Wellbutrin? What's that?

This article is a general view of Wellbutrin for comparison with other available ADHD medications. I have taken all of the information in the published medical manuals and text books and summarized it for your convince.
I am not a doctor. Talk to a one for any real advice.

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant and is used to help people quit smoking. There were studies done comparing the affect of this drug on ADHD patients. They discovered that there was a slight improvement in ADHD symptoms as compared to the sugar pill (placebo). It seemed like an attractive alternative to other stimulant ADHD medications.

But. The effects of the drug are quite poor compared to actual ADHD medications. There was only a slight improvement in symptoms. The well known meds do a much better job at treating ADHD. So given all of the side effects of taking this drug it isn't really worth it.

Other names:
Bupropion, Bupropion Hydrochloride, Zyban, Amfebutamone, Wellbutrin XR, Wellbutrin SR

Available in:
Tablets.

Why it is prescribed:
Wellbutrin is used to relieve mental depression and to help you stop smoking. It is an antidepressant, but some doctors found it useful for the treatment of ADHD. This is off label use for the drug a common and scary practice that I mean to write about for this website.

How it works:
The mode of therapeutic action in ADHD is not known. It is a selective norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and dopamine reuptake inhibitor.
That’s doctor speak for:
This drug is thought to allow some of the chemicals in our brain that make us feel good, to stay in action longer. When you take this drug it will clear your mind and lessen the symptoms of ADHD.
This drug affects systems in the body in a short term manner. The body will alter itself to accommodate the effects of this drug over time. These changes make the desired effects more potent. It takes several weeks for the drug to really kick in and work well.

This is complicated and very important to your safety and health. Speak with a doctor about it. They are the experts.

Wellbutrin Side Effects

Common, speak with your family doctor or prescriber:
Agitation, anxiety, abdominal pain, constipation, decrease in appetite, dry mouth, increased sweating, trembling or shaking, trouble sleeping, weight loss.

Less Common, speak with your doctor at your next scheduled visit:
Buzzing or ringing in ears, headache, rash, hives, itching, blurred vision, change in sense of taste, drowsiness, fast or irregular heartbeat, frequent urination, muscle pain, sore throat, unusual feeling of well-being.

Overdose: Go immediately to the emergency room.
Fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, nausea, seizures, vomiting.

Dosage Information

Typical dosage:
150 – 300 mg tablets.
Consult your doctor.

Storage:
Store in a tightly sealed container away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight.

Missed dose:
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearer the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.

Stopping the Drug:
Take it as prescribed for the full treatment period, even if you begin to feel better before the scheduled end of therapy. The decision to stop taking the drug should be made by your doctor.

Prolonged Use:
The effectiveness of Wellbutrin in long term use (more than 8 weeks) has not been systematically evaluated in controlled trials. Therefore, the physician who elects to use this ADHD medication for extended periods should periodically reevaluate the long term usefulness of the drug for the patient.

Precautions

Driving hazardous work:

Pregnancy:
Studies have not been done n pregnant women. Not shown to produce birth defects in animal studies. Make sure you tell your doctor if you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breast feeding:
Bupropion passes into breast milk. Not recommended for use while breast feeding.

Interactions

Caution when taking: Salbutamol or other Beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, Pressor Agents, Methylphenidate (Ritalin).

Disease:
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following: advance blood vessel disease, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, severe anxiety, Tourette's syndrome, glaucoma, or a history of drug abuse.

What does Wellbutrin have the other ADHD medications don’t?