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Bupropion side effects and how to avoid them

Bupropion side effects include weight changes, sexual dysfunction, and insomnia
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By | Oct. 3, 2022 Medically reviewed by Josephine Bawab, Pharm.D.
Rx prescription pad and Rx pill bottle: Bupropion side effects and how to avoid them

Key takeaways

  • Bupropion, an antidepressant for treating major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder, commonly causes side effects like agitation, headaches, and insomnia.

  • Serious side effects of bupropion can include suicidal thoughts, severe allergic reactions, and seizures, with the risk of seizures increasing with dosage.

  • Weight changes and sexual dysfunction are notable bupropion side effects, with weight loss being more common than weight gain and a lower likelihood of sexual dysfunction compared to SSRIs.

  • To minimize bupropion side effects, patients are advised to follow the prescription accurately, report all medical conditions and medications, avoid alcohol, and consult healthcare providers for side effect management.

Common bupropion side effects | Serious side effects | Weight change | Sexual dysfunction | Insomnia | Seizure | Hair loss | Side effects timeline | Contraindications | Warnings | Interactions | How to avoid side effects | How to treat side effects

Bupropion, generic for Wellbutrin, is an antidepressant used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), to help people quit smoking, and several off-label uses. 

Bupropion rebalances chemicals in the brain that transmit signals between nerves. In this way, it helps people better regulate their moods. Generic bupropion can be taken as immediate-release tablets, sustained-release tablets, and extended-release tablets. Side effects, however, will be about the same no matter what formulation is taken.

Common side effects of bupropion

Most people will experience some side effects when taking bupropion, particularly agitation (32% incidence in clinical trials), headache (25%), and insomnia (19%). The most common side effects of bupropion are:

  • Agitation
  • Headache
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Weight loss
  • Migraine
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Excessive sweating
  • Shaking
  • Appetite loss
  • Blurred vision
  • Weight gain
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy nose
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Infection
  • Anxiety
  • Skin rash
  • Confusion
  • Diarrhea
  • Flatulence
  • Palpitations
  • Muscle pain
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Weird dreams
  • Hostility
  • Joint pain
  • Swelling of the sinuses
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent urination
  • Chest pain

Serious side effects of bupropion

Bupropion can cause serious side effects including:

  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
  • Worsening of depression
  • Neuropsychiatric disorders, such as psychosis, mania, hallucinations, or panic attacks
  • Thoughts of killing people
  • Seizures
  • Dangerously high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Irregular heartbeats
  • Heart attack
  • Angle-closure glaucoma
  • Sodium loss
  • Liver poisoning
  • Severe allergic reactions

Weight changes

Weight changes are commonly experienced by people taking bupropion, but weight loss is far more common than weight gain. Research has shown that about 14% to 23% of people taking bupropion will lose weight. Loss of appetite is a related side effect: about 1% to 18% of patients experience some appetite loss. It’s not a surprise, then, that bupropion is often prescribed off-label to help people lose weight. 

Sexual dysfunction

Bupropion, like other antidepressants, can decrease sexual desire. In clinical trials, about 3% of patients taking bupropion experienced some loss of libido. Another 3% had problems with impotence. However, bupropion is less likely to cause sexual dysfunction than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In fact, some clinicians may prescribe it as an alternative antidepressant to people experiencing sexual dysfunction caused by SSRIs. As with any drug, get medical advice if sexual function becomes a problem while taking bupropion.

Insomnia

Trouble sleeping is one of the most common side effects of bupropion. Clinical research has shown that 11% to 20% of people taking bupropion experience insomnia compared to about 4% to 7% who have been given a placebo. In the initial clinical trials, the incidence was 19% in those taking bupropion versus 15% in those taking a placebo. This number is about the same as SSRIs. People on bupropion can reasonably expect to have problems sleeping. Make sure to report this to the prescribing healthcare provider.

Seizure

Though rare, seizures are a common enough problem that bupropion is never given to people with a history of seizures, anorexia, bulimia, or drug or alcohol abuse. The risk of seizures is less than one percent, but it increases with the dosage and has four times the seizure rate of other antidepressants. If seizures are experienced when taking bupropion, immediately talk to a healthcare professional. Bupropion will need to be discontinued.

Hair loss

Hair loss is only an infrequent side effect of bupropion. Less than one percent of people taking bupropion will experience hair loss side effects, and they usually only manifest after taking the drug for a while. While this is a rare side effect, research suggests that hair loss is more likely when taking bupropion than other antidepressants. In the event of hair thinning, the prescribing healthcare provider might prescribe an antidepressant that is less likely to cause hair loss.

How soon do bupropion side effects start?

Many common side effects, including agitation, headache, insomnia, dry mouth, nausea, and shaking, can appear fairly early, after one or a few days of bupropion treatment. Allergic reactions, including severe allergic reactions, could occur rapidly, even after a single dose. Others may take a few weeks or months of treatment to become apparent, including weight loss, appetite loss, constipation, sexual dysfunction, and hair loss. Most severe side effects are also delayed, particularly seizures, suicidal thoughts, and many heart problems.

How long do bupropion side effects last?

The most common side effects of bupropion usually resolve after the last dose has been taken. Bupropion has a half-life of 14 hours for a single dose and 21 hours when taken continuously, so its effects on the body last for three to four days. Some side effects, such as weight loss, sexual dysfunction, and hair loss, may take longer to get back to normal, but all are generally reversible when bupropion is discontinued. 

What are the long-term side effects of bupropion?

Some of bupropion’s severe adverse effects may have long-term or lifelong consequences, including heart attack, severe allergic reactions, and angle-closure glaucoma. If seizures are experienced, they usually stop when bupropion is discontinued. However, once a drug like bupropion causes seizures, other types of drugs that increase seizure risk may not be able to be used in the future.

Bupropion contraindications

Because of the risk for seizures, bupropion is never prescribed to people with certain past or current medical conditions:

Anyone with allergies to bupropion or any of the inactive ingredients in the medicine cannot safely take bupropion or Wellbutrin.

Pregnancy and nursing

Bupropion has not been shown to cause birth defects, miscarriage, or other problems when taken during pregnancy. It is uncertain if bupropion causes problems in nursing babies. It is always best to speak to a healthcare provider in order to weigh the risks and benefits of taking bupropion while pregnant or nursing. 

Children

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of bupropion for anyone under the age of 18 years. 

Bupropion warnings

All medications that target brain activity can cause problems. Bupropion is no exception. 

Black box warning

The FDA has mandated that bupropion and Wellbutrin carry a black box warning about the increased risk for suicidal behaviors and thoughts in young adults and adolescents using bupropion. This warning does not apply to older adults.

Cautions

Some health conditions may get worse or make serious side effects more likely in people taking bupropion, so treatment will require more careful monitoring:

  • Conditions that increase the risk of seizures, including stroke, head injury, brain or spinal infections, arteriovenous malformation, diabetes, or drug abuse 
  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Bipolar disorder
  • High blood pressure
  • Recent heart attack
  • Uncorrected narrow angles or a history of angle-closure glaucoma
  • Tourette’s syndrome or other tic disorders
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems

Abuse and dependence

The FDA does not consider bupropion to be a drug that can cause physical dependence or abuse, but it is known as a street drug. Though it doesn’t cause physical dependence, people may become psychologically addicted to the drug. Abusing bupropion by snorting, injecting, or overdosing can cause serious problems, particularly seizures. 

Overdose

Taking too much bupropion can cause serious problems. The most worrisome risks of overdose are seizures, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure, and death. Immediate emergency medical care is required if an overdose is suspected. Other symptoms of a bupropion overdose are similar to amphetamine abuse and include:

  • Agitation
  • Racing heart
  • Hallucinations
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Hyperactive reflexes
  • Stiff or rigid muscles
  • Fever

The maximum dosage will depend on the dosage form prescribed and the condition being treated. The maximum dosage will be indicated in the drug information sheet included with each prescription.

Recalls

Wellbutrin was recalled within a year of its approval because of seizures in people with eating disorders. After it was taken off the market for three years, it was relaunched with bulimia and anorexia as contraindications. 

Bupropion interactions

As with other prescription drugs, combining bupropion with other drugs or foods may cause problems. In particular, bupropion is never combined with:

Because of the risk for seizures, healthcare professionals are cautious about using bupropion with:

Other drug interactions that may cause problems when combined with bupropion include:

Foods to avoid include alcohol and caffeine drinks. As a stimulant, caffeine raises the risk that bupropion will cause a seizure. Combining alcohol with bupropion may provoke neuropsychiatric events.

How to avoid bupropion side effects

It’s common to have at least some adverse effects when taking bupropion. To minimize these problems, a few simple rules can help.

1. Take bupropion as directed

Follow the instructions given by a healthcare professional or written on the prescription label. Don’t take too much and don’t skip a dose. Remember that the dose amount and schedule will vary depending on the drug’s dosage form. It’s especially easy to make mistakes when switching from one dosage form to another. 

2. Don’t take a missed dose

To minimize problems, don’t try to make up a missed dose of bupropion. Wait until the next scheduled dose and take that dose as planned.

3. Inform the healthcare provider about all medical conditions

One of the surest ways to avoid side effects is to make sure the prescriber has a full medical history. The healthcare provider needs to know about these physical conditions:

  • Past or present eating disorders, especially anorexia or bulimia
  • Any history of suicide, depression, or other mental illness
  • Any history of mania, hypomania, or bipolar disorder
  • Drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs
  • Heart disease, high blood pressure, or recent heart attack
  • Diabetes
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
  • Breastfeeding or plans to breastfeed

4. Tell the healthcare provider about all medications

A medical history is not complete without listing all of the prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements being taken, especially:

  • MAO inhibitors
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Sedatives
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Opioids

5. Avoid taking two bupropion drugs

Bupropion is not only prescribed for depression, but it’s also FDA-approved for smoking cessation. It is also popular for weight loss. For smoking cessation, the brand name is Zyban. For weight loss, it’s Contrave. For depression, it’s Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Aplenzin (bupropion hydrobromide), Forfivo XL (bupropion XL) or just generic bupropion. Understand that these are the same medication and take only one. 

6. Avoid alcohol

Alcohol and bupropion don’t mix well together. When they do mix, the result could affect mental health and cause serious impairment or even seizures. Though alcohol is not strictly forbidden, the prescribing healthcare provider could ban drinking altogether in some patients. 

7. Eat a healthy diet

To avoid weight changes, adopt a healthy diet and regular exercise routine.

8. Don’t stop taking bupropion

Stopping bupropion all at once can result in unpleasant side effects. If bupropion is not working or the side effects are difficult to endure, get medical advice from your healthcare provider. A tapering dosing regimen should be used to ease the body off of bupropion and avoid discomfort.

How to treat side effects of bupropion

If bupropion causes problems, there are ways to manage them. In some cases, it may require medical help or advice. Others might be solvable with common sense.

Insomnia

If sleeplessness is a problem, ask the prescriber for a longer-acting bupropion dosage form, one that can be taken in the morning. The stimulant effects should taper off by bedtime. Practicing good sleep hygiene can also help. Go to bed at the same time each night, turn off the lights, and avoid other distractions around bedtime.

Weight changes

Ask a dietitian or nutritionist for advice if body weight goes up or down unintentionally.

Seizures

If seizures or convulsions are experienced while taking bupropion, immediately talk to the prescriber or other healthcare professional. The drug may need to be stopped to prevent future seizures.

Mental health changes

Call the prescriber or other healthcare professional when experiencing mood changes, racing thoughts, or “feeling crazy” when taking bupropion. It may be caused by the medicine. In some cases, another drug may be prescribed in place of bupropion.

Allergic reactions

A hypersensitivity reaction to bupropion will require immediate medical attention. Look for symptoms, such as hives, swollen face or neck, trouble breathing, wheezing, sore throat, fever, blisters, or bad skin rash.

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