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Wellbutrin
Wellbutrin is the
brand name for the drug bupropion, which is normally prescribed for the
treatment of depression and is marketed today by the pharmaceutical
company GlaxoSmithKline. Bupropion is of the amino ketone
class of chemicals, and acts as both a dopamine reuptake inhibitor and
as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Chemically, it is a
derivative of the stimulant diethlypropion, and is similar in structure
to phenethylamines. Wellbutrin is not related to other
antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs), or tricyclics. It is also sometime
prescribed in the treatment of attention deficit disorder and as an aid
to help people quit smoking.
Bupropion was first invented in 1966 by Burroughs Research, and was
patented by Burroughs-Wellcome in 1974. Burroughs-Wellcome
later became GlaxoSmithKline, and still owns the patent for the drug as
of 2006. Bupropion, under the name Wellbutrin, was FDA
approved in 1985, but was quickly pulled from the market after it
became clear that the drug was upwards to four times more likely to
cause seizures than other antidepressants. It was later
discovered that if the dosage of Wellbutrin was reduced by half or
more, the risk of seizure became minimal. It reappeared on
the market in a time-released form, called Wellbutrin XL, with
dramatically less incidents of seizure, and it is this version of the
drug that is most commonly used today. It is available in
generic form, called simply Bupropion SR.
GlaxoSmithKline released a form of bupropion under the brand name Zyban
as a treatment to reduce cravings associated with nicotine
withdrawal. Because nicotine cravings are believed to be
associated with a lack of dopamine, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor like
Zyban may be effective in helping someone quit smoking, and can be used
in conjunction with nicotine replacement therapy.
It is not entirely clear why Wellbutrin is helpful in treating
depression. As with most antidepressant medications, some
people find it very effective and others receive to relief in their
symptoms whatsoever. If a patient has tried SSRI medications
with no effect, Wellbutrin may be an effective alternative, and vice
versa.
Side effects of both Wellbutrin and Zyban include dry mouth, tremor,
dizziness, sweating, headache, insomnia, agitation and a slight
increase in the risk of seizure. Unlike some SSRIs,
Wellbutrin is not effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders, and
may even make such conditions worse. Like other
antidepressant medication, it should not be used in conjunction with
MAO-inhibitors. Wellbutrin is not recommended for anyone
suffering from liver damage, kidney disease, anxiety disorders, eating
disorders, hypertension, of epilepsy.
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