The efficacy and safety of bupropion sustained-release formulation for the treatment of major depressive disorder: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Asian patients

This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of bupropion sustained-release (SR) formulation orally administered at daily doses of 150 mg/day (once daily) and 300 mg/day (150 mg twice daily) for 8 weeks versus placebo in Asian patients with major depressive disorder. The mean change from baseline in Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at week 8 was compared between each of the bupropion SR dose groups and the placebo group using an analysis of covariance with the multiplicity adjustment by Dunnett’s step-down procedure. A total of 569 subjects met all of the inclusion criteria and proceeded to the treatment phase. The subjects proceeding to the treatment phase included 454 Japanese patients and 115 Korean patients. There was no statistically significant difference between each of the bupropion SR dose groups and the placebo group in the primary efficacy endpoint of change from baseline in MADRS total score at week 8. Similar results were generally obtained for all of the secondary efficacy endpoints. The secondary analysis and the other subgroup analysis did not show a statistically significant difference in efficacy. There was no substantial difference in the type, severity, and incidence of adverse events (AEs) between the bupropion SR dose groups and the placebo group, which indicates a favorable safety profile for bupropion SR. There were no significant findings in subjects treated with bupropion SR in regard to sexual dysfunction, weight change, and withdrawal syndrome, which are frequently recognized as clinical concerns associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, widely used for the treatment of depression.