Yes, Wellbutrin (Bupropion) is a type of anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medicine but it is not a Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) like Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, or Paxil (which raises usually only your serotonin levels)

Wellbutrin raises your both your norepinephrine and dopamine levels. After you smoke, the nicotine does put a bump up on your dopamine levels. It is the raise in dopamine that is associated with the pleasure. To prevent the withdrawal effect (quit nicotine, thus a sudden drop in your dopamine level), you can use Wellbutrin (Bupropion) to prevent you from feeling the cravings of the nicotine. Usually you should have been taking the medication for about 2 weeks or so to allow the medication work before trying to get off the cigarettes or nicotine patches. Most of my patients states that after they start Wellbutrin, if they try to smoke, the cigarettes does not taste good and it smells bad and they don't even get the "buzz" from the nicotine.

Also, find out if your doctor or medical group or your health insurance plan or your work place has a "Smoking Cessation Class" or support group. Studies show that combination with a class or support group and medication, you improve the chances of smoking cessation.

Interesting tibit, there was an observation of depressed Veteren (VA) patients who were treated for depression also tend to reduce the amount of cigarettes or even quit smoking. The researcher narrowed it down to the use of Wellbutrin and there was a huge multi-center VA trial which showed that Wellbutrin did help improve the chances of smoking cessation.

Again, good luck with your smoking cessation.

BTW, try using cinnamon sticks to chew on....they taste better than pens and look better than using a pacifier....

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