Bupropion

Bupropion is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Wellbutrin SR^®, an antidepressant that increases available levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. 

Bupropion is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It’s also sometimes prescribed off-label for anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and weight management. A different formulation of bupropion exists to help people stop smoking.

Bupropion is available as a sustained-release tablet and is 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.

Wellbutrin SR (bupropion hydrochloride) is indicated:

• For the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

Aminoketone antidepressant

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

The cost of bupropion varies depending on your insurance plan, which pharmacy you use, the dosage, and quantity. Without insurance, generic bupropion may cost between $3 and $30 per month, while brand-name Wellbutrin SR^® may cost $500 or more per month. Insurance plans may cover all or some of the cost of these medications. You may be eligible for manufacturer coupons, discount cards, or patient assistance programs.

On the Hers platform, bupropion starts at $49 a month. 

If you’re looking for support on your weight loss journey, Hers also offers access to personalized Weight Loss Medication Kits, which may contain bupropion along with other oral medications that help support weight loss. Hers Weight Loss Medication Kits start from $69 a month. 

When you use the Hers telehealth platform, you also get access to perks like behavior change exercises and unlimited provider messaging.

• 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

• 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.

*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.