Dextromethorphan-bupropion combination in depression with dual diagnosis: Insights from a case series.
Indian journal of psychiatry February 1, 2026 Mahak Aggarwal, Jawahar Singh, Khushpreet Kaur et al.
Three male patients with alcohol or opioid dependence and depression who had not responded to multiple antidepressant trials showed substantial improvement in depressive symptoms and functioning after treatment with dextromethorphan-bupropion. The combination targets glutamatergic and dopaminergic pathways, offering a new option for the challenging dual diagnosis of major depressive disorder and substance use disorder, which is often marked by persistent anhedonia and high relapse rates. The findings suggest clinical promise but require further controlled studies to confirm efficacy and safety.