Bupropion sustained release for bereavement: results of an open trial

• Published in: The journal of clinical psychiatry Vol. 62; no. 4; p. 227
• Main Authors: Zisook, S, Shuchter, S R, Pedrelli, P, Sable, J, Deaciuc, S C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2001
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation - administration & dosage; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation - therapeutic use; Bereavement; Bupropion - administration & dosage; Bupropion - therapeutic use; Delayed-Action Preparations; Depressive Disorder - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder - drug therapy; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Personality Inventory - statistics & numerical data; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - statistics & numerical data; Treatment Outcome; Widowhood - psychology
• ISSN: 0160-6689; 1555-2101
• DOI: 10.4088/JCP.v62n0403

The present study was conducted to assess whether DSM-IV-defined bereavement responds to bupropion sustained release (SR). Twenty-two subjects who had lost their spouses within the previous 6 to 8 weeks and who met DSM-IV symptomatic/functional criteria for a major depressive episode were evaluated. Subjects completed the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Clinical Global Impressions scale, the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief, and the Inventory of Complicated Grief at baseline and follow-up. Subjects were treated with bupropion SR, 150 to 300 mg/day, for 8 weeks. Improvement was noted in both depression and grief intensity. For the intent-to-treat group. 59% experienced a reduction of > or = 50% on HAM-D scores. The correlations between changes in the HAM-D scores and the grief scale scores were high, ranging from 0.61 (p = .006) to 0.44 (p = .054). Major depressive symptoms occurring shortly after the loss of a loved one (i.e., bereavement) appear to respond to bupropion SR. Treatment of these symptoms does not intensify grief; rather, improvement in depression is associated with decreases in grief intensity. The results of this study challenge prevailing clinical wisdom that DSM-IV-defined bereavement should not be treated. Larger, placebo-controlled studies are indicated.