What it's used for
Bupropion hydrochloride tablets are prescribed for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Their efficacy has been established in clinical trials involving adult patients.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
The dose should be increased gradually to minimize seizure risk, with increases not exceeding 100 mg per day in a 3-day period.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Boxed warning / key safety info
Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in short-term studies involving children, adolescents, and young adults.
Common side effects
Adverse reactions discussed in labeling include suicidal thoughts, neuropsychiatric symptoms, seizures, high blood pressure, and activation of mania.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other mental health & focus medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Bupropion HCl cost without insurance
Cash prices for Bupropion HCl without insurance vary widely by pharmacy, strength and quantity — the same prescription can cost very different amounts at two pharmacies in the same town. That is the problem a membership solves.
Bupropion HCl is on Tab's covered $0 generic list. With an active Tab membership, every covered strength is $0 — not a percentage off, not a coupon that changes month to month — at participating pharmacies nationwide or through mail order. You do not need insurance, and Tab works whether or not you have a health plan.
Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications require a prescription from a licensed clinician.
Bupropion HCl dosage and administration
2.1 General Instructions for Use To minimize the risk of seizure, increase the dose gradually [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3)]. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) should be swallowed whole and not crushed, divided, or chewed. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) should be administered in the morning and may be taken with or without food. 2.2 Dosage for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) The recommended starting dose for MDD is 150 mg once daily in the morning. After 4 days of dosing, the dose may be increased to the target dose of 300 mg once daily in the morning. It is generally agreed that acute episodes of depression require several months or longer of antidepressant treatment beyond the response in the acute episode.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Bupropion HCl side effects
The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1)] • Neuropsychiatric adverse events and suicide risk in smoking cessation treatment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2)] • Seizure [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3)] • Hypertension [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.4)] • Activation of mania or hypomania [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.5)] • Psychosis and other neuropsychiatric events [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.6)] • Angle-Closure Glaucoma [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.7)] • Hypersensitivity reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.8)] 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Bupropion HCl drug interactions
7.1 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-release Tablets (XL) Bupropion is primarily metabolized to hydroxybupropion by CYP2B6. Therefore, the potential exists for drug interactions between bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) and drugs that are inhibitors or inducers of CYP2B6. Inhibitors of CYP2B6 Ticlopidine and Clopidogrel: Concomitant treatment with these drugs can increase bupropion exposures but decrease hydroxybupropion exposure. Based on clinical response, dosage adjustment of bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) may be necessary when coadministered with CYP2B6 inhibitors (e.g., ticlopidine or clopidogrel) [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.3)].
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician and pharmacist about every medication, supplement and over-the-counter product you take.
Who should not take bupropion hcl
Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) are contraindicated in patients with seizure disorder. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) are contraindicated in patients with seizure disorder. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) are contraindicated in patients with a current or prior diagnosis of bulimia or anorexia nervosa as a higher incidence of seizures was observed in such patients treated with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3)]. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) are contraindicated in patients undergoing abrupt discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and antiepileptic drugs [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3) and DRUG INTERACTIONS (7.3)].
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is bupropion HCl covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Bupropion HCl is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get bupropion HCl through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
How do I get a bupropion HCl prescription with Tab?
Book a video visit with a licensed Tab clinician (unlimited visits are included with membership). If it's clinically appropriate, they send the prescription to your chosen participating pharmacy or by mail order.
How much does bupropion hcl cost without insurance?
Without insurance, retail cash prices for bupropion hcl vary by pharmacy, strength and quantity. Bupropion HCl is on Tab's covered $0 generic list, so every covered strength is $0 with an active Tab membership at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
What is the cheapest way to get bupropion hcl?
For medications on Tab's covered list, a Tab membership is the cheapest route: covered strengths of bupropion hcl are $0 with an active membership, and unlimited video visits with a licensed clinician are included, so the visit that produces the prescription is covered too.
What is the usual dose of bupropion hcl?
2.1 General Instructions for Use To minimize the risk of seizure, increase the dose gradually [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3)]. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) should be swallowed whole and not crushed, divided, or chewed. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) should be administered in the morning and may be taken with or without food. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of bupropion hcl?
The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1)] • Neuropsychiatric adverse events and suicide risk in smoking cessation treatment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2)] • Seizure [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3)] • Hypertension [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.4)] • Activation of mania or hypomania [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.5)] • Psychosis and other neuropsychiatric events [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.6)] • Angle-Closure Glaucoma [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.7)] • Hypersensitivity reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.8)] 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
What interacts with bupropion hcl?
7.1 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-release Tablets (XL) Bupropion is primarily metabolized to hydroxybupropion by CYP2B6. Therefore, the potential exists for drug interactions between bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) and drugs that are inhibitors or inducers of CYP2B6. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician about every medication and supplement you take.)
Bupropion HCl is $0 on the covered list
Members pay $0 for covered generics at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order — plus unlimited virtual primary care, urgent care and dermatology visits. No insurance needed.
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