wellbutrin

How long does Bupropion Hydrochloride stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of bupropion hydrochloride is about 21 hours on average (±9 hours) — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This is the half-life of bupropion itself; it has three active metabolites that build up to higher and longer-lasting levels in the blood (hydroxybupropion about 20 hours, erythrohydrobupropion about 33 hours, threohydrobupropion about 37 hours), so the drug's overall effect lasts longer. The half-life varies between people and is longer in those with liver problems.

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: WELLBUTRIN XL (bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablet) — DailyMed.

Frequently asked questions

What does Wellbutrin treat?

Wellbutrin (Bupropion Hydrochloride) may be used to treat attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, depressive disorder, tobacco use disorder, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.

How is Wellbutrin rated?

pharmaranks gives Wellbutrin a composite score of 3.5 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.

How much does Wellbutrin cost?

Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $2.52 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.

Is there a coupon or discount for Wellbutrin?

pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Wellbutrin. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.

Who makes Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is marketed by Glaxosmithkline. You can see Glaxosmithkline's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.

Is Wellbutrin a brand-name or generic drug?

Wellbutrin is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Bupropion Hydrochloride. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Bupropion Hydrochloride are available — ask your pharmacist.

Is Wellbutrin available over the counter?

No. Wellbutrin is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.

What forms does Wellbutrin come in?

Wellbutrin is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.

What class of drug is Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is classified as aminoketone, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

Is Wellbutrin FDA-registered?

Wellbutrin is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA018644. You can verify this on its official FDA label.

Has Wellbutrin been recalled by the FDA?

Wellbutrin has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.

Is Wellbutrin safe?

There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Wellbutrin a recall-safety score of 70/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.