Wellbutrin can be termed as the brand name of the drug which also includes others such as Aplenzin, Budeprion, Contrave, Fortivo and Zyban but with a generic name Bupropion. This is to say that wellbutrin and other brands mentioned previously are the names given by the company for many reasons which include making sales but the generic name Bupropion is the name of the active ingredient. Bupropion is a non-typical antidepressant primarily used to treat major depressive disorder and to support smoking cessation. It is an effective antidepressant on its own, but it is renowned as an add-on medication in some cases.
Bupropion is a norepinephrine/dopamine-reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) commonly used for the management of disease conditions known to be Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and as an aid for smoking cessation. Its pharmacological effect is exerted by inhibition of the enzymes involved in the uptake of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine from the synaptic cleft, binding to the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and the dopamine transporter (DAT), therefore prolonging their duration of action within the neuronal synapse and the downstream effects of these neurotransmitters.
Classification of Wellbutrin
Wellbutrin belongs to a class of drugs called Antidepressants, Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors, Antidepressants among others. It was originally classified as a “non-typical” antidepressant reason being that it does not result in similar effects as the classical or typical antidepressants such as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Bupropion is less likely to cause sexual side effects but it is open to question and factfinding.
Chemically , it is an aminketone that belongs to a class of substituted cathinones, or generally that of substituted amphetamines and substituted phenethylamines.
Mechanism of action of Wellbutrin
The general mechanism of action of antidepressants include the inhibition of the reuptake of neurotransmitters through selective receptors thereby increasing the concentration of some specific neurotransmitters around the brain and of such neurotransmitters inclide serotonin.
Neverteless, bupropion is a norepinephrine/dopamine-reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), exerting its efffect by inhibiting its pharmacological effects by weakly inhibiting the enzymes involved in the uptake of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine from the synaptic cleft, by binding to the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and the dopamine transporter (DAT), therefore prolonging their duration of action within the neuronal synapse and the downstream effects of these neurotransmitters. When used in combination with naltrexone for chronic weight management, the two components are thought to have effects on areas of the brain involved in the regulation of food intake. This includes the hypothalamus, which is involved in appetite regulation, and the mesolimbic dopamine circuit, which is involved in reward pathways.
Horny/Sex drive or desire/Libido
Horny refers to the adjectival concept of being sexually aroused or excited. Sex drive or libido refers to a persons desire to engage in sexual activity with a low libido presenting a decreased sexual desire to engage in a sexual activity and a high libido an increased desire for sex be it natural or artificially induced libido could also refer to the emotion and mental energy related to sex which is duly influenced by both biological and psychological factors such as depression.
For want of clarity and effective communication, the three words will be used interchangeably meaning that all in all, they refer to a persons desire to carry out sexual acts. Sexual desire, or libido, is a very important part of romantic relationships reason being that when sexual drive or desire begins to diminish or disappears completely, which can greatly impact ones lifestyle including the relationship with the partner.
Both women and men experience low libido, but women often don’t seek treatment and its not unusual for a woman to be embarrassed to admit that she wants to improve her libido. Many women also assume there are no treatments available.
Depression and Low Sex Drive
Low sexual desire can be a sign of a health condition. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) now known as female sexual interest/arousal disorder may be diagnosed in situations where one has little or no desire for sexual activities which may also include an absence of sexual fantasies that causes either serious distress or interpersonal difficulty.
Low libido can also be a symptom of a mental health problem, such as depression especially in cases of dysthymia or HSDD. Researchers are still investigating the connection between low libido and mental health. But, they know its common for HSDD and depression to overlap.
Sexual dysfunction related to depression may be more prevalent than recorded. Whether occurring together or not, both HSDD and depression can possibly have a big impact on one’s life adversely and deserve medical attention. The process can also work in reverse. Its possible for a low libido to trigger feelings of depression. Depression and low libido can have many contributing factors, along with a range of symptoms. Having one condition doesn’t necessarily mean that one has the other, but its possible to have both at the same time with one condition possibly leading to another.
Risk Factors of Depression and Low Libido
Risk factors for depression and low libido include stressful life events typical of a normal Nigerian socirety or in some secial cases and countries, events such as a divorce or a lost job, major life transitions, relationship stressors, abuse of alcohol, drugs, or both.
Antidepressants to the rescue (Wellbutrins)
Over time, across countries and at the end of researches, a corelation has been established between depression and low sex drive especially in females and as such the atypical antidepressant will be a deifinite game changer seemingly killing two birds with a stone, curing depression and bossting libido (the desire to have sex).
There have also been small studies suggesting that bupropion or a bupropion/trazodone combination may improve some measures of sexual function in women who have hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) and are not depressed. It is further noted that bupropion can be considered as an off-label treatment for HSDD despite limited safety and efficacy data.
Bupropion containing wellbutrin definitely is a treatment for cases of depression or depression and low sexual drive under supervision but the concept of welbutrin boosting libido or better said bupropoin has been recorded in some cases and regarded as an off-book treatment. In most cases, low libido results in depression and the drug cures the depression and low libido in view especially considering how common it is for women to experience both conditions.