Posted by mattw84 on April 9, 2005, at 18:33:21
In reply to Re: What is wellbutrin (bupropion) pharmacological, posted by Maxime on April 8, 2005, at 15:45:53
Well said Maxime -- it does fall under the class of phenylthylamines, as do many CNS stimulant drugs. Wellbutrin acts largely on dopamine and has a minor effect on noradrenaline and norepinepherine.
I believe the root chemical structure of burpropion is also lesser referred to as keto-amphetamine. Which has 3 or 4 active metabolites, which have up to a 60 hour half-life.
This likely explains the much different side effects than that of the SS/SNRI group. The phenylthylamine family includes a number of compounds, most of which are stimulating and thusly act on dopamine -- which is thought to be the most powerful chemical producing a psychoactive "pleasure" response.
Don't know if that made any sense... but Wellbutrin is the only antidepressant in it's class, which is too bad as it is generally very effective. Good luck!
Matt
poster:mattw84
thread:481676
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050408/msgs/482131.html