Which newer type of drug is used to treat depression, such as Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin, also known by its generic name bupropion, is classified as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). This class of medication works primarily by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that play a significant role in mood regulation and reward pathways in the brain. By increasing the availability of these neurotransmitters, NDRIs can help alleviate symptoms of depression and are also used in smoking cessation.

In contrast, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) primarily focus on increasing serotonin levels in the brain and are commonly prescribed for depression, but they operate on a different mechanism than NDRIs. Typical antipsychotics are primarily used to manage symptoms of psychosis rather than depressive disorders, and tricyclic antidepressants, while effective for depression, function by different mechanisms involving multiple neurotransmitter systems and tend to have more side effects compared to newer antidepressants like Wellbutrin. Thus, the classification of Wellbutrin as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor is what sets it apart as a newer treatment option for depression.