Use of bupropion with SRIs and venlafaxine

Because of reported efficacy of combining classes of antidepressants, 25 patients were treated with bupropion in combination with SRI's and venlafaxine. Fifteen patients inadequately responsive to monotherapy received combination treatment; ten patients without residual symptoms received adjunctive bupropion to treat SRI- or venlafaxine-induced side effects. Fourteen subjects (56%) responded, 11 (44%) did not. Twelve of 15 subjects receiving combination treatment to boost the effects of monotherapy responded, while only 2 of 10 subjects receiving combination treatment for side effects responded. Combination therapy was well tolerated even by geriatric and "medically frail" patients.