bupropion vs metoprolol
Side-by-side comparison of bupropion and metoprolol. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
( 7.1 ) Drugs metabolized by CYP2D6: Bupropion inhibits CYP2D6 and can increase concentrations of: antidepressants (e.g., venlafaxine, nortriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, paroxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline), antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol, risperidone, thioridazine), beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol), and Type 1C antiarrhythmics (e.g., propafenone, flecainide). Such drugs include certain antidepressants (e.g., venlafaxine, nortriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline), antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol, risperidone, and thioridazine), beta-blockers...
Recommendation: Your doctor may need to lower your dose of metoprolol. They should also check your heart rate and blood pressure more frequently.
Wellbutrin, Zyban
Lopressor, Toprol-XL
Bupropion is a medicine used to treat depression and prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It can help improve your mood and energy levels.
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker medicine. It can lower blood pressure, reduce chest pain, and improve survival after a heart attack.
Bupropion is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), which can cause you to feel sad, lose interest in activities, and have trouble sleeping or eating. It is also used to prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter.
Metoprolol treats high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It also treats chest pain called angina. After a heart attack, it can help you live longer.
Bupropion works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain called norepinephrine and dopamine. It helps to increase the levels of these chemicals, which can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Metoprolol blocks the effects of adrenaline on the heart. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force. As a result, blood pressure is lowered and the heart does not need as much oxygen.
- • Dry mouth
- • Nausea
- • Trouble sleeping
- • Dizziness
- • Sore throat
- • Tiredness
- • Dizziness
- • Depression
- • Shortness of breath
- • Slow heart rate
- Suicide 4,408
- Poisoning 3,113
- Tiredness 2,665
- Feeling sick to your stomach 2,309
- Headache 2,218
- Tiredness 15,963
- Shortness of breath 14,131
- Diarrhea 13,634
- Feeling sick to your stomach 13,392
- Feeling lightheaded 11,697
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults. Watch closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in mood or behavior.
Stopping metoprolol suddenly can make chest pain worse or cause a heart attack. If you have heart failure, it could get worse. If you have asthma or other lung problems, avoid beta-blockers if possible.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is important to consider the risks of untreated depression during pregnancy. There is a pregnancy registry to monitor outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. You can register by calling 1-844-405-6185.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Metoprolol can cross the placenta, and may cause low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and a slow heart rate in the newborn. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
How to Read This bupropion vs metoprolol Comparison
bupropion is classified in the Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI) drug class, while metoprolol sits within the Beta-Blocker class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, bupropion has 14,713 submissions while metoprolol has 68,817. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to bupropion blocks a liver enzyme that normally breaks down metoprolol. this causes the amount of metoprolol in your blood to rise to higher levels than expected.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between bupropion and metoprolol - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.