Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Bupropion is an antidepressant medication
that affects chemicals within the brain that nerves use to send messages to each
other. These chemical messengers are called neurotransmitters. Many experts
believe that depression is caused by an imbalance among the amounts of
neurotransmitters that are released. Nerves, in a process referred to as
reuptake, may recycle released neurotransmitters. Bupropion works by inhibiting
the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine; an action that results
in more dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine to transmit messages to other
nerves. Bupropion is unique and unlike other antidepressants in that its major
effect is on dopamine, an effect that is not shared by the selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs [for example,
paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine
(Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft)] or the tricyclic antidepressants or TCAs [for example,
amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin)]. The FDA
approved bupropion in December 1985.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 75, 100, and 150 mg. Sustained Release tablets:
100, 150, and 200 mg. Extended Release tablets: 150 and 300 mg.
STORAGE: Tablets should be kept at room temperature, 15-25 C
(59-77 F).
DOSING: Bupropion usually is given in one, two or three daily doses.
For immediate-release tablets, no single dose should exceed 150 mg and each dose
should be separated by 6 hours.
For depression the recommended dose of
immediate-release tablets is 100 mg 3 times daily (300 mg/day); maximum dose is
450 mg daily. The initial dose is 100 mg twice daily. The dose may be increased
to 100 mg 3 times daily after three days.
The initial dose of sustained-release
tablets is 150 mg daily; target dose is 150 mg twice daily; maximum dose is 200
mg twice daily.
The initial dose of extended-release tablets is 150 mg daily;
target dose is 300 mg daily; maximum dose is 450 mg daily. Extended release
tablets are administered once daily.
When used for smoking cessation, bupropion usually is started as 150 mg once
daily for three days, and then the dose is increased if the patient tolerates
the starting dose. Smoking is discontinued two weeks after starting bupropion
therapy.
Wellbutrin SR is given as two daily doses. Wellbutrin XL is given as
one dose daily.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Bupropion should be used cautiously in patients
receiving drugs that reduce the threshold for
seizures. Such drugs include
prochlorperazine (Compazine),
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), and other
antipsychotic medications of the phenothiazine class. Additionally, persons who
are withdrawing from benzodiazepines
[for example, diazepam (Valium), alprazolam
(Xanax)]
are at increased risk for seizures.
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, loose teeth, pain upon swallowing, a lump in the neck, earache, and a sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal are all symptoms of oral cancer. Treatment for oral cancer depends upon the staging of the disease and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychiatric condition, can develop after any catastrophic life event. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, sweating, rapid heart rate, detachment, amnesia, sleep problems, irritability, and exaggerated startle response. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, group support, and medication.
Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is a mental illness characterized by depression, mania, and severe mood swings. Treatment may incorporate mood stabilizer medications, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
ADHD afflicts approximately 3 percent to 5 percent of school-age children and an estimated 60 percent of those maintain the disorder into adulthood. Symptoms of adult ADHD include chronic lateness, anxiety, low self esteem, employment problems, difficulty controlling anger, impulsiveness, poor organization skills, procrastination, chronic boredom among others.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by the symptoms hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Treatment for ADHD may involve behavioral therapy and psychostimulant or antidepressant medication.
Dysthymia is a less severe form of chronic depression. Symptoms and signs include insomnia, suicidal thoughts, guilt, empty feeling, loss of energy, helplessness, sluggishness, and persistent aches and pains. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and antidepressants.
Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs within a year after delivery. It is thought that rapid hormone changes after childbirth may lead to depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression include crying a lot, headaches, chest pains, eating too little or too much, sleeping too little or too much, withdrawal from friends and family, and feeling irritable, sad, hopeless, worthless, guilty, and overwhelmed. Treatment typically involves talk therapy and medication.
By smoking, you can cause health problems not only for yourself but also for
those around you.
Hurting Yourself
Smoking is an addiction. Tobacco contains
nicotine, a drug that
is addictive. The nicotine, therefore, makes it very difficult (although not
impossible) to quit. In fact, since the U.S. Surgeon General's 1964 report on
the dangers of smoking, millions of Americans have quit. Still, approximately
440,000 deaths occur in the U.S. each year from smoking-related illnesses; this
represents almost 1 out of every 5 deaths. The
reason for these deaths is that smoking greatly increases the risk of getting
lung cancer, heart attack, chronic lung disease, stroke, and many other cancers.
Moreover, smoking is perhaps the most preventable cause of breathing
(respiratory) diseases within
the USA.
Hurting Others
Smoking harms not just the smoker, but also family
mem...
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