What are the indications and usage guidelines for Wellbutrin (bupropion) in treating mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children?

Wellbutrin (Bupropion) Indications for Mental Health

Wellbutrin is FDA-approved for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and preventing seasonal affective disorder (SAD), while it serves as a second-line off-label option for ADHD in adults when stimulants fail or are contraindicated. 1

FDA-Approved Indications

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

• Bupropion is indicated as first-line treatment for MDD in adults, with a starting dose of 150 mg once daily, increasing to the usual target dose of 300 mg once daily after 4 days 1
• The American College of Physicians recommends selecting bupropion among second-generation antidepressants based on its favorable adverse effect profile, particularly its lower rate of sexual dysfunction compared to SSRIs like fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine 2
• Bupropion demonstrates comparable efficacy to other second-generation antidepressants for treating acute major depression, with no evidence justifying superiority of any single agent based on effectiveness alone 2
• Maximum daily dose is 450 mg, with gradual dose increases required to minimize seizure risk 1

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

• Bupropion XL is specifically approved for preventing seasonal depressive episodes, with treatment initiated in autumn prior to symptom onset 1
• Starting dose is 150 mg once daily, increasing to 300 mg once daily after one week, with continuation through the winter season 1
• Clinical trials demonstrated 44% relative risk reduction in depression recurrence when bupropion XL 150-300 mg was started preventively in autumn, with depression rates of 16-19% versus 21-31% for placebo 3

Off-Label Use for ADHD

Position in Treatment Algorithm

• Bupropion is explicitly a second-line agent for ADHD, to be considered only after stimulants (methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, mixed amphetamine salts) have failed or caused intolerable side effects 4, 5
• Stimulants remain the gold standard with 70-80% response rates and the largest effect sizes from over 161 randomized controlled trials, whereas bupropion shows more modest effects 4, 5
• Try all three stimulant classes before turning to bupropion, as stimulants work within days while bupropion requires 2-4 weeks for full effect 4

When Bupropion is Preferred for ADHD

Consider bupropion as first-line for ADHD specifically when:

• Active substance use disorder is present, as bupropion is an uncontrolled substance with no abuse potential 5
• Comorbid depression requires simultaneous treatment 4, 5
• Smoking cessation support is needed (FDA-approved indication) 5, 6
• Concerns about stimulant misuse or diversion exist 5
• Uncontrolled hypertension is present, as bupropion has less pronounced cardiovascular effects than stimulants 5

Evidence for ADHD Efficacy

• Low-quality evidence from systematic review shows bupropion decreased ADHD symptom severity (standardized mean difference -0.50) and increased clinical improvement rates (risk ratio 1.50) compared to placebo 7
• Bupropion demonstrated efficacy for attenuation of ADHD symptoms in multiple studies, though effect sizes are smaller than stimulants 6, 8

ADHD Dosing

• Starting dose: 100-150 mg daily (SR) or 150 mg daily (XL) 4, 5
• Maintenance dose: 100-150 mg twice daily (SR) or 150-300 mg daily (XL) 4
• Maximum dose: 450 mg per day 4, 5

Combination Therapy Strategies

Augmentation for Treatment-Resistant Depression

• Augmenting citalopram with bupropion showed lower discontinuation rates due to adverse events compared to buspirone, with moderate-quality evidence supporting this approach 2
• Low-quality evidence showed bupropion augmentation decreased depression severity more than buspirone augmentation 2
• When switching from one second-generation antidepressant to another (including bupropion), moderate-quality evidence showed no difference in response rates 2

Combination with Stimulants for ADHD

• If bupropion alone provides inadequate ADHD symptom control, adding a stimulant may enhance effects 4, 5
• No significant pharmacokinetic interactions exist between bupropion and stimulants 4
• The combination may increase seizure risk, particularly at higher bupropion doses, requiring careful monitoring 4

Combination with SSRIs

• If ADHD symptoms improve on stimulants but depressive symptoms persist, adding an SSRI to the regimen is recommended rather than switching to bupropion alone 4
• SSRIs remain the treatment of choice for depression and can be safely combined with stimulants or bupropion 4

Critical Safety Considerations

Absolute Contraindications

Do not prescribe bupropion in patients with: 5, 1

• Current or prior seizure disorder
• Current or prior diagnosis of bulimia or anorexia nervosa
• Abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or antiepileptic drugs
• Concurrent MAOI use or within 14 days of MAOI discontinuation
• Known hypersensitivity to bupropion

Black Box Warning

• Increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults taking antidepressants 1
• Monitor closely for worsening depression and emergence of suicidal thoughts, especially during the first few months of treatment 5, 1

Common Adverse Effects

• Most common (≥5% incidence, ≥2× placebo): dry mouth, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, headache, anxiety, tremor, agitation 1
• Bupropion is associated with significantly lower rates of sexual dysfunction compared to SSRIs, making it advantageous when sexual side effects are a concern 2
• Insomnia, headache, and anxiety are activating side effects that may be problematic in patients with prominent hyperactivity or anxiety 4, 5

Seizure Risk

• Risk is dose-related and can be minimized by limiting daily dose to 450 mg and gradually increasing the dose 1
• Discontinue immediately if seizure occurs 1
• Increased risk with combination therapy involving stimulants 4

Cardiovascular Effects

• Bupropion can increase blood pressure; monitor before initiating treatment and periodically during treatment 1
• Less pronounced cardiovascular effects compared to stimulants 5

Drug Interactions

• Never combine with MAOIs due to risk of hypertensive crisis; allow at least 14 days between discontinuation of MAOI and initiation of bupropion 4, 1
• Bupropion is a CYP2D6 inhibitor; exercise caution when coprescribing with drugs cleared by this enzyme 6, 9
• Dose increase may be necessary if coadministered with CYP2B6 inducers (ritonavir, lopinavir, efavirenz, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin) 1

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

• Moderate to severe hepatic impairment: 150 mg every other day 1
• Mild hepatic impairment: Consider reducing dose and/or frequency 1

Renal Impairment

• Consider reducing dose and/or frequency in patients with renal impairment 1

Pregnancy

• Bupropion may be considered as an alternative to stimulants during pregnancy, but has been associated with a small increased risk of certain cardiovascular malformations with first-trimester exposure 4

Monitoring Requirements

Baseline Assessment

• Blood pressure and pulse 5
• Screen for seizure risk factors, eating disorders, substance use 5
• Assess for suicidality 5
• Screen for bipolar disorder to avoid precipitating mania 1

Ongoing Monitoring

• Assess patient status, therapeutic response, and adverse effects within 1-2 weeks of initiation 2
• Weekly contact during titration, monthly during maintenance 5
• Regular blood pressure monitoring 5, 1
• Monitor for mood changes, particularly activation of mania/hypomania 1
• Modify treatment if inadequate response within 6-8 weeks 2

Common Clinical Pitfalls

• Do not assume bupropion alone will effectively treat both ADHD and depression; no single antidepressant is proven for this dual purpose, and bupropion remains second-line for ADHD 4
• Do not use bupropion as first-line for ADHD when stimulants are appropriate; stimulants have superior efficacy with 70-80% response rates 4, 5
• Do not prescribe bupropion for patients with prominent hyperactivity or anxiety without careful consideration, as its activating properties can exacerbate these symptoms 4
• Do not combine with MAOIs or prescribe within 14 days of MAOI discontinuation due to severe hypertension risk 4, 1
• Do not exceed 450 mg daily dose due to dose-related seizure risk 5, 1