We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Bupropion?

By D. Jeffress
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,725
Share

Bupropion is a prescription oral drug used to treat depression and help patients quit smoking. It works by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, promoting pleasurable feelings and lessening withdrawal symptoms from nicotine. When the drug is taken daily exactly as directed by a physician, patients usually start feeling better within about one month. The risk of serious side effects or overdose is relatively low, but potentially life-threatening reactions can occur if the drug is abused.

Antidepressants and anti-smoking aids such as bupropion are classified as dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Depression and withdrawal symptoms are closely associated with a lack of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, and bupropion helps to increase levels. The drug blocks the sites on neural cells that normally reabsorb the neurotransmitters, allowing them to build up in the brain. With more dopamine and norepinephrine available, anxiety decreases while pleasurable feelings increase.

People who take bupropion as a smoking cessation aid are allowed to keep smoking for the first week or two of treatment. Over the course treatment, urges to smoke and withdrawal symptoms tend to lessen and eventually disappear completely. Some patients are instructed to use nicotine patches or gum in combination with bupropion, but the use of other aids must be recommended by the prescribing doctor to prevent adverse reactions.

A person who suffers from clinical depression may be prescribed a generic version of bupropion or the brand name version Wellbutrin®. As an anti-smoking aid, the drug is commonly marketed as Zyban®. Both forms of the medication are available in extended-release capsules containing up to 150 milligrams. A doctor normally starts a patient on a low dose of the drug and gradually increases dosing amounts over a few days or weeks. Effective dosages vary between patients, and doctors take care to determine the appropriate level to maximize the drug's effects while minimizing the chances of adverse reactions.

Patients who take bupropion are at risk of experiencing a number of side effects, most of which are mild and short-lived. Many people have headaches, mild insomnia, and loss of appetite when taking the drug. Less commonly, an individual can experience dizzy spells, migraines, nausea, and skin rashes. The medication can occasionally cause tremors, seizures, or mood swings. Patients who experience minor side effects should continue taking their medications and contact their doctors to determine if dosages need to be adjusted. Serious side effects need to be addressed at an emergency room to prevent severe health complications.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-bupropion.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.