Bupropion (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names

Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

Aplenzin
Budeprion SR
Budeprion XL
Buproban
Forfivo XL
Wellbutrin
Wellbutrin SR
Wellbutrin XL
Zyban

Descriptions

Bupropion is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and to prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is sometimes called autumn-winter seasonal depression. It is also used as part of a support program to help people stop smoking.

Bupropion is sold under different brand names. If you are already taking medicine for depression or to help you stop smoking, discuss this with your doctor before taking bupropion. It is very important that you receive only one prescription at a time for bupropion.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Tablet, Extended Release, 24 HR
Tablet, Extended Release, 12 HR
Tablet
Tablet, Extended Release

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of bupropion in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of bupropion in the elderly. However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine and are more likely to have age-related kidney or liver problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving bupropion.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Bromopride
Eliglustat
Furazolidone
Iproniazid
Isocarboxazid
Linezolid
Methylene Blue
Moclobemide
Nialamide
Ozanimod
Phenelzine
Procarbazine
Rasagiline
Selegiline
Tranylcypromine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acetophenazine
Aclidinium
Acrivastine
Acyclovir
Alcaftadine
Alfentanil
Amantadine
Ambenonium
Amdinocillin
Amiloride
Amineptine
Aminophylline
Amitriptyline
Amitriptylinoxide
Amoxapine
Amphetamine
Amphotericin B
Ampicillin
Anisotropine
Antazoline
Aripiprazole
Astemizole
Atomoxetine
Atovaquone
Atropine
Azatadine
Azelastine
Azlocillin
Aztreonam
Bacampicillin
Baclofen
Balofloxacin
Belladonna Alkaloids
Benperidol
Benzhydrocodone
Benzphetamine
Bepotastine
Besifloxacin
Betamethasone
Bornaprine
Brexpiprazole
Bromodiphenhydramine
Bromperidol
Brompheniramine
Buclizine
Budesonide
Bupivacaine
Buprenorphine
Buspirone
Busulfan
Butorphanol
Butriptyline
Butylscopolamine
Carbamazepine
Carbenicillin
Carbimazole
Carbinoxamine
Carvedilol
Chlorambucil
Chloroquine
Chlorotrianisene
Chlorpheniramine
Chlorphenoxamine
Chlorpromazine
Chlorprothixene
Cimetidine
Cimetropium
Cinnarizine
Ciprofloxacin
Citalopram
Clemastine
Clemizole
Clidinium
Clobetasone
Clomipramine
Clopidogrel
Clothiapine
Clovoxamine
Cloxacillin
Clozapine
Cocaine
Codeine
Conjugated Estrogens
Corticotropin
Cortisone
Cosyntropin
Cyclacillin
Cyclizine
Cyclopentolate
Cyclosporine
Cyproheptadine
Dabrafenib
Dalfampridine
Danazol
Darifenacin
Deflazacort
Delavirdine
Demecarium
Desipramine
Desonide
Desvenlafaxine
Deutetrabenazine
Dexamethasone
Dexbrompheniramine
Dexchlorpheniramine
Dextroamphetamine
Dextromethorphan
Dibenzepin
Dicloxacillin
Dicyclomine
Dienestrol
Diethylstilbestrol
Difenoxin
Dihydroartemisinin
Dihydrocodeine
Dimenhydrinate
Dimethindene
Diphenhydramine
Diphenoxylate
Diphenylpyraline
Distigmine
Dixyrazine
Donepezil
Dopamine
Dothiepin
Doxepin
Doxofylline
Doxorubicin
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
Doxylamine
Droperidol
Duloxetine
Ebastine
Echothiophate
Edrophonium
Efavirenz
Emedastine
Enflurane
Enoxacin
Epinastine
Escitalopram
Esterified Estrogens
Estradiol
Estramustine
Estriol
Estrone
Estropipate
Ethinyl Estradiol
Ethopropazine
Etomidate
Famotidine
Femoxetine
Fenfluramine
Fentanyl
Fesoterodine
Fexinidazole
Flavoxate
Flecainide
Floxacillin
Fludrocortisone
Flumequine
Flunarizine
Flunisolide
Fluoxetine
Fluphenazine
Fluticasone
Fluvoxamine
Foscarnet
Fosphenytoin
Galantamine
Ganciclovir
Gatifloxacin
Glycopyrrolate
Guanidine
Halofantrine
Haloperidol
Hetacillin
Homatropine
Hydrocodone
Hydrocortisone
Hydromorphone
Hydroxyamphetamine
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxyzine
Hyoscyamine
Ifosfamide
Iloperidone
Imipenem
Imipramine
Indalpine
Iobenguane I 123
Iobenguane I 131
Iprindole
Isoflurane
Isoflurophate
Isoniazid
Isopropamide
Ketamine
Ketotifen
Lemborexant
Levocabastine
Levodopa
Levofloxacin
Levomilnacipran
Levorphanol
Lidocaine
Lindane
Lisdexamfetamine
Lithium
Lofepramine
Lomefloxacin
Lopinavir
Loxapine
Maprotiline
Mebeverine
Mebhydrolin
Meclizine
Mefenamic Acid
Mefloquine
Melitracen
Melperone
Memantine
Mepenzolate
Meperidine
Meropenem
Mesoridazine
Mestranol
Metformin
Methadone
Methamphetamine
Methantheline
Methdilazine
Methenolone
Methicillin
Methimazole
Methixene
Methotrimeprazine
Methylphenidate
Methylprednisolone
Methyltestosterone
Metoclopramide
Metopimazine
Metronidazole
Mexiletine
Mezlocillin
Midostaurin
Milnacipran
Mirtazapine
Mizolastine
Morphine
Moxifloxacin
Nadifloxacin
Nafcillin
Nalbuphine
Nalidixic Acid
Nandrolone
Nebivolol
Nefazodone
Neostigmine
Nevirapine
Niaprazine
Norfloxacin
Nortriptyline
Ofloxacin
Olanzapine
Oliceridine
Olopatadine
Ondansetron
Opipramol
Oxacillin
Oxaliplatin
Oxandrolone
Oxatomide
Oxybutynin
Oxycodone
Oxymetholone
Oxymorphone
Paramethasone
Paroxetine
Pazufloxacin
Pefloxacin
Penicillin G
Penicillin V
Pentazocine
Perazine
Periciazine
Perphenazine
Phenindamine
Pheniramine
Phenobarbital
Phenylpropanolamine
Phenyltoloxamine
Phenytoin
Physostigmine
Pimozide
Pinaverium
Pindolol
Pipamperone
Piperacillin
Piperaquine
Pipotiazine
Pirenzepine
Pitolisant
Pivampicillin
Pivmecillinam
Pizotyline
Polyestradiol Phosphate
Prednisolone
Prednisone
Procainamide
Procaine
Prochlorperazine
Proguanil
Promazine
Promestriene
Promethazine
Propafenone
Propantheline
Propicillin
Propiverine
Propizepine
Propofol
Propoxyphene
Propranolol
Protriptyline
Prulifloxacin
Pyrilamine
Quetiapine
Quinacrine
Quinestrol
Ranitidine
Remifentanil
Rifampin
Rimexolone
Risperidone
Ritonavir
Rivastigmine
Rufloxacin
Safinamide
Scopolamine
Sertraline
Sevoflurane
Sibutramine
Solifenacin
Sparfloxacin
Sparsentan
Stanozolol
Sufentanil
Sulbenicillin
Sultamicillin
Sumatriptan
Tacrine
Tapentadol
Temocillin
Terfenadine
Testosterone
Theophylline
Thiethylperazine
Thiopropazate
Thioproperazine
Thioridazine
Thiotepa
Thiothixene
Thonzylamine
Tianeptine
Tibolone
Ticarcillin
Ticlopidine
Timiperone
Timolol
Tolterodine
Tramadol
Trifluoperazine
Triflupromazine
Trimeprazine
Trimipramine
Tripelennamine
Triprolidine
Tropicamide
Trospium
Umeclidinium
Valbenazine
Valethamate
Varenicline
Venlafaxine
Vortioxetine
Zidovudine
Zuclopenthixol

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Aripiprazole Lauroxil
Digoxin
Isavuconazonium Sulfate
Lofexidine
Metoprolol
Nirmatrelvir
St John's Wort
Tipranavir

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Ethanol

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Swallow the extended-release tablet, sustained-release tablet, and tablet whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew it.

You may take this medicine with or without food. But if you have nausea, take the medicine with food.

A part of the extended-release tablet may pass into your stool. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.

Use of Zyban® tablets:

You may continue to smoke for about 1 week after you start the medicine.
Set a target date to quit smoking during your second week of treatment.
If you are still having trouble with quitting after using the medicine for at least 7 weeks, talk to your doctor.
If you use a nicotine product (eg, patch) together with Zyban®, do not smoke. Smoking may increase the chance for serious side effects.

If you have trouble sleeping (insomnia), do not take this medicine too close to bedtime.

If you use this medicine to prevent depression with seasonal affective disorder, take it during the autumn season before your symptoms start. Continue using the medicine through the winter season and until early spring.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
- For depression:
  - Adults—
    - Aplenzin®: At first, 174 milligrams (mg) once a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 522 mg per day.
    - Forfivo XL®: 450 mg once a day.
    - Wellbutrin XL®: At first, 150 mg once a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 300 mg per day.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For seasonal affective disorder:
  - Adults—
    - Aplenzin®: At first, 174 milligrams (mg) once a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 522 mg per day.
    - Wellbutrin XL®: At first, 150 mg once a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 300 mg once a day.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (sustained-release tablets):
- For depression:
  - Adults—At first, 150 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg 2 times per day, taken at least 8 hours apart.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- To quit smoking:
  - Adults—At first, 150 milligrams (mg) once a day for the first 3 days. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 300 mg per day.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For depression:
  - Adults—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 100 mg 3 times per day, taken at least 6 hours apart.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you are taking the Wellbutrin XL® extended-release tablet and you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Do not take bupropion with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], linezolid [Zyvox®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], tranylcypromine [Parnate®]). Do not start taking bupropion during the 2 weeks after you stop a MAO inhibitor. Wait for 2 weeks after stopping bupropion before you start taking a MAO inhibitor. If you take them together or do not wait 2 weeks, you may have confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or bowel symptoms, a sudden high body temperature, an extremely high blood pressure, or severe convulsions.

Check with your doctor before using this medicine with alcohol or other medicines that affect the central nervous system (CNS). The use of alcohol or other medicines that affect the CNS with bupropion may worsen the side effects of this medicine, such as dizziness, poor concentration, drowsiness, unusual dreams, and trouble with sleeping. Some examples of medicines that affect the CNS are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines, medicine for depression, medicine for anxiety, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics.

Bupropion may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies, or to become more depressed. Make sure the doctor knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell your doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.

Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using this medicine. This may cause headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision. You might need to measure your blood pressure at home. If you think your blood pressure is too high, call your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain.

Serious skin reactions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome) can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or a skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with this medicine.

Drinking alcoholic beverages should be limited or avoided, if possible, with bupropion. This will help prevent seizures.

This medicine may cause some people to have a false sense of wellbeing, or to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are drowsy, dizzy, or less alert.

Do not stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. This is to decrease the chance of having certain side effects when you stop the medicine, such as agitation, anxiety, dizziness, a feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings, headaches, increased sweating, nausea, trembling or shaking, trouble with sleeping or walking, or unusual tiredness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, eye pain, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

This medicine may cause a change in your appetite or weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight on a regular basis.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Anxiety
body aches or pain
chills
cough
dry mouth
ear congestion
fever
hyperventilation
irregular heartbeats
irritability
loss of voice
restlessness
shaking
sneezing
sore throat
stuffy or runny nose
trouble breathing
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
buzzing or ringing in the ears
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dizziness
frequent urge to urinate
headache (severe)
lower back or side pain
nervousness
pounding in the ears
skin rash, hives, or itching
slow or fast heartbeat

Rare

Confusion
fainting
false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
having extreme distrust of people
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
seizures
trouble concentrating

Incidence not known

Actions that are out of control
anger
assaulting or attacking others
being aggressive or impulsive
bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
bluish color
change in vision
changes in skin color
chest pain or discomfort
coma
constipation
cool, pale skin
dark urine
diarrhea
fast or pounding heartbeat
force
inability to sit still
increased hunger
increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
indigestion
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
nausea
need to keep moving
nightmares
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pinpoint red spots on the skin
rapid weight gain
red irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
shakiness
slurred speech
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
sweating
swelling of the foot or leg
swollen glands
talking, feeling, or acting with excitement
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual weight gain or loss
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
vomiting
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
change in or loss of consciousness
confusion
decreased awareness or responsiveness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
muscle cramps or spasms
severe sleepiness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Decrease in appetite
stomach pain
trembling

Less common

Change in sense of taste
drowsiness
unusual feeling of well-being

Incidence not known

Changes in menstrual flow or amount
deafness
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
hot flashes
increased hair growth, especially on the face
inability to have or keep an erection
irritation in the mouth
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss or thinning of the hair
mouth ulcers
night sweats
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
swelling or inflammation of the mouth

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/bupropion-oral-route/description/drg-20062478

Bupropion (Oral Route)

Description and Brand Names

US Brand Name

Descriptions

Before Using

Allergies

Pediatric

Geriatric

Breastfeeding

Drug Interactions

Other Interactions

Other Medical Problems

Proper Use

Dosing

Missed Dose

Storage

Precautions

Side Effects

More common

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

Symptoms of overdose

More common

Less common

Incidence not known

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