What is the safest way to taper off Wellbutrin (bupropion) 150mg to discontinue use?

Tapering Wellbutrin 150mg for Discontinuation

For patients on Wellbutrin (bupropion) 150mg daily, the FDA-approved discontinuation protocol is straightforward: there is no required taper—you can stop the medication directly at this dose. 1

FDA-Approved Discontinuation Protocol

• The FDA label explicitly states that tapering is only necessary when discontinuing from 300mg daily doses, not from 150mg. 1
• When discontinuing treatment in patients on 300mg once daily, the FDA recommends decreasing to 150mg once daily prior to complete discontinuation. 1
• Since your patient is already at 150mg, they are at the dose that serves as the final step before stopping—no further taper is required per FDA guidance. 1

Important Context About Bupropion vs Other Antidepressants

Bupropion is fundamentally different from SSRIs and other antidepressants regarding withdrawal risk. This distinction is critical:

• Bupropion does not cause the classic antidepressant discontinuation syndrome seen with SSRIs because it does not affect serotonin reuptake. 2
• The general antidepressant guideline recommending 10-14 day tapers applies primarily to serotonergic antidepressants, not bupropion. 2
• Research on hyperbolic tapering and extended discontinuation protocols focuses almost exclusively on SSRIs and their serotonin transporter occupancy—this does not apply to bupropion's mechanism. 3

Practical Discontinuation Approach

Stop the 150mg dose directly, but monitor for return of underlying symptoms:

• The primary concern is not withdrawal symptoms but rather recurrence of the depression or condition being treated. 2
• After 9 months of treatment, dosage reduction should be used to reassess the need to continue medication. 2
• If the patient has been on bupropion for seasonal affective disorder, timing matters: taper and discontinue in early spring when initiated in autumn. 1

Monitoring Requirements

Follow up within 2-4 weeks after discontinuation to assess for:

• Return of depressive symptoms (low mood, anhedonia, loss of energy)
• Return of the original indication for treatment
• Any unexpected reactions (though true withdrawal from bupropion is uncommon)

When to Consider a Brief Taper Anyway

Despite FDA guidance, you may choose a brief taper in specific circumstances:

• Patients with high anxiety about stopping medications (to provide psychological reassurance)
• Patients who have had difficulty discontinuing other psychiatric medications in the past
• If choosing to taper: reduce to 150mg every other day for 1 week, then stop. 1

Critical Pitfall to Avoid

Do not confuse bupropion discontinuation with SSRI/SNRI discontinuation protocols. The extensive tapering strategies described for SSRIs (hyperbolic tapers, months-long reductions, tapering to sub-therapeutic doses) are designed to address serotonin transporter occupancy and serotonergic withdrawal—neither of which apply to bupropion. 3 Applying these protocols to bupropion unnecessarily prolongs treatment without evidence-based benefit.