Bupropion

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Aplenzin; Forfivo XL; Wellbutrin SR; Wellbutrin XL

Brand Names: Canada

MYLAN-BuPROPion XL [DSC]; ODAN Bupropion SR; TARO-Bupropion XL; TEVA-Bupropion XL; Wellbutrin SR [DSC]; Wellbutrin XL; Zyban

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat depression.
• It is used to prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
• It is used to help you stop smoking.
• If your child has been given this drug, talk with the doctor about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about giving this drug to your child.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child has ever had seizures.
• If your child drinks a lot of alcohol and stops drinking all of a sudden.
• If your child uses certain other drugs or natural products that may slow your child’s actions (like drugs for seizures or anxiety) and your child stops using them all of a sudden.
• If your child has ever had an eating problem like anorexia or bulimia.
• If your child has any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
• If your child has taken certain drugs for depression or certain other health problems in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine. Very high blood pressure may happen.
• If your child is taking any of these drugs: Clopidogrel, linezolid, methylene blue, or ticlopidine.
• If your child is taking another drug that has the same drug in it.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

For all patients taking this drug:

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
• This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your child’s health care providers and lab workers that your child takes this drug.
• Do not stop giving this drug to your child all of a sudden without calling the doctor. Your child may have a greater risk of side effects. If your child needs to stop this drug, you will want to slowly stop it as told by the doctor.
• High blood pressure has happened with this drug. Have your child’s blood pressure checked as you have been told by the doctor.
• This drug may raise the chance of seizures. The risk may be higher in people who take higher doses, have certain health problems, or take certain other drugs. People who suddenly stop drinking a lot of alcohol or suddenly stop taking certain drugs (like drugs used for anxiety, sleep, or seizures) may also have a higher risk. Talk to the doctor to see if your child has a greater chance of seizures.
• Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
• Talk with your child’s doctor before your child uses marijuana, other forms of cannabis, or prescription or OTC drugs that may slow your child’s actions.
• It may take several weeks to see the full effects.
• This drug is not approved for use in children. Talk with the doctor.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

• Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.

If your child smokes:

• Not all products are approved for use to help stop smoking. Talk with the doctor to make sure that you have the right product.
• New or worse mental, mood, or behavior problems have happened when bupropion has been used to stop smoking. These problems include thoughts of suicide or murder, depression, forceful actions, fury, anxiety, and anger. These problems have happened in people with and without a history of mental or mood problems. Talk with the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Feeling confused, not able to focus, or change in behavior.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
• If seizures are new or worse after starting this drug.
• Chest pain or pressure, a fast heartbeat, or an abnormal heartbeat.
• Swelling.
• Shortness of breath.
• Change in hearing.
• Ringing in ears.
• Passing urine more often.
• Swollen gland.
• Trouble moving around.
• Some people may have a higher chance of eye problems with this drug. The doctor may want your child to have an eye exam to see if your child has a higher chance of these eye problems. Call the doctor right away if your child has eye pain, change in eyesight, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
• A severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause severe health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if your child has signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in the mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

All products:

• Dizziness or headache.
• Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or decreased appetite.
• Shakiness.
• Feeling nervous and excitable.
• Strange or odd dreams.
• Gas.
• Dry mouth.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Nose or throat irritation.
• Sweating a lot.
• A change in weight without trying.

Extended-release tablets:

• For some brands, you or your child may see the tablet shell in your child’s stool. For these brands, this is normal and not a cause for concern. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

For all uses of this drug:

• Give this drug at the same time of day.
• Do not give this drug more often than told. This may raise the risk of seizures. Be sure you know how far apart to give your child’s doses.
• Give in the morning if giving once a day.
• Give this drug with or without food.
• If your child is not able to sleep, do not give this drug too close to bedtime. Talk with the doctor.
• Have your child swallow tablet whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
• Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.
• If your child has trouble swallowing, talk with the doctor.

For stopping smoking:

• Your child may take this drug for 1 week before your child stops smoking.
• Nicotine products and counseling may be used at the same time for best results.
• If your child has not been able to quit smoking after taking this drug for 12 weeks, talk with the doctor.
• Your child may have signs of nicotine withdrawal when trying to quit smoking even when using drugs like this one to help quit smoking. There are many signs of nicotine withdrawal. Rarely, depression and suicidal thoughts have happened in people trying to quit smoking. If you have questions, talk with your child’s doctor.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2024-02-05

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