Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Bupropion(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Bupropion
Wellbutrin · Forfivo
Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor
FDA-approved indications
- Major depressive disorder (adults)
- Seasonal affective disorder — prevention (adults; XL only)
Off-label uses
- ADHD
- Sexual dysfunction (SSRI-induced)
- Weight loss (adjunct)
Half-life21 hours
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Bupropion
Consider when
- Sexual dysfunction on SSRIs/SNRIs is intolerable — only non-serotonergic first-line AD; placebo-level SD (~10%); also treats SSRI-induced SD as augmentation
- Weight gain is unacceptable — modest weight loss (−0.79 kg) or neutrality vs SSRIs/mirtazapine; no appetite stimulation
- Smoking cessation needed alongside depression — FDA-approved for both MDD and smoking cessation (Zyban); also component of Auvelity (DXM/bupropion)
- Apathy, psychomotor retardation, or fatigue predominates — dopaminergic/noradrenergic activation targets these symptoms directly
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- Active or recent eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia) — contraindicated; dose-dependent seizure risk elevated in this population
- Seizure disorder or seizure risk factors — contraindicated; highest seizure rate among first-line ADs; 450 mg/day ceiling reflects this
- Comorbid anxiety disorder is dominant — may worsen anxiety; insomnia 11–16%, agitation 3–9%; SSRIs/SNRIs preferred for anxious depression
- Insomnia-predominant depression — activating profile worsens sleep; consider mirtazapine, trazodone, or low-dose doxepin adjunct
- +1 more
| Axis | Bupropion NDRI |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Suicidality (boxed warning) | |
| CNS | |
Sedation / somnolence | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Emotional blunting | |
Seizure risk | |
| Metabolic | |
Weight loss | |
Metabolic (glucose / lipids) | |
| Autonomic | |
Anticholinergic burden | |
Angle-closure glaucoma | |
| Cardiac | |
QTc prolongation | |
Blood pressure elevation | |
Heart rate / tachycardia | |
| Hepatic | |
Liver enzymes / hepatotoxicity | |
| Electrolytes | |
Hyponatremia / SIADH | |
| Sexual | |
Sexual dysfunction | |
| Discontinuation | |
Withdrawal / discontinuation | |
| Pregnancy | |
Lactation / breastfeeding safety | |