WELLBUTRIN
DESCRIPTION / DEFINITIONS: Wellbutrin ® (bupropion hydrochloride) is a norepinephine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI).
ABUSE: Wellbutrin is a drug prescribed for the treatment of depression.
ADDICTION / DEPENDENCE: Half life and metabolism, Black Box Warning.
SIDE EFFECTS: Agitation, anxiety, insomnia (see list below).
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS: Nausea, insomnia, electric shock like sensations (see list below).
TREATMENT: Medical detoxification.
DESCRIPTION / DEFINITIONS
Wellbutrin ® (bupropion hydrochloride) is one of the most frequently prescribed antidepressants in the US. It serves as an atypical antidepressant fundamentally different from most commonly prescribed antidepressants in that it does not cause weight gain or sexual dysfunction. Its most important side effect is an increase in risk for epileptic seizures. Its action is not completely understood and its potential for danger in overdose is deemed “moderate,” rarely resulting in death, although some deaths have been reported.
ABUSE
Wellbutrin is a drug prescribed for the treatment of depression.
ADDICTION / DEPENDENCE
HALF LIFE AND METABOLISM
The biological half life of a substance is the time it takes for a drug to lose half of its pharmacologic activity. This is significant because it affects how soon withdrawal symptoms may appear.
The half life of Wellbutrin is an average of 14 hours.
Wellbutrin is mainly metabolized through the P450 pathway in the liver and the enzymes primarily handling the metabolism is CYP2B6.
The CYP enzymes are the major enzymes involved in drug metabolism, and since many drugs may increase or decrease the activity of various CYP isozymes, this is a major source of adverse drug interactions, since changes in CYP enzyme activity may affect the metabolism and clearance of various drugs. For example, if one drug inhibits the CYP-mediated metabolism of another drug, the second drug may accumulate within the body to toxic levels, possibly causing an overdose.
BLACK BOX WARNING
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided that some drugs pose very serious risks and have required these drugs have what is called a black box warning. Wellbutrin has a black box warning. Here is the warning.
WARNING: Suicidality and Antidepressant DrugsAntidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Wellbutrin or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Wellbutrin is not approved for use in pediatric patients.
(See WARNINGS: Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk, PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients, and PRECAUTIONS: Pediatric Use.)
SIDE EFFECTS
The following information is taken from the Wellbutrin label:
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WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Wellbutrin can be a very difficult drug to stop taking. Here are some of the Wellbutrin withdrawal symptoms:
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TREATMENT
Withdrawal from Wellbutrin should only be done under the care of a health practitioner. The safest way is to withdraw at an inpatient medical detox facility with a protocol that includes hydration, vitamins and supplements for biological balancing. Call us to talk to a Novus Detox Advisor.
