Bupropion - generic
Wellbutrin - is used to relieve symptoms of
depression such as feelings of sadness, worthlessness or guilt, loss of
interest in daily activities, changes in appetite, tiredness, sleeping
too much, insomnia, and thoughts of death or suicide. This medication is also
used to help people stop smoking by reducing withdrawal effects
Wellbutrin is an antidepressant medication that affects chemicals within
the brain that nerves use to send messages to each other. These chemical
messengers are called neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters that are
released by nerves are taken up again by the nerves that release them
for reuse. (This is referred to as reuptake.) Many experts believe that
depression is caused by an imbalance among the amounts of
neurotransmitters that are released. Bupropion is unrelated to other
antidepressants. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine,
serotonin, and norepinephrine, an action which results in more dopamine,
serotonin, and norepinephrine to transmit messages to other nerves.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects associated
with bupropion are agitation, dry mouth, insomnia, headache, nausea,
constipation, and tremor. In some people, the agitation or insomnia is
most marked shortly after starting therapy. Some patients may experience
weight loss. Uncommonly, patients may experience manic episodes or
hallucinations. Four of every 1000 persons who receive bupropion in
doses less than 450 mg/day experience seizures. When doses exceed 450
mg/day, the risk increases ten-fold. Other risk factors for seizures
include past injury to the head and medications which can lower the
threshold for seizures. (See drug interactions.)
"If antidepressants are discontinued abruptly, symptoms may occur.
Therefore, it is recommended that the dose of antidepressant be reduced
gradually when therapy is discontinued."
It has been suggested that bupropion and SSRIs may cause depression to
worsen and even lead to suicide in a small number of patients. These
potential side effects are difficult to evaluate in depressed patients
because depression can progress with or without treatment, and suicide
is itself a consequence of depression. Moreover, the evidence supporting
these potential side effects is weak. |