Bupropion
About Bupropion
Bupropion is used in the treatment of depression. It is also used to help people stop smoking. Depression is a mood disorder that affects a person's day-to-day life.
Bupropion contains Bupropion, which works by increasing the level of a chemical messenger (serotonin) in the brain responsible for improving mood and physical symptoms of depression. Hence, it helps to improve mood.
In some cases, you may experience side effects, such as nausea, headache, dizziness, vomiting, insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), fever, constipation, sweating, impaired concentration, and dry mouth. If you experience these side effects persistently, consult your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Bupropion. Inform the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking any other medication, or have any pre-existing medical conditions.
Uses of Bupropion
Medicinal Benefits
- Bupropion is effective in managing major depressive disorder by improving mood, relieving feelings of sadness, and reducing associated physical and emotional symptoms.
- It is prescribed to aid people in quitting smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- It contains Bupropion, which works by increasing certain chemical messengers (such as dopamine and norepinephrine) in the brain, thereby improving mood and energy levels.
- Enhancing brain activity may help alleviate tiredness, lack of interest, and low motivation often associated with depression.
- Regular use as prescribed can improve overall quality of life by stabilising mood and supporting emotional balance.
Directions for Use
- Bupropion should be taken with food to avoid stomach upset.
- It is usually taken 3-4 times a day. However, your doctor may adjust the dose and duration of Bupropion based on your medical condition.
- Swallow Bupropion as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Bupropion
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Tremors, feeling anxious or nervous
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Muscle pain
- Constipation
- Sweating
- Allergic reaction
- Impaired concentration
- Dryness in the mouth
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Bupropion if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking antidepressants, antipsychotic medication, or antihypertensives, especially if you are taking MAO inhibitors (medicine to treat depression).
- Patients with liver diseases, diabetes, heart disease and bleeding disorders should use Bupropion with caution.
- Please do not stop the treatment abruptly, as it can cause withdrawal reactions.
- Bupropion may cause suicidal thoughts and worsen anxiety.
- Bupropion is used with caution in children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as it increases suicidal tendencies in this population.
- It is also habit-forming, so always take it in the dose and duration prescribed by a doctor, and never self-medicate.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Bupropion is known to interact with medicines to treat asthma (theophylline), pain (tramadol), depression (desipramine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, imipramine, paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram), mental illness (risperidone, thioridazine), Parkinson’s disease (levodopa, amantadine), high blood pressure (metoprolol), heart problems (propafenone, flecainide), HIV (ritonavir, efavirenz), cancer (cyclophosphamide).
Drug-Food Interaction: Bupropion may interact with alcohol, multi-mineral or other herbal/ayurvedic supplements. So, if you are using any OTC items, please tell your doctor.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have bipolar disorder (manic depression), bleeding or blood clotting disorder, drug addiction or suicidal thoughts, liver or kidney disease, seizures, low levels of sodium in your blood, cardiovascular disorders like high blood pressure, chest pain (angina) and coronary artery disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Bupropion as it may cause serious side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionBupropion is a pregnancy category B drug. If you have already taken this medicine before becoming pregnant, consult your doctor immediately. It can pose a small risk of problems for an unborn baby. Your doctor might prescribe this medicine during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIn very small quantities, Bupropion enters the breast milk and may have negative effects on breastfed babies. If the infant is in good health, it may be prescribed. Please see your doctor, though, if the baby stops eating as well as usual after taking Bupropion or starts sleeping a lot more than usual.
Driving
unsafeDo not drive after taking Bupropion as it may cause drowsiness and interfere with your driving ability.
Liver
cautionBupropion to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases. Your doctor may adjust the dose if required based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionBupropion to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. Your doctor may adjust the dose if required based on your condition.
Children
unsafeBupropion is not recommended for use in children below 18 years. Its safety and efficacy are not established in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Engage in regular exercise, which can help lower anxiety by releasing endorphins and promoting better sleep.
- Find humour in your daily life. Try to watch light-hearted shows to help relieve stress.
- You can try increasing your mindfulness by including yoga, meditation, cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated and limit consumption of alcohol and caffeine to relieve anxiety.
- Include a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits. This is a healthier option than consuming a high amount of simple carbohydrates found in processed foods.
- Herbs like turmeric, ginger and chamomile contain anti-inflammatory properties. Including this stuff in meals can reduce inflammation caused by anxiety disorders.
- Reduce your intake of alcohol, caffeine, added sugar, high salt, and fat. Especially, trans fats may also help reduce inflammation.
- You should include antioxidants in your daily diet, such as ashwagandha, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea, and lemon balm.
- Try to spend time with your friends and family. Having a strong social network may help you lower your risk of anxiety.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Depression: It is a mood disorder that interferes with a person's daily life. A person may experience symptoms like sadness or a sense of loss, as well as mood swings. Arthritis, asthma, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity are conditions that can get worse in depressed people.
FAQs
Bupropion is used in the treatment of depression. It is also used to help people stop smoking.
Bupropion contains Bupropion, primarily used in treating depression. In addition to this, it is also used by people who are addicted to smoking. It works by increasing serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical messenger in the brain responsible for improving mood and physical symptoms of depression. Hence, it helps to improve mood.
Certain side effects of Bupropion can be dealt with simple tips, such as if you experience dry mouth, you can chew sugar-free gum or take sugar-free sweets. If you are sweating a lot while taking Bupropion, wear loose clothing and use a strong antiperspirant. If you cannot sleep after taking Bupropion, prefer to take it in the morning to avoid sleep disturbances. If you feel sleepy after taking Bupropion, avoid taking it in the evening and limit your alcohol intake. If you feel tired or weak after taking Bupropion, sit or lie down until you feel better. If you feel that the side effects are worsening, please consult your doctor.
Yes, it is safe to use Bupropion if prescribed by your doctor. However, there may be an increased risk of experiencing suicidal tendencies in children, adolescents and young adults.
Taking Bupropion in more than the recommended dose can cause unpleasant side effects such as dizziness, tremor, agitation, convulsion, coma, nausea, vomiting, changes in heart rhythm, decreased blood pressure and changes in body fluid/salt balance.
In elderly patients, the risk of side effects is higher when taking Bupropion. For elderly patients, dose adjustment may be required, or your doctor may prescribe an alternative medication safe for the elderly.
No, Bupropion does not help with anxiety and sleeplessness. It is used to treat depression.
Though Bupropion may have a low risk of addiction, Bupropion does not cause addiction if taken in the dose and duration prescribed by the doctor.
Factors that can increase the chances of seizures with Bupropion are sudden and large increments in dose, bulimia or anorexia nervosa (eating disorder), history of head trauma or prior seizure, central nervous system (CNS) tumour, the presence of severe hepatic cirrhosis, and concomitant medications that lower the seizure threshold.
It is very rare to develop eye problems like redness, pain, and blurred vision with Bupropion. Please consult the doctor if you experience any eye problems during treatment with Bupropion.
Avoid exceeding the prescribed dose and use Bupropion cautiously with medicines that might lower the seizure threshold such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, theophylline, and systemic steroids.
Bupropion may cause high blood pressure, therefore, let the doctor know if you have hypertension or if you are taking medicines used to treat high blood pressure.
Bupropion may cause side effects such as nausea, headache, dizziness, vomiting, insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), fever, constipation, sweating, allergic reaction, impaired concentration, and dry mouth. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to consult your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
