Bupropion or Wellbutrin is a drug is used to help quit smoking in humans and also used for the treatment of depression.
Introduction
This drug is administered to help people quit smoking, and used in the treatment of depression. Food and drug administration (FDA) mainly approved this drug for the treatment of
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- People who are unable to quit smoking
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Bupropion can ease the symptoms of depression and improves your mood. We would advise you to don’t stop using this antidepressant medication without talking with your physician or healthcare provider.
Other names are:
Bupropion or wellbutrin is also called as
- Aplenzin
- Zyban
- Budeprion
- Chantix
This write-up is all about the Wellbutrin, it’s uses, consequences, it’s action and important warnings.
Description of Bupropion:
- Bupropion is an anti-depressant and it is used in cessation of smoking.
- It will help to restore the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.
- Certain researches indicate that bupropion is useful in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. you dont need to worry about the consequences like obesity or sexual problems.
- It comes under class aminoketone. (Aminoketone are compounds containing both ketone group and amine)
- It is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant in English-speaking countries. It is used as a tool in the process of quitting smoking and in the treatment and prevention of depression.
- Bupropion is an antagonist at nicotinic receptors, which means it will block the receptors where nicotine usually binds making it useful in the cessation of smoking.
Functions of WELLBUTRIN:
SSRIs are the doctor’s first choice drugs as they tend to cause fewer consequences and they will increase the serotonin levels in the brain.
But this drug does not belong to the category of SSRI, it belongs to the class of NDRI (norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor). These NDRI will boost the levels of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine. The action of NDRI is difficult and its neurological effects are not completely understood.
Dosage:
Bupropion is taken by mouth as a 75mg tablet, 100mg tablet or 150 mg extended-release (XR) tablet. Among them, 150mg XR tablet is popularly known.
150-mg SR tablet is taken as single tablet for two days. 150mg is the maximum single dose and 450mg is the maximum daily dose.
The tablet is generally taken in the morning time and the XR tablet should be swallowed as a whole. Breaking or chewing the XR tablet increases the risk of overdose and seizures may occur. It is wise to follow doctors’advise to not get into any trouble.
It can be taken with or without having food but if stomach upset occur it is better to be taken after eating.
Uses:
Used in bipolar depression, attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder, weight loss, but mostly it supports the treatment of depression and helpful in the cessation of smoking.
Another use is there are fewer chances of getting consequences such as
- Obesity
- Drowsiness
- Unable to maintain erection during intercourse.
Wellbutrin is sometimes prescribed as an additional Medication for individuals who are suffering from MDD and also who are unable to respond fully to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Wellbutrin is well-known for reducing the cravings for tobacco. The course of this treatment may usually take seven to twelve weeks but by the end of day 10, the individual has often stopped smoking.
It will help 1 in 5 people to stop smoking, hence it is described as a ‘’safe and cost-effective smoking cessation agent.’’
An individual who has the habit of smoking is prescribed 150mg tablet of Zyban or Chantix twice a day. It is best to use it without nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
Depression
Wellbutrin or bupropion can ease the symptoms of depression like other antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Wellbutrin causes fewer consequences when compared to this drug to other antidepressant medications. You don’t have to worry about the following consequences while using this drug. These include
- Weight gain
- Sexual dysfunction (unable to maintain an erection in men)
- Too much sleep or difficulty in sleeping
People who are suffering from major depressive disorder should have some patience as this drug takes time to show its effects on your problem. Your physician may suggest you take that medication even though you are relieved from the symptoms of depression.
This drug works well for the people who are not responded to the other antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Sometimes, doctors may recommend you to take Wellbutrin medication along with the other antidepressant drugs.
Consequences:
In the first few days following the treatment, the patient may experience some consequences like restlessness, agitation, sleeplessness. Reducing the dose temporarily and avoiding bedtime doses may help relieve the problems associated with sleep.
Around 1 in 1000 people who are under this Medication are at risk of seizures. Therefore, it is not suitable to individuals who are susceptible to seizures as it lowers the seizure threshold making it easier for the seizure to occur
Wellbutrin is contraindicated in:
- Individuals having a history of seizures or epilepsy.
- People who are withdrawing from the intake of Benzodiazepines or alcohol.
- Individuals who have anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (eating disorders)
- People with an active brain tumor.
- Any head trauma’s previously.
- Individuals who are under antidepressants, anti-psychotics, theophylline, systemic steroids and other drugs that can lower the seizure threshold. Any individual who has a seizure under this WELLBUTRIN Medication should be advised to stop this drug and must be informed to the doctor immediately.
Severe Consequences include:
Most common consequences that affect more than one in ten individuals are:
Dry mouth (xerostomia), headache, fatigue, sleeping troubles, vomiting. One in ten people will experience restlessness, tremors, weakness, shaking, chest pain, fever, sweating, dizziness, weakness, tiredness, anxiety, agitation, high blood pressure, tinnitus, blurred vision, intestinal problems, low appetite, rashes, and confusion.
About one in hundred people will have Raised heart rate(tachycardia), weight loss, confusion, and difficulty focusing.
About 1 in 1000 people will have seizures.
About 1 in 10000 people will have high or low micturition.
Palpitations, fainting, altered blood glucose levels, worsening of psoriasis, skin rashes, jaundice, joint pains, and muscle pains.
Following are the psychological effects such as
- restlessness
- delusions
- depersonalization
As a result of many antidepressants, people often experience suicidal thoughts and behave according to that
PRECAUTIONS
Wellbutrin is not suitable for people who are addicted to alcohol and diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, bipolar disorder, and the people who are suffering from kidney an liver problems.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors:
Any person who is taking these monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should avoid Wellbutrin. Because these are also used in treating depression.
If both are taken together the consequences include:
- confusion
- blurred vision
- restlessness
- dizziness
- stomach discomfort
- headache
- pain
- high blood pressure
MAOI’s include:
Isocarboxazid (Mar plan), Phenelzine (Nardil), Selegiline (Emsam), and Tranylcypromine (Parnate).
After stopping MAOI’s, Wellbutrin should not be taken within 2 weeks after stopping it. Similarly, in the same way, people shouldn’t take MAOIs within 2 weeks after stopping Wellbutrin.
Bupropion is sold under Zyban or Chantix when it is used in the treatment of smoking.
Contact with other medications
The drugs which are used in the treatment of HIV can minimize the influence of Bupropion. Before consuming wellbutrin, people who are suffering with liver issues should talk to their physician.
The Symptoms may include skin rash, breathing trouble, itching, chest pain, throat or tongue.
Skin reactions: These may include severe acne or skin rashes, red lesions, fever, chills, blisters, peeling of the skin, and loosening of skin.
Warnings
Alcohol: Keep away from Alcohol beverages. It needs to be prevented or consumed in a minimal quantity while taking bupropion because it may lead to neuropsychiatric consequences in certain situations. Alcohol may also increase the risk of seizures. It can even affect coordination and makes a person dizzier.
In rare cases, Wellbutrin overdose may cause seizures.
While driving a car or operating a machine: You might feel drowsy, and you may also be exhausted and your vision may not be clear, and you might go through a state where everything feels elevated. therefore, we suggest you to use the drug carefully, while performing your daily tasks like driving or operating a heavy machine.
Wellbutrin is not suitable for an individual with bipolar disorder. For people under 18 years of age, it’s using is not recommended. In pregnancy, it was only taken when clearly needed. If your planning for pregnancy or become pregnant or think your pregnant immediately discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using this medication during pregnancy. This drug may pass into breast milk and may show its undesirable effects on an infant.
Older individuals are more sensitive to the consequences of this drug especially dizziness and memory loss, dizziness can increase the risk of falling.
Past history of any medical illness like previous head trauma, brain injury, brain tumors, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, arteriovenous malformation, alcohol or drug dependence(including Benzodiazepines, narcotic pain Medications, cocaine and stimulants), heart problems (Congestive heart failure, hypertension, recent angina), Diabetes, kidney problems, liver problems like cirrhosis of liver, personal or family history of psychiatric disorder, personal or Family history of suicidal thoughts or attempts, and personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure glaucoma).
Sirisha B