Wellbutrin SR

Wellbutrin^® is a prescription medication used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) (in the XL formulation). It is also prescribed off-label to help with smoking cessation, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and weight loss.

Wellbutrin works differently from many other antidepressants; it is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), which means it increases the available levels of those two neurotransmitters in the brain. Those chemicals are associated with mood, motivation, and focus.

Wellbutrin is available in immediate-release (as generic bupropion), sustained-release (Wellbutrin SR^®, which is what much of the information on this page focuses on), and extended-release (Wellbutrin XL^®) formulations, with dosing varying depending on the condition being treated. 

The medication is less likely than other antidepressants to cause weight gain or sexual dysfunction. However, common side effects can include dry mouth, insomnia, headache, nausea, and anxiety. A serious but rare side effect is seizures, especially at higher doses or in people with a history of eating disorders, alcohol use disorder, or seizure disorders.

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 Wellbutrin varies depending on your insurance plan, which pharmacy you use, the dosage, quantity, and formulation. Without insurance, Wellbutrin immediate-release (as generic bupropion) may cost about $40 for 30 75-milligram (mg) tablets, but coupons are available to bring down the price as low as about $4. 

• 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.