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Budeprion XL Side Effects

Generic name: bupropion

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 24, 2023.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Budeprion XL Side Effects associated with bupropion. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Budeprion XL.

Applies to bupropion: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release, oral tablet extended release 12 hr, oral tablet extended release 24 hr.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet, extended release)

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term trials.

These trials did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in subjects aged 65 and older.In patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy, monitor closely for worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber.

Oral route (tablet; tablet, extended release)

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Although Zyban® is not indicated for treatment of depression, it contains the same active ingredient as the antidepressant medications Wellbutrin®, Wellbutrin® SR, and Wellbutrin XL®.

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term trials.

These trials did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in subjects over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in subjects aged 65 and older.

In patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy, monitor closely for worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber BuPROPion hydrochloride extended-release tablet is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Serious side effects of Budeprion XL

Along with its needed effects, bupropion (the active ingredient contained in Budeprion XL) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking bupropion:

More common

  • anxiety
  • dry mouth
  • hyperventilation
  • irregular heartbeats
  • irritability
  • restlessness
  • shaking
  • trouble sleeping

Less common

  • buzzing or ringing in the ears
  • headache (severe)
  • skin rash, hives, or itching

Rare

  • confusion
  • fainting
  • false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
  • having extreme distrust of people
  • seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
  • seizures
  • trouble concentrating

Incidence not known

  • actions that are out of control
  • anger
  • assaulting or attacking others
  • being aggressive or impulsive
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • fast or pounding heartbeat
  • force
  • inability to sit still
  • need to keep moving
  • sweating
  • talking, feeling, or acting with excitement

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking bupropion:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Budeprion XL

Some side effects of bupropion may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • constipation
  • decrease in appetite
  • dizziness
  • increased sweating
  • stomach pain
  • trembling
  • unusual weight loss

Less common

  • blurred vision
  • change in sense of taste
  • drowsiness
  • frequent need to urinate
  • sore throat
  • unusual feeling of well-being

For healthcare professionals

Applies to bupropion: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

General

In placebo-controlled clinical studies, the specific adverse events that led to discontinuation in at least 1% of patients treated with either 300 mg or 400 mg per day of Wellbutrin SR (R)included rash, nausea, agitation, and migraine. Additional events leading to discontinuation in the immediate-release formulation included mental state abnormalities, vomiting, seizures, headaches, and sleep disturbances, many of which occurred at doses greater than the recommended daily dose.

Adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation with Zyban (R) included tremors, and rashes. The most commonly observed adverse reactions were dry mouth and insomnia. Smoking cessation is often associated with nicotine withdrawal symptoms, some of which are also recognized as adverse events associated with bupropion (the active ingredient contained in Budeprion XL) [Ref]

Psychiatric

The Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee reported that 285 of the 780 reports it received in association with bupropion (the active ingredient contained in Budeprion XL) through mid-May 2001 involved psychological disturbances.

Two cases of tactile hallucinations ("bugs crawling over skin") have been reported in association with bupropion extended-release (200 mg twice daily) therapy. In both cases the symptoms abated following a reduction in the total daily dose of bupropion (300 mg daily).

Insomnia may also be dose-dependent. In a dose response clinical study for smoking cessation, 29% of patients receiving bupropion 150 mg/day versus 35% of those receiving 300 mg/day reported insomnia. Insomnia may be minimized by reducing the dosage or avoiding administration at bedtime.[Ref]

Nervous system

The Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee reported that 268 of the 780 reports it received in association with bupropion through mid-May 2001 involved nervous system disorders.

Grand mal seizures have been reported in 0.4% of patients undergoing bupropion therapy at dosages up to 450 mg daily. The incidence of seizures increases dramatically at higher dosages. The seizure rate in patients taking sustained-release bupropion up to a dosage of 300 mg/day (e.g. for smoking cessation) has been approximated at 0.1%.

The risk of seizure appears to be dose-related. Other risk factors are related to patient factors e.g., severe head injury, arteriovenous malformation, CNS tumor or CNS infection, or severe stroke, concomitant medications that lower the seizure threshold (e.g., other bupropion products, antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, theophylline, and systemic corticosteroids), metabolic disorders, illicit drug use, abuse or misuse of prescription drugs such as CNS stimulants, diabetes mellitus treated with oral hypoglycemics or insulin, treatment with anorectic drugs, and excessive use of alcohol, benzodiazepines, sedative/hypnotics, or opiates.

Two cases of elderly patients falling backwards have been attributed to the effects of bupropion on the basal ganglia.[Ref]

Metabolic

Gastrointestinal

Dermatologic

The Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee reported that 307 of the 780 reports it received in association with bupropion through mid- May 2001 involved skin reactions. Urticaria was the most commonly reported event (167 cases). Other rashes (86 cases) were also reported.[Ref]

Local

Ocular

Respiratory

Cardiovascular

In clinical practice, hypertension, in some cases severe, requiring acute treatment, has been reported in patients receiving bupropion alone and in combination with nicotine replacement therapy. These events have been observed in both patients with and without evidence of preexisting hypertension.

Some investigators have suggested that bupropion therapy may be 10 to 100 times less likely to induce conduction problems than tricyclic antidepressants.[Ref]

Other

Genitourinary

One study in which 150 patients received the sustained released form of bupropion (the active ingredient contained in Budeprion XL) reported the incidence of orgasm dysfunction at 8% in patients receiving a 300 mg daily dose and 10% in patients receiving a 400 mg daily dose.

Among antidepressants, bupropion may be associated with the lowest incidence of sexual dysfunction (i.e., impotence, abnormal ejaculation, changes in libido).[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Hypersensitivity

Immunologic

Hepatic

Endocrine

Renal

Hematologic

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Wellbutrin (bupropion)." Glaxo Wellcome

2. (2001) "Product Information. Wellbutrin SR (bupropion)." Glaxo Wellcome

3. (2001) "Product Information. Zyban (bupropion)." Glaxo Wellcome

4. (2003) "Product Information. Wellbutrin XL (bupropion)." GlaxoSmithKline

5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

7. (2009) "Product Information. Aplenzin (bupropion)." sanofi-aventis

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Budeprion XL side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.