What is Bupropion?
Bupropion is a prescription medication that comes in the form of an extended-release tablet or an immediate-release tablet. Both forms are taken orally. Bupropion is available as the brand-name drugs Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin, Wellbutrin XL, and Forfivo XL. It is also available as a generic drug. In this article we discuss what bupropion is, as well as the side effects, uses, and dosage of bupropion.
What is Bupropion Used For?
Bupropion is used to treat depression and prevent seasonal affective disorder also known as SAD. It may be used to help people stop smoking too.
How Does Bupropion Work?
Bupropion belongs to a class of drugs called antidepressants. A class of drugs is a group of medications that function in a similar way and are often used to treat similar conditions.
Bupropion works by increasing the activity of natural chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. These are also commonly referred to as "happy chemicals."
Bupropion Side Effects
There can be side effects of bupropion—some more common and serious than others.
Common Side Effects
The most commonly reported side effects of bupropion are:
- Agitation
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Difficulty sleeping
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Rash
- Blurred vision
If these symptoms are mild, they may go away within a couple days or a few weeks. If they don't, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious Side Effects
Contact your doctor right away if you are experiencing any serious side effects. Call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room if you think any of these side effects are life threatening.
Mental Health Side Effects
- Thoughts of suicide
- Attempts to die by suicide
- Worsened depression and anxiety
- Severe panic attacks
- Difficulty sleeping for consecutive days
- Acting aggressive, angry, or violent
Eye Problems
- Eye pain
- Swelling or redness around the eye
- Blurred, double, or loss of vision
Seizures
- Confusion
- Uncontrollable jerking movements of your arms and legs
- Loss of consciousness
Disclaimer: Our goal at ManifestRX and Manifest Pharmacy is to provide you with the most accurate and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects.
How Do I Take Bupropion?
Your dosage of bupropion may depend on a few different factors. Including but not limited to:
- Your age
- The severity of your condition
- How you respond to the first dose
- Your overall health
Dosage for Depression
Generic: Bupropion
- Form: Oral immediate-release tablet
- Strength: 75 mg, 100 mg
- Form: Oral extended-release tablet
- Strength: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg
Brand: Wellbutrin XL
- Form: Oral extended-release tablet
- Strength: 150 mg, 300 mg
Brand: Wellbutrin SR
- Form: Oral sustained-release tablet
- Strength: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg
Brand: Aplenzin
- Form: Oral extended-release tablet
- Strength: 174 mg, 348 mg, 522 mg
Brand: Forfivo XL
- Form: Oral extended-release tablet
- Strength: 450 mg
Ages 18-64 Dosage (Adult)
Generic immediate release:
- Starting dosage: 100 mg taken twice daily
- Maximum dosage: 450 mg taken once daily or divided and taken in divided doses of 150 mg each.
Generic extended-release:
- Starting dosage: 150 mg taken once daily in the morning
Wellbutrin XL:
- Starting dosage: 150 mg taken once daily in the morning
Wellbutrin SR:
- Typical starting dosage: 150 mg taken once daily
- Maximum dosage: 200 mg taken twice daily. If you don't respond to the starting dosage your doctor may recommend this treatment.
Aplenzin:
- Starting dosage: 174 mg taken once daily
- Dosage increases: The dosage may be increased to 348 mg, taken once in the morning.
Forfivo XL:
- Starting dosage: 450 mg taken once daily
Ages 0-17 (Child)
- This drug has not been confirmed for the use in people under 18 years of age.
Ages 65 and Older Dosage (Senior)
As you get older, your kidneys may not function as well as they used to. This may cause your body to process drugs more slowly which can keep a higher amount of a drug in your body for longer. This can raise your risk for side effects.
Dosage For Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Generic: Bupropion
- Form: Oral extended-release tablet
- Strength: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg
Brand: Aplenzin
- Form: Oral extended-release tablet
- Strength: 174 mg, 348, 522 mg
Brand: Wellbutrin XL
- Form: Oral extended-release tablet
- Strength: 150 mg, 300 mg
Dosage For Smoking Cessation
Generic: Bupropion
- Form: Oral extended-release tablet
- Strength: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg
Disclaimer: Our goal at ManifestRX and Manifest Pharmacy is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
Take Bupropion As Directed
Bupropion is used for long-term treatment of depression or SAD. It can also be used as a short-term treatment to quit smoking.
It is important that you take this drug as directed by your healthcare professional. If you don't, bupropion can come with serious side effects.
If you stop taking this drug suddenly or not at all: Your symptoms of depression or SAD can get worse. You also may not be able to quit smoking.
If you miss a dose or don't take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as effectively as it could. For bupropion to work, a certain amount needs to be present in your body at all times.
If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of this medication in your body. Symptoms of an overdose may include:
- Hallucinations
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Abnormal heart rhythms
If you think you may have overdosed call 911 right away or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
If you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you can. If your next dose, however, is only a few hours away, take only one dose. Never try to catch up your doses all in one. If you do, you may experience serious side effects.
Disclaimer: Manifest Pharmacy has made every effort to make certain that all information is correct and up-to-date. The information in this article, however, should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
Buproprion Interactions
Some products that have been known to interact with buproprion include pimozide, codeine, thioridazine, and tamoxifen. Buproprion may also cause negative side effects if taken in conjunction with MAO inhibitors such as linezolid.
Bupropion Side Effects, Uses, Dosage & Interactions Summary
Bupropion is a prescription medication that comes in the form of an extended-release tablet or an immediate-release tablet and is used to treat depression and prevent seasonal affective disorder. It is available as the brand-name drugs Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin, Wellbutrin XL, and Forfivo XL. It is also available as a generic drug.
Bupropion belongs to a class of drugs called antidepressants. A class of drugs is a group of medications that function in a similar way and are often used to treat similar conditions.
