Wellbutrin Seizures: Risks and What To Know

Medically reviewed by Luc Jasmin, M.D., Ph.D., FRCS (C), FACS

Written by Kelsey Stalvey, Pharm.D.

Posted on August 5, 2026

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Key Takeaways

For people living with epilepsy, bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an antidepressant that can lower the brain's seizure threshold, making seizures more likely to occur.

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For people living with epilepsy, seizure risk is one of the most important factors to consider before starting bupropion (Wellbutrin). Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold, making seizures more likely. Because of this risk, healthcare providers usually avoid prescribing it to people with a seizure disorder or epilepsy.

This article explains why bupropion can raise seizure risk, why it’s generally not recommended for people living with epilepsy, and when its benefits may outweigh the risks. Understanding these topics can help you have a more informed discussion with your healthcare team.

What Is Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is a brand of bupropion, an antidepressant. Wellbutrin XL (extended-release) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and manage seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Wellbutrin SR (sustained-release) is approved to treat MDD.

🗳️ Have you been prescribed an antidepressant while living with epilepsy?

Yes, I’ve been prescribed bupropion.

Yes, I’ve been prescribed another antidepressant.

No, I haven’t been prescribed an antidepressant.

Bupropion works differently from many other antidepressants. It mainly affects the neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) dopamine and norepinephrine, so it may be a good option for people who want to avoid side effects such as weight gain or sexual dysfunction.

Does Wellbutrin Cause Seizures?

Yes, bupropion can cause seizures. This is an uncommon side effect in the general population when the medication is taken as directed. However, bupropion carries additional concerns for people who already have epilepsy.

Seizure risk increases with higher doses and in people with certain medical conditions. Although most people without epilepsy who take recommended doses never experience a seizure, bupropion may be riskier for people with epilepsy. If you have epilepsy or a history of seizures, your doctor will usually consider other treatment options before prescribing bupropion.

Why Does Wellbutrin Cause Seizures?

Researchers believe bupropion lowers the brain’s seizure threshold, making it easier for abnormal electrical activity to trigger a seizure in susceptible people. This doesn’t mean the medication causes seizures in everyone. Instead, it increases the likelihood of seizures in people who have other risk factors or take higher-than-recommended doses.

If you have epilepsy or a history of seizures, your doctor will usually consider other treatment options before prescribing bupropion.

How Are Wellbutrin and Seizures Linked?

Researchers have known about bupropion’s seizure risk since the medication was first introduced. Early on, healthcare providers prescribed higher doses, which resulted in more reported seizures.

As more safety data became available, dosing recommendations were revised. Current guidelines help reduce the risk of seizures by:

Limiting the maximum daily dose

Recommending gradual dose increases

Recommending sustained-release and extended-release formulations, which produce steadier blood levels of the drug

When these recommendations are followed, seizures remain an uncommon side effect.

For people who have epilepsy, this dose-dependent risk is especially important because they already have a higher risk of seizures.

How Common Are Bupropion Seizures?

Among people without epilepsy who take recommended doses, seizure risk is about 0.1 percent at doses below 300 milligrams per day, increasing to 0.4 percent at doses up to 450 milligrams per day. These estimates apply to people without a history of seizures.

At higher-than-recommended doses, seizures become more common, even in people without epilepsy. The risk increases when:

The daily dose exceeds prescribing recommendations.
Multiple doses are taken too close together.
Extended-release tablets are crushed, split, or chewed.
Bupropion is combined with other medications that lower the seizure threshold.
A person has other medical conditions that increase seizure risk.

Because seizure risk is dose-related, it’s important to take bupropion exactly as prescribed and never adjust your dose without your healthcare provider’s approval.

Who Is Most at Risk?

People with epilepsy or another seizure disorder are among those at the highest risk of experiencing seizures while taking bupropion. Factors that can further raise that risk include:

Previous traumatic brain injury
Brain tumors or certain neurological disorders
Bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa
Sudden withdrawal from alcohol
Withdrawal from benzodiazepines
Heavy alcohol use
Certain stimulant medications
Other medications that lower the seizure threshold
Taking more than the prescribed dose

If you have epilepsy and one or more of these additional risk factors, your doctor is even more likely to recommend an alternative antidepressant.

Can People With Epilepsy Take Bupropion?

In most cases, doctors don’t prescribe bupropion to people with epilepsy. A seizure disorder is listed as a contraindication (a reason not to prescribe the drug) in the FDA-approved prescribing information because bupropion can lower the seizure threshold. Instead of bupropion, doctors usually recommend an antidepressant with a lower risk of causing seizures.

Bupropion may also interact with some anti-seizure medications, making a careful medication review especially important.

There may be uncommon situations, such as when other treatment options have been ineffective or aren’t well tolerated, in which a doctor determines that the potential benefits of bupropion outweigh the risks.

Can Taking Too Much Bupropion Raise Seizure Risk?

Yes. Taking more bupropion than prescribed is one of the strongest predictors of seizures, even in healthy adults. This can happen by taking a double dose after a missed dose or increasing your dose without medical supervision.

Extended-release bupropion helps maintain steadier blood levels throughout the day and is typically taken once daily. Sustained-release bupropion is released more quickly and is usually taken twice a day.

There may be uncommon situations, such as when other treatments have been ineffective, when a doctor might determine that potential benefits of taking bupropion outweigh the risks.

Regardless of the formulation, tablets should never be crushed, split, or chewed unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider. Doing so can release too much medication at once.

An overdose of bupropion is a medical emergency and can cause seizures even in people with no previous history of seizure disorders. If you think you might have taken more than your prescribed dose, seek immediate medical attention or contact your local poison center.

What Other Factors May Raise Seizure Risk?

Certain medications can further increase the risk of seizures when taken with bupropion. Examples include:

Certain antipsychotic medications
Tramadol
Theophylline
Some medications used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Certain fluoroquinolone antibiotics
Systemic corticosteroids in some situations

Before starting bupropion, always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every prescription medication, over-the-counter product, and nutritional or herbal supplement you take.

Alcohol can also affect seizure risk. Heavy drinking, binge drinking, and sudden alcohol withdrawal all increase the likelihood of seizures. Combining these factors with bupropion may further raise the risk.

If you drink alcohol regularly, talk with your healthcare provider before starting bupropion. They can help you decide whether reducing or avoiding alcohol is appropriate for your situation.

If you experience a seizure after taking bupropion, get immediate medical care.

What Can Help Reduce the Risk of Bupropion Seizures?

Although no medication is completely risk-free, you can lower the likelihood of bupropion seizures by following your treatment plan carefully. To help reduce your risk:

Take the medication exactly as prescribed.
Never increase your dose without medical advice.
Don’t double doses after missing one.
Swallow extended-release tablets whole.
Tell your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you use.
Discuss any history of seizures, eating disorders, or head injuries before starting treatment.
Avoid heavy alcohol use and sudden alcohol withdrawal.
Make sure both your neurologist and the healthcare provider prescribing bupropion are aware of all your medications before starting treatment.

If you experience a seizure after taking bupropion, get immediate medical care. Stop taking the medication unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you otherwise. They will determine whether the seizure was related to bupropion, another medication, or an underlying medical condition and recommend the most appropriate next steps.