Long-Term Tolerability of New Antidepressants: Focusing on Bupropion SR(Wellbutrin SR(R))

Bahk, Won Myong; Kim, Won

Abstract

Depressive disorders often develop into chronic course and relapse of symptoms is prevalent. Long-term treatment with antidepressants consolidates the improvement of residual symptoms and prevents relapses and recurrences. In the long-term treatment, the long-term tolerability of antidepressant is a major factor which impact on the compliance and the success of treatment. Although new antidepressants have better side effect profiles than TCA and MAOI, the safety issues of the former are also a concern during continuation and maintenance phases of treatment. Nowadays, weight gain and sexual dysfunction are at a center of concern in this field. SSRI, venlafaxine and mirtazapine can cause weight gain in some patients. Many studies report that weight gain and sexual dysfunction cause significant sufferings and act as major reasons of non-compliance. Bupropion SR is a new antidepressants that has a unique pharmacological property. It produce neither substantial weight gain nor sexual side effect. It was also shown to be effective and well-tolerated in decreasing the risk for relapse of depression. So, Bupropion SR can be used preferentially as a first-line antidepressant or augmentation on other agents in the long-term treatment without significant weight gain and sexual side effects.