Bupropion Vs. Wellbutrin Xl: Drug Comparison

Bupropion is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Wellbutrin SR^®. The information below is about brand name Wellbutrin SR. According to the FDA, “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.”

Wellbutrin SR (bupropion sustained-release) is an antidepressant that works by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which helps improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Its FDA-approved indication includes the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Off-label uses may include smoking cessation, anxiety, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Wellbutrin SR is available in sustained-release tablet form, typically taken once or twice daily. Common side effects include insomnia, dry mouth, constipation, and headache, and it has a boxed warning for an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults during the initial stages of treatment.

Wellbutrin XL^® (bupropion extended-release) is an antidepressant that works by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, helping to improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. Its FDA-approved indications include the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and the prevention of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Off-label uses may include smoking cessation, anxiety, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Wellbutrin XL is available in extended-release tablet form, typically taken once daily. Common side effects include insomnia, dry mouth, constipation, and headache, and it has a boxed warning for an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults during the early stages of treatment.

Aminoketone antidepressant

Aminoketone antidepressant

Wellbutrin SR (bupropion hydrochloride) is indicated:

• For the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

Wellbutrin XL (bupropion hydrochloride) is indicated for:

• Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

• Prevention of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

• Typically taken orally twice daily

• Comes in 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg tablets

• Typically taken once daily

• Comes in 150 mg and 300 mg extended-release tablets

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5% and ≥2% more than placebo rate) are:

• Headache

• Dry mouth

• Nausea

• Insomnia

• Dizziness

• Inflammation of the throat

• Constipation

• Agitation

• Anxiety

• Abdominal pain

• Ringing in the ears

• Tremor

• Fluttering heartbeat

• Muscle pain

• Sweating

• Rash

• Anorexia

Most common adverse reactions are (incidence ≥5%; ≥2× placebo rate):

• Dry mouth

• Nausea

• Insomnia

• Dizziness

• Inflammation of the throat

• Abdominal pain

• Agitation

• Anxiety

• Tremor

• Fluttering heartbeat

• Sweating

• Tinnitus

• Muscle pain

• Anorexia

• Urinary frequency

• Rash

• Seizure disorder

• Current or prior diagnosis of bulimia or anorexia nervosa

• Abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antiepileptic drugs

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Known hypersensitivity to bupropion or other ingredients of Wellbutrin SR.

• Drug interactions: CYP2B6 inducers, drugs metabolized by CYP2D6, digoxin, drugs that lower seizure threshold, dopaminergic drugs (levodopa and amantadine), MAOIs

• Drug-laboratory test interactions: Wellbutrin SR can cause false-positive urine test results for amphetamines

• Seizure disorder

• Current or prior diagnosis of bulimia or anorexia nervosa

• Abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antiepileptic drugs

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Known hypersensitivity to bupropion or other ingredients of Wellbutrin XL

• Drug interactions: CYP2B6 inducers, drugs metabolized by CYP2D6, drugs that lower seizure threshold, dopaminergic drugs (levodopa and amantadine), MAOIs

• Drug-laboratory test interactions: Wellbutrin XL can cause false-positive urine test results for amphetamines

• Neuropsychiatric adverse events during smoking cessation

• Seizure risk

• High blood pressure

• Activation of mania/hypomania

• Psychosis and other neuropsychiatric reactions

• Angle-closure glaucoma

• Neuropsychiatric adverse events during smoking cessation

• Seizure risk

• High blood pressure

• Activation of mania/hypomania

• Psychosis and other neuropsychiatric reactions

• Angle-closure glaucoma

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

Increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents and young adults taking antidepressants.

Monitor for worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

Increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults taking antidepressants.

Monitor for worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

*This information is from the label for brand name Wellbutrin SR^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Bupropion, the active ingredient in Wellbutrin XL, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient bupropion.

*This information is from the label for brand name Wellbutrin XL^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Bupropion, the active ingredient in Wellbutrin XL, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient bupropion.