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Bupropion

Bupropion, Wellbutrin Xr · ATC code N06AX12

Brand names: Wellbutrin Xr, Bupropionhydrochlorid Hexal, Elontril, Buprapan, Qsmok, Veldepyon, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban, Aplenzin

Key facts
Active substance
Bupropion
Drug class
Antidepressant
ATC code
N06AX12
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-27

Boxed warning

SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children,

adolescents, and young adults in short-term trials. These trials did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in subjects over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in subjects aged 65 and older [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

In patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy, monitor closely for worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Key facts

Bupropion is an antidepressant metabolized mainly by CYP2B6. According to the US label, bupropion hydrochloride (immediate-release) tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

What it is used for

  • Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults

Dosing

  • Starting dose 200 mg/day, given as 100 mg twice daily
  • After 3 days may increase to 300 mg/day (100 mg 3 times daily, at least 6 hours apart)
  • Maximum 450 mg/day in divided doses of not more than 150 mg each, if no improvement after several weeks
  • Increase the dose gradually (seizure risk); swallow tablets whole
  • Moderate to severe hepatic impairment: maximum 75 mg/day; consider reducing dose or frequency in mild hepatic or in renal impairment
  • At least 14 days between an MAOI and bupropion

Contraindications

  • Seizure disorder
  • Current or prior bulimia or anorexia nervosa
  • Abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates or antiepileptic drugs
  • MAOIs concomitantly or within 14 days; starting in patients on linezolid or intravenous methylene blue
  • Known hypersensitivity

Important warnings

  • Boxed warning: increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents and young adults; monitor all patients closely
  • Dose-related seizure risk; discontinue and do not restart after a seizure
  • Elevated blood pressure and hypertension; assess before and during treatment
  • Activation of mania/hypomania, psychosis and other neuropsychiatric reactions
  • Angle-closure glaucoma may be triggered by pupillary dilation
  • Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis; rare Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Side effects

  • Common: agitation, dry mouth, insomnia, headache, nausea/vomiting, constipation, tremor
  • Also reported: dizziness, excessive sweating, blurred vision, tachycardia, confusion, rash
  • Serious: seizures, hypertension, neuropsychiatric reactions, hypersensitivity reactions

Interactions

  • CYP2B6 inhibitors (ticlopidine, clopidogrel): dose adjustment may be needed based on clinical response
  • Bupropion inhibits CYP2D6: increased exposure to e.g. venlafaxine, paroxetine, haloperidol, metoprolol, flecainide; their dose may need reduction
  • MAOIs and other drugs increasing dopaminergic or noradrenergic activity: increased hypertension risk
  • Drugs that lower the seizure threshold: increased seizure risk

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Epidemiological data after first-trimester exposure have not shown an increased overall risk of malformations; consider risks of untreated depression
  • Bupropion and metabolites are present in human milk; weigh breastfeeding benefits against the mother's need for treatment

Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Patient information (US)

Patient information (US) →

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Austria

  • Bupropion1a Pharma Gmbh, Neuraxpharm Arzneimittel Gmbh, Teva B.V, Genericon Pharma Gesellschaft M.B.H., +pharma Arzneimittel Gmbh, Stada Arzneimittel Gmbh, Accord Healthcare B.V., Sandoz Gmbh · 8 register entries
  • Wellbutrin XrGlaxosmithkline Pharma Gmbh. · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Germany

  • BupropionBetapharm Arzneimittel Gmbh, 1 A Pharma Gmbh, Neuraxpharm Arzneimittel Gmbh, Ratiopharm Gmbh, Bluefish Pharmaceuticals Ab, Zentiva Pharma Gmbh, Accord Healthcare B.V., Basics Gmbh, Biomo Pharma Gmbh, Olpha As, Stadapharm Gmbh, Aliud Pharma Gmbh · 13 register entries
  • Bupropionhydrochlorid HexalHexal Ag · 1 register entry
  • ElontrilGlaxosmithkline Gmbh & Co. Kg · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Turkey

  • BuprapanLİBA LABORATUARLARI A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • QsmokATABAY KİMYA SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • VeldepyonADEKA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • Wellbutrin XLGLAXOSMİTHKLİNE İLAÇLARI SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • ZybanGLAXOSMİTHKLİNE İLAÇLARI SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

USA

  • AplenzinBausch Health US, LLC · 1 register entry

Source: U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), as of 2026-10-28

Brand names in 26 more European countries
Belgium
Bupropion Eg, Bupropion Sandoz, Bupropion Teva, Wellbutrin Xr, Zyban
Croatia
Bupropion Genericon, Wellbutrin Xr
Cyprus
Wellbutrin Xr
Czechia
Bupropion +pharma, Bupropion Neuraxpharm, Elontril, Welard
Denmark
Bupropion Hydrochloride Zentiva, Bupropionhydrochlorid Stada, Zyban
Estonia
Elontril
Finland
Bupropion Accord, Bupropion Omet Pharma, Bupropion Orion, Bupropion Sandoz, Bupropion Stada, Voxra, Zyban
France
Zyban L.P.
Greece
Wellbutrin Xr
Hungary
Elontril
Iceland
Bupropion Teva, Wellbutrin Retard, Zyban
Ireland
Zyban
Italy
Bupropion Sun, Bupropione Doc, Bupropione Sandoz, Bupropione Sun, Bupropione Teva, Bupropione Zentiva, Elontril, Wellbutrin
Latvia
Wellbutrin Sr
Lithuania
Elontril
Luxembourg
Bupropion Eg, Bupropion Ratiopharm, Wellbutrin Xr, Zyban
Malta
Bupropion Generis, Wellbutrin Xr
Netherlands
Bupropion Hcl, Bupropion Sandoz, Elontril, Wellbutrin Xr, Zyban, Zyntabac
Norway
Bupropion Hydrochloride Teva, Bupropion Hydrochloride Zentiva, Paritdam, Wellbutrin Retard
Poland
Bucidar, Bupropion, Moreme, Oribion, Pixigan, Welbox, Wellbutrin Xr
Portugal
Bupropiom Generis, Bupropiom Ratiopharm, Bupropiom Zentiva, Elontril, Wellbutrin Xr, Zyban
Romania
Axabal, Elontril
Slovakia
Bupropion Neuraxpharm, Elontril
Slovenia
Bupropion Accord, Wellbutrin Xr
Spain
Bupropion Accord, Bupropión Cinfa, Bupropión Olpha, Bupropión Sandoz, Bupropión Stada, Bupropión Sun, Bupropión Teva, Elontril, Zyntabac
Sweden
Bupropion Accord, Bupropion Bluefish, Bupropion Omet Pharma, Bupropion Orion, Bupropion Sandoz, Bupropion Stada, Bupropion Sun, Bupropion Teva, Bupropion Zentiva, Voxra, Zyban

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

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Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Bupropion Hydrochloride (Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited) – Prescribing Information, 2026-03-19. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-27. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=33210109-2ddb-4b0f-a45e-988e493ca628
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  4. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
  5. U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), 2026-10-28. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/
  6. Wikidata (CC0): ATC N06AX.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.