Bupropion Wellbutrin XL Stop Smoking Aid

Bupropion is an antidepressant pharmaceutical sometimes prescribed under the name Wellbutrin XL to those looking to quit smoking. Some scientific studies using double blind placebo have suggested former heavy smokers experience less desire to smoke when combining Bupropion and nicotine gum together, while for less addicted smokers Bupropion alone is sufficient.

It was in 1997 that Bupropion was approved by the FDA as a smoking cessation aid under the name Zyban. Originally developed to treat depression, it was soon after recognized as beneficial for the treatment of other discomforts and disorders, such as those experienced with withdrawal from nicotine. Unlike other antidepressants, there is no sexual dysfunction nor are there sexual side effects from the use of Bupropion. There is also no associated weight gain. In fact, in comparison studies where this drug contended against other antidepressants, it was found at the end of every study that the Bupropion group had the lowest weight.

Bupropion was invented by Nariman Mehta, an exceptional scientist-chemical engineer who once privately tutored over 80 university students in math, physics, chemistry, and marine engineering. While at Burroughs Wellcome, Inc., now GlaxoSmithKline, Nariman worked on neuropsychopharmacological drugs and designed and in 1974 patented Bupropion as an antidepressant. This was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1985, marketed under the name Wellbutrin.

Although corrected now, there were some early, widely publicized complications with the original recommended dosage which lowered the seizure threshold and had the potential, therefore, to cause seizures. At that time, the FDA immediately withdrew the drug until corrections were made. When it became clear that the problem was with the dosage, it was reintroduced in 1989 with a new recommended maximum dose of 450 mg per day. Next came an even better sustained release of Bupropion called Wellbutrin SR in 1996, followed by a once a day sustained release dosage in 2003 called Wellbutrin XL.

GlaxoSmithKline, the same company responsible for the development of Bupropion as as an antidepressant, repackaged their product and marketed it under the name Zyban as a smoking cessation aid. The way this came about was that people taking Bupropion for the treatment of depression found that their desire to smoke had decreased. Studies then began which showed that Bupropion lowered the nicotine cravings of former smokers and also decreased the withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, anger, anxiety, loss of concentration, and depression. This is understandable when it is considered that Bupropion was developed to treat these symptoms. To summarize some of the chemistry involved in this drug, Bupropion acts as a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NRI). The NRI blocks the action of the dopamine transporter, which leads to an increase of dopamines to the cells. Dopamines, to be brief, have much to do with pleasure and productivity. They are what give the brain a natural high through neurotransmission. Nicotine may also act as a reuptake inhibitor.

Where to Purchase Bupropion

There is not a legal and safe way to purchase Bupropion online or access discount Bupropion for those residing in the United States. This pharmaceutical is available only with a prescription. This, however, should not be too difficult to get, as Bupropion was the fourth most common prescribed antidepressant last year in the US. Simply visit your doctor to express an interest in Bupropion as a quit smoking aid, and be sure to also tell him or her about any other “prescription” and “over the counter” pharmaceuticals you are taking, or have recently taken.