Budeprion is an antidepressant medication marketed in the United States by Teva Pharmaceuticals. The active ingredient in Budeprion is bupropion. Besides Budeprion, bupropion is available in the United States as the medications Wellbutrin, Zyban, Buproban, and Aplenzin. Depending on the brand name of medication, bupropion is available in both standard release, or SR and extended release, or XL, formulations.
Indications
Physicians commonly prescribe bupropion to treat patients for depression and seasonal affective disorder, and to help them quit smoking. However, not all bupropion products are approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration, or FDA, for the same conditions. For example, Zyban and Buproban are approved to help people quit smoking, while Wellbutrin and Budeprion products are indicated for depression and seasonal affective disorder. Aplenzin is specifically approved for major depressive disorder.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is a side effect of bupropion when used to treat depression. In placebo-controlled studies, 14 percent of people taking Wellbutrin SR and 19 percent of people taking Wellbutrin XL lost more than five pounds, compared to 6 percent of patients on placebo. Weight loss is also a potential side effect for patients taking Budeprion and Aplenzin; therefore, treatment with bupropion should be considered carefully for patients where loss of weight is a symptom of depression.
Smoking Cessation
Interestingly, weight loss is not a side effect of bupropion when used to help people quit smoking. This may be because the weight-loss effects of the drug may actually help to slow down the weight gain that is usually associated with quitting smoking. A study published in the "New England Journal of Medicine" in 1999 found that treatment with bupropion for quitting smoking, either alone or in combination with a nicotine patch, resulted in less weight gain compared to placebo.
Clinical Studies
Bupropion is currently being studied as a possible treatment for obesity as part of the investigational combination drug Contrave, or naltrexone SR/bupropion SR. According to the manufacturer, Orexigen, Contrave has the potential to help people lose weight by reducing appetite, increasing metabolism, and addressing food cravings. The company has completed its clinical trials for Contrave, and data is currently being reviewed by the FDA for consideration of approval.
Warnings
If you are considering treatment with bupropion, be sure to speak with your doctor about the possible side effects. Besides weight loss, treatment with bupropion has been associated with other potentially serious side effects, including: seizures, confusion, hallucinations, swelling, chest pain and rapid or irregular heartbeat. If you are taking bupropion and experience these or any other unusual side effects, contact your doctor immediately.
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