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Drug Details

Bupropion Sr

( Wellbutrin Sr )

Last Reviewed: Sep 30, 2024

Drug Details

Generic Name:

Bupropion extended-release (bupropion XL)

Common Brands:

Aplenzin, Forfivo XL, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban, Budeprion XL

Availability:

Prescription only

Therapeutic Class:

Atypical antidepressant; miscellaneous antidepressant; smoking cessation agent

Forms:

Wellbutrin SR (sustained-release formulation):
- Sustained-release tablets: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg
Wellbutrin XL (extended-release formulation):
- Extended-release tablets: 150 mg, 300 mg
Bupropion hydrochloride:
- Immediate-release tablets: 75 mg, 100 mg
- Sustained-release tablets: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg
- Extended-release tablets: 150 mg, 300 mg
Bupropion hydrobromide:
- Extended-release tablets: 174 mg, 348 mg, 522 mg
Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablet): 150 mg
Forfivo XL (bupropion extended-release tablet): 450 mg
Aplenzin (bupropion hydrobromide extended-release tablet): 174 mg, 348 mg, 522 mg

Administration:

By mouth

Therapeutic Uses:

Major depressive disorder (MDD) or depression
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - bupropion HCl extended-release (Wellbutrin XL) only

Controlled Status:

Not a controlled substance

What is bupropion?

Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release and its brand name Wellbutrin XL are approved to treat major depressive disorder (depression) and seasonal affective disorder (seasonal depression).

Bupropion is also available under the brand Zyban. Zyban is a smoking cessation agent; it reduces cravings and other withdrawal effects from quitting smoking.

There may be other uses of bupropion—your pharmacist or physician can give you further information and assistance.

Who can take bupropion?

Adults
Children who are 6 and older: only as an off-label indication to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Uses

This medication guide will provide information on bupropion XL (bupropion hydrochloride extended-release) and the brand Wellbutrin XL, Zyban.

What is bupropion used for?

Treatment of depression (major depressive disorder)
Prevention of seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder)
Smoking cessation assistance (only with the brand Zyban)

How does bupropion work?

Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant; it works by affecting the levels of different brain chemicals. Bupropion's exact mechanism of action for treating depression is not completely clear. Studies have shown that bupropion inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, increasing these two brain chemicals' levels in the central nervous system. Bupropion does not affect the levels of serotonin or monoamine oxidase.

Nicotine causes a release of dopamine. Bupropion is believed to be effective as a smoking cessation agent because it increases dopamine levels in the brain, replacing the dopamine deficiency during nicotine withdrawal. That is how Zyban works to help people quit smoking.

What is the suggested dosing for bupropion?

Typical adult dosing for depression (major depressive disorder):

Bupropion hydrochloride immediate-release tablets:

Initial dose: take 100 mg by mouth twice daily for 3 days; may increase to 100 mg by mouth three times daily.
Maximum daily dose: 450 mg/day
- The maximum daily dose is 150 mg by mouth three times daily or 100 mg by mouth four times daily.
- Separate all doses by at least 6 hours
- Maximum single dose: 150 mg

Bupropion sustained-release tablets (Wellbutrin SR):

Initial dose: take 150 mg by mouth once daily in the morning for 3 days; may increase to 150 mg by mouth twice daily.
Maximum daily dose: 400 mg/day
- The maximum daily dose is 200 mg by mouth twice daily.
- Separate all doses by at least 8 hours
- Maximum single dose: 200 mg

Bupropion extended-release tablets (Wellbutrin XL):

Initial dose: take 150 mg by mouth once daily in the morning for 3 days; may increase to 300 mg by mouth once daily.
Maximum daily dose: 450 mg/day
- The maximum daily dose can be given as 450 mg by mouth once daily.

Forfivo XL (Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release 450 mg tablet):

Forfivo XL is available as a 450 mg extended-release tablet and should not be used to initiate treatment.
For patients who have been using 300 mg/day of another formulation for at least 2 weeks who require a dose of 450 mg/day or patients who are currently using 450 mg/day of another formulation:
- Take Forfivo XL 450 mg by mouth once daily

Typical adult dosing for prevention of seasonal depression:

Bupropion extended-release tablets (Wellbutrin XL):

Initial dose: take 150 mg by mouth once daily in the morning for 1 week; if well tolerated, increase to the usual and maximum dose of 300 mg/day
Duration of treatment: begin treatment in autumn (before the start of symptoms), continue through winter, and discontinue in early spring.
In patients taking 300 mg/day, taper dose to 150 mg/day for 2 weeks before discontinuation.

Directions

How should I take bupropion (Wellbutrin)?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on the prescription label and any medication guides if provided. Never take a larger or smaller amount than the prescribed dose; taking too much bupropion can cause seizures.

You should not discontinue bupropion suddenly; sudden discontinuation of bupropion can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Unless you have seizures while taking bupropion, tell your doctor, and bupropion should be discontinued immediately.

If you take bupropion for seasonal depression, your doctor will tell you how to safely stop using it in the early spring.

Do not cut, crush, break, or chew bupropion extended-release tablets. You should swallow the tablet whole.

Instructions for the use of bupropion (Zyban) for smoking cessation:

You may continue to smoke for about 1 week after you start bupropion (Zyban)
Set a quit date during the second week of bupropion (Zyban)
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have trouble quitting after you have used bupropion (Zyban) for at least 7 to 12 weeks.
If your doctor prescribes you nicotine replacement therapy such as nicotine patches or gum to help you quit smoking, you may start using the nicotine replacement product (patches or gums) on the same day you quit smoking or using tobacco products.

With smoking cessation, you may have nicotine withdrawal symptoms; you may have these symptoms with or without bupropion (Zyban). Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include trouble concentrating, sleeping problems, increased appetite, weight gain, slowed heart rate, anxiety, restlessness, feeling depressed, angry, frustrated, irritated, and having the urge to smoke.

Smoking cessation may cause new or worsen existing mental illnesses, such as depression. Tell your doctor if you experience any change in your mood or behavior.

Bupropion may cause false positive drug screening tests. If you have to do a urine drug screening, let your doctor or laboratory personnel know that you take bupropion.

Missed dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the amount or take more than prescribed to make up for the missed dose. Let your doctor or pharmacist know immediately if you have missed more than one dose or are unsure about what to do.

Storage: Keep the medication in its original container; keep it tightly closed, out of reach of children, pets, and other people. Like any other prescription medication, bupropion should not be shared with anyone. Many people store their medications in the bathroom; this is not recommended due to moisture and heat.

Unused medicine: Like other prescription medications, do not consume bupropion after the expiration date. This prescription drug is intended for your use only. Unneeded medicines should be disposed of appropriately to prevent children, pets, and other people from getting to them. Your local pharmacy can provide information about medication drug take-back programs. You can also learn more about proper medication disposal.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary and may not contain all possible information. If you have more questions or concerns about bupropion, talk to your pharmacist or doctor to ensure that this information applies to you or your family member.

Discounted prices for bupropion (Wellbutrin) start at $9.64.

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Side Effects

What side effects should I be expecting from taking bupropion (Wellbutrin)?

Signs of bupropion allergy: difficulty breathing, hives (rash on your body), swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat—If you experience any of these symptoms, please call 911 or seek emergency medical care at the nearest emergency room (ER).

Inform your healthcare provider of any changes in psychiatric symptoms, including unusual changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, feeling impulsive, being hyperactive, thoughts of self-harm.

Like other antidepressants, bupropion can cause new or worsening mental illness. If you take bupropion (Zyban) for smoking cessation, nicotine withdrawal symptoms may further complicate these neuropsychiatric symptoms. Tell your doctor immediately about any change in your mood or behavior.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following signs:

Manic symptoms - increased energy, reckless behavior, racing thoughts, feeling extreme emotions (extremely happy or irritable), being more talkative, severe/unusual sleep problems
Confusion
A seizure
Any change in vision such as blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, seeing halos around lights
Fast or irregular heartbeats

Common side effects of bupropion:

Blurred vision
Headache, dizziness
Nausea, vomiting
Stomach pain, constipation
Loss of appetite
Dry mouth
Sore throat, stuffy nose
Unusual sleep problems
Anxiety
Tremors
Fast heartbeats
Confusion, agitation

Bupropion (Wellbutrin)Overdose: An overdose of bupropion can be fatal. Go to the nearest emergency room or call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. You can find more information at www.poisonhelp.org/help.

Symptoms of bupropion overdose: Seizures were reported in one-third of bupropion overdosage cases. Other reactions reported with an overdose of bupropion alone include:

Hallucinations
Loss of consciousness
Fast heartbeats
Irregular heart rhythm
Cardiac failure, cardiac arrest
Death

There are no antidotes for bupropion. In case of an overdose, overdosed patients are provided with supportive care in the hospital settings, including close medical supervision and monitoring. Consider the possibility of multiple drug overdoses.

The above list on this site may not include all the possible side effects of bupropion. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist at your local pharmacy if you have persistent side effects or any side effects that are not listed above. You can also report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

What are the risks of taking bupropion (Wellbutrin)?

Bupropion can cause serious health problems in certain groups of people. You should talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or other treatment options.

Boxed warning*: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Risk factors: being children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18 to 24); history of depression or other mental health condition.
Antidepressants have a boxed warning for worsening depression and suicidal ideations and behavior at the beginning of bupropion treatment. This risk increases in children, adolescents, and young adults between 18 and 24. Having depression or other mental health conditions further increases this risk. If you are taking bupropion or any other antidepressant medication, you should report any changes in your mood and behavior immediately to your doctor. Seek emergency medical help if you feel the urge for self-harm, especially during the initial few months of treatment, or at times of dose changes (either increases or decreases).
Family members and caregivers should also be alerted to watch for any unusual changes in the patient’s mood and behavior at the beginning of antidepressant medication or any time the dose is changed.
*Boxed warning, also known as black box warning, is the strictest warning that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can issue for a drug.
Changes in mental health with smoking cessation treatment: Risk factors: history of depression or any mental health condition; nicotine withdrawal symptoms
Bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release formulation (Zyban) is the only form of bupropion approved by the FDA for smoking cessation. Serious mental health adverse effects have been reported from people who have taken this form of bupropion for smoking cessation. These mental health side effects include depression, psychotic episodes (disconnection from reality), hallucinations, paranoia, aggression.
You, your family members, or your caregivers should be watching for any mood changes, including the above signs and symptoms. If you experience these mental changes, you need to stop taking bupropion immediately and let your healthcare provider know about it. Seek emergency medical help if you feel the urge for self-harm.
Seizures: Risk factors: taking more bupropion than the prescribed dose; history of seizures or conditions that increase the risk of seizures; history of head trauma; sudden discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or other seizure drugs; taking certain medications that lower the seizure threshold; having low blood sugar; using cocaine; misusing/abusing prescription CNS (central nervous system) stimulants.
Bupropion can increase your risk of seizures; this risk increases when you take more than the prescribed amount. Your risk of seizures further increases if you have other risk factors listed above. Talk to your doctor about this risk while taking bupropion. If you develop seizures on bupropion, you should stop taking bupropion and let your doctor know immediately.
High blood pressure: Risk factors: history of high blood pressure; taking other medications that can raise blood pressure, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors; using sustained-release bupropion and nicotine patches for smoking cessation.
Bupropion can cause high blood pressure, and this risk is higher in people who have pre-existing high blood pressure. You should regularly monitor your blood pressure at home, especially if you already have high blood pressure, or use bupropion sustained-release tablets and nicotine patches for smoking cessation. Ask your doctor what range your blood pressure should be in and inform your healthcare provider if your blood pressure rises.
Mania: Risk factors: history of bipolar disorder
A manic episode is characterized by the feeling of extreme emotions (excessive happiness or irritability), feeling unusually more energetic, severe sleeping problems, being overactive, and having unusually grand ideas. Bipolar patients who take bupropion or any other antidepressant may experience a manic episode. This risk increases if you have a personal or family history of bipolar disorder. Let your doctor know if you have bipolar disorder, a history of mania, or if you experience any change in mood and behavior.

What should I tell my doctor before starting bupropion?

To ensure bupropion is safe for you, before starting bupropion treatment, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Seizures
Brain injury or spinal cord tumor
Cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure or heart attack
Diabetes
Kidney or liver disease, especially cirrhosis
Depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental illness
If you regularly drink alcohol

What proper medical care should I take while on bupropion?

MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors can have dangerous drug interactions with bupropion. Examples of MAO inhibitors include phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, and tranylcypromine. You should not use bupropion if you have taken an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure if one of your medications is an MAO inhibitor.

You should only take bupropion to treat one condition at a time. Meaning, if you take bupropion for depression or anxiety, you should not also take it for smoking cessation.

Bupropion is not approved to be used by anyone younger than 18 years of age.

Younger adults are at higher risk of having suicidal thoughts and ideation at the beginning of bupropion treatment. Family members or caregivers should be informed about this risk to watch out for any changes in the patient’s mood and behavior.

Talk to your doctor if you take bupropion and you plan to get pregnant. It is unknown if bupropion will harm an unborn baby. However, untreated depression can lead to other complications such as premature birth and low birth weight, among other adverse outcomes. Discuss the risks and the benefits with your doctor. You should not start or stop taking bupropion without consulting your doctor first.

Let your doctor know immediately if you get pregnant while taking bupropion. If you are currently pregnant and taking bupropion, it is highly recommended that you enroll in the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants or call 1-844-405-6185. This registry monitors the safety of certain antidepressants during pregnancy.

Consult your doctor before breastfeeding as it may not be safe to breastfeed while using bupropion.

You should not take bupropion if you are allergic to it.

You should not take bupropion if you have:

Seizure disorder
An eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
Recent sudden discontinuation of regular alcohol intake
Recent discontinuation of a seizure medicine or a sedative, such as Klonopin, Valium, and Xanax

What drugs can interact with bupropion?

Certain medications will increase your risk of having seizures while taking bupropion. You should provide your medication list and discuss the risk of this drug interaction with your healthcare provider.

This is not a complete list. Other drugs, including prescriptions, over-the-counter products, herbal supplements, and vitamins, may interact with bupropion. Not all potential drug interactions are listed in this guide. It is highly recommended to keep a list of all the drug products you are using (prescriptions, over-the-counter products, herbal supplements, natural products, and vitamins) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.

Pros & Cons

What are the pros and cons of bupropion (Wellbutrin)?

pros header.svg

Available as a generic at a lower price
Effective in treating depression as a monotherapy or in combination with other antidepressants
An affordable alternative for people who have not had positive outcomes with other antidepressant classes such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Has fewer sexual side effects than other antidepressants
Weight gain is not as prevalent as a side effect as other antidepressants

cons header.svg

Not a safe option for people who have seizures or eating disorders
Takes several weeks to see the full effects
Must avoid or limit the amount of alcohol consumed during treatment
May cause sleeping problems if it is being taken later on during the day

Pharmacist Tips

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) tips from pharmacists

Bupropion is available in different brands and generics, with different formulations (extended-release, immediate-release, and sustained-release). Make sure you are using the correct medication and formulation. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure which bupropion formulation you are taking.
Seizures are one of the most common adverse effects of bupropion. You must stop bupropion immediately and contact your healthcare provider if you have seizures while taking it.
Like other antidepressants, bupropion can worsen existing depression, causing suicidal thoughts and ideation, especially during the first few months of treatment. Let your doctor know if you experience any changes in mood and behavior. Seek emergency medical care if you feel suicidal or have an increased urge for self-harm.
Let your loved ones know when you start taking bupropion so they can watch out for any changes in your mood and behavior, especially if you have a history of depression and are using bupropion for smoking cessation in combination with nicotine replacement therapy.
You should avoid drinking alcohol as much as possible while being on bupropion treatment. A large amount of alcohol or sudden discontinuation of alcohol use can increase your risk of seizures. Alcohol can also enhance the CNS depressant effects and make you dizzier.
Even if you take it for seasonal depression, you should not stop taking bupropion suddenly as it can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor on how to safely taper off bupropion.
You can take bupropion with or without food in the morning to avoid sleeping problems.
Do not cut, chew, crush or cut the sustained-release or extended-release bupropion formulation.
For most medications, if you miss a dose, you should skip that dose. If it is close to the time for the next scheduled dose, you should wait until the next scheduled dose to take the medicine. This fact is extremely important with bupropion. You should never take a double dose of bupropion, as too much bupropion can increase your risk of a seizure. For the same reason, you should separate bupropion doses by at least 6 to 8 hours if you take multiple doses of bupropion throughout the day.
Bupropion can cause dizziness and affect your coordination and concentration. You should not drive, operate hazardous machinery, or perform activities that require mental alertness.
Like other antidepressants, it can take several weeks or months to feel the full antidepressant effects. You may experience more adverse effects than improvement at the beginning of treatment. However, if those side effects or your depression worsen or do not improve, discuss with your doctor to see if you should switch to another medication.

Rx Savings Tips

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Rx savings tips

Bupropion is available as a generic medication. Other trademarks of bupropion are Aplenzin, Forfivo XL, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban, Budeprion XL. The generic version is a lot cheaper than the brand-name version. For additional savings and discounts, with a BuzzRx discount coupon or savings card, you can get bupropion at substantially lower prices. By presenting the free BuzzRx discount card at your preferred pharmacy, you can save on out-of-pocket costs for bupropion. BuzzRx discount cards can be used to save on drugs at all participating pharmacies, including CVS pharmacy, Walgreens, Rite Aid, among other major pharmacies. Visit our website to see all of the pharmacies in our network.

Lowest Price for Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

Brand
$235.05

Generic
$9.64

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Common Questions

Common Questions about Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

What is the difference between Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR?

Wellbutrin XL is the brand name of bupropion extended-release, and Wellbutrin SR is the brand name of bupropion sustained release. The extended-release version of bupropion releases the medicine slowly into the body, meaning the drug will stay in the system longer. These two formulations are not interchangeable.

How long does it take bupropion to work?

You probably will not feel any improvement for several weeks. It’s very likely that you will feel the side effects before you see an improvement in your mood. That’s why it is important to take bupropion regularly and exactly as prescribed. However, if the side effects become too bothersome, you should let your doctor know.

When should I start taking bupropion for seasonal depression?

Bupropion extended-release (Wellbutrin XL) is approved to treat seasonal depression. You can begin treatment in autumn (prior to the start of symptoms), continue through winter, and discontinue in early spring. Talk to your doctor in the spring on how to safely taper off bupropion. You should not discontinue bupropion suddenly, as you can experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Can I take bupropion during pregnancy?

It is not known if bupropion may harm an unborn baby. Though limited, there is some data showing that bupropion can affect the development of the unborn baby’s heart. Discuss with your doctor if you plan to get pregnant. You should not start or stop bupropion without consulting your doctor first; your doctor will be able to evaluate the risks and the benefits of bupropion with you. Untreated depression during pregnancy can lead to preterm birth, low birth weight, and other adverse outcomes.

What is the price of bupropion without insurance?

Without insurance, bupropion can be as high as $138.99, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $9.64 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price lookup tool to find the lowest discounted price and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions of bupropion like Wellbutrin. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not.

What is the price of bupropion with insurance?

Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on bupropion—Copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins.

You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for bupropion. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medication, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not.