ABSTRACT
This article discusses the mechanism of action of Wellbutrin (bupropion) and relates the drug's neuropharmacologic effects to its clinical efficacy and side effect profiles. The preclinical and clinical data show that bupropion acts via dual inhibition of norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake and is devoid of clinically significant serotonergic effects or direct effects on postsynaptic receptors. With respect to treatment of depression, these catecholaminergic effects of bupropion tended to produce more robust effects on anhedonia/positive affect. Augmenting or switching antidepressants with bupropion has become an increasingly common strategy in the treatment of resistant depression. Bupropion has been suggested for the treatment of bipolar depression , because of its efficacy and a lower risk of inducing switches to hypomania or mania. Clinically, SR formulation, side effects are infrequent and benign, would be used without a risk of seizure in dose up to 400 mg/day.