Profiling the combination of bupropion and dextromethorphan as a treatment option for major depressive disorder.
Joseph Blanco, Pamela Quimbaya, Manuel Mena, Seetal Dodd, Rosa-Helena Bustos
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics September 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2374024 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adult patients with major depressive disorder |
| Intervention | Dextromethorphan hydrobromide combined with bupropion hydrochloride (Auvelity®) |
| Topics | Depression |
| Keywords | Dextromethorphan Auvelity® Bupropion Neuropharmacology |
| Key findings | The combination of dextromethorphan and bupropion is an effective and acceptable treatment option for major depressive disorder, including as a first-line therapy, after failed remission with serotonin-targeting agents, and for treatment-resistant depression. |
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common mental health disorder marked by sadness, hopelessness, and anhedonia. Various therapies exist, but their effectiveness is limited. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide combined with bupropion hydrochloride (Auvelity®) is a recently approved alternative for treating this condition in adults. This review summarizes the neurobiology of major depression and delves into the pharmacology, efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dextromethorphan plus bupropion in adult patients. It is based on observational studies, clinical trials, and other secondary studies obtained through systematic literature searches. The combination of bupropion and dextromethorphan as a new pharmacotherapy for mental health is an interesting addition to the treatment options that can be used for MDD. The combination can be used in a range of scenarios, including as a first line therapy, as a second option when a patient has failed to achieve remission with a serotonin targeting agent, and for treatment resistant depression. Further research for other indications, including addiction disorders, may provide exciting results. Although a new combination, clinicians will be very familiar with both agents, increasing their acceptability. This pharmacotherapy also may bring increased impetus for discovering other combinations that may have beneficial synergistic effects.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synaptic Dysfunction in Depression: Potential Therapeutic Targets | 2012 | Review | |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse | 2003 | Review | |
| Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation Adults with treatment-resistant depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Next-Generation Pharmacotherapy for Depressive Disorders: From Novel Compounds to Optimized Use of Available Drugs. Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2026
- Efficacy of Dextromethorphan Augmentation in SSRI‐Resistant Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial Health science reports May 1, 2026
- Abuse liability of dextromethorphan and its combinatory formulation dextromethorphan/bupropion: a pharmacologic perspective. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology 2026
Cites 10
- Dextromethorphan-Bupropion for the Treatment of Depression: A Systematic Review of Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials. CNS Drugs October 1, 2023
- Dextromethorphan-bupropion (Auvelity) for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience July 17, 2023
- Dextromethorphan/bupropion in major depressive disorder: a profile of its use Drugs & therapy perspectives July 6, 2023
- Esketamine for treatment‑resistant depression: A review of clinical evidence (Review). Experimental and therapeutic medicine March 2023
- Dextromethorphan/Bupropion: First Approval CNS Drugs October 27, 2022
and 5 more in the library