Bupropion's History
Further testing determined that the seizures were due to high dosage and Bupropion was reintroduced to the market in 1989 at a reduced maximum dosage of 450mg per day. It has since featured in the market in two generic forms of Wellbrutin SR and Wellbrutin XL.
Treatment Use Of Bupropion: Bupropion comes in a slow release tablet form. Bupropion is primarily an antidepressant medication that works by stimulating an increase in the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine to the nerves. It restores the balance of this and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Bupropion is quite effective on its own as an antidepressant, but is often used as a second option when initial antidepressant medication has failed. Bupropion has also been used in the manufacture of the drug Zyban. Zyban is a drug used to help smokers quit the habit. In its generic form of Wellbrutin XL, Bupropion can also be used in the treatment of mood disorders.
Drug Interactions With Bupropion: As indicated from its history, Bupropion should not be prescribed for patients with a history of, or a likelihood of, having seizures. That includes those who are on antipsychotic medications or undergoing withdrawal from sleep inducing medication. As Bupropion lowers the threshold for seizures, care must be taken when it is prescribed with other medication of similar properties. It should also not be taken with alcohol as this also can lead to reduced tolerance for seizures. Bupropion may also speed up the clearing away of other drugs from the system and this can affect their effectiveness. The dosage for Bupropion and any other prescribed medication should not be tampered with. When discussing with the doctor, all information should be revealed so that correct adjustments can be made on the prescription.
Side Effects: Bupropion may have mild side effects of nausea, constipation, sore throat, fainting, irregular heartbeat, severe headache and blurred vision. These effects are rare, but if they do occur, the patient should immediately consult with their doctor. Bupropion is overall, a well tolerated drug and it has been evidenced from trials that its use does not lead to weight gain. In fact the test group using Bupropion actually lost weight. As a result, Bupropion is currently being tested further in conjunction with other drugs to gauge its effectiveness as a weight loss drug. Unlike many other antidepressants, it also does not cause sexual dysfunction. For clinically depressed patients suffering some form of sexual dysfunction, Bupropion is the preferred antidepressant medication. A rare side effect of Bupropion is mania. It may occur when used in treatment of a bipolar disorder. The effect can be combated with the prescription of mood stabilizers. Bupropion has not been tested to determine its effects, if any, on pregnant women. However, as with any medication, it is advised that it not be prescribed during pregnancy unless there is no safer alternative. It should also be noted that the use of any antidepressants in both teenagers and adults can result in an increase in suicidal thoughts. If the prescription of Bupropion is deemed necessary, then its use and effects should be closely monitored for the patients' welfare.