What is Bupropion?
Bupropion is an antidepressant medication which is prescribed for the treatment of depression, seasonal affective disorder, and for help with quitting smoking. It changes the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, helping to regulate mood and reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Bupropion is also sometimes used to treat depressive episodes in people with bipolar disorder, as well as to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
How does Bupropion work?
As an aminoketone, Bupropion affects how the body produces the neurotransmitters that impact mood. Specifically, people with depression may have low levels of norepinephrine, which keeps the body alert, and dopamine, which regulates things like pleasure, motivation, sleep, and mood. Bupropion increases the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine to improve symptoms of depression.