Wellbutrin XR 150 mg and 300 mg modified-release tablets – bupropion for the treatment of depression

Wellbutrin XR contains bupropion hydrochloride, an antidepressant thought to act on noradrenaline and dopamine – substances in the brain involved in regulating mood.

Doctors prescribe it to adults for the treatment of depression. The tablet has a special coating that releases the medicine gradually during the day. In Serbia it is authorised in strengths of 150 mg and 300 mg (bottle of 30 tablets) and is available on prescription only.

What is Wellbutrin XR used for and how should it be taken correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Wellbutrin XR used for?

Wellbutrin XR is intended for the treatment of depression in adults. The full therapeutic effect sometimes appears only after several weeks or months, and when you feel better your doctor may advise you to continue treatment to prevent the symptoms from returning.

Your doctor decides whether the medicine is suitable for you.

How is it used and dosed?

The usual recommended dose for adults is one 150 mg tablet a day. If the depression does not improve after several weeks, the doctor may increase the dose to 300 mg a day.

• Take your dose in the morning and never take the medicine more than once a day.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Chewing, crushing or splitting it leads to rapid release of the medicine and a risk of overdose and seizures.
• Something resembling a tablet may occasionally be seen in the stool – this is the coating that has not dissolved.
• Some patients, e.g. those with liver or kidney disease, may take only 150 mg a day throughout treatment.
• Do not increase the dose without your doctor’s advice.

This is the general dosage from the leaflet – your doctor determines your dose and the duration of treatment.

Special patient groups

• Children and adolescents under 18 years: use is not recommended; there is an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour with antidepressants in this group.
• Young adults (up to 25 years): data indicate an increased risk of suicidal behaviour – careful monitoring is needed.
• Liver or kidney impairment: higher risk of side effects; the doctor may prescribe only 150 mg a day; the medicine must not be used in severe liver disease.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy to bupropion or any of the excipients
• concomitant use of other medicines containing bupropion
• epilepsy or previous seizures
• current or previous eating disorder (bulimia, anorexia)
• brain tumour
• frequent heavy drinking with abrupt (or planned) cessation of alcohol intake
• severe liver disease
• recent (or planned) discontinuation of sedatives
• use of MAO inhibitors or their use within the previous 14 days

Warnings and precautions

• regular heavy alcohol consumption, diabetes treated with insulin or tablets, serious head injury – higher risk of seizures; if a seizure occurs, stop the medicine and contact your doctor
• bipolar disorder – the medicine may trigger an episode of the illness
• concomitant use of other antidepressants – risk of serotonin syndrome
• Brugada syndrome, or cardiac arrest or sudden death in the family
• thoughts of self-harm and worsening of depression, especially at the start of treatment – it may help to ask people close to you to tell you if they notice changes in your behaviour
• the medicine may affect the results of some urine drug tests – tell the staff carrying out the test

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Tell your doctor about all medicines, herbal products and vitamins you are taking. The risk of seizures may be increased by:

• other medicines for depression or other mental illnesses, theophylline, tramadol, antimalarials (mefloquine, chloroquine), stimulants and medicines for weight or appetite control, systemic steroids, quinolone antibiotics, certain antihistamines that cause drowsiness, medicines for diabetes, as well as stopping sedatives

Side effects may be more likely with:

• antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, venlafaxine) and antipsychotics (e.g. clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine) – serotonin syndrome is possible
• medicines for Parkinson’s disease (levodopa, amantadine, orphenadrine), carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, metoprolol, propafenone, flecainide and nicotine patches

Ritonavir and efavirenz may reduce the effectiveness of Wellbutrin XR, and bupropion may reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen and affect the dose of digoxin.

Alcohol: some people become more sensitive to alcohol during treatment; your doctor may advise you not to drink or to drink as little as possible. If you currently drink heavily, do not stop suddenly – the risk of seizures increases.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Do not take Wellbutrin XR if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, unless your doctor recommends it. Some studies suggest an increased risk of birth defects (particularly heart defects) in babies of mothers who took the medicine, but it is not known whether these were caused by it. Components of the medicine pass into breast milk – ask your doctor for advice.

Driving and using machines

If you feel dizzy or light-headed after taking the medicine, do not drive or use machines.

Possible side effects

Serious side effects: seizures (rare, about 1 in 1,000), allergic reactions (rash, hives, blisters, swelling of the eyelids, lips or tongue, wheezing, collapse), worsening of lupus or a rash on sun-exposed skin, acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (rash with pus-filled blisters).

• Very common: sleep disturbance (so take the medicine in the morning), headache, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting.
• Common: fever, dizziness, itching, sweating, rash, shaking, tremor, weakness, tiredness, chest pain, anxiety or agitation, abdominal pain, constipation, taste changes, loss of appetite, increased blood pressure (sometimes severe), flushing, ringing in the ears, visual disturbance.
• Uncommon: feeling depressed, confusion, difficulty concentrating, fast heartbeat, weight loss.
• Very rare: palpitations, fainting, muscle cramps and stiffness, involuntary movements, irritability and aggression, strange dreams, memory loss, jaundice and hepatitis, blood sugar changes, changes in urination, incontinence, severe skin rashes, worsening of psoriasis, hair loss, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia.
• Frequency not known: thoughts of self-harm, psychosis, panic attack, stuttering, reduced blood cell counts, low blood sodium, serotonin syndrome with other antidepressants.

Report suspected side effects to your doctor, pharmacist or ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: seizures are more likely – contact your doctor or emergency services without delay.
• Missed dose: take the next dose at the scheduled time; do not take a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: do not stop the medicine or reduce the dose without agreeing this with your doctor.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: bupropion hydrochloride – 150 mg or 300 mg per tablet.
• Excipients – core: polyvinyl alcohol, glyceryl dibehenate. Coating: ethylcellulose, povidone K-90, macrogol 1450, methacrylic acid–ethyl acrylate copolymer dispersion (Eudragit L30 D-55), silicon dioxide, triethyl citrate. Printing ink: shellac, black iron oxide (E172), ammonium hydroxide.
• Pack: white HDPE bottle with desiccant and child-resistant closure – 30 tablets.
• Marketing authorisation holder: EVROPA LEK PHARMA D.O.O. BEOGRAD, Bore Stankovića 2, Belgrade. Manufacturer: Glaxo Wellcome S.A., Avda. de Extremadura 3, Aranda de Duero, Burgos, Spain.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C in the original package to protect from light and moisture.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date stated on the pack.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Wellbutrin XR taken in the morning?

Sleep disturbance is a very common side effect; taking it once a day in the morning reduces the risk of insomnia.

Can I split the tablet?

No. The tablet must be swallowed whole – splitting, chewing or crushing it leads to rapid release of the medicine and increases the risk of side effects, including seizures.

How long does Wellbutrin XR take to work?

According to the leaflet, the full effect sometimes takes several weeks or months. Do not stop treatment or change the dose without agreeing this with your doctor.

Can I drink alcohol with Wellbutrin XR?

Alcohol may affect how the medicine works and some people become more sensitive to it. Your doctor may advise you not to drink or to drink as little as possible; if you drink heavily on a regular basis, do not stop suddenly, as the risk of seizures increases.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Wellbutrin® XR, 150 mg and 300 mg, modified-release tablets (October 2024, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Patient leaflet Wellbutrin® XR, 150 mg and 300 mg, modified-release tablets (October 2024, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Wellbutrin® XR, 300 mg (document filed under the 300 mg authorisation, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Patient leaflet Wellbutrin® XR, 300 mg (document filed under the 300 mg authorisation, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 24 October 2026.