A good friend of mine is on this drug

Description

WELLBUTRIN SR (bupropion hydrochloride), an antidepressant of the aminoketone class, is chemically unrelated to tricyclic, tetracyclic, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, or other known antidepressant agents. Its structure closely resembles that of diethylpropion; it is related to phenylethylamines.

It is (±)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-((1,1-dimethylethyl)amino)-1-propanone hydrochloride. The molecular weight is 276.2. The molecular formula is C13H18ClNOoHCl. Bupropion hydrochloride powder is white, crystalline, and highly soluble in water. It has a bitter taste and produces the sensation of local anesthesia on the oral mucosa.

WELLBUTRIN SR Tablets are supplied for oral administration as 100-mg (blue) and 150-mg (purple), film-coated, sustained-release tablets. Each tablet contains the labeled amount of bupropion hydrochloride and the inactive ingredients: carnauba wax, cysteine hydrochloride, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide and is printed with edible black ink. In addition, the 100-mg tablet contains FD& C Blue No. 1 Lake and polysorbate 80, and the 150-mg tablet contains FD&C Blue No. 2 Lake, FD& C Red No. 40 Lake, and polysorbate 80.

Wellbutrin is marketed as an antidepressant. Zyban helps you quit smoking. Both are bupropion hydrochloride. Your medical insurance will pay for Wellbutrin, but not for Zyban. (This doesn't make any sense to me.)

I'm on Wellbutrin. I drink alcohol all the time, and I've never had a seizure. Of course, there's no history of seizure in my family, I don't take any other seizure-inducing medication, et cetera. But it is possible to take Wellbutrin, be borderline alcoholic, and not have any adverse side effects, like blood flying from your eyes or whatever.

To me, Wellbutrin is better than other SSRIs (Serum Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors - drugs that prevent neurons from reabsorbing the serotonin they should be passing to other neurons) because side effects are minimal, but I can get up in the morning. I can even have fun!

Anyone I've ever talked to about the SSRI family (which includes Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft - the big bad three) has complained about a seriously reduced sex drive, sometimes to the point of orgasmic dysfunction. In fact, I've even heard of a support group for people who don't want to have sex anymore because they're on antidepressants. People on Wellbutrin generally don't have this problem (not because of the Wellbutrin, anyway). In fact, many report an opposite effect.

Like many other head cases, I have, from time to time, stopped taking my medication. It's usually been because I've run out and haven't had the money nor the initiative to refill my prescription. Wellbutrin's rehabilitative effect is cumulative - it trains your brain not to be so spastic about serotonin transmission and you eventually stop taking it. When I stop taking it prematurely, I have to start the training process over again, which involves about a week of concentrated horniness. It's almost like vacation.

I'm taking Wellbutrin for depression and A.D.D. It's been very effective on both fronts.

Many people don't understand the chemical basis for what's going on in their heads; they tell themselves that they don't need drugs to be less dumb or less sad. I wasn't dumb or sad. Sadness and depression have almost nothing in common. After I started taking Wellbutrin, normal, healthy sadness felt good.

Wellbutrin is not, as some commonly think, an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, like Prozac), nor is it an MAOI. GlaxoSmithKline's info on the drug(1) mentions that, while Wellbutrin does slightly affect serotonin reuptake, its effects probably derive from its effects on dopamine reuptake.

An interesting note: Wellbutrin was briefly pulled from the market due to a study that indicated it may cause more seizures than SSRI's (on the order of 4 per 1000 patients, as opposed to 2). This result has been called into question, and in any case the seizures mostly occurred among patients who were already seizure-prone. Still, the risk appears on the warning label.

A word about interactions with psychotropic drugs: It's well-known that Wellbutrin doesn't always play well with other antidepressants, and that it may reduce tolerance to alcohol, but risks with respect to other psychotropic drugs are not well documented. GlaxoSmithKline's documentation, as well as some evidence floating around the 'net(2), suggests a few rough guidelines. NOTE! If you are doing to do recreational drugs, read up extensively. Information herein may be inaccurate, and it's certainly incomplete. IANA MD.

• Wellbutrin has been linked to seizures in a small portion of patients. Of course, you probably shouldn't take it if you're seizure prone. Cocaine, other stimulants, and depressants (including alcohol, opiates, etc.) appear to increase the risk. Heavy usage of any of the previous indicates you may need rehab, not antidepressants.
• Don't go through alcohol withdrawal while on Wellbutrin. (Hangovers aren't withdrawal, I'm talking delirium tremens.) Again, seizures.
• A number of folks have reported that Wellbutrin, as well as SSRIs, decrease the effectiveness of Ecstacy. This does NOT mean that you should take more; bear in mind that Ecstacy often has chemicals other than MDMA in it, many of which might cause trouble in large doses (or at all). Let the buyer beware. (Also note: It sucks to come down from MDMA if you're depressed.)
• While I haven't heard of many negative reports regarding LSD and Wellbutrin, many claim the latter inhibits the former somewhat. Again, don't run and take 3x the normal dose, lest you act like a moron for a week straight. If you happen to also be using lithium or another tricyclic, do not take LSD.
• Marijuana (and, presumably, hashish) does not appear to cause problems. You may, however, wish to be cautious with dosages.

The moral of the story: Don't do all the crap you usually shouldn't do, like coke or oxycontin or entire bottles of Jack Daniels.