Bupropion for treatment of interferon-induced depression.
OBJECTIVE
To report the effect of bupropion in a patient with interferon (IFN)-induced depression and review the use of antidepressants for treatment of depressive symptoms associated with IFN therapy.


METHODS
A 43-year-old white woman with chronic hepatitis C and severe IFN-induced depression was treated with sustained-release bupropion initiated at 150 mg/day for 7 days and 100 mg twice daily thereafter. The dosage was increased again, to 350 mg/day when depressive symptoms recurred. While receiving that dose and continuing IFN treatment, she reported significant improvement in her depressive symptoms without experiencing any adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
There is limited evidence suggesting that IFNs decrease central serotonergic transmission. There are several published reports on the use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of IFN-induced depression. However, controlled studies are needed to assess the efficacy of serotonergic and noradrenergic antidepressants in IFN-treated patients with depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Sustained-release bupropion might be of potential benefit in patients with interferon-induced depression.
Malek-Ahmadi
Parviz
P
Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79430-9103, USA. parviz.malekahmadi@ttuhsc.edu
Ghandour
Elias
E
D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016642:Bupropion; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b