One-fifth of the population suffers from a major depressive disorder. While battling with Anxiety and depression, individuals can tend to hyper-focus on their appearance and weight, resulting in increased anxiety and eating disorders.
Bupropion, also known under the brand names Wellbutrin XL, SR, and IR, is a medication prescribed for depression and to help with smoking cessation aid. For more than 20 years, Bupropion has been used as an antidepressant. Its unique pharmacology prevents the reuptake of noradrenaline and dopamine. And the drug may act as a pharmacological adjunct to more widely used antidepressants.
Besides its use as an antidepressant, Wellbutrin also results in weight loss. Is weight loss a side effect of Wellbutrin? What are other services and side effects associated with Wellbutrin? Let us find out more.
Since the late 1990s, Bupropion has been approved for treating depression in the United States; an extended formulation version became available in 2007. Bupropion, sold under the brand name Wellbutrin is a prescribed drug for people experiencing depression. It is also an efficacious therapy for Anxiety in some people. If you need to buy Wellbutrin, you need to have a prescription from a licensed doctor.
Studies also show that Wellbutrin helps to quit smoking. While treating depression, some people have encountered weight loss issues too. These problems are sometimes due to the symptoms of depression that may influence an individual's appetite.
FDA-approved indications of Bupropion include adult depression, seasonal affective disorder, and smoking cessation.
Off-label uses include Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression associated with bipolar disorder, and obesity.
Bupropion is also employed as an off-label ADHD medication in the pediatric population.
Wellbutrin or Bupropion belongs to the class of antidepressants. It is an aminoketone with distinct pharmacology and prevents the reuptake of noradrenaline and dopamine.
The effects on dopamine and norepinephrine are what cause its clinical symptoms. The norepinephrine uptake is less potent, whereas dopamine reuptake inhibition is significant. Bupropion also has a minor effect on serotonin and nicotinic receptors.
The correct dosage is necessary for the desired clinical outcome. The dosage includes the directions regarding the dosing and administration of the medications. Patients should ensure they follow the proper dosage guidelines for the intended result.
The initial dose is 150 mg orally once daily. The dose may be titrated up to the maintenance dose of 300 mg daily. The maximum amount is 450 mg, given in divided doses daily.
Start at the lowest dose of 150 mg daily for three days, increase to 150 mg every 12 hours, and continue the treatment for 7-12 weeks. The maximum daily dose in divided doses is 450 mg. Start therapy one week before the quit date.
150 mg daily orally. Titrate to 150-450 mg/ day as needed.
Bupropion seems to work well as an antidepressant for various depressive disorders. Bupropion has been demonstrated to be more effective than sertraline and fluoxetine in treating Anxiety related to depression. Bupropion typically has few adverse effects, with the type, severity, and frequency of issues similar to those seen with other SSRIs.
Wellbutrin is an effective antidepressant, often combined with naltrexone, also sold as the weight loss drug Contrave. All antidepressants seem to have side effects in most people, but at least patients are not worried about gaining weight while taking them. In a recently released study, Bupropion was also linked to weight loss in obese and overweight women.
The sustainably releasing formula of Bupropion reduces appetite, which can contribute to weight loss. If you also eat regularly to manage depression, you may find that relieving depressive symptoms can help you eat when you're hungry and not just in response to your feelings. If you drink regularly, there may be a calorie reduction if you stop drinking alcohol, which leads to weight loss.
Bupropion has been shown to cause a loss of body mass in some patients. Overall, there is no definitive answer as to how fast the loss can be in patients taking the drug or what specific dosages will follow for weight loss from Bupropion. No medical procedures or bariatric surgery solutions are available, so you may need to try traditional weight loss methods such as diet change and exercise to succeed.
2012 study found that obese adults who consumed the standard drug release in 300 mg or 400 mg doses lost up to 7.2% and 10% of their body weight over 24 weeks and maintained that weight at 48 weeks. Studies and research show that the drug was initially invested as an antidepressant which was then linked to weight loss.
Two studies on obesity, published in September 2001 and July 2002, showed that Bupropion was well tolerated in adults with obesity and successfully stimulated them to lose weight like fluoxetine. However, it may not be suitable for patients who lose weight due to depression or eating disorders.
At the end of the study, non-smokers who took Bupropion achieved an average weight loss of 7.1 pounds. Nonetheless, smokers who used the drug gained 2.2 pounds during the study. Participants who received other antidepressants also increased their weight.
Studies show that while the drug helps quit smoking, weight loss is one of the side effects of this drug. Studies of Wellbutrin XL reveal that 23% of people using a dose of 150 to 300 mg daily lost 5 pounds or higher.
It is not clear how the medication incites weight loss. It may operate on receptors and neurotransmitters in the brain that influence metabolism and appetite.
A study in 2016 observed that people using Wellbutrin had lost approximately 7 pounds. In 2019, 27 studies reviewed that the drug in children and adults tends to lose weight. However, the medicine may not suit everyone and can induce several side effects.
Every person who consumes medicine has some or the other effects on their health. It might be regarding weight loss, gain, or any other side effects that the medicine components might produce in the body. As you know, after consuming Wellbutrin, there are high chances of weight loss.
It's not just that, with the consumption of Wellbutrin, people have suffered from side effects like weight loss and weight gain. Studies have shown that few percentages of people might suffer from a weight gain of not more than 5 pounds.
Side effects are any undesired effects of medication. It is possible to avoid side effects by taking the drugs as directed. Most SSRIs have a high rate of side effects. In many trials, the most frequent adverse effects of Bupropion were headache, dry mouth, and nausea.
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Common |
Serious |
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Agitation |
Suicidal thoughts |
|
Dry mouth |
Worsened depression |
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Constipation |
Panic-attack |
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Headache |
Increase in talking |
|
Nausea and vomiting |
Mood changes |
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Confusion |
Eye problems |
These are steps taken to avoid any unintended effects of the drug from occurring. By following the instructions as directed, one can avoid the side effects of the drug.
Before taking Wellbutrin-
Drug interactions could reduce the effectiveness of your medication, result in unpleasant side effects, or intensify the effects of a drug. Even dangerous medication interactions can occur.
The clinical profile of Bupropion is distinct, and its efficacy is on par with that of other antidepressants. It is equally effective as other antidepressants but less likely to result in typical adverse effects linked with antidepressants, such as sedation, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction. Bupropion is generally well-tolerated and shows few adverse effects.
Bupropion had a striking effect on weight loss in subjects who stopped an eight-week randomized, double-blind study before completion. Women who took Bupropion lost four times more weight than those in the placebo group.
This does not imply that Wellbutrin will aid everyone in losing weight or that it should be used only for this goal. If you are concerned about your weight, talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of the drug. Your practitioner will advise the most suitable medication for you. Follow your physician's recommendation for the best outcomes.
