Potential Role of Bupropion Sustained Release for Cancer-Related Fatigue: a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is very common and can be experienced at all stages of disease and in<br />survivors. CRF causes patients more distress than pain or nausea and vomiting. Different pharmacologic interventions<br />have been evaluated for the management of CRF. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of bupropion<br />sustained release (SR) as a treatment for fatigue in patients with cancer. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind,<br />placebo-controlled trial, patients with fatigue due to cancer were randomly assigned to either 150mg daily of bupropion<br />SR or matching placebo. The primary endpoint was the changes in average daily fatigue from baseline to week 4 using<br />the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness-therapy- Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire. Results: 40 patients were<br />randomly assigned to treatment with bupropion SR or placebo (20 in each group). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)<br />showed a significant improvement in fatigue and quality of life in the bupropion group compared to baseline (P=0.000).<br />Secondary outcome, including depression, severity of fatigue and performance status didn't show significant difference<br />between groups. Generally, bupropion SR was tolerated well. Conclusion: Four weeks of 150 mg bupropion SR<br />improve fatigue significantly in cancer patients. Bupropion has potential as an effective and safe pharmaceutical agent<br />for treating CRF.