put it in, until the psych asked me in the call). I guess I might be reading into it a bit too much, and extrapolating a lot more than what I have good reason to believe.

 

[cowboypants]

Tell your psychiatrist or see another one. You might need to be on antipsychotics. Don't delay it

 

[upsidedowngoldfish]

No one really but the doc can help you with this I fear, you should ask them.

 

[ImogenHeap]

Hey guys, quick update:

I no longer feel suicidal, it just went away for some reason. I'm not sure what to make of this...