Author: Alex Thompson

Bupropion: MedlinePlus Drug Information

Too much of this medicine can increase your risk of a seizure. This medicine may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.

This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. If you have trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist if they can put Wellbutrin in an easy-open container. They also may be able to recommend tools that can make it simpler to open lids. If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Wellbutrin, contact your insurance company.

Wellbutrin may cause certain mental health side effects. For example, the drug may cause hypomania or mania (episodes of high energy and excitement, usually related to bipolar disorder). During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.

Dosage for smoking cessation

To learn more about Wellbutrin and SSRIs, talk with a doctor or pharmacist. To learn more about how Wellbutrin compares with Lexapro and Zoloft, talk with a doctor or pharmacist. Psychiatric/medical checkups or tests such as blood pressure monitoring may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. If you are using bupropion to quit smoking, stop taking bupropion and contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms after stopping treatment.

Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Wellbutrin SR tablets should be stored at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Wellbutrin XL should be stored at a temperature of around 77°F (25°C).

Could my doctor prescribe Wellbutrin for bipolar disorder, smoking cessation, or other uses?

If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking bupropion. Your health care provider will want to see you often while you are taking bupropion, especially at the beginning of your treatment. Be sure to keep all appointments or office visits with your doctor. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

1. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
2. This was a rare side effect in clinical trials of Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL.
3. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
4. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking bupropion.
5. This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Wellbutrin only for the indication prescribed. You should not change your dose or stop using Wellbutrin suddenly, unless you have a seizure while taking this medicine.

Serious side effects

Some young people (up to 24 years of age) have thoughts about suicide when first taking this medicine. The brands of bupropion are FDA-approved for specific conditions. If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. A part of the extended-release tablet may pass into your stool. Bupropion and its metabolites exhibit linear kinetics following chronic administration of 300 to 450 mg per day. When you get Wellbutrin from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Always allow the full scheduled amount of time to pass between doses of bupropion. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, do not take bupropion too close to bedtime. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Bupropion is an antidepressant used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression, other mental/mood disorders, and smoking cessation. Antidepressants can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. It is very important to talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication, even if treatment is not for a mental/mood condition.

Bupropion may interact with other medications

Do not take more or less medication or take it more often than prescribed. Taking more than the recommended dose of bupropion may increase your risk of having a seizure. When taking bupropion, your risk for seizures increases if you have too many drinks that contain alcohol.

More about bupropion

You should not change your dose or stop using bupropion suddenly unless you have a seizure while taking this medicine. Stopping suddenly can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.

If you have a mental health condition, your doctor can recommend whether it’s safe to take Wellbutrin. Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed. It carries a black box warning because it may cause changes in behavior and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. Bupropion is an antidepressant medication used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder, it also supports smoking cessation and weight management.

Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. Each form comes as an oral tablet with different strengths. For details, see “Wellbutrin SR vs. Wellbutrin XL” just below. This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.