Description
Bupropion, sold under the brand names Wellbutrin and Zyban among others, is an atypical antidepressant primarily used to treat major depressive disorder and to support smoking cessation. It is also popular as an add-on medication in the cases of “incomplete response” to the first-line selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. Bupropion has several features that distinguish it from other antidepressants: it does not usually cause sexual dysfunction; it is not associated with weight gain and sleepiness, and it is more effective than SSRIs at improving symptoms of hypersomnia and fatigue. Bupropion does, however, carry a much higher risk of seizure than many other antidepressants and extreme caution must be taken in patients with a history of seizure disorder.
The recommended starting dose of bupropion extended-release tablets for treatment of major depressive disorder is 150 mg daily, taken in the morning. This dose may be increased to 300 mg daily after 1 week at the lower dose.
For prevention of seasonal depression, this medication should be started in the autumn before symptoms of depression develop and continued through the winter. The usual starting dose is 150 mg taken once daily in the morning. It may be increased to 300 mg taken once daily after 1 week at the lower dose. For people taking 300 mg daily, the dose should be reduced to 150 mg daily for 2 weeks prior to stopping this medication in the spring.
