Wellbutrin SR (Bupropion SR) versus Chantix (Varenicline): How Do They Compare to Help You Quit Smoking?

Quitting smoking is one of the biggest steps you can take to improve your health. But it can be difficult to ditch the habit for good. People often need to try quitting several times before they’re successful. Working with a healthcare professional and/or engaging in a smoking cessation program can increase your chances of successfully quitting.

Along with over-the-counter (OTC) products, there are two prescription-only medications that can help you quit smoking: Chantix (varenicline) and Wellbutrin sustained-release (bupropion SR). Here, we’ll do a comparison of Wellbutrin versus Chantix and discuss whether one is more effective than the other.

The brand-name medication Zyban was a version of bupropion SR that used to be FDA approved for smoking cessation. But it’s no longer available. The brand-name medication Wellbutrin SR isn’t FDA approved for smoking cessation. However, since the name “Wellbutrin” is well known, we’ll use this name throughout the article to refer to bupropion SR.

Wellbutrin versus Chantix: Is one better than the other?

Research shows that taking Wellbutrin or Chantix is more effective at helping you quit smoking than taking a placebo (a pill with no medication in it). So taking one of these medications is more likely to help you quit than quitting “cold turkey”.

However, some research shows that Chantix is better than Wellbutrin at helping people quit. For example:

• A study involving about 300 people found that participants taking Chantix were more likely to remain smoke-free 6 months after quitting than those taking Wellbutrin.

• A study involving almost 1,000 people found that, compared to participants taking Wellbutrin, more participants taking Chantix quit smoking after 12 weeks (3 months) of treatment. However, that was not the case after 12 weeks.

• A review of three randomized controlled trials (the best type of study to check for cause and effect) found that Chantix was better than Wellbutrin at helping people quit smoking. This was still true 6 months and 12 months after the initial quit date.

Although studies looking at Chantix versus Wellbutrin have found Chantix to be more effective, deciding which medication to take is a personal decision. Your health history, preferences, and tolerance to each medication’s side effects will help determine which option is better.

Below, we’ll cover four differences between Wellbutrin and Chantix. This can help give you an idea of which might be better for you.

1. Chantix and Wellbutrin work in different ways

When you smoke, the nicotine in cigarettes causes a release of dopamine, a naturally-occurring hormone in the brain. Dopamine levels naturally increase when you engage in activities the body finds pleasurable, such as smoking. This increase in dopamine encourages you to continue smoking. And the brain becomes accustomed to a higher level of dopamine, which makes quitting tough.

Both Chantix and Wellbutrin affect this dopamine reaction, but in different ways. Chantix works in two main ways: increasing dopamine levels and blocking nicotine from activating nicotine receptors (binding sites). Increasing dopamine levels helps minimize nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes. And blocking nicotine receptors may make smoking less enjoyable, therefore making it easier to quit.

Wellbutrin works by keeping existing dopamine in the bloodstream longer. This helps decrease nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Wellbutrin may also block nicotine receptors and make smoking less enjoyable, but it’s not clear if it does this to a significant degree.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• What happens when you quit smoking: Quitting smoking is hard. But it can have extremely positive effects on your body, including improved heart and lung health.

• How to quit smoking: There are several ways to quit smoking, but some strategies — like avoiding triggers — can benefit everyone.

• What to know about nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): NRT is an FDA-approved option for smoking cessation. Learn about what NRT products are available and how to use them.

2. Wellbutrin is combined with other smoking cessation products more often than Chantix

Besides Chantix and Wellbutrin, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products are other options to help you quit smoking. The following NRT products are available:

• Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)

• Nicotine lozenges and gum (Nicorette)

• Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol NS)

The manufacturer of Wellbutrin indicates that the medication can be combined with NRT products to help you quit smoking. But so far, research hasn’t shown that the combination is more effective than either NRT or Wellbutrin on its own.

On the other hand, the manufacturer of Chantix doesn’t recommend combining it with NRT. But some research has shown the combination works well.

Except for the nicotine nasal spray, which is prescription-only, all NRT products are available OTC. You should talk to a healthcare professional before attempting to combine Wellbutrin or Chantix with NRT products. Combining these medications with NRT products increases the risk of side effects. So you’ll want to make sure a combination is safe before you try it.

3. Wellbutrin and Chantix have some unique side effects

Though both Wellbutrin and Chantix are generally well tolerated, they do have possible side effects to be aware of. The chart below includes a summary of each medication’s side effects.

With both Wellbutrin and Chantix, mild side effects may improve as your body gets used to the medication. These side effects can generally be managed at home, as well. For example, taking your doses with meals can help relieve nausea.

However, if you have a history of mental health conditions or seizures, you may be at a higher risk of experiencing severe side effects from these medications. So make sure your prescriber has your full health history before they prescribe you either Chantix or Wellbutrin. And if you experience any changes in your mood or behavior or have a seizure after starting treatment, let your prescriber know right away.

Additionally, let your prescriber know if you have heart problems before starting Chantix. And if you have an eating disorder, Wellbutrin should be avoided.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone, and help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text “HOME” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

4. Wellbutrin is known to have drug interactions

Chantix doesn’t have any known drug interactions. But Wellbutrin may interact with medications that increase the risk of seizures and medications that increase dopamine levels. Head to another GoodRx Health article to learn more about specific Wellbutrin interactions.

Before starting treatment with Chantix or Wellbutrin, give your healthcare team a list of all the medications and supplements you take. They can help you check for potential drug interactions.

Wellbutrin vs. Chantix: What are the similarities?

Even though Wellbutrin and Chantix work in different ways, they have several similarities, including:

• Dosage form: Both medications come as a tablet.

• How they’re taken: Chantix and Wellbutrin are both taken twice a day in most cases. With both medications, you’ll start with a lower once-daily dose before increasing to twice daily.

• Length of treatment: The manufacturers of Chantix and Wellbutrin recommend taking the medications for up to 12 weeks (3 months) initially. With Chantix, the manufacturer recommends an additional 12 weeks if you’ve successfully quit smoking by that point. However, both medications are often taken longer than 12 weeks. You’ll want to work closely with your prescriber to determine your length of treatment.

• Generic availability: Both medications are available as a lower-cost generic option.

• When to start taking them: In general, you’ll start taking Wellbutrin or Chantix before you quit smoking. However, you should work with your prescriber to determine exactly how many days before.

• Avoiding alcohol: It’s best to avoid combining either of these medications with alcohol. Combining Wellbutrin with alcohol can heighten the effects of alcohol. It also increases your risk of seizures and extreme drowsiness. Combining Chantix with alcohol can cause aggressive behavior in some people and amnesia.

Can you take Chantix and Wellbutrin together?

Chantix and Wellbutrin aren’t typically combined. Some research shows that the combination is effective. However, it does increase the risk of side effects, since each medication can cause side effects on its own. 

If you’re taking either medication on its own (or with NRT) and it’s not working, talk to your prescriber about your options.

How to save on Wellbutrin and Chantix

There are ways to save on Wellbutrin and Chantix, which are available as lower-cost generic medications. Generic Chantix’s price at certain pharmacies may be as low as $36.61 with a free GoodRx coupon. And the price of generic Wellbutrin may be as low as $11.40.

What's more, anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a box of brand-name Chantix at an exclusive cash price of $99.

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Written by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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