Bupropion for attentiondeficit hyperactivity and comorbid disorders

Abstract

Bupropion is a unique antidepressant with noradrenergic and to a lesser extent dopaminergic effects. These have led investigators to explore bupropion’s efficacy in attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, which are believed to be related to aberrations in catecholamines. An expanding body of research has demonstrated bupropion’s efficacy in attention deficit hyperactivity disorders over the lifespan. Despite early reports of seizures in select samples, bupropion is generally well-tolerated. While stimulants remain the first-line pharmacological treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, bupropion offers promise as a medication that treats not only attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, but also common comorbid disorders, including unipolar and bipolar depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

• anxiety
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• bupropion
• comorbid
• bipolar
• depression
• dopaminergic
• noradrenergic
• substance abuse