Bupropion XL Dosing

When treating depression with bupropion XL, dosing usually starts at 150 mg a day, taken in the morning. Your healthcare provider may gradually increase your dose up to a maximum of 450 mg. For those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder, bupropion XL dosing guidelines call for 150 mg, taken once daily. In these cases, the drug is only taken during autumn and winter, and is stopped in early spring.

 

Bupropion XL Dosing: An Introduction

The dose of bupropion XL (Wellbutrin XL®) that your healthcare provider prescribes will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may currently be taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your bupropion XL dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Bupropion XL Dosing for Depression

The recommended starting dose of bupropion XL when treating depression is bupropion XL 150 mg, taken once daily in the morning. As soon as the fourth day, your healthcare provider may increase your dose to bupropion XL 300 mg a day. To help avoid seizures, the maximum recommended dose is 450 mg a day. Also, your healthcare provider should increase your dose slowly.
 
For people with liver problems (such as liver failure or cirrhosis), the maximum bupropion XL dose is 100 mg, taken once daily, or 150 mg, taken every other day.
 

Bupropion XL Dosing for Seasonal Affective Disorder

For seasonal affective disorder, bupropion XL is taken only during the autumn and winter. People generally start taking bupropion XL 150 mg once a day in the morning, before symptoms of depression start. After one week, your healthcare provider may increase your dose to bupropion XL 300 mg once daily.
 
Bupropion XL is usually stopped in early spring. Your healthcare provider will typically taper your dose when stopping bupropion XL. The dose should be reduced to bupropion XL 150 mg, taken once daily for two weeks, before stopping the medication altogether (see Stopping Wellbutrin XL).
 
(Bupropion XL Dosing Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;