Bupropion, Bupropion Er(sr)

Introduction

Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Written by Skyler Todd, PharmD
Updated on August 18, 2023

Bupropion is a generic medication that’s prescribed for conditions such as depression. The brand-name versions of this drug are Aplenzin, Forfivo XL, Wellbutrin SR, and Wellbutrin XL. The cost of bupropion with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Bupropion comes in these forms: oral tablet, SR oral tablet, and XL oral tablet.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved bupropion to help:

• treat major depressive disorder (MDD)
• prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Read on to learn about bupropion and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about bupropion, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Note: The XL and SR oral tablets are extended-release (ER) tablets. This means they slowly release the drug into your body over time. To learn how these forms differ, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Cost of bupropion

Like other medications, the cost of bupropion can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much bupropion costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.

Coupons for bupropion

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of bupropion. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

• bupropion oral tablet
• bupropion SR oral tablet
• bupropion XL oral tablet

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

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for bupropion

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of bupropion. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for bupropion. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking bupropion long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand names

Bupropion is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed bupropion but you’re interested in taking one of the brand-name versions, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. You may need a specific form to treat your condition. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of bupropion compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.

* Bupropion comes in two different ER forms: SR oral tablets and XL oral tablets.

Common questions about bupropion and cost

Here are some common questions about bupropion and their answers.  

Is bupropion covered by Medicare?

Yes, certain forms of bupropion are covered by Medicare. In some cases, you may need to try other medications first or get prior authorization for the drug to be covered. These requirements may vary based on your specific coverage, as well as the form and dosage that your doctor prescribes.

Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or Medicare representative for more information.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So, they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

What to ask about bupropion

This article provides cost information related to bupropion. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for bupropion.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Does the cost of bupropion vary between forms?
• If I’m prescribed a higher dosage of bupropion, will my cost increase?
• Are other medications available for my condition that cost less than bupropion?

Resources

• Bupropion hydrochloride- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/fdbcc274-c343-4461-9db9-6ff1be15d727/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

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.