Bupropion, Bupropion Er(sr), Bupropion Er(xl)

Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA on May 9, 2023
Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved bupropion to treat the following in adults:

• depression, also called major depressive disorder
• seasonal affective disorder

These approved uses differ based on the form of bupropion your doctor prescribes.

This article describes bupropion’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll find some coupon options to help save on the cost of bupropion.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of bupropion. To find out more about bupropion ER (XL), see this article. For more about bupropion ER (SR), see this article.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Bupropion has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for bupropion” section below.

Bupropion may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of bupropion and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about bupropion’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for bupropion.

* To view bupropion’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with the different forms of bupropion are listed below. Side effects may differ based on the form of the drug that you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about bupropion’s side effects based on the form, see the prescribing information* for bupropion.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Bupropion oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• nervousness
• dry mouth
• constipation
• headache
• mild allergic reaction*

Bupropion extended-release oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• headache
• trouble sleeping
• dry mouth
• stuffy nose
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for bupropion” section below.
* To view bupropion’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of bupropion are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about bupropion’s side effects based on the form, see the prescribing information* for bupropion.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, bupropion’s serious side effects include:

• eye-related side effects, such as eye pain and vision changes
• high blood pressure
• mania (episodes of high excitement and energy)
• seizure
• unusual behaviors or thoughts, including delusions (believing things that aren’t real) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t actually there)
• boxed warning: risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors†
• severe allergic reaction†

* To view bupropion’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for bupropion” section below.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

• Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
• Listen to the person without judgment.
• Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
• Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
• Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Click here for more links and local resources.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about bupropion.

Can bupropion be used for weight loss?

Bupropion is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. However, doctors may still prescribe the drug off-label for this purpose. Off-label use is when a drug that’s FDA-approved for certain conditions is prescribed for a different use.

Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about off-label uses for bupropion, including weight management.

Is bupropion similar to Adderall? Can it be used for ADHD?

No, bupropion is not similar to Adderall. For example, Adderall is a controlled substance. This means there are certain regulations for prescribing and dispensing Adderall in the United States. Bupropion is not a controlled substance.

Bupropion isn’t approved by the FDA for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But doctors may still prescribe the drug off-label for this purpose.

Your doctor can provide more information about off-label uses for bupropion, including ADHD.

How does bupropion compare to similar drugs, such as buspirone and sertraline?

If you’re prescribed bupropion, you may wonder how it compares to similar drugs.

Bupropion and sertraline (Zoloft) are both FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder (depression). But sertraline is also approved to treat other conditions. In addition, both are different types of antidepressants: Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, while bupropion is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor.

Buspirone is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder. Unlike bupropion, buspirone isn’t prescribed to treat depression. But it may be used to treat anxiety related to depression.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about how bupropion compares to similar drugs.

What is bupropion’s half-life? How does the drug work?

Bupropion has a half-life of about 21 hours. A drug’s half-life explains how long it takes your body to get rid of half of a dose of the drug after you take it.

It’s not fully understood how bupropion works to treat depression. It’s thought that the drug’s effect on certain chemicals in your brain may help to ease symptoms of this condition.

It can take several weeks for bupropion to work to treat symptoms of depression. If you have questions about when your symptoms may decrease while taking bupropion, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If I stop taking bupropion, is withdrawal possible?

No, withdrawal symptoms aren’t expected with bupropion, according to studies of the drug.

Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you suddenly stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. (When you’re dependent on a drug, your body needs the drug to function as usual.) But withdrawal symptoms aren’t likely to occur when stopping bupropion suddenly.

If you’d like to stop taking bupropion, talk with your doctor. Stopping bupropion treatment could cause symptoms of the condition bupropion is treating to return. Your doctor can review other possible treatments for your condition if you’d like to end treatment with bupropion. 

Can bupropion be taken with naltrexone?

Yes, bupropion can be taken with naltrexone.

In fact, the brand-name drug Contrave contains bupropion and naltrexone. Contrave is prescribed to certain adults for help with weight management. For this purpose, Contrave is taken in combination with a balanced diet and exercise.

If you’re interested in learning more about Contrave or medications that may be taken with bupropion, talk with your doctor.

Below, you’ll find information about bupropion’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of bupropion

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take bupropion, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for bupropion” section just below.

Warnings for bupropion

Certain people should not take bupropion. Others should use it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Bupropion has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Short-term studies showed a small increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people ages 24 years and younger who took antidepressant drugs. (Bupropion is an antidepressant.) Note that bupropion is not approved to treat children ages 17 years and younger.

Note that untreated depression also carries a risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Symptoms of this side effect include:

• thoughts about dying or suicide
• new or worsening depression or anxiety
• new or worsening panic attacks
• hostile, violent, or aggressive behavior
• feeling extremely irritated, restless, or agitated
• other unusual changes to your mood or behavior

If you experience any of these symptoms while taking bupropion, immediately contact your doctor or get emergency medical care.

Other warnings

Bupropion could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether bupropion is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of bupropion you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for bupropion, and be sure to tell them about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Bupropion can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to bupropion or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe bupropion. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to bupropion, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and bupropion

Information about bupropion and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Bupropion and pregnancy

There are risks to using bupropion during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated depression while pregnant. (Bupropion is used for treating depression.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about treatment options for depression during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take bupropion during pregnancy.

Bupropion and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether bupropion should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as bupropion for certain conditions. Approved uses for bupropion are described below. These uses differ based on the form of bupropion prescribed.

Use for certain mood disorders

Doctors may prescribe bupropion for treating the following mood disorders in adults:

• depression, also called major depressive disorder
• seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Bupropion is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Feeling down is something we all experience at times. But people with depression have feelings of hopelessness and other symptoms on most days for a long time. These other symptoms of depression include:

• feeling anxious, sad, or “empty”
• losing interest in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed
• fatigue (low energy)
• problems concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
• appetite or weight changes
• sleeping more or less than usual

SAD is a type of depression caused by changes in seasons. Symptoms are similar to those of depression but do not occur year-round. It’s possible to have SAD symptoms in some years but not others.

The dosage of bupropion your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.

Taking bupropion

Bupropion oral tablet and extended-release oral tablet are taken by mouth with or without food.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take bupropion. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of bupropion

You should not take more bupropion than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much bupropion, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for bupropion by using Optum Perks discount coupons. These can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for bupropion, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

This article describes bupropion’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about bupropion or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Can bupropion cause sexual side effects?
• Is there a best time of day to take bupropion? Does this change depending on the form of the drug I take?
• If I have side effects from one form of bupropion, could you prescribe the other form to check whether it works better for me?

• Bupropion HCL — bupropion hcl tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f820ad7d-3c88-4a4f-e053-6294a90aef7b/spl-doc
• Bupropion hydrochloride — bupropion hydrochloride tablet, extended release. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f8af7829-8b61-6785-e053-6294a90af052/spl-doc
• Bupropion hydrochloride SR — bupropion hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0b33fb1f-a7f0-4ab7-a882-eca2d2c77afa/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Henssler J, et al. (2019). Antidepressant withdrawal and rebound phenomena. https://www.aerzteblatt.de/int/archive/article/207333

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.