Bupropion (Zyban®)
What bupropion is
Bupropion SR (or just bupropion), is a prescription quit smoking medication that does not contain nicotine. It is currently available as a generic medication only, although it used to be available as the brand-name version Zyban®. It is available in tablets. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to use the medication correctly.
Bupropion is also the active ingredient in Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin comes in different doses and is not prescribed to help people quit tobacco.
How bupropion works
- Bupropion does not contain nicotine. It works by making cravings for nicotine less intense and less frequent. It also helps reduce the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
- Most people take bupropion for 12 weeks. Your healthcare provider might prescribe it for longer, if needed.
Where to get bupropion
- You’ll need to get a prescription from your healthcare provider to use bupropion, whether or not it is covered by insurance.
- If you have insurance, most health plans offer quitting medication at no or very low cost to members. Call the number on the back of your insurance card to check on your benefits.
How to use bupropion
The following are general guidelines for using bupropion and are not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Bupropion is a prescription medication. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions and the package guidelines. For questions, consult your provider or pharmacist.
When you stop using tobacco, some medications may require dose adjustments. Before taking bupropion, tell your healthcare provider the name and dose of every medication and supplement you are taking.
- Talk with your healthcare provider about when you should cut back or stop smoking before you start taking bupropion.
- Follow the dosing schedule your healthcare provider prescribes. Most people are started on a lower dose at first to reduce the risk of certain side effects.
- Most people take bupropion for 12 weeks. Your healthcare provider might prescribe bupropion for longer, if needed.
- Try to take bupropion at the same time each day.If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and wait until you’re scheduled to take your next dose of bupropion. Do not take two doses at once.
- Unless your healthcare provider gives you other instructions, take bupropion with food to help prevent an upset stomach .
- Swallow tablets whole. Do not crush or chew them.
- Contact your healthcare provider if you experience side effects that bother you or don’t go away.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets. In case of accidental use or ingestion of bupropion, or in case you take too many bupropion tablets in a 24 hour period, contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) and/or visit an emergency room right away.
Pros and cons of bupropion (Zyban®)
Pros
- Easy to use
- Pill form
- Few side effects (most common are dry mouth and insomnia)
- May be used in combination with nicotine replacement products (nicotine patches, gum, lozenge, spray, or inhaler)
Cons
- Requires a prescription
- Bupropion is not recommended if you have certain medical conditions, such as a history of seizures, or liver failure.
- If you use MAO inhibitors (a certain kind of antidepressant), using bupropion at the same time may have dangerous side effects, such as very high blood pressure. Always check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any new medication.
Potential side effects of bupropion and what to do about them
Dry mouth
Drink plenty of water, try sugarless gum.
Difficulty sleeping
Talk to your healthcare provider.
Headache
Drink plenty of water and talk to your healthcare provider if this persists.
Dizziness
Drink plenty of water and talk to your healthcare provider if this persists.
Nausea
Take bupropion with food, drink plenty of water.
Anxiousness
Talk to your healthcare provider.
Shakiness
Talk to your healthcare provider.
Decreased appetite
Talk to your healthcare provider.
Sweating
Talk to your healthcare provider.
High blood pressure
Talk to your healthcare provider.
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Talk to your healthcare provider.
Skin rash
Stop taking bupropion and talk to your healthcare provider immediately.
Allergic reaction, such as swelling of the lips, face or tongue or difficulty breathing
Call 911 or your local emergency service provider immediately.
Seizures
Call 911 or your local emergency service provider immediately.
Precautions
If any of these apply to you, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider before starting to use bupropion:
- Serious psychiatric symptoms such as changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or attempts at suicide have occurred in people being treated with bupropion. If you are taking bupropion, watch for these symptoms as well as for any worsening of pre-existing psychiatric illnesses. The symptoms may be complicated by nicotine withdrawal in people who quit smoking, but the symptoms also have occurred in people who continued to smoke while taking bupropion. If you are taking bupropion, you and your family need to watch for these symptoms. If they occur, stop the medication and immediately report the symptoms to your healthcare provider.
- Before taking bupropion, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had a seizure.
- Discuss your use of alcohol with your healthcare provider before you begin taking bupropion. It is best to avoid or minimize drinking alcoholic beverages when taking this medication.
- Have your blood pressure checked at least monthly while taking bupropion because this medication can raise blood pressure.
- Do not take bupropion if you have had any of the following: seizures, epilepsy or family history of epilepsy, head trauma with loss of consciousness, stroke, brain tumor, brain surgery, anorexia, or bulimia.
- Do not use bupropion if you are taking:
- Another form of bupropion
- Medication that may increase your chance of having a seizure, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine®), promethazine (Phenergan®), thioridazine (such as Mellaril® or Mellaril-S®), trifluoperazine (Stelazine®) and theophylline (such as Theo-Dur® or Slo-bid®).
- An antidepressant known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as isocarboxazid (Marplan®), phenelzine (Nardil®), or tranylcypromine (Pamate®).
- Medication to treat Parkinson's disease, such as carbidopa (Sinemet®), levodopa or L-dopa (Larodopa®) or bromocriptine mesylate (Parlodel®).
- Talk with your healthcare provider about using bupropion if you are taking an antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine (Prozac®), sertraline (Zoloft®) or paroxetine (Paxil®).
- Bupropion may cause anxiousness when used with the following medications: cimetidine (such as Tagamet® or Tagamet HB®) for ulcer and antacid prevention, or albuterol (such as Proventil® or Ventolin®) tablets or inhaler for asthma.
Reviewed by Amanda Graham, PhD
Chief Health Officer, Truth Initiative
Updated February 19, 2026