Wellbutrin and Zyban are both brand names for the chemical Bupropion Hydrochloride.

Zyban however is the more commonly known name when it comes to quitting or stopping smoking.

Wellbutrin is a nicotine-free pill which has been shown to help some people quit smoking. When used with NRT’s, the rate of success for smoking cessation improves. Learn about this prescription-strength medicine and discuss with your doctor whether it might be a good choice for you.

Wellbutrin, a relatively new antidepressant medication, is given to help relieve certain kinds of major depression.

Major depression involves a severely depressed mood (for 2 weeks or more) and loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities accompanied by sleep and appetite disturbances, agitation or lack of energy, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, decreased sex drive, inability to concentrate, and perhaps thoughts of suicide.

Unlike the more familiar tricyclic antidepressants, such as Elavil, Tofranil, and others, Wellbutrin tends to have a somewhat stimulating effect.

The drug is available in regular and sustained-release formulations (Wellbutrin SR).

Although Wellbutrin occasionally causes weight gain, a more common effect is weight loss: Some 28 percent of people who take this medication lose 5 pounds or more. If depression has already caused you to lose weight, and if further weight loss would be detrimental to your health, Wellbutrin may not be the best antidepressant for you.

Information on Wellbutrin here.

Wellbutrin at GSK here.