Bupropion Weight Loss Guide: Can It Help With Cravings?

What Is Bupropion?

Bupropion is best known as an antidepressant. However, it’s also been studied for its effects on body weight. Unlike many psychiatric medications that often come with weight gain as a side effect, bupropion has been associated with modest weight loss in some individuals.

Bupropion is a prescription medication that’s been around since the 1990s. The FDA originally approved it to treat major depressive disorder, and it’s also used for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and smoking cessation (you might recognize the brand name Zyban® for this specific use).

So, what makes bupropion different from other antidepressants? 

Bupropion is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). While many antidepressants work on serotonin, bupropion targets dopamine and norepinephrine. These two neurotransmitters influence mood, energy, motivation, and notably, appetite regulation.

Yet, it’s worth noting that bupropion on its own is not FDA-approved for weight loss. However, research has examined its effects on appetite and cravings, and it’s one component of an FDA-approved weight-management medication (more on that later).

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Does Bupropion Work for Weight Loss?

Research suggests it may help, but results vary from person to person and, inevitably, aren’t guaranteed.

Clinical research has explored the effects of bupropion on body weight, and some studies suggest it may be associated with modest weight loss in certain populations. For example, a randomized trial in overweight and obese women found that those taking bupropion had different average weight changes than those on placebo. 

So, what’s actually happening in the body?

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How Bupropion Affects Cravings and Appetite

As noted above, bupropion inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters involved in mood, motivation, and energy regulation. By increasing the availability of these chemicals in the brain, bupropion may also influence appetite and food-related behaviors in some individuals.

Research suggests that bupropion may affect brain pathways involved in hunger and reward, including hypothalamic regions that regulate appetite. It may also reduce reward-driven eating by potentially reducing the reinforcing response to highly palatable, calorie-dense foods. This may be particularly relevant for people who struggle with cravings or emotional eating.

Some studies have also observed small changes in energy expenditure with bupropion use, though any thermogenic effect appears modest and is not considered the primary driver of weight changes.

In short, bupropion may influence appetite and cravings through central nervous system pathways, which may help some individuals alter their eating patterns. But again, individual responses vary, and effects depend on dose, duration, and clinical context.

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Bupropion Weight Loss Dosage

Because bupropion isn’t FDA-approved for weight loss on its own, there is no official weight loss dose. However, clinical trials and off-label prescribing experience provide insight into the dosage ranges at which weight-related effects have been observed under medical supervision.

Bupropion comes in three formulations:

• Immediate-release (IR): 75 mg and 100 mg tablets, taken multiple times per day
• Sustained-release (SR): 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg tablets, typically taken twice daily
• Extended-release (XL): 150 mg, 300 mg, and 450 mg tablets, taken once daily

For depression, providers often start at 150 mg daily and may increase to 300 mg based on tolerance and your individual response. In research settings examining body weight, higher daily doses—most often in the 300-400 mg range—were examined in relation to weight changes. Yet, these findings do not establish a recommended dose and should not be interpreted as guidance for weight-loss treatment.

With that said, higher doses also come with increased risk of side effects, including seizures. This is why providers typically start low and adjust gradually based on how you respond.

Additionally, it’s important to never adjust your bupropion dosage on your own. Taking more than prescribed can lead to serious effects. Your healthcare provider should determine an appropriate dose for you based on your health history, tolerance, and goals.

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Bupropion and Naltrexone for Weight Loss

Contrave® is a prescription medication that combines bupropion with naltrexone. It’s FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition (including high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes).

Naltrexone was originally developed to treat opioid and alcohol dependence. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, which are involved in the reward and pleasure pathways. When paired with bupropion, the two medications target different parts of the brain’s hunger and reward systems.

Put simply, bupropion is thought to influence hypothalamic pathways involved in appetite and cravings. Meanwhile, naltrexone may modify feedback signaling within these pathways. It also helps reduce the pleasurable response to food.

Together, they work on the brain systems that regulate hunger and food reward, which may help reduce cravings and overeating.

In the COR-I clinical trial, adults with overweight or obesity who received a naltrexone-bupropion extended-release combination alongside lifestyle intervention experienced greater average weight reduction than those on placebo. After 56 weeks, participants in the treatment group experienced a greater average reduction in baseline body weight than those in the placebo group.

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Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Most bupropion side effects are mild and tend to improve as your body adjusts, but some require closer attention.

Common side effects include:

• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Tremors (more common with immediate-release formulations)

These symptoms are usually manageable. Staying hydrated, adjusting medication timing, and consuming sufficient fiber may help with dry mouth and constipation. If insomnia is an issue, your provider may suggest taking your dose earlier in the day.

However, some serious, but rare, side effects require immediate medical attention. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Seizures 
• Severe allergic reactions (such as rash, hives, or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat)
• Hallucinations, confusion, or severe agitation
• Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, or visual halos
• Suicidal thoughts (particularly in people under 25)

You should avoid bupropion if you:

• Have a history of seizures or conditions that increase seizure risk
• Have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
• Recently stopped using alcohol, sedatives, or anti-seizure medications
• Take MAO inhibitors or thioridazine
• Are pregnant or planning a pregnancy
• Have significant liver disease or kidney impairment

Before starting bupropion, it’s important to share your full medical history with your provider, including any medications or supplements you take. A licensed healthcare professional can then review your health background and weight management goals to decide whether bupropion is a safe and appropriate option for you.

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Final Thoughts

While bupropion is not FDA-approved as a standalone weight-loss medication, it’s sometimes prescribed off-label. The FDA-approved combination therapy for weight management is Contrave® (naltrexone/bupropion).

Like any medication, bupropion (and Contrave®) comes with potential side effects and isn’t suitable for everyone. Individuals with a history of seizures, eating disorders, or certain other health conditions should avoid it.

At the end of the day, any weight loss medication should be part of a broader health approach that includes balanced nutrition, regular movement, and medical guidance.