Wellbutrin XL
Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.
- Generic name
- bupropion hydrochloride
- Brand names
- WELLBUTRIN XL
- Drug class
- Aminoketone antidepressant
- Form
- Extended-release tablet
- Route
- Oral
- Legal status
- Prescription-only medicine
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What bupropion hydrochloride is and how it works
Wellbutrin XL contains bupropion hydrochloride, an aminoketone antidepressant. It is an extended-release prescription medicine. (1)
The reviewed US FDA-approved label indicates WELLBUTRIN XL for treatment of major depressive disorder and prevention of seasonal affective disorder episodes. The prescriber should assess important risks including suicidality, seizure risk, blood pressure, bipolar disorder, and angle-closure glaucoma risk.
Mechanism of action: how bupropion hydrochloride works
Bupropion hydrochloride is an aminoketone antidepressant. Detailed pharmacokinetic parameters, active-metabolite information, and specific CYP2B6 metabolism details were not extracted in this review. (1)
What bupropion hydrochloride is used for
Major depressive disorder
WELLBUTRIN XL is indicated for treatment of major depressive disorder in the reviewed US label. (1)
Prevention of seasonal affective disorder episodes
WELLBUTRIN XL is indicated for prevention of seasonal affective disorder episodes in the reviewed US label. (1)
Before taking bupropion hydrochloride
Do not take / not appropriate for
- A seizure disorder or another condition that elevates seizure risk is a contraindication for WELLBUTRIN XL; the prescriber must determine whether it can be used. (WELLBUTRIN XL) (1)
- A current or prior diagnosis of bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa is a contraindication for WELLBUTRIN XL; the prescriber must determine whether it can be used. (WELLBUTRIN XL) (1)
- Abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or antiepileptic drugs is a contraindication for starting WELLBUTRIN XL; the prescriber must manage the timing of any such discontinuation and WELLBUTRIN XL treatment. (WELLBUTRIN XL) (1)
- Concurrent use of WELLBUTRIN XL with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or within 14 days of stopping an MAOI, is contraindicated because of the risk of hypertensive crisis; the prescriber must determine and manage the timing of starting, continuing, or stopping either medicine. (WELLBUTRIN XL) (1)
- Known hypersensitivity to bupropion or any product component is a contraindication for WELLBUTRIN XL; the prescriber must determine whether it can be used. (WELLBUTRIN XL) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any seizure disorder or other condition that may increase seizure risk.
- A current or previous diagnosis of bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa.
- Any planned or recent discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or antiepileptic drugs.
- All current and recent medicines, especially MAOIs, medicines metabolized by CYP2D6, and medicines that lower the seizure threshold.
- High blood pressure or other blood-pressure concerns.
- Bipolar disorder or symptoms that could suggest mania or hypomania.
- Anatomically narrow angles or a history relevant to angle-closure glaucoma risk.
- Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- Any prior allergic reaction to bupropion or a product component.
How to take bupropion hydrochloride
- Take WELLBUTRIN XL exactly as prescribed by the clinician.
- The reviewed US label gives an initial dose of 150 mg once daily in the morning. If tolerated, the prescriber may increase this to the target dose of 300 mg once daily as early as day 4.
- Seizure risk is dose-related. Gradual titration and adherence to the maximum recommended dose are important to reduce this risk.
- Do not change the dose or dosing schedule yourself; contact the prescriber for advice.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)
Missed dose
Specific missed-dose instructions were not extracted from the reviewed source. Contact the prescriber or pharmacist for advice; do not take an extra dose unless a clinician advises it.
Overdose
Suspected overdose requires urgent medical advice. Seizures occur in approximately one-third of reported overdose cases, and there is no specific antidote; management is supportive. In the United States, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. (1)
Side effects
Frequently reported adverse reactions include dry mouth, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, tremor, agitation, and anxiety. Discuss symptoms that are persistent, troublesome, or worsening with the prescriber.
Dry mouth or nausea
What to notice: Dry mouth or nausea.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the prescribing clinician. (1)
Insomnia, dizziness, tremor, agitation, or anxiety
What to notice: Difficulty sleeping, dizziness, shaking, agitation, or anxiety.
What to do: Contact the prescribing clinician if symptoms are severe, worsening, or troublesome. (1)
New or worsening mental-health or behavioral symptoms
What to notice: Clinical worsening, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior.
What to do: Contact the prescribing clinician promptly for assessment. (1)
Possible mania or hypomania
What to notice: Symptoms that may suggest activation of mania or hypomania.
What to do: Contact the prescribing clinician promptly for assessment. (1)
Elevated blood pressure
What to notice: Blood-pressure elevation, which can sometimes be severe.
What to do: Contact the prescribing clinician promptly for assessment. (1)
Serious warnings
Suicidal thoughts and behavior — urgent
Symptoms: Clinical worsening, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior. Short-term studies found an increased risk with antidepressants, including bupropion, in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Action: Seek urgent medical assessment for these symptoms. Patients of all ages starting treatment should be monitored appropriately. (1)
Seizure — emergency
Symptoms: A seizure. Risk is dose-related and is increased by seizure disorders, conditions that elevate seizure risk, and some concomitant medicines.
Action: Seek emergency medical care for a seizure. A clinician should assess treatment decisions and contributing factors. (1)
Hypertensive crisis with MAOIs — emergency
Symptoms: A hypertensive crisis risk can occur with concurrent MAOI use or inadequate separation between bupropion and an MAOI.
Action: Seek urgent medical assessment if an MAOI exposure may have occurred. A 14-day separation is required in either direction. (1)
Angle-closure glaucoma attack — urgent
Symptoms: An angle-closure attack can be triggered by pupillary dilation in people with anatomically narrow angles who do not have a patent iridectomy.
Action: Seek prompt medical assessment for possible eye symptoms or an acute eye problem. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) | Concurrent use is contraindicated because of hypertensive-crisis risk. A 14-day separation is required in either direction. | Tell the prescriber and pharmacist about all current and recent MAOI treatment before WELLBUTRIN XL is prescribed or supplied. (1) |
| Drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 | Bupropion inhibits CYP2D6 and may increase blood levels of CYP2D6-substrate drugs, including certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, and beta-blockers. | Provide a complete medicine list to the prescriber and pharmacist; the co-administered medicine may require clinician-directed dose adjustment. (1) |
| Other medicines that lower the seizure threshold | Extreme caution is advised because these medicines may increase seizure risk. | Tell the prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine before starting or changing treatment. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Children and adolescents
No pediatric-specific dosing was extracted from the reviewed source. The approved indications identified in this review were adult major depressive disorder and prevention of seasonal affective disorder episodes. The boxed warning notes increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressants in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. (1)
Pregnancy
Limited human data suggest no clearly increased overall risk of birth defects, while animal reproduction studies in rabbits showed fetal effects. Discuss pregnancy-related treatment decisions with the prescribing clinician. (1)
Breastfeeding
Bupropion and its metabolites are present in human breast milk at approximately 2% of the maternal weight-adjusted dose in the reviewed material. Discuss breastfeeding with the prescribing clinician. (1)
Hepatic impairment
For moderate to severe hepatic impairment, the reviewed label states that the dose should be reduced to 150 mg every other day. A clinician must determine whether this applies to the individual patient. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Assess contraindications, including seizure disorder or conditions that elevate seizure risk, eating-disorder history, abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or antiepileptic drugs, MAOI use, and hypersensitivity.
- Screen for bipolar disorder because mania or hypomania may be activated.
- Assess blood pressure, particularly in people with pre-existing hypertension.
- Assess angle-closure glaucoma risk, including anatomically narrow angles without a patent iridectomy.
- Review all medicines for MAOIs, CYP2D6-substrate drugs, and medicines that lower the seizure threshold.
During treatment
- Monitor patients of all ages for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior, especially when therapy is started.
- Monitor blood pressure because bupropion can elevate it, sometimes severely.
- Monitor for seizure risk and use gradual titration within the maximum recommended dose.
- Monitor for symptoms that could suggest mania or hypomania.
Storage
Storage instructions were not extracted from the reviewed source and remain unresolved. Follow the current product packaging and pharmacist instructions.
Study the drug class: SNRIs and other antidepressants
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Use the current US FDA-approved product label and individual clinical assessment; this draft does not substitute for prescribing information.
United States
Indication: Major depressive disorder or prevention of seasonal affective disorder episodes
Dose summary: The reviewed label gives an initial dose of 150 mg once daily in the morning. If 150 mg is tolerated, the dose may be increased to 300 mg once daily as early as day 4. The maximum recommended dose is 300 mg per day for most patients. The reviewed material noted that up to 450 mg/day has been used in some contexts, but did not establish the exact context, population, or titration schedule.
Renal context: Renal-impairment-specific dosing was not established in the reviewed material and remains unresolved. For moderate to severe hepatic impairment, the reviewed label states 150 mg every other day. (1)
Hepatic guidance
For moderate to severe hepatic impairment, the reviewed US label states that the dose should be reduced to 150 mg every other day.
Overdose note
Seizures occur in approximately one-third of reported overdose cases. No specific antidote is available; management is supportive. In the United States, suspected overdose should be referred to Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and urgent medical assessment. (1)
Frequently asked questions
What is WELLBUTRIN XL used for?
In the reviewed US label, WELLBUTRIN XL is indicated for treatment of major depressive disorder and prevention of seasonal affective disorder episodes. (1)
Can WELLBUTRIN XL affect seizure risk?
Yes. Seizure risk is dose-related. Gradual titration and adherence to the maximum recommended dose are important to reduce the risk, and the medicine is contraindicated in people with seizure disorder or a condition that elevates seizure risk. (1)
Can I take WELLBUTRIN XL with an MAOI?
No. Concurrent use is contraindicated because of hypertensive-crisis risk. The reviewed label requires a 14-day separation in either direction between an MAOI and WELLBUTRIN XL. (1)
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Specific missed-dose instructions were not extracted from the reviewed source. Contact the prescriber or pharmacist for advice, and do not take an extra dose unless a clinician advises it. (1)
What is the mechanism of action of bupropion hydrochloride?
Bupropion hydrochloride is an aminoketone antidepressant. Detailed pharmacokinetic parameters, active-metabolite information, and specific CYP2B6 metabolism details were not extracted in this review. (1)
What is the generic name of Wellbutrin XL?
The generic name is bupropion hydrochloride. It is sold under brand names including WELLBUTRIN XL. (1)
What class of drug is bupropion hydrochloride?
Wellbutrin XL is classed as: Aminoketone antidepressant. (1)
References
- WELLBUTRIN XL - bupropion hydrochloride tablet, extended release — prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration · United States · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 1
- AUVELITY (DEXTROMETHORPHAN HYDROBROMIDE, BUPROPION HYDROCHLORIDE) TABLET, MULTILAYER, EXTENDED RELEASE AUVELITY (DEXTROMETHORPHAN HYDROBROMIDE, BUPROPION HYDROCHLORIDE) KIT [AXSOME THERAPEUTICS, INC.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 2
- Bupropion — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- buPropion Hydrochloride XL — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA211200)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- bupropion — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 203204)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient bupropion hydrochloride names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- WELLBUTRIN SR100 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg, 200 mg · glaxosmithkline llc
- Aplenzin174 mg, 522 mg, 348 mg · bausch health us, llc
- Forfivo XL450 mg · upsher-smith laboratories, llc
Canada
- BUPROPION SR
- WELLBUTRIN XL
- WELLBUTRIN SR
- ZYBAN
- SANDOZ BUPROPION SR
- RATIO-BUPROPION SR
- PMS-BUPROPION SR
- MYLAN-BUPROPION XL
- ACT BUPROPION XL