The lack of effect of bupropion HCL (Wellbatrin) on the secretion of growth hormone and prolactin in humans

Abstract

The effect of bupropian HCL (Wellbatrin), a new anti-depressant, on the secretion of GH and PRL in healthy male subjects and male hyperprolactinaemic patients was studied. The study was a randomised double-blind test in which 6 subjects and 6 patients who had been treated with neuroleptics were each, in accordance with the random plan, treated once with placebo and once with 200 mg bupropion p.o.. After administration of the test substance, blood was drawn to measure bupropion, GH and PRL up to 240 minutes thereafter. Neither in the healthy men nor in the patients could a specific effect of bupropion on the secretion of CH be shown in comparison to placebo although bupropion in all subjects and patients was well reabsorbed. As opposed to the results of Stern et al. (5), no change in the secretion of PRL was measured in either the healthy subjects or the hyperprolactinaemic patients. In addition, no change in the TRH-induced stimulation of PRL could be measured. The results of the present study offer no positive contribution towards an explanation of the mechanism of bupropion.