Question: What is your option of bupropion? I was given this from my doctor for eating too much and to help me quit smoking. He said it was for depression too?

Dr. Hibberd's answer:
 

Bupropion is marketed as Wellbutrin for depression and as Zyban for smoking cessation. Why the Food and Drug Administration allowed dual names for the same drug is a story for another time.

Zyban decreases the urge to smoke. After starting Zyban, most smokers report a decreased urge to reach for more cigarettes. It has been a very popular drug for more than 15 years to aid with smoking cessation.
 

Wellbutrin (same drug, different name) is an atypical antidepressant, and is often used as an add-on drug for those who have had had complete success taking an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) prescribed for depression. As a stand-alone anti-depressant, Wellbutrin does not seem to work as well as SSRIs. Wellbutrin does not usually cause weight gain or sexual dysfunction, but can pose a seizure risk for those prone to seizures.
 

Wellbutrin is not approved for weight loss but often decreases appetite and is associated with short-term weight loss. Studies to evaluate its long term effectiveness for binge eating disorders were disappointing — revealing no long-term weight loss on double blind study.