The prescription pattern and side-effect profile of bupropion

Objective : Bupropion use has recently increased in Korea because of its unique mechanism of action and favorable side-effect profile. In this cross-sectional survey, we examined the prescription pattern and side-effect profile of bupropion in psychiatric practice. Methods : A total of 107 psychiatrists participated in this survey conducted from April 2007 to September 2007. The survey included questions on the drug combinations used, the clinical diagnosis, clinical global impression, side effects, and the age and sex of patients. The data from 1,085 cases were analyzed. Results : The mean age of the patients was 43.4±17.1 years (range, 6-80 years), and 629 (58.0%) were women and 441 (40.6%) were men. Bupropion was most commonly prescribed for depressive disorder (85.6%), but was also used to treat anxiety disorder (7.0%), somatoform disorder (1.9%), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (1.6%), psychotic disorder (1.3%), and adjustment disorder (1.1%). Bupropion monotherapy was used in 51% of the patients, and bupropion was used in combination with other antidepressants in 49% of the patients. In most (96.6%) of the combination therapy cases, bupropion was used with one antidepressant. Diagnosis and the severity of symptoms determined whether bupropion was used alone or in combination therapy and the side-effect profile of the two therapies differed slightly. The overall frequency of side effects was 11.9% in bupropion monotherapy, and the most common were insomnia, nausea/vomiting, anxiety, and loss of appetite. Conclusion : Bupropion was prescribed most often for patients with depressive disorders, but the data indicated that it is increasingly used for other psychiatric disorders. Bupropion was found to have a favorable side-effect profile.