Recently in a study on Bupropion appetite suppressant, 14 percent of participants who used the drug every day lost around five pounds in eight weeks.
Off Label Use
Bupropion is the generic name for a drug which sells under the brand name Wellbutrin and is approved to treat depression and to help people stop smoking. Like other antidepressant medicines it has undergone study for effectiveness as an appetite suppressant. However, its FDA approval is for the treatment of depression. When doctors prescribe it for other uses, this is known as off-label prescribing. Doctor's are not restricted in writing prescriptions for medications approved for other conditions. They can prescribe doses that differ from the recommended amounts or extend the duration for which the patient uses the drug. However, many doctors are reluctant to prescribe drugs for off label use because it places them at higher risk for a malpractice lawsuit.
Off-label use is nothing new. Doctors at a loss for how else to help their patients when they've tried everything they know, will then prescribe off-label use of a drug based on what information they have gleaned from clinical studies and experience. Most cancer chemotherapy and AIDS medications fall under off-label protocol. Off label uses for Bupropion include:
- Weight Loss
- Bipolar Depression
- ADD/ADHD
- Fibromyalgia
- Arthritis
- Chronic Fatigue
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Lupus
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
About Bupropion Appetite Suppressant
Although Bupropion is an antidepressant, it has shown promise in helping obese patients lose weight and is said it makes those who take it less hungry. In a 24-week blind study, Bupropion appetite suppressant had little effect for depressed individuals in regards to their weight. However, this same study showed promise in weight loss for obese subjects not suffering from depression. The bottom line suggests that Bupropion helps obese patients achieve weight loss if they are on an energy-restricted diet and do not struggle with depression.
In a separate clinical weight loss study involving 50 obese adult women, the appetite suppressant quality of this drug facilitated weight loss. This blind study had the women on a balanced, 1600 calorie per day diet. By the end of eight weeks, 12 out of 18 women taking Bupropion lost five percent of their baseline body weight, and when these women moved into the continuation phase they continued to lose weight.
One other thing worth mentioning is that Bupropion is used by some recreationally and can easily be abused. If your doctor prescribes this medication to you be aware of where your pills are, how many you have taken and how many you have left. Do not share prescription medications with another individual. It is against the law.
Side Effects
As with all medications, some people experience side effects. Bupropion is no different. Common side effects experienced can include:
Common Side Effects
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Tremor
- Tinnitus
It's also important to note that the SR form of this drug does bring about minor seizures in subjects with no prior history.
Less Common Side Effects
- Hair color change
- New hair growth (sometimes in unusual places)
- Painful erections in men
- Unusual ejaculations
- Impotence
Is Bupropion Right for You?
When it comes to weight loss, there is no magic fix. Even in the studies using Bupropion, subjects ate balanced, restricted diets. As an appetite suppressant, this drug is only recommended for patients with other health conditions that necessitate weight loss. If you are obese and think this drug might work for you, talk to your doctor. Those in the medical profession stay current on the results of studies such as the ones mentioned in this article. They will know if the off label use of Bupropion appetite suppressant should be a considered to help you lose weight. Ask your health care professional for a full list of the risks involved when taking this medication, and practice eating healthier no matter how you plan to lose weight.
