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Bupropion Australia: Thinking of Buying It Online? Here's What You Need to Know - Emerging Writers' Festival
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Broadly speaking, my main areas of interest are in fiction, review writing, and activism-related opinion writing. In terms of fiction, I’ve always enjoyed speculative fiction and how it can utilise the most imaginative aspects of storytelling. Recently, though, I’ve been exploring and come to really appreciate non-fiction and realistic stories as well – I’ve found it particularly powerful in sharing the stories of people outside the mainstream. Historical fiction walks the line between these two forms perfectly, so it’s an area I’m particularly interested in at present. Generally, I write at my desk at home; I don’t have a specific routine for writing beyond that, other than often doing it late at night!
I’ve had a few pieces of creative writing appear in small publications in the past, including SpineOut and Something with Bite. I’ve also written a few pieces for that reminds me, an online magazine of personal reflections on pop culture, and recently contributed an opinion piece to Right Now.
I’ve long enjoyed reading Voiceworks, so it would be great to have my work published there at some point. Being published in The School Magazine would also be incredible – I loved reading the stories, poetry and comics in there when I was in primary school and really admire its pieces and authors. Beyond that, I’m keen for any opportunities to share my writing.
What are you working on right now?
I’ve written a fair bit of non-fiction in the first half of this year, so at present, I’m aiming to focus on creative writing. I’m in the planning phase for a historical fiction piece, which I’m hesitant to say more about at this stage as it’s still fairly experimental. I’m also tossing around concepts for a few speculative short stories and long-form manuscripts, as I like to have many ideas to think about at once, to keep me excited.
What have you read recently?
A recent favourite was Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee, a Young Adult historical fiction novel about a fifteen-year-old girl from Chinatown attempting to follow her ambitions and dealing with the tragedy of the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. I fell in love with the humorous, emotional, and captivating narrative voice, and enjoyed being immersed in the characters’ lives and the vivid historical setting.
I’ve also been reading more non-fiction than usual recently, and found Her Father’s Daughter by Alice Pung incredibly moving; I loved her perceptions of growing into adulthood and her relationship with her parents, and though the portrayal of her father’s experience under the Cambodian genocide was confronting, it was also incredibly insightful and I’m so glad I read it.
What would you like to work on after your studies? What professional development would you like to receive?
After my studies, I’d like to continue what I’m doing now with writing: to continue learning and improving, and to focus on fiction but also to keep experimenting in other areas.
In terms of professional development, mentoring from more experienced writers in similar areas would be incredible. Whilst I always find general advice and workshops about the craft of writing useful, it’s with my own stories’ and pieces’ specific aspects that I have the most challenges with and learn the most from, so individual mentoring would help me a lot!
I’d also like to meet more writers (which I’m eager to do at EWF this year!) and find critique partners, which I know will be particularly useful once I have more fiction work under way!
Wendy Chen is a writer and student from New South Wales, with a focus on storytelling and humanitarian issues. She has been a youth ambassador for The Salvation Army since 2013, is Chinese-Australian, and has a particular passion for fiction, advocacy, and review writing. Her work has been published in SpineOut, Right Now and That Reminds Me.
Bupropion in Australian Clinical Practice: A Doctor’s Review
Attention: Feeling Flat, Foggy, and Failed by Your Current Antidepressant?
If you are over 30 and living with low mood, exhaustion, brain fog, weight gain, or sexual side effects from a standard antidepressant, you are not alone. Many Australians find that their SSRI or SNRI helps the sadness but leaves them feeling emotionally numb, several kilograms heavier, or unable to perform in the bedroom. Some also want to quit smoking but cannot tolerate the weight gain or mood swings that often follow. From my side of the desk, one of the most common questions I hear is: “Doctor, is there an option that gives me my energy, focus, and sex life back?” For many, the answer is bupropion.
Interest: What Is Bupropion and How Does It Work?
What is the mechanism of action of bupropion?
Bupropion is an NDRI — a noradrenaline–dopamine reuptake inhibitor. In plain English: it increases the availability of two brain chemicals, noradrenaline and dopamine, while having minimal effect on serotonin. That unique mechanism explains almost everything patients notice.
Bupropion also blocks nicotinic receptors, which underlies its TGA-approved use in Australia as Zyban for smoking cessation. This dual action makes it especially useful for people who struggle with both mood and nicotine dependence.
Brain chemical
Effect of bupropion
What patients often notice
Dopamine
Increases
Better motivation, focus, reward, less craving
Noradrenaline
Increases
More energy, alertness, but possible blood pressure or urinary effects
Serotonin
Minimal effect
Lower rates of sexual dysfunction, weight gain, emotional blunting
Desire: The Real-World Benefits Australians Over 30 Care About
Does bupropion improve concentration?
Yes, this is one of the main reasons I consider bupropion. Because it boosts dopamine and noradrenaline in the prefrontal cortex, many patients describe sharper focus, less mental fog, and better ability to complete tasks. Bupropion is not approved in Australia for ADHD, but it is a useful off-label option when depression or SSRI side effects are causing poor concentration.
What about weight, energy, and sexual function?
Patient concern
SSRI/SNRI typical profile
Bupropion profile
Sexual desire/performance
High rates of dysfunction
Low risk; may improve
Weight
Often gain
Weight-neutral or modest loss
Energy/fatigue
Often neutral or sedating
Activating; take in the morning
Concentration/brain fog
Variable
Often improves
Smoking
No effect
Reduces cravings
Can bupropion cause syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)?
Rarely, but yes. SIADH and hyponatraemia are much more commonly linked with SSRIs and SNRIs. Bupropion can rarely cause SIADH, usually in older adults or those taking other medications that lower sodium. In practice, I do not regard bupropion as a high-risk drug for SIADH, but I still teach patients the warning signs: new headache, nausea, confusion, drowsiness, or muscle cramps. If these occur, a simple blood test for sodium is urgent.
What is the risk of bupropion in patients with prostate enlargement?
Bupropion is not strongly anticholinergic, so it usually causes less urinary retention than tricyclic antidepressants or some antihistaminergic drugs. However, because it increases noradrenaline, it can tighten the smooth muscle around the bladder neck and prostate in susceptible men. If you have an enlarged prostate, you may notice slower stream or hesitancy. I assess urinary symptoms before starting, begin at 150 mg in the morning, and ask men to report any difficulty passing urine. Many men with mild BPH tolerate it well; those with severe obstruction need a urology review first.
Is bupropion safe while trying to conceive?
This is an important preconception question. In Australia, bupropion is TGA pregnancy category B2, meaning limited human data but no consistent evidence of increased fetal malformations. The bigger risk is often untreated depression or nicotine dependence during pregnancy. If bupropion is keeping you well, I usually discuss continuing it rather than swapping or stopping, because maternal mental stability and smoking cessation matter for the baby. For men, bupropion has no strong evidence of harming sperm or fertility, and its lower sexual side effect burden can make conception attempts less stressful. Always plan pregnancy with your GP or psychiatrist; never stop bupropion abruptly.
Desire: Using Bupropion Safely in the Real World
What is the interaction between bupropion and SNRIs?
Bupropion and SNRIs both increase noradrenaline; together they can raise blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety, and insomnia. Both also lower the seizure threshold. Bupropion inhibits CYP2D6, so it may raise levels of venlafaxine and other drugs. Combining them is not absolutely forbidden, but I do it cautiously: low doses, monitor blood pressure, avoid if there is a history of seizures, and often choose one or the other.
Maximum 300 mg/day in Australia; avoid in epilepsy, eating disorders, alcohol withdrawal
Always give your doctor a full list of medicines, including over-the-counter and herbal products. Start low, go slow, and monitor blood pressure at baseline and after two weeks.
The Role of Bupropion in Australian Mental Health Care
In Australia, bupropion is TGA-registered as Zyban for smoking cessation. Its use for depression is off-label but widely accepted in clinical practice, especially when SSRIs or SNRIs have caused sexual dysfunction, weight gain, or emotional blunting. It is not usually my first-line antidepressant, but it is an excellent second- or third-line choice. It also suits patients who have both depression and nicotine dependence, because one medicine can target both.
The PBS subsidy can depend on indication; if prescribed for depression, it may be a private script. Cost varies, but many patients find the benefits worth it.
Action: What to Do Next
If this sounds like the option you have been looking for, take these steps:
Book a long GP or psychiatrist appointment. Say: “I would like to discuss bupropion for my mood, energy, concentration, and side effects.”
Bring your current medication list, including any SNRI, SSRI, tramadol, or blood pressure medicine.
Ask about baseline checks: blood pressure, mood score, urinary symptoms if you have prostate trouble, and any history of seizures or eating disorder.
If you smoke, mention it. Bupropion may help you quit and improve your mood at the same time.
If you are planning pregnancy, raise it early. A preconception plan can keep you and your baby safe.
In my practice, the right patient on bupropion often says: “I finally feel like myself again.” That is why I keep prescribing it. Talk to your doctor today to see whether bupropion is right for you.
This article is general information, not individual medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting or changing medication.
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