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What Is Bupropion?

Bupropion is a prescription aminoketone antidepressant available in immediate-release, sustained-release, and extended-release formulations. Immediate-release and selected sustained-release products treat major depressive disorder. Extended-release tablets treat major depressive disorder and prevent seasonal affective disorder. A separate sustained-release formulation is approved as an aid to smoking cessation. Indications and dosing depend on the exact product.

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What Is Bupropion?

Bupropion is a prescription aminoketone antidepressant available in immediate-release, sustained-release, and extended-release formulations. Immediate-release and selected sustained-release products treat major depressive disorder. Extended-release tablets treat major depressive disorder and prevent seasonal affective disorder. A separate sustained-release formulation is approved as an aid to smoking cessation. Indications and dosing depend on the exact product.

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How Does Bupropion Affect Norepinephrine and Dopamine?

The antidepressant mechanism of bupropion is not fully known. Its activity is presumed to involve noradrenergic and dopaminergic pathways. Bupropion is a relatively weak inhibitor of neuronal norepinephrine and dopamine uptake. It does not inhibit monoamine oxidase and does not inhibit serotonin reuptake. Several active metabolites also contribute to its pharmacologic activity.

Which Conditions Are Treated With Bupropion?

Bupropion products have formulation-specific indications. Immediate-release tablets treat major depressive disorder. Extended-release tablets marked XL treat major depressive disorder and prevent seasonal affective disorder. Certain sustained-release products treat major depressive disorder, while a separate sustained-release product is labeled as an aid to smoking cessation. Pediatric use is not established under current antidepressant labeling.

How Are Bupropion Tablets Dosed?

Immediate-release treatment for major depressive disorder starts at 100 mg twice daily and can increase after three days to 100 mg three times daily. The maximum is 450 mg daily in divided doses. Extended-release XL treatment starts at 150 mg once daily and commonly targets 300 mg once daily. Sustained-release dosing differs according to the labeled indication.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Bupropion?

Bupropion carries a boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors with antidepressant treatment in younger people. Other serious risks include seizures, high blood pressure, mania or hypomania, psychosis, and angle-closure glaucoma. Seizure disorders, current or prior bulimia or anorexia nervosa, abrupt withdrawal from certain sedatives or alcohol, and recent monoamine oxidase inhibitor use are contraindications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bupropion

Is bupropion an antidepressant?

Yes. Bupropion is an aminoketone antidepressant used in several immediate-release and extended-release formulations.

Does bupropion treat seasonal affective disorder?

Extended-release bupropion tablets marked XL are approved to prevent seasonal major depressive episodes associated with seasonal affective disorder.

Is bupropion used for smoking cessation?

Yes. A sustained-release bupropion formulation is approved as an aid to smoking cessation treatment.

Can bupropion cause seizures?

Yes. Seizure risk is dose-related, which is why dosing is increased gradually and product-specific daily limits are followed.

References

Bupropion. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695033.html. Date Accessed September 18, 2026.

DailyMed - BUPROPION HYDROCHLORIDE tablet. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3c6b5ab4-9671-4fcd-8b4c-7f230dcfe6c9. Date Accessed September 18, 2026.

DailyMed - WELLBUTRIN SR (bupropion hydrochloride) tablet, film coated. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=cbc8c074-f080-4489-a5ae-207b5fadeba3. Date Accessed September 18, 2026.

DailyMed - WELLBUTRIN XL (bupropion hydrochloride) tablet, extended release. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=a435da9d-f6e8-4ddc-897d-8cd2bf777b21. Date Accessed September 18, 2026.

ZYBAN (bupropion hydrochloride) Prescribing Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/020711s042lbl.pdf. Date Accessed September 18, 2026.