bupropion XL
Bupropion is taken by mouth to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It's available as short-acting tablets that are taken two or three times a day, as well as long-acting versions that are taken once daily. Bupropion has fewer sexual side effects compared to other antidepressants, but it's not a good choice for people with a history of seizures, eating disorders, or drink alcohol regularly.
What is Bupropion?
What is Bupropion used for?
- Depression
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - only bupropion HCl extended-release (Wellbutrin XL)
How Bupropion works
Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant. It's not fully known how the medication works but it's thought to boost norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain, which can help to improve mood and depression.
Drug facts
Side effects of Bupropion
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
- Dizziness
- Sore throat
- Constipation
- Restlessness (agitation)
Less Common Side Effects
- Stomach pain
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Tremor
- Fast heartbeat
- Sweating
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Muscle pain
- Loss of appetite
- Urinary frequency
- Rash
Bupropion serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Suicidal thoughts and changes in mood or behavior
- Serious allergic reactions: itchy skin, skin rash, hives, swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain
- Severe skin reactions: painful rash, fluid-filled blisters, fever, sore throat, peeling skin
- Seizures
- Manic episodes: very high or low energy, angry or very happy, problems with sleep
- Vision problems: eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around the eye
More on Bupropion side effects
The following Bupropion side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
hyperventilation
irregular heartbeats
irritability
restlessness
shaking
trouble sleeping
Rare
Confusion
fainting
false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
having extreme distrust of people
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
seizures
trouble concentrating
Incidence not known
Actions that are out of control
anger
assaulting or attacking others
being aggressive or impulsive
chest pain or discomfort
fast or pounding heartbeat
force
inability to sit still
need to keep moving
sweating
talking, feeling, or acting with excitement
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
loss of consciousness
slow or irregular heartbeat
unusual tiredness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Blurred vision
change in sense of taste
drowsiness
unusual feeling of well-being
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Bupropion
Pros
- Works well for depression and can be used alone or in combination with other antidepressants
- Causes fewer sexual side effects than some other antidepressants
- Available in a lower-cost generic form
- Less likely to cause weight gain compared to other antidepressants
- Good option for people who haven't had success with traditional antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Cons
- Can take several weeks to feel the full effects
- Not the best option if you have a history of seizures or eating disorders like as anorexia or bulimia
- Might need to limit or avoid using alcohol during treatment
- Can cause trouble sleeping if you take it later in the day
Pharmacist tips for Bupropion
- Take bupropion with or without food. Swallow the extended-release and sustained-release tablets whole. Don't chew, cut, or crush tablets because doing so can cause the medication to be released too fast in your body, which can raise your risk of seizures.
- Take bupropion in the morning to avoid trouble sleeping at night. If you're taking multiple doses throughout the day, separate the doses by at least 6-8 hours (depending on which form of bupropion you are taking) to lower the risk of seizures.
- If you miss a dose of bupropion, skip the dose. Don't take an extra dose to make up for the missed dose, wait and take the next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Taking too much bupropion can raise your risk of a seizure.
- Don't stop taking bupropion suddenly. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to slowly lower your dose to avoid any symptoms coming back. Stopping this medication too suddenly can also lead to antidepressant discontinuation syndrome with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or trouble sleeping.
- Avoid drinking alcohol as much as possible while you're taking bupropion. Drinking a large amount of alcohol or suddenly stopping alcohol use if you drink regularly can raise your risk of seizures. Bupropion can also cause you to be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol.
- Bupropion is available in many different brand and generic versions, meaning the tablet colors and sizes will vary widely. Make sure you are taking the correct dose and tablet formulation.
- Bupropion can raise your risk for seizures. If you experience a seizure while taking this medication, stop taking it and contact your provider.
- Bupropion can sometimes worsen depression and cause suicidal thoughts. Tell your provider if you notice sudden mood changes or unusual thoughts while taking this medication.
- Bupropion can cause dizziness, blurred vision, and it can affect your coordination and concentration. You shouldn't drive a car or participate in activities that require your attention or focus until you know how this medication affects you.
- Bupropion can narrow the angle between the eye's iris and cornea if you have naturally have narrow angles and haven't had surgery to correct it. This can damage the optic nerve and lead to permanent vision loss (angle-closure glaucoma). Tell your healthcare provider if you develop sudden eye pain, changes in vision, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
- Like other antidepressant medications, it can take several weeks or months to feel the full effects of bupropion. It's also possible to have side effects before you see an improvement in your mood, though these can go away with time. If the side effects are bothersome, talk to your provider if you should switch to another medication or continue taking bupropion.
Common questions about Bupropion
Wellbutrin XL (bupropion hydrochloride extended-release) and Aplenzin (bupropion hydrobromide extended-release) are both medications that contain the same active ingredient, bupropion. One of the main differences between them is that they contain different salt forms (hydrochloride vs. hydrobromide), the inactive ingredient of the medication. Another difference is that Aplenzin is brand name only, while Wellbutrin XL is available as a lower-cost generic. Lastly, Aplenzin is available as a high-dose tablet (522 mg of bupropion), whereas Wellbutrin XL isn't. Both these medications treat the same conditions and work the same way. If you've questions about other differences between these medications, talk with your provider.
Forfivo XL contains the same active ingredient, bupropion, as Wellbutrin XL. Forfivo XL provides a once-daily, bupropion 450 mg dose in a single tablet and it's approved to treat depression only (and not SAD). Bupropion is similar to Wellbutrin XL. People should not start bupropion treatment with Forfivo XL because the 450 mg tablet is the only strength of the medication available. Your provider should start your treatment with another form of bupropion medication. Your provider can then switch you to Forfivo XL once you're taking 450 mg of bupropion per day or 300 mg per day for at least 2 weeks and require a higher dose of 450 mg per day.
It's not clear whether bupropion is safe to take while pregnant. Some data suggest the medication might affect the development of your unborn baby's heart. But other studies didn't find any risk of heart problems with bupropion. Speak with your provider if you get pregnant or want to get pregnant while taking bupropion. There's a National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants to monitor the safety of certain medications during pregnancy. If you're currently pregnant and taking bupropion, you're encouraged to enroll in the registry by visiting the website or calling 1-844-405-6185.
Most people won't feel any change for several weeks after starting bupropion. It's important to take the medication every day as prescribed, even if you don't feel better right away. Talk to your healthcare provider to understand more about the treatment course with bupropion.
Weight gain is a common side effect of many other antidepressants, but it's not as common with bupropion. About 2% to 11% of people gained 5 lbs or more while taking bupropion. In fact, studies show that more people experience weight loss (14-23%) with bupropion than weight gain (2-11%).
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Risks and warnings for Bupropion
Bupropion can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Suicidal thoughts or behavior and abnormal mood changes
- Risk factors: Age 24 years or younger | History of depression or any mental health condition | Use of alcohol
Bupropion can raise your risk of having suicidal thoughts or behavior, especially in people under the age of 24. Alcohol use while taking bupropion can make these effects worse. You, your family members, and caregivers should watch out for any unusual changes in mood or behavior including worsening depression, agitation, or hostility, especially when you first start taking bupropion or if your dose changes. Stop bupropion and tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of these changes.
Mental health changes
- Risk factors: History of depression or any mental health condition | Having symptoms from stopping nicotine
Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, bupropion HCl, and Forfivo XL aren't FDA-approved to help you quit smoking, but these medications contain the same active ingredient as the smoking cessation medication, bupropion HCl (Zyban) sustained-release. Some people who’ve taken this form of bupropion for smoking cessation have experienced serious mental health side effects. These include depression, hallucinations, getting lost from reality (psychosis), paranoia, delusions, aggression, violent behavior, panic, and suicidal thoughts or behavior. It's important that you, your caregiver, and the people around you watch for depressed mood, feelings of uneasiness, and any changes of behavior, thoughts, or feelings. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking bupropion right away and talk to your provider.
Seizures
- Risk factors: Taking more bupropion than recommended | History of seizures or eating disorders | Recently quitting alcohol or certain medications | Taking other medications that can cause seizures | History of head trauma or conditions that can cause seizures | Frequent alcohol, sedative, cocaine, or stimulant use | Taking insulin or diabetes medications
Bupropion can raise your risk of seizures, especially if you're taking more than the maximum recommended dose per day. Be sure to take the medication exactly as prescribed by your provider. Don't take bupropion if you have a history of seizures or conditions that raise your risk of seizures (e.g., head trauma, eating disorders, stroke, recently stopping alcohol use or medications like benzodiazepines, barbituates, or seizure medications). Stop taking bupropion and tell your provider right away if you think you've had a seizure while on treatment.
High blood pressure
- Risk factors: History of high blood pressure | Taking other medications that can raise blood pressure, such as MAOIs and nicotine replacement therapies
Bupropion can cause high blood pressure, especially in people who have or are at risk for high blood pressure. Check your blood pressure often, and let your healthcare provider know if your blood pressure rises or if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Extreme enthusiasm or excitement (mania)
- Risk factors: Personal history of bipolar disorder | Family history of bipolar disorder
People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants, like bupropion, alone without other medications for their bipolar disorder can experience a manic episode (much more energetic, severe trouble sleeping, excessive happiness or irritability, unusually grand ideas, overactivity). This is because depression can be the first symptom of bipolar disorder. This is more likely to happen if you or someone in your family has bipolar disorder. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you notice unusual changes in behavior or if you have history of mania.
Bupropion dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150mg | 30 tablets | $7.29 | $0.24 |
| 300mg | 30 tablets | $11.78 | $0.39 |
Typical dosage for Bupropion
Depression:
- Bupropion HCl immediate-release: The typical starting dose is 100 mg by mouth twice daily. After 3 days, your provider might raise your dose to 100 mg three times a day with at least 6 hours between doses. The maximum dose is 450 mg per day.
- Bupropion HCl sustained-release (Wellbutrin SR): The typical starting dose is 150 mg by mouth once daily in the morning. After 3 days, your provider might raise your dose to 150 mg twice daily with at least 8 hours between doses. The maximum dose is 400 mg per day.
- Bupropion HCl extended-release (Wellbutrin XL): The typical starting dose is 150 mg by mouth once daily in the morning. After 4 days, your provider might raise your dose to 300 mg once daily.
- Forfivo XL (bupropion HCl extended-release): The typical dose is 450 mg by mouth once daily.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD):
- Bupropion HCl extended-release (Wellbutrin XL): The typical starting dose is 150 mg by mouth once daily in the morning. After 7 days, your provider might raise your dose to 300 mg once daily in the morning. Treatment is usually started in the autumn season, before your SAD symptoms begin and it's continued through the winter season. Your provider will likely have you stop taking bupropion in the early spring.
Your dose might be different if you have kidney or liver problems.
Bupropion reviews
GoodRx has partnered with to provide reviews on the different aspects of Bupropion.
Effectiveness
Learn more about the effectiveness of Bupropion based on real life experiences.
Overall Rating
Based on 1360 people taking this medication
3.1
Effectiveness by condition:
major depressive disorder1025 reviews
2.9
persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)184 reviews
2.8
bipolar disorder55 reviews
3.2
mild depression52 reviews
2.7
bipolar II disorder44 reviews
3.8
Severity of side effects
Based on 2095 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Top side effects
Dry mouth
4%
Anxious mood
3%
Insomnia
3%
Weight gain
3%
Headaches
2%
Reasons people stopped taking Bupropion
Based on 2531 people who have taken this medication
Did not seem to work
32%
Side effects too severe
25%
Doctor's advice
19%
Other
13%
Course of treatment ended
5%
Expense
4%
Personal research
4%
Change in health plan coverage
2%
How long people take Bupropion
Based on 3603 people who have taken this medication
0%
50%
100%
Interactions between Bupropion and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Bromopride
- Eliglustat
- Furazolidone
- Iproniazid
- Isocarboxazid
- Linezolid
- Methylene Blue
- Moclobemide
- Nialamide
- Phenelzine
- Procarbazine
- Rasagiline
- Selegiline
- Tranylcypromine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acetophenazine
- Aclidinium
- Acrivastine
- Alcaftadine
- Amantadine
- Ambenonium
- Amdinocillin
- Amdinocillin Pivoxil
- Amiloride
- Amineptine
- Aminophylline
- Amitriptyline
- Amitriptylinoxide
- Amoxapine
- Amphetamine
- Ampicillin
- Anisotropine
- Antazoline
- Aripiprazole
- Astemizole
- Atomoxetine
- Atropine
- Azatadine
- Azelastine
- Azlocillin
- Bacampicillin
- Belladonna Alkaloids
- Benperidol
- Benzphetamine
- Bepotastine
- Betamethasone
- Brexpiprazole
- Bromodiphenhydramine
- Bromperidol
- Brompheniramine
- Buclizine
- Budesonide
- Bupivacaine
- Butriptyline
- Butylscopolamine
- Carbamazepine
- Carbenicillin
- Carbimazole
- Carbinoxamine
- Carvedilol
- Chlorambucil
- Chlorotrianisene
- Chlorpheniramine
- Chlorphenoxamine
- Cimetidine
- Cimetropium
- Cinnarizine
- Citalopram
- Clemastine
- Clemizole
- Clidinium
- Clobetasone
- Clomipramine
- Clopidogrel
- Cloxacillin
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Conjugated Estrogens
- Corticotropin
- Cortisone
- Cosyntropin
- Cyclacillin
- Cyclizine
- Cyclosporine
- Cyproheptadine
- Danazol
- Darifenacin
- Deflazacort
- Delavirdine
- Demecarium
- Desipramine
- Desonide
- Desvenlafaxine
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dexamethasone
- Dexbrompheniramine
- Dexchlorpheniramine
- Dextroamphetamine
- Dextromethorphan
- Dibenzepin
- Dicloxacillin
- Dicyclomine
- Dienestrol
- Diethylstilbestrol
- Dihydrocodeine
- Dimenhydrinate
- Diphenhydramine
- Diphenylpyraline
- Distigmine
- Donepezil
- Dopamine
- Dothiepin
- Doxepin
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Doxylamine
- Droperidol
- Duloxetine
- Ebastine
- Echothiophate
- Edrophonium
- Efavirenz
- Emedastine
- Enflurane
- Epinastine
- Escitalopram
- Esterified Estrogens
- Estradiol
- Estramustine
- Estriol
- Estrone
- Estropipate
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Famotidine
- Fesoterodine
- Flavoxate
- Flecainide
- Floxacillin
- Fludrocortisone
- Flunarizine
- Flunisolide
- Fluoxetine
- Fluticasone
- Fluvoxamine
- Fosphenytoin
- Galantamine
- Glycopyrrolate
- Guanidine
- Haloperidol
- Hetacillin
- Homatropine
- Hydrocortisone
- Hydroxyzine
- Hyoscyamine
- Imipramine
- Indalpine
- Iobenguane I 123
- Iobenguane I 131
- Isoflurophate
- Isoniazid
- Isopropamide
- Ketamine
- Ketotifen
- Lemborexant
- Levocabastine
- Levodopa
- Levomilnacipran
- Lidocaine
- Lindane
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Lofepramine
- Lopinavir
- Loxapine
- Mebeverine
- Mebhydrolin
- Meclizine
- Memantine
- Mepenzolate
- Mestranol
- Metformin
- Methamphetamine
- Methantheline
- Methdilazine
- Methenolone
- Methicillin
- Methimazole
- Methixene
- Methylphenidate
- Methylprednisolone
- Methyltestosterone
- Metoclopramide
- Metronidazole
- Mexiletine
- Mezlocillin
- Milnacipran
- Mizolastine
- Nafcillin
- Nalidixic Acid
- Nandrolone
- Nebivolol
- Nefazodone
- Neostigmine
- Niaprazine
- Nortriptyline
- Olopatadine
- Ondansetron
- Opipramol
- Oxacillin
- Oxaliplatin
- Oxandrolone
- Oxatomide
- Oxybutynin
- Oxymetholone
- Paramethasone
- Paroxetine
- Penicillin G
- Penicillin V
- Phenindamine
- Pheniramine
- Phenobarbital
- Phenyltoloxamine
- Phenytoin
- Physostigmine
- Pimozide
- Pinaverium
- Pindolol
- Piperacillin
- Pirenzepine
- Pitolisant
- Pivampicillin
- Pizotyline
- Polyestradiol Phosphate
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Procainamide
- Procaine
- Promestriene
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Propantheline
- Propicillin
- Propiverine
- Propizepine
- Propranolol
- Protriptyline
- Pyrilamine
- Quinestrol
- Ranitidine
- Rimexolone
- Risperidone
- Ritonavir
- Rivastigmine
- Scopolamine
- Sertraline
- Sibutramine
- Solifenacin
- Stanozolol
- Sultamicillin
- Tacrine
- Terfenadine
- Testosterone
- Theophylline
- Thioridazine
- Thiotepa
- Thonzylamine
- Tibolone
- Ticarcillin
- Ticlopidine
- Timiperone
- Tolterodine
- Tramadol
- Trimeprazine
- Trimipramine
- Tripelennamine
- Triprolidine
- Tropicamide
- Trospium
- Umeclidinium
- Valbenazine
- Valethamate
- Varenicline
- Venlafaxine
- Vortioxetine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Digoxin
- Isavuconazonium Sulfate
- Lofexidine
- St John's Wort
- Tipranavir
- Zolpidem
How much does Bupropion cost?
Bupropion contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Bupropion will not be safe for you to take.
- History of seizures
- History of eating disorders (e.g., bulimia or anorexia)
- Stopping alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antiepileptic medications suddenly
- Take, have recently taken (within the last 14 days), or plan to take (within the next 14 days) medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as rasagiline (Azilect) or selegiline (Eldepryl)
- Treatment with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue
What are alternatives to Bupropion?
News about Bupropion
Bupropion images
