BUPROPION

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Zydus Lifesciences Limited

Bupropion Adverse Events: High Concern for Suicidality and Depression

93,974 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About BUPROPION

BUPROPION is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Zydus Lifesciences Limited. Based on analysis of 93,974 FDA adverse event reports, BUPROPION has a safety score of 82 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for BUPROPION include COMPLETED SUICIDE, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS, FATIGUE, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for BUPROPION.

AI Safety Analysis

Bupropion has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 93,974 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Zydus Lifesciences Limited.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Completed Suicide, Drug Ineffective, Toxicity To Various Agents. Of classified reports, 71.5% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Suicidal ideation and completed suicide are among the most serious adverse events reported.

Depression and fatigue are common, indicating potential mood-related side effects. Overdose and intentional misuse are significant risks, especially in psychiatric conditions.

Patients taking Bupropion should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Bupropion can cause serious adverse events such as suicidal ideation and depression, and should be used with caution in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders. Drug interactions, particularly with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are also a co This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Bupropion received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 71.5% serious event ratio across 41,763 classified reports. The score accounts for 93,974 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

COMPLETED SUICIDE4,408 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE3,504 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS3,113 reports
FATIGUE2,665 reports
NAUSEA2,307 reports
OFF LABEL USE2,280 reports
HEADACHE2,218 reports
DEPRESSION2,175 reports
PAIN1,954 reports
OVERDOSE1,855 reports
DRUG INTERACTION1,690 reports
ANXIETY1,678 reports
DIZZINESS1,579 reports
DIARRHOEA1,522 reports
INTENTIONAL OVERDOSE1,352 reports
DYSPNOEA1,241 reports
HYPERTENSION1,230 reports
SEIZURE1,227 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED1,215 reports
FALL1,174 reports
VOMITING1,174 reports
RASH1,085 reports
ARTHRALGIA1,071 reports
MALAISE1,064 reports
DEATH1,042 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE1,041 reports
PNEUMONIA1,024 reports
INSOMNIA1,018 reports
HYPOTENSION942 reports
CARDIAC ARREST931 reports
SEROTONIN SYNDROME861 reports
DRUG ABUSE856 reports
ASTHENIA853 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY841 reports
PRURITUS838 reports
TREMOR835 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL832 reports
CARDIO RESPIRATORY ARREST828 reports
SUICIDAL IDEATION802 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE799 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE793 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED793 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY792 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS761 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION749 reports
ASTHMA747 reports
SOMNOLENCE721 reports
CONSTIPATION719 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY716 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY709 reports
SUICIDE ATTEMPT703 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN685 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE671 reports
COVID 19665 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS663 reports
COUGH662 reports
PYREXIA662 reports
TACHYCARDIA660 reports
BACK PAIN659 reports
THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT INCOMPLETE641 reports
AGITATION639 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED639 reports
DECREASED APPETITE627 reports
JOINT SWELLING626 reports
ALOPECIA622 reports
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM QT PROLONGED621 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER617 reports
RENAL FAILURE607 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT MISUSE606 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE605 reports
PSORIASIS598 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT592 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE584 reports
SUSPECTED SUICIDE584 reports
HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED549 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION546 reports
TREATMENT FAILURE530 reports
LOSS OF PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE IN DAILY ACTIVITIES527 reports
MIGRAINE515 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT501 reports
HALLUCINATION501 reports
EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY478 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA478 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE469 reports
INFECTION469 reports
ARTHRITIS466 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION465 reports
FIBROMYALGIA457 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS451 reports
RESPIRATORY ARREST447 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE446 reports
PRODUCT SUBSTITUTION ISSUE440 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS437 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS436 reports
CONTRAINDICATED PRODUCT ADMINISTERED434 reports
URTICARIA434 reports
ERYTHEMA418 reports
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM QRS COMPLEX PROLONGED409 reports
BALANCE DISORDER405 reports
GENERALISED TONIC CLONIC SEIZURE404 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High number of reports related to completed suicide and suicidal ideation.
  • Multiple reports of depression and mood disturbances.
  • Significant number of adverse events related to overdose and intentional misuse.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 24,397, Male: 12,560, Unknown: 133. The most frequently reported age groups are age 54 (1,114 reports), age 53 (830 reports), age 59 (723 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 41,763 classified reports for BUPROPION:

  • Serious: 29,854 reports (71.5%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 11,909 reports (28.5%)
Serious 71.5%Non-Serious 28.5%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female24,397 (65.8%)
Male12,560 (33.9%)
Unknown133 (0.4%)

Reports by Age

Age 541,114 reports
Age 53830 reports
Age 59723 reports
Age 57709 reports
Age 60704 reports
Age 58671 reports
Age 50663 reports
Age 63650 reports
Age 61634 reports
Age 62634 reports
Age 65631 reports
Age 52622 reports
Age 48590 reports
Age 55575 reports
Age 56566 reports
Age 51562 reports
Age 64553 reports
Age 66533 reports
Age 67518 reports
Age 44506 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Bupropion can cause serious adverse events such as suicidal ideation and depression, and should be used with caution in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders. Drug interactions, particularly with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are also a co

What You Should Know

If you are taking Bupropion, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include completed suicide, drug ineffective, toxicity to various agents, fatigue, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should be closely monitored for signs of depression, suicidal ideation, and mood changes. Avoid abrupt discontinuation of bupropion to prevent withdrawal symptoms and potential exacerbation of psychiatric conditions. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor bupropion for safety, particularly for suicidality and depression. Healthcare providers should closely monitor patients and consider alternative treatments if adverse events occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Bupropion?

The FDA has received approximately 93,974 adverse event reports associated with Bupropion. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Bupropion?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Bupropion include Completed Suicide, Drug Ineffective, Toxicity To Various Agents, Fatigue, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Completed Suicide (4,408 reports), Drug Ineffective (3,504 reports), Toxicity To Various Agents (3,113 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Bupropion.

What percentage of Bupropion adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 41,763 classified reports, 29,854 (71.5%) were classified as serious and 11,909 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Bupropion (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Bupropion break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 24,397, Male: 12,560, Unknown: 133. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Bupropion?

The most frequently reported age groups for Bupropion adverse events are: age 54: 1,114 reports, age 53: 830 reports, age 59: 723 reports, age 57: 709 reports, age 60: 704 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Bupropion?

The primary manufacturer associated with Bupropion adverse event reports is Zydus Lifesciences Limited. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Bupropion?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Bupropion include: Off Label Use, Headache, Depression, Pain, Overdose. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Bupropion?

You can report adverse events from Bupropion to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Bupropion's safety score and what does it mean?

Bupropion has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Suicidal ideation and completed suicide are among the most serious adverse events reported.

What are the key safety signals for Bupropion?

Key safety signals identified in Bupropion's adverse event data include: High number of reports related to completed suicide and suicidal ideation.. Multiple reports of depression and mood disturbances.. Significant number of adverse events related to overdose and intentional misuse.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Bupropion interact with other drugs?

Bupropion can cause serious adverse events such as suicidal ideation and depression, and should be used with caution in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders. Drug interactions, particularly with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are also a co Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Bupropion.

What should patients know before taking Bupropion?

Patients should be closely monitored for signs of depression, suicidal ideation, and mood changes. Avoid abrupt discontinuation of bupropion to prevent withdrawal symptoms and potential exacerbation of psychiatric conditions.

Are Bupropion side effects well-documented?

Bupropion has 93,974 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Depression and fatigue are common, indicating potential mood-related side effects. The volume of reports for Bupropion reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Bupropion?

The FDA continues to monitor bupropion for safety, particularly for suicidality and depression. Healthcare providers should closely monitor patients and consider alternative treatments if adverse events occur. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to BUPROPION based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

MAOIsSSRIs
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.