PlainPill

Bupropion vs Fluoxetine for mood

Short answer: For mood, more users report improvement with Bupropion — 70% of 172 reports, versus 65% of 48 for Fluoxetine.

Bupropion has 411 meta-analyses and 617 randomized trials on PubMed; Fluoxetine has 534 and 1,257.

Based on 444 reports about Bupropion and 119 about Fluoxetine. Not medical advice.

Bupropion
Medication
Fluoxetine
Medication
Users say it helped41%helped271 reports · high confidence26%helped73 reports · medium confidence
Verdict
Mixed
Mixed
ResearchAResearch: StrongAResearch: Strong
Meta-analyses / RCTs411 / 617534 / 1,257
Mainly used for
Mood
% reporting improvement
70% (172)65% (48)
Focus
% reporting improvement
71% (62)86% (7)
Energy
% reporting improvement
81% (57)50% (6)
Anxiety
% reporting improvement
15% (34)81% (21)
Libido
% reporting improvement
76% (34)12% (8)
Common side effectsanxiety, insomnia, irritability, tinnitussexual dysfunction, fatigue, headache, anorgasmia
Typical dose reportedNot listedNot listed
Bupropion
Latest review 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.

Lancet Psychiatry, 2018 ↗
What a user said
“It really helped. I went from being suicidal to having hope and motivation within 3 days of starting the medication.”
Full Bupropion profile →
Fluoxetine
Latest review conclusion

All antidepressants were more efficacious than placebo in adults with major depressive disorder. Smaller differences between active drugs were found when placebo-controlled trials were included in the analysis, whereas there was more variability in efficacy and acceptability in head-to-head trials. These results should serve evidence-based practice and inform patients, physicians, guideline developers, and policy makers on the relative merits of the different antidepressants.

Lancet, 2018 ↗
What a user said
“20mg or Prozac and 50 mg twice a day for my depression, anxiety, and mood swings. It works.”
Full Fluoxetine profile →

Related comparisons

Percentages come from first-hand user reports and are not clinical outcomes. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. How we rate