Get Informed: Bupropion
Active Ingredient(s)
Bupropion
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of depression, and as an aid to smoking cessation treatment. It is believed to work by acting on norepinephrine and dopamine, two important chemicals in the brain.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 7:18 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Wellbutrin
- Bupropion
- Wellbutrin XL
- Zyban
- Wellbutrin SR
- Aplenzin
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children, adolescents, and young adults with depression. The product will have a black box warning relating to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and changes in mood and behavior in patients using this product for smoking cessation.If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the following national suicide hotlines are available in the U.S. to help you: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 30 Dec 1985
- Est US Patients*
- 5,181,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Bupropion or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Bupropion Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Bupropion used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 34,500 patients that use Bupropion (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Depression | 80% | 
|
| Anxiety | 30% |
|
| Smoking Addiction | 12% | 
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 11% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 5% | 
|
| Attention Deficit Disorder | 3% |
|
| Weight Loss | 3% | 
|
| Other | 4% | 
|
How well does Bupropion work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 34,500 users taking Bupropion (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 82%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Bupropion outweigh the bad things.
- 4%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Bupropion.
Common Side Effects of Bupropion
iGuard regularly polls our more than 34,500 users taking Bupropion (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
30% of patients experience side-effects on Bupropion
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Bupropion
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Restlessness
-
Headache
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
Fatigue
-
Weight Gain
-
Dryness
-
Insomnia
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Altered Taste/Smell, Constipation, Grogginess/Confusion, High Blood Pressure, Hot Flashes, Loss of Appetite, Loss of Libido, Memory/Speech Problems, Mouth Sores, Muscle Pain/Cramps, Nausea/Vomiting, Palpitations, Postural Hypotension, Sweating, Tinnitus, Tremor, Vision Changes, Vivid Dreams
Global Patient Feedback for Bupropion ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I was given Bupropion a year ago for anxiety. At the same time I decided to quit smoking. For me from day one I had absolutely no urge to smoke- NO withdrawl at all, either physical or mental. Its been a year now and I never think of smoking- it feels like I never did.Also I was a light drinker and have had no urge for anything alcohol. And it has helped my anxiety a lot. To me this has been a great medication.
58 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-27 15:05:12
Question/Comment:
I use the generic of Wellbutrin HCL XL 300 from Watson Labs. I have read many comments of dissatisfaction with the generic wellbutrin made by Teva Labs concerning mood changes, effectiveness. Iguard may know if Teva is being checked for its quality difficulties.
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-21 16:26:32
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Some patients are sensitive to brand versus generic medications in any circumstance. Sometimes a certain generic will work best for some patients. If the Watson brand is working well for you, then you can request that your pharmacist keep it in stock. If you want to report dissatisfaction to Teva, you can call 1-215-591-3000.
Posted: 2010-02-24 12:10:15
Question/Comment:
I've been taking 450 mg of Bupropion HCL XL (Wellbutrin's generic) for several years. In the last two years my doctors have added 75 mg of Effexor XR (which replaced the paxil I was taking because the effexor is beneficial to hot flashes) and 12.5 mg cp of hydrochlorothiazide. Although my hot flashes were manageable in the past, over the last two months my symptoms have increased significantly. I feel fatigued a lot of the time. I also have myasthenia gravis and can't decide what my symptoms are from anymore.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-15 16:49:15
iGuard Answer/Reply:
A higher dose of Effexor could help with your hot flashes. The fatigue could be from the myasthenia gravis or the hormone fluctuations. You need to discuss your symptoms with your physician and together you can decide on the best treatment course for your symptoms given your medical conditions and medication history.
Posted: 2010-02-17 21:46:31
Question/Comment:
I HAVE BEEN USING THIS MEDICATION FOR 12 YEARS OR MORE AND 3 DAYS AGO I WAS DIAGNOSTED WITH FATTY LIVER DEASEAS, I REALLY WISH THAT I WAS TOLD THIS INFORMATION BACJ THEN!!!!
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-13 16:58:04
Question/Comment:
I am on wellbuterin xl 300 mg daily. My insurance is now telling me that are not going to cover the wellbuterin anymore and they want to send me the generic. I have heard awful things about it, like you gain weight on this generic brand. What else can I take instead of going to the generic. I guess I can get my doctor to write on the Rx Despense as written when he writes the wellbuterin rx, but my doctor's office secretary did call me and tell me that the wellbuterin is not covered anymore so just take the generic. But I want to ask tomorrow and call and see if they will write on my scripts daw
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-11 23:42:57
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Bupropion is the generic of Wellbutrin. Generics are approved by the FDA and must show they have the same active ingredients as the brand name. The side effects and benefits of the generic medication should be the same as the brand name.
Many patients have reported that they notice a difference between the Brand and the generic but studies have not been able to prove there is a difference. It is worth trying the generic to see how you respond. If you do not see the same benefits, or if you experience side effects, you can then discuss your concerns with your doctor.
Posted: 2010-02-12 10:52:16
Answer/Reply:
The generic works just as well for me as the name brand. I have felt no difference in the two. After all, the active ingredients are the same.
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-15 11:56:11
Answer/Reply:
To 29 year old female:
I've tried the generic of Wellbutrin XL and never experienced anything awful on it. I had no weight gain though I definitely noticed a difference in how it worked. The Wellbutrin XL definitely kept me more grounded, the generic (Buproprion) never gave me that same grounded feeling. But everyone is different, it might be okay for you. My insurance company did pay for it however it began to skyrocket in cost! I eventually had to give it up and just deal with it.
43 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-02 08:18:46
Answer/Reply:
There are multiple manufacturers of generic pharmaceuticals. For many medicines, there is probably no difference between them. But for certain meds, the generic may not be exactly like the brand. The extended-release forms are certainly one to consider. The active ingredient may be the same, but if it is delivered too fast or too slow you may see a big difference in how you feel.
With buproprion, there was a lot of controversy regarding Teva's version of Wellbutrin XL. So when I switched to generic I asked the pharmacy to make sure they did not carry Teva's generic, and I have noticed no difference.
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-05 12:25:34
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371
Patient Comments about
Bupropion