Budeprion SR

A healthcare provider may prescribe Budeprion SR to help relieve symptoms of depression. Budeprion SR works by helping to keep the levels of certain chemicals in the brain balanced. The medication comes in tablet form, and is generally taken by mouth twice a day. Side effects of Budeprion SR can include nausea, weight loss, and insomnia. Prior to taking the medication, be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have heart disease, kidney or liver problems, and any allergies, among other conditions.

 

What Is Budeprion SR?

Budeprion SR (Wellbutrin SR®) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression). It is a sustained-release (long-acting) version of Wellbutrin® (bupropion hydrochloride).
 
(Click What Is Budeprion SR Used For? for more information on what Budeprion SR is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Budeprion SR?

Budeprion SR is manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals.
 

How Does Budeprion SR Work?

Budeprion SR is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, or NDRI for short. NDRIs, such as Budeprion SR, affect specific chemicals within the brain known as norepinephrine and dopamine. Norepinephrine and dopamine are two of several chemicals used to send messages from one nerve cell to another.
 
As a message travels down a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release norepinephrine (or dopamine). The norepinephrine (or dopamine) enters the gap between the first nerve cell and the one next to it. When enough norepinephrine or dopamine reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell and the message continues on its way. The first cell then quickly absorbs any norepinephrine or dopamine that remains in the gap between the cells. This is called "reuptake."
 
Normally, this process works without any problems. However, when the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine become unbalanced, it can cause a variety of conditions, including depression and seasonal affective disorder. Budeprion SR helps to block the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine so that more remains in the space between the brain's nerve cells. This gives the norepinephrine and dopamine a better chance of activating the receptors on the next nerve cell.
 
Currently, the only NDRI antidepressants approved for use are medications containing bupropion. Budeprion SR is a sustained-release version of bupropion, usually taken twice a day. Bupropion also comes in several other forms, including:
 
  • Wellbutrin® (bupropion hydrochloride), a short-acting version, taken three or four times a day
  • Wellbutrin XL® (bupropion XL), the longest-acting version, taken once a day
  • Zyban® (bupropion SR), a sustained-release version used for smoking cessation, taken twice a day.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;