Bupropion (Wellbutrin SR®) is a medication used to treat depression by increasing available norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. Off-label uses may include treating anxiety and ADHD.
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.
Wellbutrin SR 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)
The drug category for bupropion is 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
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.
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.
Bupropion is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), meaning it reduces the reabsorption of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. Bupropion is the only NDRI approved by the FDA to treat depression. Other NDRI medications are dexmethylphenidate (Focalin®) and methylphenidate (Ritalin®), which are both used to treat ADHD.
Other non-NDRI medications are available to treat depression and SAD and to help with smoking cessation. Some of these drugs may be better suited to you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to bupropion or Wellbutrin SR, connect with a healthcare provider to learn more.
Examples of medications that could be used to treat depression, SAD, smoking cessation, or related disorders include the drugs listed below.
Other antidepressants, including:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):
citalopram (Celexa®)
escitalopram (Lexapro®)
fluoxetine (Prozac®)
paroxetine (Paxil®)
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs):
desvenlafaxine (Pristiq®)
duloxetine (Cymbalta®)
venlafaxine (Effexor®)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs):
isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
phenelzine (Nardil®)
selegiline (Emsam®)
tranylcypromine (Parnate®)
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs):
clomipramine (Anafranil®)
imipramine (Tofranil®)
desipramine (Norpramin®)
nortriptyline (Pamelor®)
mirtazapine (Remeron®)
vortioxetine (Trintellix®)
Smoking cessation medications, including varenicline (Chantix®)
It’s unlikely that you will notice the effects of bupropion immediately. It can take a week or two to start noticing changes, and it can take six to eight weeks for the full effects of the medication to set in.
Bupropion is not FDA-approved to treat anxiety. It is sometimes prescribed off-label for anxiety symptoms, but there is some disagreement about its effectiveness. While some experts believe bupropion can worsen anxiety symptoms, other research suggests it may be a useful treatment.
No, weight gain is not associated with bupropion. The medication may actually cause weight loss as a side effect.
It’s recommended to limit or avoid alcohol while taking bupropion because alcohol can make the medication’s side effects worse or even decrease its beneficial effects. Excessive alcohol use while taking bupropion can also put you at risk for seizures.
Bupropion is available with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Your provider will determine if the medication is right for you based on factors like your symptoms and medical history.
If you’re interested in bupropion for mental health or weight management, you can connect with a licensed healthcare provider on the Hers platform.
*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 article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
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