Asked by: Bill Arraras
healthy living smoking cessation

What is the difference between bupropion SR and XL?

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The main difference between the medications is that Wellbutrin SR is the sustained-release version, whereas Wellbutrin XL is the extended-release version. The XL version is released more slowly into your body, which means it remains in your system longer. Both Wellbutrin SR and XL come in affordable generic versions.


In respect to this, which is better Wellbutrin SR or XL?

Wellbutrin SR is the brand name for bupropion sustained-release tablets. Wellbutrin XL is absorbed in the body more slowly. Compared to immediate-release and sustained-release bupropion, the XL form releases the drug over a longer period of time. For this reason, Wellbutrin XL is taken as a once-daily tablet.

Also Know, does Wellbutrin SR cause weight loss? Both weight loss and weight gain have been reported in studies of weight changes while taking Wellbutrin. You may experience weight loss as a side effect of the medication for reasons that are not directly related to the drug.

Also, how long does Wellbutrin SR last?

The half-life of any medication is the amount of time it stays in your system when it hits half of its effectiveness. At between 33 to 37 hours, the half-life of Wellbutrin is exceptionally long for an antidepressant.

Can you switch from Wellbutrin SR to XL?

Switching Patients From WELLBUTRIN Tablets Or From WELLBUTRIN SR Sustained-Release Tablets. When switching patients from WELLBUTRIN Tablets to WELLBUTRIN XL or from WELLBUTRIN SR Sustained-Release Tablets to WELLBUTRIN XL, give the same total daily dose when possible.

Related Question Answers

Cintia Schoenenleben

Professional

How long does bupropion XL take to work?

How Long Does It Take For Bupropion To Work? While depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 4-6 weeks to improve, disturbances in sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks.

Jianling Pokhojaev

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Is 300 mg of Wellbutrin a lot?

Wellbutrin XL®: At first, 150 mg once a day in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 300 mg once a day.

Cathie Frasquet

Professional

What is the best depression medicine?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were launched in the mid to late 1980s. This generation of antidepressants is now the most common class used for depression. Examples include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), and sertraline (Zoloft).

Idiatou Twiggs

Explainer

Does bupropion help you sleep?

One antidepressant, Wellbutrin (bupropion), has been associated with insomnia. However, studies that have examined electrical activity of the brain in patients taking bupropion indicate the drug actually increases REM sleep time. Interestingly, some evidence has shown that Wellbutrin may actually help to alleviate RLS.

Housam Hovener

Explainer

What is Wellbutrin SR used for?

Wellbutrin SR (bupropion hydrochloride) is an antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. At least one brand of bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects. Wellbutrin SR is available in generic form.

Naual Pol

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What is a good substitute for bupropion?

Bupropion is a norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI); some of the Bupropion alternative medicines that conventional medicine suggests include tricyclic antidepressants, MAOI's, SNRI's, and SSRI's.

Galaye Lefebvre

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Is 200 mg of Wellbutrin a lot?

Wellbutrin Dosage. The starting dose is usually 200 mg a day, given in two doses of 100 mg. After three days, your doctor may increase the dose to 300 mg a day, given as 100 mg three times a day, with at least a six-hour interval between doses. To minimize the risk of seizure, the dose must be increased gradually.

Tecla Schotte

Pundit

How much weight do you lose on Wellbutrin?

In this study, some were prescribed the usual 300 mg/day while others took 400 mg/day. Those taking Wellbutrin lost an average of 13 lbs (5.8 kg) in 12 weeks compared to 6 lbs (2.8 kg) in the placebo group. 57% of patients taking Wellbutrin lost 5% or more of their weight compared to only 28% in the placebo group.

Magueye Jauregiandia

Pundit

Does Wellbutrin affect memory?

Another quick consultation with Dr. Google brought hope: memory loss can indeed be a side effect of Wellbutrin. The next morning, my doctor eagerly confirmed that Wellbutrin was likely contributing to my forgetfulness. My memory improved within days and, astonishingly, without a discernible increase in anxiety.

Mourad Hovestadt

Pundit

How do you take bupropion SR 150 mg?

WELLBUTRIN SR tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed, divided, or chewed. WELLBUTRIN SR may be taken with or without food. The usual adult target dose for WELLBUTRIN SR is 300 mg per day, given as 150 mg twice daily. Initiate dosing with 150 mg per day given as a single daily dose in the morning.

Noriman Hariscain

Pundit

Does bupropion cause hair loss?

Hair Loss on Wellbutrin
The type of hair loss experienced by some people on Wellbutrin as well as other antidepressants is termed telogen effluvium. You may have heard people talk about hair loss occurring after childbirth or after a major surgery.

Francy Ginel

Teacher

What are the long term effects of taking Wellbutrin?

Rash, nausea, agitation, and migraine were the most frequently cited adverse events leading to discontinuation in the bupropion SR clinical trials. Bupropion SR is also well tolerated with long-term use.

Marnie Pfeffer

Teacher

Is 450 mg of Wellbutrin too much?

WELLBUTRIN can cause seizure. The risk of seizure is dose-related. The dose should not exceed 450 mg per day.

Khadija Pennisi

Teacher

How does Wellbutrin SR work?

Bupropion belongs to the family of medications known as antidepressants. It is used to treat depression. It works by affecting the balance of chemicals that occur naturally in the brain. For the treatment of depression, the full effects of the medication may not be seen until after several weeks of treatment.

Xabin Regis

Teacher

How long does it take to lose weight on Wellbutrin?

DISCUSSION: Bupropion was more effective than placebo in achieving weight loss at 8 weeks in overweight and obese adult women in this preliminary study. Initial responders to bupropion benefited further in the continuation phase.

Khadidiatou Dahlemann

Reviewer

How do you quit smoking with bupropion?

It can help you stop smoking even if you do not have depression. You begin taking bupropion daily, 1 to 2 weeks before you quit smoking. This builds up the level of medicine in your body. You take bupropion for 7 to 12 weeks after you stop using tobacco.

Hazel Palladino

Reviewer

Can Wellbutrin make you angry?

Bupropion may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors.

Arantxazu Grochalski

Reviewer

What is the new weight loss pill?

Plenity is a new FDA-approved medical device that claims to help lose weight by making you feel full before meals. It is swallowed like a pill and has the potential to help the nearly 40 percent of people in the United States struggling with obesity.

Britta Krautkremer

Reviewer

Does bupropion help you lose weight?

Naltrexone/bupropion produces clinically significant weight loss when combined with a diet and exercise program. It decreases body weight in patients with diabetes, but its effect on diabetic outcomes is not known. A significant proportion of patients will experience adverse effects.