Bupropion: what it treats and how to use it safely

Bupropion is a prescription medicine used mainly for depression and to help people stop smoking. It works differently from SSRIs, so people who had side effects on other antidepressants sometimes tolerate bupropion better. You should only take it under a doctor's care because it has specific risks and interactions to watch for.

How bupropion works and common uses

Doctors prescribe bupropion for major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. It is also licensed as a smoking cessation aid under the brand name Zyban. Bupropion comes as immediate release (IR), sustained release (SR), and extended release (XL) tablets. Typical adult dosing for depression starts at 150 mg once daily for XL or 150 mg twice daily for SR; doses often reach 300 mg daily. For quitting smoking, the usual plan is 150 mg once daily for three days, then 150 mg twice daily. Follow your prescriber's schedule and never double doses to catch up.

Safety tips and side effects

The biggest safety concern is seizure risk. Bupropion raises the chance of seizures at higher doses, with other seizure risk factors, or when mixed with certain drugs. If you have a seizure disorder, bulimia, anorexia, heavy alcohol use, or sudden alcohol withdrawal, tell your doctor — bupropion is usually not recommended. Also avoid bupropion if you used a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the past 14 days.

Common side effects include dry mouth, trouble sleeping, headache, nausea, and tremor. Many people notice appetite loss and weight change. These often get better in a few weeks, but call your prescriber if side effects are severe or if you feel worse mentally. Rare but serious effects include high blood pressure and allergic reactions.

Watch for interactions. Combining bupropion with other drugs that lower seizure threshold (like some antipsychotics, tricyclics, or stimulants) raises risk. Mixing with alcohol can worsen mood and make seizures more likely. Tell your doctor about every medicine, supplement, and herb you use.

Practical tips: keep pills in a safe place, follow dosing times, and don’t skip follow-up visits. If you plan to buy bupropion online, use a licensed pharmacy that asks for a prescription and shows clear contact and licensing information. Avoid suspect sites offering huge discounts without a prescription.

What to do if treatment doesn’t work: talk to your doctor about dose changes, switching formulations, or adding therapy. Bupropion can help many people, but it’s not the right fit for everyone. Keep notes on mood, sleep, and side effects to make clinic visits more productive.

Expect changes over time: mood lifts slowly — usually four to six weeks before full effect — and energy may return sooner. Check your blood pressure occasionally, because bupropion can raise it. Young people and anyone with new or worsening suicidal thoughts need rapid review; if that happens, contact emergency services or your prescriber right away. Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how the drug affects you.

Ask your prescriber: will bupropion interact with my other meds, what dose fits my needs, and when should we consider switching if it doesn't help in three months?