What Is Bupropion Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is bupropion used for?" Although bupropion is approved to treat depression in adults, it can also be used off-label to treat a number of other conditions. These off-label uses can include treating ADHD, treating seasonal affective disorder, and helping people quit smoking. The medication has not been approved for the treatment of depression in children.

Bupropion HCl

What Is Bupropion Used For?

Bupropion hydrochloride (Wellbutrin^®) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression).

Depression is more than just "feeling sad." Some common symptoms of depression include:

Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or not enough)
Eating too much or too little (and weight gain or weight loss)
Having little interest in things that you used to enjoy
Physical pain
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Suicidal thoughts.

In large clinical trials, bupropion has been proven to help adults with depression. However, it is important to keep in mind that many antidepressants, including bupropion, take several weeks to begin working. Sometimes, other people will notice an improvement in your depression symptoms before you do. Often, the physical symptoms of depression (such as pain or changes in sleep) will improve first, sometimes within the first few weeks of treatment. It can take several weeks before significant changes in mood occur. It is important to give bupropion a chance to work before becoming discouraged.

Counseling and therapy (see Psychotherapy for Depression) are often used along with antidepressant medication to treat depression. Ask your healthcare provider if counseling or therapy would be good options for you (see Depression Treatment).

(What Is Bupropion Used For? Continued: Page 2)