Wellbutrin as anti-inflammatory study | Arthritis Information

As I was looking through PubMed for something else, I found a study from 2006 that indicates the anti-depressant Wellbutrin (bupropion) has anti-TNF and anti-IL1 properties, with typically less risk than mtx, Imuran, pred, and Remicade.

I tried Wellbutrin for my fibro and DDD pain a few years ago and I have to say it worked absolute wonders, yet gave me horrible hives, so I had to discontinue. But if anyone is considering trying an anti-depressant, for pain or for depression, they might want to consider this.

Here's the article:

"A new chapter opens in anti-inflammatory treatments: the antidepressant bupropion lowers production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma in mice."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16644475?ordinalpos=113&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

I did the wellbutrin...didn't do anything for the fibro or help the swelling...wow...that would be neat if it really would work for others though.Its really important not to take the generic. Only the name brand works well. There have been a couple studies that all the antidepressant generics don't work as well as name brand. Its seems to me esp true with Wellbrutin.That's interesting. I was reading some options for RLS since I hate Requip.. and Wellbutrin was one of the options.. but, not according to my neuro. He said if I found him some good studies he'd consider it... Now, I'm doing his leg work????

editing cause I didn't mean to enter yet:

I also read about a radio personality who died from taking her Wellbutrin.. she increased her dose from 150 to 300 mg and had a seizure...

What dose was prescribed?

babs102008-05-20 17:09:39babs, I don't think the study I found was on humans, so I don't think it would have dosage info. Would the dosage be the same as for using it as an anti-depressant? I do remember having to go up slowly on the dosage, but I'm very sensitive to AD's.It has to be increased and decreased slowly. I am on it, and it helps with the depression side. I do take the generic Buproprion, and it does not help with my swelling or inflammation that I know of.

I think I started on50mg 2x's a day for 2 weeks, 100mg 2x a day for two weeks, then 150mg 2x's a day. I take 300mg every am now. I think 300mg is the MAX you can take. taking it at night was causing sleep problems, so I only take it am's now.

I was hopeful that neuro would prescribe the wellbutrin.. hoping to kill smoking.. RLS.. and lose weight at the same time!! Wouldnt' that be wonderful???

Maybe PCP will...... hmmm