What is Wellbutrin (bupropion)? What are the side effects of Wellbutrin?

Date: Aug-06-2013Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an atypical antidepressant of the aminoketone class of drugs.

Wellbutrin is commonly prescribed to treat depression and is currently one of the most prescribed antidepressants in the U.S.

It is frequently prescribed over other antidepressants because side effects such as weight gain or sexual dysfunction aren't as common.

The drug is also used to help people quit smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.

In lower-dose formulations bupropion is marketed as Zyban and Voxra.
Medical Uses

Wellbutrin is a mild psychostimulant which inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine.
Depression

Bupropion is mainly used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). The effectiveness of the drug in treating MDD has been evaluated in a number of different studies.

One study published in the journal Clinical Drug Investigation concluded that bupropion is as effective as other antidepressant drugs, such as Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil.

Unlike other antidepressants, Wellbutrin does not usually cause sexual dysfunction or weight gain.

In addition, research indicates that patients who don't respond to treatment with SSRIs may benefit from the addition of bupropion.
Smoking cessation

There is evidence to suggest that bupropion is effective in helping reduce the severity of nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. One study which included 707 smokers compared the effectiveness of 300 mg of bupropion daily for 7 weeks versus placebo. The authors of the study concluded that  "bupropion SR in combination with counseling increased the abstinence rate compared with placebo, and was well tolerated."

However, Wellbutrin was found to be slightly less effective than varenicline (Chantix) in a study published in BMC Public Health.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

In 2006, bupropion was approved by the FDA for the treatment of SAD; the first drug approved for the treatment of the condition.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

There have been studies to indicate that bupropion can help treat symptoms of ADHD. A paper published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry revealed that bupropion was somewhat effective at treating ADHD.

However, the results of the largest-double blind study of bupropion to date, carried out by GlaxoSmithKline were inconclusive.
Precautions

Bupropion should not be taken by people who suffer from epilepsy or other conditions that lower their seizure threshold, such as:

Benzodiazepine withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Active brain tumors

In addition, people who take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should avoid taking bupropion because of severe adverse effects. Bupropion interacts with CYP2B6 inhibitors, including:

paroxetine
sertraline
fluoxetine
diazepam
clopidogrel
orphenadrine

Caution should be taken when prescribing the drug to patients with hypertension and kidney disease.
Side effects of bupropion

Common side effects of Wellbutrin include:

Dizziness
Anxiety
Stomach cramps
Dry mouth
Restlessness
Irregular bowel movements
Nausea
Headache
Diarrhea
Difficulty sleeping

Less frequent side effects of Wellbutrin include:

Confusion
High blood pressure
Migraine
Blurred vision
Confusion
Itching
Hives
Fever
Throat irritation
Hearing problems
Irritability

Written by Joseph Nordqvist

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