How to Treat Depression With Bupropion

Bupropion, known better as Wellbutrin or Zyban, is a type of antidepressant that does not come from either the SSRI or MAOI family of mood-disorder medication. Bupropion has become more popular in recent years because it does not cause side effects, such as sexual dysfunction and weight gain, that are common to most other types of antidepressants. If you consider this a priority, you should discuss with your doctor the possibility of taking Bupropion to treat depression.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Doctor or psychiatrist
• Bupropion

Treat Depression With Bupropion

1. Consider Bupropion to treat your depression if you have a healthy sex life or are concerned about gaining weight while taking antidepressants. Other common types of antidepressants, such as Zoloft, Paxil and Celexa, may reduce your sex drive, restrict your ability to have an orgasm or increase the chances of erectile dysfunction in males. In addition, weight fluctuation is common with SSRI and MAOI antidepressants while users of Bupropion may actually lose weight while taking the medication.
2. Visit your doctor or psychiatrist to determine whether Bupropion can properly treat your depression. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may choose to pair Bupropion with another SSRI type of antidepressant for the best results. Also, antidepressants should always be accompanied by either psychotherapy or behavioral therapy to define and eliminate the causes of your depression.
3. Start an exercise regimen while you treat your depression with Bupropion. Yoga, tai chi and stretching exercises have been proven to increase serotonin levels in the brain in the same manner as most antidepressants. In addition, exercising may make you feel healthier, take your mind off your problems and improve your self-esteem, complementing the use of Bupropion.
4. Prepare yourself for the side effects that may occur when you treat your depression with Bupropion. They may include dry mouth, nausea, tremors, insomnia, excessive sweating and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Seizures have been a rare, yet controversial, side effect with the use of Bupropion, and the chances of this occurring increase with the size of the daily dosage.
5. Take care when weaning yourself away from antidepressants like Bupropion, and only do so under the strict supervision of your health-care professional. A high percentage of patients experience withdrawal symptoms for up to 1 week after the cessation of Bupropion. These symptoms may include feelings of depression, coupled with headaches, nausea and nightmares.

Tips & Warnings

• Bupropion has also been shown to be an effective aid to quitting smoking, since it is chemically antagonistic toward nicotine. Quit smoking while you relieve your depression.