Bupropion is a prescription medication that is often used to treat major depression. It is also known to aid in the treatment of obesity. Though it was initially approved for use in 1984, it wasn’t until 2009 that the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of this medication for obesity. It’s a shame that it took so long for doctors to realize that giving patients Bupropion could potentially help them lose weight, as there are many easy ways to use this medication to accomplish that goal.
Reduce Stress
There are various studies that have shown the connection between depression and weight gain, particularly in women. According to the Medical Letter, women with clinical depression have been found to have a 64% higher chance of being obese. It’s likely that this is due to the fact that women are more likely to be affected by depression. This is why doctors often prescribe Bupropion to aid in depression treatment and to potentially prevent further weight gain.
Stress is a known factor in causing weight gain. Some experts believe that life events like illness and accidents can cause stress, which leads to an increase in appetite and subsequently to weight gain. Others believe that it’s simply the act of putting food in your mouth that causes you to feel full, so even though you haven’t eaten, your body is still trying to retain its fat stores.
If you’re currently taking Bupropion for depression and are also experiencing weight gain, particularly in the middle of night, consider whether or not this medication is causing the problem. If you’d like to try another antidepressant, there are numerous options that carry fewer side effects. Your physician can recommend one that’s right for you.
Reduce Anxiety
Though Bupropion is often prescribed for treating depression, it can also be prescribed to treat anxiety. Anxiety can cause weight gain as well, especially in the form of binge eating. There are several common forms of anxiety, and each one might be treated with a different medication. Different forms of anxiety are connected to different hormone imbalances in the body, so it’s essential that the right medication is chosen to treat each specific case.
Some types of anxiety, like generalized anxiety disorder, can be difficult to treat with talk therapy alone. In these cases, where the anxiety is present day-to-day, Bupropion can be a useful supplement to psychotherapy. In addition to lowering anxiety, Bupropion can also help with sleep disorders that are connected to the patient’s anxiety. Insomnia is more common among people with anxiety, and for those who suffer from it, Bupropion can be a God-sent medication that helps them get a decent night’s sleep. It would be best for the patient if the drug is taken at night to reduce the risk of insomnia side effects like drowsiness and daytime sleepiness. Taking the medication in the morning instead, as prescribed, might also help avoid these side effects. When treating anxiety with Bupropion, the doctor will most likely prescribe a low dose, so as not to cause any unwanted side effects. Too much Bupropion can cause some people to become apathetic and down, making it difficult for them to interact with others. Fortunately, this is not a common side effect of the drug and any patient in this situation will almost certainly recover with time and proper medication adjustment.
If you’re prescribed Bupropion for anxiety and are also experiencing weight gain, it might be a good idea to try and wean yourself off of it. Though anxiety is a common cause of weight gain, it’s not always easy to recognize or identify. Particularly in the early stages of weight gain, patients and doctors alike might not be sure about the cause. If you’re not comfortable taking a drug that you might eventually need to stop taking due to side effects, doing so might be difficult after weighing the pros and cons of the situation. Weight gain from Bupropion is often an underlying cause of depression and anxiety. If you’ve been taking the medication for a while and are not improving, it might be a good idea for you to consult with your doctor about changing your medication or taking a different one entirely.
Boost Your Metabolism
Though Bupropion isn’t specifically approved to enhance weight loss, it’s certainly a medication that can help with that. Bupropion is known to be a potent blocker of norepinephrine transporters, enzymes that are responsible for metabolizing and removing norepinephrine from the body. This medication can therefore increase the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. Though the exact mechanism by which Bupropion promotes weight loss is unknown, there are several studies that have shown promise in this area.
Taking Bupropion with a good diet and exercise plan can help to boost your metabolism and increase the rate at which your body turns food into energy. Though there are no specific guidelines as to how much Bupropion a person should take to enhance their weight loss, excessive use can result in the unwanted side effects listed above. Taking the medication daily with food can help to prevent these side effects and provide the patient with the benefits of increased energy and focus that Bupropion provides. When taking Bupropion to lose weight, a good diet and exercise plan should be developed and followed as soon as possible, as these are the two most vital factors in aiding the patient in their weight loss program.
Enhance Sensitivity To The Hormonal Effects Of Food
Though you should always consult a physician before beginning an exercise or diet plan, there is some evidence that suggests that dieting while on Bupropion can enhance your body’s sensitivity to the hormonal effects of food. In general, obesity is associated with a reduction in the pleasure that the patient derives from food. Therefore, it might be beneficial for an obese person on Bupropion to lose weight quickly to improve their quality of life. There are no known negative interactions between Bupropion and weight loss, though it’s always best to consult with a physician before initiating any type of diet or exercise plan. If you’re not sure whether or not Bupropion will interact with a certain food, it’s best to avoid it and look for alternatives. Some foods contain substances that can either neutralize or magnify the effects of Bupropion. For example, grapefruit is thought to interact with Bupropion in such a way that it either neutralizes or enhances the drug’s effectiveness based on the patient’s body weight. Though the effects of Bupropion aren’t fully understood, it’s evident that it can help to promote weight loss in some individuals. Whether or not it’s a good idea to try and lose weight while on Bupropion is a personal decision that the patient and doctor should discuss.