PlainPill

Bupropion

People mainly take Bupropion for mood, energy, focus. Based on 76 first-hand reports and 411 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #242 of 1,974 overall.

38
User score
Mixed
32% positive20% mixed11% negative38% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 51% are positive.

Clinical research
AStrong research base
411
meta-analyses
617
RCTs
5,747
papers

What Bupropion does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

AStrong research base

3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Lancet Psychiatry · 2018 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Conclusion: Our findings represent the most comprehensive available evidence base to inform patients, families, clinicians, guideline developers, and policymakers on the choice of ADHD medications across age groups. Taking into account both efficacy and safety, evidence from this meta-analysis supports methylphenidate in children and adolescents, and amphetamines in adults, as preferred first-choice medications for the short-term treatment of ADHD. New research should be funded urgently to assess long-term effects of these drugs.

PubMed 30097390 ↗
Mol Psychiatry · 2023 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Antidepressants for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder in the maintenance phase: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Conclusion: Compared to placebo, venlafaxine was associated with a lower incidence of dizziness, while desvenlafaxine, sertraline, and vortioxetine were associated with a higher incidence of nausea/vomiting. In conclusion, desvenlafaxine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and vortioxetine had reasonable efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability in the treatment of adults with stable MDD.

PubMed 36253442 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

dailyas reported
AMas reported
300 mgdaily
90 mgas reported
100 mgdaily
daily for over a yearas reported

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

insomnia ×5anxiety ×4irritability ×3higher heart ×1memory impairment ×1dizziness ×1brain fog ×1tinnitus ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“a qualified Dr should put him on a selective inhibitor like Bupropion”
Source discussion ↗
“it might boost neurogenesis and makes me energetic. The drawbacks are higher heart rate and somewhat worse memory.”
Source discussion ↗
“Now I'm on Bupropion which also helps adhd symptoms and isn't as bad for your hearth”
Source discussion ↗
“I started taking wellbutrin at that time and that definitely helped with that also. It also gave me a huge jump in motivation that I've been missing for a long time.”
Source discussion ↗
“I started Wellbutrin/Bupropion a week ago in an attempt to counter the anhedonia. I'm starting to feel better.”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

Other options for mood

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate