Bupropion: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Bupropion is an aminoketone antidepressant used mainly to treat major depressive disorder. It is also used to help prevent seasonal depressive episodes in people with seasonal affective disorder. Bupropion requires a prescription in the United Kingdom, and generic versions have been available since 2000-02-07.

Bupropion is used to treat major depressive disorder, a condition involving ongoing depression and related changes in mood, thinking and daily function. It is also used to prevent seasonal major depressive episodes in people diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder follows a recurring seasonal pattern, with depressive symptoms linked to a particular time of year.

For this use, treatment is started before the expected seasonal symptoms and continued through the relevant season. Bupropion is also associated with treatment for stopping smoking, but the indications listed for the extended-release product described here are major depressive disorder and prevention of seasonal affective disorder.

Bupropion is an aminoketone antidepressant. It affects chemical signalling in the brain, particularly involving noradrenaline and dopamine. These chemical messengers help regulate mood, motivation, attention and alertness.

Bupropion reduces the reuptake of noradrenaline and dopamine, allowing more of these messengers to remain available between nerve cells. This may help improve depressive symptoms over time. The full effect of an antidepressant can take time, and the response differs between people.

Bupropion is not a sedative and does not work by directly replacing a naturally missing substance. Its effects on brain signalling also explain why it can affect sleep, agitation, anxiety, blood pressure and seizure risk. The medicine should be used under medical supervision, with the prescribed formulation and dose reviewed when needed.

The label lists oral tablets, extended-release oral tablets, film-coated oral tablets and film-coated extended-release oral tablets. Strengths listed are 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 174 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 348 mg, 450 mg and 522 mg, although not every strength is available in every form. The usual starting dose is 150 mg once daily for major depressive disorder.

The usual starting dose is 150 mg once daily for seasonal affective disorder. The label lists a usual target dose of 300 mg once daily for both conditions. The label lists administration in the morning, with or without food, for the extended-release product.

The label lists swallowing extended-release tablets whole rather than crushing, dividing or chewing them. The label lists gradual dose increases to reduce seizure risk.

The label lists 150 mg every other day as the maximum dose for moderate to severe hepatic impairment. Dose or dosing frequency reduction may be considered with mild hepatic impairment or renal impairment.

A missed dose means a scheduled dose was not taken at the intended time. General pharmacy advice is not to double the next dose, because higher exposure can increase seizure risk. The missed dose should be handled according to the product instructions or advice from a pharmacist or prescriber.

Extended-release tablets should not be crushed, divided or chewed. If several doses are missed, medical advice can help decide how treatment should restart safely.

Pregnancy studies described in the label did not identify an increased risk of congenital malformations overall after first-trimester exposure, although findings about some specific heart defects were inconsistent. Untreated depression can also pose risks to the mother, so treatment changes during pregnancy or after birth should be discussed with a doctor. Bupropion and its metabolites are present in human milk.

There are no data on effects on milk production, and limited reports have not identified a clear association with adverse effects in breastfed infants. A doctor or pharmacist can provide individual advice about pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Store the extended-release tablets at 20° to 25°C and protect them from light. Keep them in a dry, secure place away from children and pets.

The tablets may have an odour. Follow the label and product packaging for handling details to maintain quality.