bupropion
Brand names: Wellbutrin, Zyban
Bupropion is a medicine used to treat depression and prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It can help improve your mood and energy levels.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.11/unit
Generic Available
Yes (41 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
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.
Common side effects
Dry mouth, Nausea, Trouble sleeping
Key warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take bupropion once a day in the morning. You can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush, divide, or chew it. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and increase it gradually.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store bupropion at room temperature (between 59°F and 86°F) and protect it from light.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 26,482 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 41,778 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
41,778
Death-Related Reports
8,506
Hospitalization Reports
13,230
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | COMPLETED SUICIDE | 4,408 |
| 2 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 3,504 |
| 3 | TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS | 3,113 |
| 4 | FATIGUE | 2,665 |
| 5 | NAUSEA | 2,309 |
| 6 | OFF LABEL USE | 2,280 |
| 7 | HEADACHE | 2,218 |
| 8 | DEPRESSION | 2,175 |
| 9 | PAIN | 1,955 |
| 10 | OVERDOSE | 1,855 |
| 11 | DRUG INTERACTION | 1,690 |
| 12 | ANXIETY | 1,678 |
| 13 | DIZZINESS | 1,579 |
| 14 | DIARRHOEA | 1,522 |
| 15 | INTENTIONAL OVERDOSE | 1,352 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
Excessive reduction of blood glucose (additive effect) [See Warnings and Precautions (5.14)] ; CNS depressant agents (including opioids, alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics) Use with caution Increased CNS depression Dietary supplements containing sympathomimetics Contraindicated Antidepressants including but not limited to: • Other MAOIs (e.g., linezolid, intravenous methylene blue, selective MAOIs) • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) • Tricyclic antidepressants • Amoxapine, bupropion, maprotiline, nefazodone, trazodone, v...
Mechanism: These two antidepressants can cause a severe reaction when used at the same time. They both change brain chemicals in a way that can lead to dangerously high blood pressure.
What to do: Do not take these medications together. You must wait a specific amount of time when switching between these drugs to avoid serious side effects.
7.3 Drugs That Lower Seizure Threshold Use extreme caution when coadministering bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) with other drugs that lower the seizure threshold (e.g., other bupropion products, antipsychotics, antidepressants, theophylline, or systemic corticosteroids).
Mechanism: Both of these medicines can increase the risk of having a seizure. Taking them at the same time makes this risk even higher.
What to do: Use extreme caution when taking these two drugs together. Your doctor will need to carefully check if this combination is safe for you.
Bupropion Use with Caution Concomitant administration of CRESEMBA and bupropion results in decrease in bupropion exposure. Dose increase of bupropion may be necessary when coadministered with CRESEMBA, but should not exceed the maximum recommended dose [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Mechanism: Taking isavuconazonium can lower the amount of bupropion in your system, making the medication less effective. This happens because the body clears the drug faster than normal.
What to do: Your doctor may need to increase your dose of bupropion to ensure it still works correctly.
( 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 (e...
Mechanism: 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.
What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your dose of metoprolol. They should also check your heart rate and blood pressure more frequently.
( 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 (e...
Mechanism: Bupropion slows down the process your liver uses to clear sertraline from your body. This can cause sertraline to build up in your system, increasing the risk of side effects.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of sertraline. Be sure to report any new or worsening side effects from your antidepressant to your healthcare provider.
Common Questions
Can I cut the tablet in half?
Can I take this at night?
What if I feel worse after starting this medicine?
Can I drink alcohol while taking this?
How long does it take for this medicine to work?
Will this medicine make me gain weight?
Can I stop taking this medicine suddenly?
What should I do if I have side effects?
Does this medicine interact with other medicines?
Can this medicine cause seizures?
What are the common side effects of bupropion?
Does bupropion interact with other medications?
What drug class is bupropion?
Is bupropion safe during pregnancy?
Has bupropion been recalled?
Active Recalls
Failed Tablet/Capsule Specifications
Graviti Pharmaceuticals Private Limited
Failed Dissolution Specifications; the product is dissolving faster than the specified limits.
Amerisource Health Services LLC
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for bupropion
The FDA label for bupropion (sold under brand names such as Wellbutrin, Zyban) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI) class. 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. Official labeling lists 16 commonly reported side effects, including Dry mouth, Nausea, Trouble sleeping.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 26,482 voluntary reports. The database also lists 35 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.11.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 2 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 25, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages