Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

What the word means

Bupropion is the drug. Wellbutrin is the brand most people know, and Zyban is the same medication sold for quitting smoking.

It’s an NDRI, which puts it outside the serotonin family entirely. That’s the whole reason it matters. Because it doesn’t act on serotonin, it tends not to cause the sexual side effects or the weight gain that lead a lot of people to quit SSRIs, and it’s often more activating than sedating. The trade-off is that the same activation can make anxiety worse in someone whose main problem is anxiety, and it can lower the seizure threshold, so it’s generally avoided in people with a seizure disorder or certain eating disorders.

Where to read the full guide

The word belongs here. The details belong there.

Read the full bupropion guide at PsychiatryRx, which covers uses, side effects, timelines, and cautions.

Related terms you’ll see next

• NDRI
• Atypical antidepressant
• Dopamine
• Antidepressant

When to seek professional care

Tell your prescriber if you have a history of seizures or an eating disorder before starting bupropion, because those change the calculation. If it’s making you jittery or worsening anxiety, say so rather than pushing through. Tell your prescriber about new agitation, worsening mood, or thoughts of self-harm after starting or changing the dose. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, get help right away by calling 911, or call or text 988 in the US to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Bupropion (Wellbutrin):</strong> Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant, sold as Wellbutrin, that works on norepinephrine and dopamine instead of serotonin. It's also used to help people stop smoking.</p>
  <p>&mdash; <a href="https://shrinktionary.com/terms/bupropion/">Shrinktionary</a>, a plain-English mental health dictionary, medically reviewed by a board certified psychiatrist.</p>
</blockquote>