From the FDA Drug Label
Major Depressive Disorder • Starting dose: 150 mg once daily. Usual target dose: 300 mg once daily ( 2.2) • After 4 days, may increase the dose to 300 mg once daily. ( 2.2)
The standard starting dose of Wellbutrin (Bupropion) to treat depression is 150 mg once daily. The usual target dose is 300 mg once daily, which can be reached after 4 days. Higher limits beyond the standard dose are not explicitly stated for the treatment of depression, but the maximum recommended dose to minimize seizure risk is 450 mg per day, as mentioned in the Seizure Risk section 1.
From the Research
The standard starting dose of Wellbutrin (bupropion) for treating depression is typically 150 mg once daily in the morning for the immediate-release formulation, or 150 mg once daily for the sustained-release (SR) or extended-release (XL) formulations. After 3-4 days of initial treatment, this dose can be increased to the target dose of 300 mg per day. For immediate-release Wellbutrin, this is usually given as 100 mg three times daily with at least 6 hours between doses. For Wellbutrin SR, it's typically 150 mg twice daily with at least 8 hours between doses. For Wellbutrin XL, the full 300 mg can be taken once daily in the morning. The maximum recommended dose is 450 mg per day (with immediate-release limited to 150 mg per single dose) as noted in studies such as 2. Doses beyond the standard 300 mg daily should only be considered if there is inadequate response after several weeks of treatment. Higher doses carry increased risk of seizures and other side effects, as discussed in 3 and 4. Wellbutrin should be started at lower doses and titrated slowly to minimize side effects like insomnia, headache, dry mouth, and agitation. The medication works by affecting neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which helps improve mood, energy, and focus in depression. Key considerations for dosing and administration are based on the most recent and highest quality evidence available, prioritizing patient safety and efficacy, as seen in studies like 5. It's also important to consider the formulation of bupropion, as different formulations may have different dosing recommendations and side effect profiles, as noted in 3 and 4. In clinical practice, the choice of formulation and dosing strategy should be individualized based on patient needs and response to treatment. Overall, bupropion is a valuable treatment option for depression, offering a unique mechanism of action and a favorable side effect profile compared to other antidepressants, as discussed in 3 and 4.