Approved for long-term weight management in patients with obesity.
Bupropion is a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor approved for depression and for smoking cessation.
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist approved to treat alcohol and opioid dependence.
Bupropion in obesity studies is associated with a 2.8 kg plecebo-subtracted weight-loss at 6 to 12 months.
Bupropion Is suspected to stimulate secretion of anorexigenic alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone from pro opiomelanocortin-producing hypothalamic cells.
Naltrexone has little efficacy in weight management as a single agent, however it counteracts the auto inhibitory reactions of bupropion stimulated endogenous opioids.