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Treatment terms

Bupropion

Reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA·Updated March 15, 2026·About 3 minutes

Sources

American Psychiatric Association. Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder.
Trivedi MH, et al. Evaluation of outcomes with citalopram for depression using measurement-based care in STAR*D. Am J Psychiatry. 2006.
Modell JG, et al. Seasonal affective disorder and its prevention by anticipatory treatment with bupropion XL. Biol Psychiatry. 2005.

Primary source: MedlinePlus: Antidepressants (U.S. National Library of Medicine).

Frequently asked questions

What's bupropion?

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an antidepressant that acts on dopamine and norepinephrine rather than serotonin. It's FDA-approved for major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and (under the brand name Zyban) smoking cessation. It's often used when anhedonia, low motivation, or fatigue are prominent.

How is bupropion different from SSRIs?

Bupropion doesn't act on serotonin, so it tends not to cause the sexual side effects, weight gain, or emotional blunting that some patients have on SSRIs. It can be activating, which makes it useful for low energy but less suitable for patients with prominent anxiety or insomnia.

What are the most common bupropion side effects?

Common side effects include dry mouth, insomnia, headache, nausea, and a small rise in blood pressure. Anxiety or jitteriness can occur, especially early on. Bupropion is associated with a small dose-dependent increase in seizure risk, which is why it's avoided in patients with active eating disorders or a history of seizures.

Does bupropion cause weight gain?

No. Bupropion is one of the few antidepressants associated with weight loss rather than weight gain in clinical trials, particularly at the higher dose range. This is one reason it's sometimes preferred when weight is a concern.

Is bupropion safe with other antidepressants?

Bupropion is commonly added to an SSRI or SNRI when the first medication isn't enough on its own (a strategy known as combination therapy). The combination is generally well tolerated, and bupropion can offset the sexual side effects of SSRIs. Combinations should be supervised by a prescriber.

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Last reviewed March 15, 2026.

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