Can You Take Bupropion SR on an Empty Stomach?
Yes, bupropion SR can be taken on an empty stomach—the FDA label explicitly states that bupropion extended-release formulations "may be taken with or without food," and this applies equally to the SR formulation. 1
Administration Guidelines
Food is not required for bupropion SR absorption or tolerability; the medication can be taken with or without meals according to patient preference. 1
Timing matters more than food: The first dose should be taken in the morning, and the second dose must be administered before 3 PM to minimize insomnia risk—this timing recommendation is independent of meal schedules. 2
Swallow tablets whole: Do not crush, divide, or chew bupropion SR tablets, as this destroys the sustained-release mechanism and increases seizure risk by causing rapid drug release. 1
Common Side Effects Related to Dosing
The most frequent adverse effects—insomnia, dry mouth, headache, and nausea—occur at similar rates whether bupropion SR is taken with or without food. 3
Dry mouth and insomnia are the only side effects that occur significantly more often with bupropion SR than placebo; nausea is not food-dependent and typically resolves without intervention. 3
If gastrointestinal upset occurs, taking the medication with food is a reasonable strategy, but this is not required for the majority of patients. 1
Dosing Schedule for Optimal Tolerability
Standard dosing is 150 mg twice daily (total 300 mg/day), with doses separated by at least 8 hours to maintain steady plasma levels while avoiding peak-related side effects. 2
The second dose before 3 PM rule prevents sleep disturbance by allowing drug levels to decline before bedtime, regardless of whether doses are taken with meals. 2
Clinical Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not take the second dose late in the day (after 3 PM), as bupropion's activating properties will interfere with sleep—this is the most common dosing error. 2
Do not exceed 300 mg/day total when using bupropion SR for depression or smoking cessation, as seizure risk rises above this threshold (from 0.1% to higher rates). 2, 3
Do not split or crush tablets to take with food, as this defeats the sustained-release formulation and dramatically increases seizure risk. 1