An estimated two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and many of them suffer from depression.

A report in the Journal of Clinical Medicine suggests that the antidepressant bupropion may be the drug of choice for overweight depressed individuals.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is indicated for treatment of depression as well as for helping people quit smoking, because it affects the brain’s dopamine circuits that control satiety, appetite, and cravings.

In this new study, the investigators assessed the link between antidepressant medicines and weight change over a two-year period.

Nonsmokers treated with bupropion lost an average of seven pounds compared with nonsmokers taking another antidepressant, fluoxetine.

None of the other antidepressants were associated with weight loss, but two were associated with weight gain: sertraline (Zoloft) and mirtazapine (Remeron).