Bupropion is used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also used to help people stop smoking. Side effects include drowsiness, anxiety, difficulty falling asleep, dry mouth, dizziness, stomach pain, uncontrollable shaking, excessive sweating, ringing in the ears. More serious side effects include changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts.
Despite the efficacy of bupropion for smoking cessation, smokers exhibit variability in treatment outcome. Smokers with a decreased activity variant of CYP2B6 reported greater increases in cravings for cigarettes following the target quit date and had higher relapse rates. 1. COMT haplotypes at rs737865 and rs165599 may predict a favorable outcome for bupropion treatment for smoking cessation. European-American smokers with a G allele at both SNPs may not benefit from bupropion treatment. 2
Related to:
Zyban, Wellbutrin, Aplenzin