What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Bupropion and theophylline
Bupropion's FDA label of June 21, 2024 names theophylline in its drug interactions section; the theophylline label PlainMeds reads does not name bupropion. The bupropion label: “CNS tumor or CNS infection; severe stroke; concomitant use of other medications that lower the seizure threshold; metabolic disorders; use of illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine); …”
Check it at the source: the bupropion FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 21, 2024); the theophylline FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 2026, Strides Pharma Science Limited).
What does the bupropion label say about theophylline?
Bupropion label, drug interactionsDrugs that Lower Seizure Threshold Use extreme caution when coadministering bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) with other drugs that lower seizure threshold (e.g., other bupropion products, antipsychotics, antidepressants, theophylline, or systemic corticosteroids).
Bupropion label, warnings and precautionsCNS tumor or CNS infection; severe stroke; concomitant use of other medications that lower the seizure threshold (e.g., other bupropion products, antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, theophylline, and systemic corticosteroids); metabolic disorders (e.g., hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, severe hepatic impairment, and hypoxia); use of illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine); or abuse or misuse of prescription drugs such as CNS stimulants.
Aplenzin label (Bausch Health US, LLC, March 4, 2026), warnings and precautionsThe following conditions can also increase the risk of seizure: concomitant use of other medications that lower the seizure threshold (e.g., other bupropion products, antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, theophylline, and systemic corticosteroids), metabolic disorders (e.g., hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, severe hepatic impairment, and hypoxia), or use of illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine) or abuse or misuse of prescription drugs such as CNS stimulants.
Wellbutrin Xl label (Bausch Health US LLC, February 10, 2026), drug interactionsUse extreme caution when coadministering Wellbutrin XL with other drugs that lower the seizure threshold (e.g., other bupropion products, antipsychotics, antidepressants, theophylline, or systemic corticosteroids).
Bupropion Hcl Er (Xl) label (Lifestar Pharma LLC, February 4, 2026), drug interactionsDrugs that Lower Seizure Threshold Because there is no lower strength for bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL), concurrent administration of bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) and agents that lower the seizure threshold (e.g., other bupropion products, antipsychotics, antidepressants, theophylline, or systemic corticosteroids) should be undertaken only with extreme caution [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Source: FDA drug label (Aplenzin, NDA022108), Bausch Health US, LLC, effective March 4, 2026 (SPL set 6494d2d9-0ce4-4126-b1c7-49684395942b), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (BUPROPION HYDROCHLORIDE), Epic Pharma LLC, effective June 21, 2024 (SPL set 9fb44e96-6160-4a4a-90cb-91764c0dcd89), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the theophylline label say about bupropion?
Theophylline's label (effective March 10, 2026) does not name bupropion in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Theophylline), Strides Pharma Science Limited, effective March 10, 2026 (SPL set b7a90ccf-9c32-40cc-9008-7e55b3da4dfd), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Bupropion | Theophylline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Quitting smoking | Asthma |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0785 per tablet 150 mg tablet | $0.330 per tablet 300 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once