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Wellbutrin XL (Bupropion Extended-Release Formulation) Effective for Treatment of Major Depression

By Bruce Sylvester

ATLANTA, GA -- May 31, 2005 -- Wellbutrin XL (bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets) appears to be effective for treatment of symptoms of decreased energy and sexual pleasure and interest in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Susan A. Vanmeter, MD, Director for Depression Dependence and ADHD, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States, presented the findings here on May 26^th at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting.

Wellbutrin XL, an antidepressant in the aminoketone class, was approved in 2003 for the treatment of major depressive disorder in patients 18 and older. This agent is well known for its low risk of sexual adverse effects, unlike commonly used agents in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) classes.

Dr. Vanmeter and colleagues conducted an 8-week study to determine the efficacy and safety of Wellbutrin in reducing symptoms of decreased energy and sexual pleasure and interest in adults with MDD.

In the placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial, the researchers evaluated 300 to 450 mg per day of Wellbutrin XL against placebo in 274 adult outpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD.

Patients all had decreased energy, pleasure, and interest, as measured by a minimum total score of 7 on the general interest, energy, pleasure, sexual interest, and physical energy items of the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS).

The investigators used The IDS-Self Report (IDS-SR) and Clinician Rated (IDS-C) versions of the IDS to measure efficacy.

Changes from baseline to endpoint for both IDS-SR total score and IDS-C total score were significantly different for Wellbutrin XL compared to placebo (P = .018 and P < .001, respectively). They reported that the IDS-SR remission rate was 41% for Wellbutrin XL versus 27% for the placebo group (P = .01).

"Wellbutrin XL was generally well-tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported" the authors noted.

"This study is a very positive one," said presenter and co-investigator. "Overall, it shows that Wellbutrin XL, similar to previous formulations of Wellbutrin, has efficacy for the treatment of major depressive disorder, with, notably, a low risk of sexual dysfunction and weight gain remaining apparent with use of this formulation -- as with previous Wellbutrin formulations."

The study, led by A. John Rush, MD, Vice Chairman of Research in Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States, was supported by GlaxoSmithKline.


[Presentation title: Wellbutrin XL Treatment of Adults With MDD. Abstract NR787]

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