Bupropion
(Redirected from Wellbatrin)
Information about Bupropion[edit source]
Bupropion is an aminoketone antidepressant widely used in the treatment of depression and as an aid for smoking cessation. It was approved for use in the United States in 1985 and is currently prescribed under the brand names Welbutrin and Zyban, as well as in several generic forms.
Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
The precise mechanism of action of bupropion is not well understood. Unlike many other antidepressants, it has no activity against monoamine oxidase and only weak inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Bupropion appears to exert its therapeutic effects primarily through noradrenergic or dopaminergic mechanisms.
Indications[edit | edit source]
Bupropion has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderate to severe depression, seasonal affective disorder, and as an aid in smoking cessation. It is available in immediate-release, sustained-release, and extended-release tablet formulations.
Dosage and Administration[edit | edit source]
For the treatment of depression in adults, the recommended dosage of bupropion ranges from 75 to 300 mg daily, administered either as immediate-release tablets twice daily or as extended-release or sustained-release tablets once daily. For smoking cessation, sustained-release tablets of 150 mg are available under the brand name Zyban, with a recommended dosage of 150 to 300 mg daily.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Common side effects of bupropion include drowsiness, dizziness, agitation, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and dry mouth. In some cases, bupropion therapy may be associated with transient, usually asymptomatic elevations in serum aminotransferase levels. Rare instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury have also been reported.
Precautions and Contraindications[edit | edit source]
Patients should consult their healthcare provider before starting bupropion therapy, particularly if they have a history of liver disease, seizure disorders, or other medical conditions that may increase the risk of side effects. Bupropion should be used with caution in patients with a history of substance abuse, as it may have some potential for abuse or dependence.
Brand Names and Availability[edit | edit source]
Bupropion is available in several generic forms and under the brand names Welbutrin (for depression) and Zyban (for smoking cessation). The drug is available in immediate-release and sustained-release tablets of 75, 100, 150, 200, and 300 mg.
Liver Safety[edit | edit source]
Although bupropion therapy is generally well-tolerated, it can occasionally be associated with transient, asymptomatic elevations in serum aminotransferase levels. Clinically apparent acute liver injury has been reported in rare cases The following are antidepressant subclasses and drugs
MAO Inhibitors Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine
SNRIs Duloxetine, Levomilnacipran, Venlafaxine
SSRIs Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Vilazodone, Vortioxetine
Tricyclics Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Doxepin, Imipramine, Nortriptyline, Protriptyline, Trimipramine
Miscellaneous Bupropion, Flibanserin, Mirtazapine, Nefazodone, Trazodone
Bupropion Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD