Although bupropion is FDA-approved to treat depression, to prevent depression in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and for tobacco cessation, it is also commonly used by leading specialist obesity clinicians and weight clinics off-label to help aid with weight loss by reducing cravings and compulsive eating.
Bupropion typically comes in a tablet form at dosages starting at 75 mg. Dosing instructions vary according to weight, tolerability and other factors and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Bupropion is only FDA-approved to treat depression and tobacco cessation. Prescribing medications are up to a medical provider’s discretion and may not be appropriate for everyone.
Bupropion may cause psychiatric disorders, including suicidal thinking and behavior, hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, irrational fears and manic episodes (for people with undiagnosed bipolar disorder). The medicine could also cause high blood pressure, fast irregular heart beats, seizures, acute angle-closure glaucoma, and death. You should not stop taking bupropion abruptly or without consulting your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare provider about your medical history, especially if you have any of the following conditions in which case you should NOT take bupropion:
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or impair your judgment. Please do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform any hazardous task until the effects of bupropion are known to you. For anyone taking diabetes medications, please have a discussion with your prescribing clinician prior to taking bupropion as your diabetes medications may need to be adjusted as you lose weight. You should wear medical identification stating that you are taking this drug so that appropriate treatment can be given in a medical emergency.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience anxiety, dry mouth, irregular heartbeats, irritability or other mental depression or other mood or mental changes or suicidal thoughts, restlessness, shaking, trouble sleeping, buzzing or ringing in ears, skin hives, rashes or itching, confusion, fainting, hyperventilation, hallucinations, seizures, trouble concentrating, lightheadedness, chest discomfort, sweating, headaches, impulsivity or unusual tiredness.
DO NOT take bupropion if you are planning to become pregnant or if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Many people experience no side effects while taking bupropion. Some of the most common side effects (but not extremely frequent) are:
Additional side effects include:
These symptoms may subside after the body adjusts to the medication.
As with other medications, bupropion can interact with alcohol and certain prescription and non-prescription medications and herbal products, including monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (like isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine), dopaminergic medications (drugs that increase dopamine levels in your system like levodopa and amantadine), drugs that affect the central nervous system (CNS) like antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines, medicine for depression, medicine for anxiety, antipsychotics, theophylline, systemic corticosteroids, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics.
Please consult the pharmaceutical packaging for a full list of side effects, warnings, interactions and additional information.
To report suspected adverse reactions to Bupropion contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In case of emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
