Long-term preventive care in depression: the use of bupropion in patients intolerant of other antidepressants

Abstract

The safety and efficacy of bupropion in the preventive care of depression was studied in a long-term open trial. Forty patients from an active general psychiatric practice which emphasizes the treatment of affective disorders have been followed for an average of 336 days (range, 44-791) and seen at least monthly for evaluation with the Hamilton Depression Scale, Zung Self-Rating Scales for Depression and Anxiety, Clinical Global Impression Scale and an adverse reaction report form. One third of the patients had received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and 50% a diagnosis of recurrent major depressive disorder by DSM-III criteria; all patients were intolerant of tricyclic and other antidepressants. Although several patients were not severely depressed when placed on bupropion, there was a significant improvement on the Zung Self-Rating Scales. There was a striking reduction in the frequency and intensity of adverse reactions, particularly anticholinergic effects, appetite and weight gain, and sexual dysfunction, compared to tricyclics. Also, there were no cardiovascular changes and no physical, ECG, EEG, or laboratory evidence of toxicity. Bupropion represents a significant advance in the treatment of depression, particularly for patients who require long-term preventive care and in whom adverse reactions, which might be tolerated in acute treatment, may lead to noncompliance.