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Bupropion for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) User Reviews

Brand names: Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR, Aplenzin, Budeprion Forfivo XL Budeprion SR

Bupropion has an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from a total of 44 reviews for the off-label treatment of Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight). 68% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 18% reported a negative experience.

Bupropion rating summary

7.4/10 average rating

44 ratings from 57 user reviews.

Compare all 38 medications used in the treatment of Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight).

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36%
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18%
8
14%
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2%
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2%
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7%
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5%
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Reviews for Bupropion

  • Lynn
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 19, 2019

"Bupropion saved my life. I was on it for weight loss! I cannot say enough great things about this. I had two babies, gained over 100 pounds, and was trapped in this unknown body. Lost, sad, and confused. My doctor gave me this prescription and literally changed my life. I was happier, filled with energy, and lost 111 pounds. The absolute best thing ever!"

10 / 10
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1100 Report
  • worki...
  • November 19, 2020

"Naltrexone HCl 50 mg 1/2 tab daily & Bupropion HCl ER (SR) 12hr 150 mg 1 tab daily for 14 days then 2 tabs daily thereafter. I'm 5'6'', 270 lbs with high blood pressure. Started 7 days ago. Right away 1st day, the food, sugar, breads, and starch cravings STOPPED. I feel so HAPPY to where I had to ask myself... Wait, was I still sad/depressed prior to taking these prescriptions? I didn't think I was so unhappy anymore, however, according to the way I feel now with so much energy, wanting to socialize, engage in activities, date, and create more than I ever had in the past, I question how much I locked up, put off in truly dealing with all the deaths in my family? I have lost 13 pounds in the 1st 7 days! DRY MOUTH (Side effect), which is a plus because I now drink more water. I am so glad I took the leap and trusted myself to do this. I truly am looking forward to my tomorrows. Good luck on your journeys, everyone. 11/19/2020"

10 / 10
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441 Report
  • CJS
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • November 9, 2020

"I'm a 39-year-old female. I've been on this medication for a bit over 1 year. I started at 150mg like most people do, then I went to 300mg, and now I'm at 450mg. I used Wellbutrin (Bupropion) for anxiety and stress disorder along with depression. In 1 year, I have lost 95.6 pounds (with not a lot of exercise, but I do eat healthier) and I'm no longer obese. This drug works great for some and not so great for others. We all are different, so the drug works differently for everyone. As for me, I'm very happy and so far no other side effects."

10 / 10
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345 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Lo2150
  • May 21, 2019

"I was prescribed BUPROPION HCL SR 150 MG (once per day) for anxiety/depression as well as weight loss. Within days, it felt like the cloud had been lifted over my head, my mood was great, and the FIRST DAY I took it, I noticed that I felt like I could eat and my brain and stomach knew when to stop. Even when I wanted to eat more, I just could not. In the beginning, I had to cut my breakfast/lunch/dinner servings in half, and I was totally satisfied! I lost 10 pounds in the first 6 weeks. My advice is to keep a journal and track your progress! After 6 weeks, my doctor added TOPIRAMATE 50 MG TABLET 2 x per day. In 7 months I’ve lost 28 pounds, which is very exciting for me! Unfortunately, I’ve hit a plateau, and the appetite suppression no longer seems to be working, so my doctor is increasing my dose of BUPROPION 300 XL to see if this will help. I’m hopeful as I’ve had such success with it up until now! I’ll try to update my progress in a few months."

9 / 10
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376 Report
  • MLD
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 10, 2019

"My doctor prescribed me Wellbutrin/bupropion when my insurance wouldn't cover Contrave. I have a hard time making good food choices when I always felt hungry, which has been since I had my son 3 years ago. The bupropion really suppresses my appetite and makes it easier to choose healthy foods. I am down 9 lbs in the first four weeks."

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318 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • happy
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 25, 2020

"I'm 62 years old, white male, pre-diabetic. I requested my primary care doctor to put me on bupropion for weight loss. I've been on it a few months now and gone from 243 to 211 pounds with no side effects except dry mouth. I hope I can avoid diabetes as it runs in my family. I'm worried about my hair thinning and if bupropion is causing that. I'm 62 and have had fine hair my entire life. Anyway, COVID-19 will probably get me; that is not the way I expected to go out. Hopefully, God will look over me and pass me by COVID-19. So far, so good."

10 / 10
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256 Report
  • Katt
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 26, 2019

"I was originally prescribed 300mg Wellbutrin XR as a true antidepressant. I have managed to completely stop smoking, and I've lost over 20 pounds in about 6 months of taking my medication. I have seen most of the weight drop in the past couple of months. My only complaint is the headaches in the beginning for about a month. Tylenol knocked those out quickly though."

9 / 10
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265 Report
  • aurora
  • May 1, 2023

Wellbutrin (bupropion) "I was taken off Prozac in March 2022 and instead, placed on a mood stabilizer, hoping that I wouldn't need an antidepressant anymore. However, things went terribly wrong, and I developed a binge eating disorder (BED), which only made my depression worse. I had been overweight my whole life until around 8th grade when I was first placed on an antidepressant, and I stayed skinny until I was taken off. Gaining the weight brought back bad memories, and I could barely look at myself in the mirror. My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin, hoping it would help with my depression and BED. The moral of the story is that I've lost 20 lbs, and I'm still losing! I've been on Wellbutrin for around 4 months, and I've never been happier with a medication. Although my BED has pretty much been cured, it's still hard for me to look in the mirror, but I'm getting there with the help of Wellbutrin!"

10 / 10
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74 Report
  • Anon
  • April 14, 2021

"I began taking Bupropion last week and began to notice its effect pretty quickly. The dry mouth side effect has been persistent but it weakens after a few days. It’s ability to suppress my appetite is quite powerful. For a long time I’ve relied on food as a coping mechanism for a variety of reasons, but this medication has quickly done away with my constant feeling of needing to eat or be full. It’s to the point where I almost forget to eat. This has begun to reflect on the scale. I’m down a few pounds in a few days and I expect I’ll continue to lose weight. One example of my experience is that I ate quite a heavy lunch the day of my writing this review and I have had no interest in food since then. This is not typical. I would have found myself hungry at some point in the evening. So it seems to also collaborate with food already in the body to keep binge eating from happening. Overall I am quite pleased with this medication."

9 / 10
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148 Report
  • Joy
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 20, 2020

"Are you people serious? I’ve only gained weight . . . Like 40 lbs. sometimes I think it’s completely inhibiting any chance of losing weight. But afraid to go off because it helps my motivation so much. If I don’t take it, my house looks like a bomb hit."

8 / 10
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170 Report
  • Lana
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 10, 2018

"My doctor prescribed both Bupropion and Naltrexone for weight loss. I got the Bupropion first and started on it. It worked so well, I did not add the Naltexone until several months later. Day one, my cravings disappeared. It wasn't anything I actually "felt". It was just that I got snacks and forgot to eat them. After 10 months, I have lost 77lb and have had the added benefit of quitting a Diet Coke addiction. I added the Naltrexone after losing about 35lb because I was finding it harder to stop eating once I started. The Naltrexone has had some side effects. Some nausea, but I just cut the dosage and it went away. Also sciatic nerve pain. I still take some Naltrexone and as long as I don't take it more than about 3 days in a row before taking a break, it doesn't cause problems and helps me stop eating before I'm too full. I take the Bupropion every day with no side effects. I still have about 60lb to lose. If I still need it, though, I can and will take it. I want this weight gone for life."

10 / 10
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219 Report
  • Shrek...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 4, 2019

"OK so this is day 2 for me on bupropion medication. I have already a bad headache this afternoon and I'm pretty sure it's because of the medication. Other than that, I feel nothing special happening to me so far. I know it's too soon. I have mixed feeling about starting this new medication. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I'm taking this for weight loss intentions only but I suffer from anxiety and bipolar disorder so it will definitely help me all around I think. I had the energy to go to the gym this morning so that's that! :) I will definitely keep you guys posted eventually. I can't rate the medication yet since it's too soon yet."

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166 Report
  • Rads
  • August 1, 2019

"I started bupropion XL for my depression. I didn’t have idea it helps with weight loss. After 3 months I lost nearly 10lbs then I realized. When I stopped taking bupropion again I gained weight. So I am so excited to start it again for weight loss."

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149 Report
  • Shorty
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 27, 2021

"Been on bupropion XL 150mg a day now on bupropion hcl XL 300mg all together six month. It works good at first for weight lost - I've lost about forty pounds. Now I am at a standstill .I also use it for depression and I still have same feeling but not as bad. I would recommend this for depression."

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91 Report
  • Mommyk
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 12, 2020

"On bupropion 150mg XL 3xs a day. Lost over 30lbs in 3 months. Also it made me have impulse angered outbursts. Went off it and gained all the weight back plus more. Restarting it again and hoping to be smarter so my body doesn’t Yo-yo again."

10 / 10
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101 Report
  • Kikatz
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 29, 2019

"I’ve been taking bupropion for several weeks now, and it definitely helps me to stay on top of moody, depressed feelings. It’s helps the parts of my brain that I cannot control sync up with the common sense I’ve always harbored, regarding feeling grateful everyday. Without the neurochemical adjustment projected by this drug, it is more difficult to control sadness, anxiety, and even rage. Here’s to hoping the benefit continues! I’ve gained 35 lbs over the last 18mos., so, I’m hoping the med can also help with my intense nighttime food cravings and motivation to exercise."

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107 Report
  • Cdmelty
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • September 3, 2021

"My Dr switched me from paxil for anxiety to Wellbutrin for both anxiety and weight loss. I lost 50 pounds in a year taking 300mg once a day. 5 years later the weight is still off and I feel better than ever both physically and mentally. I love this drug and because it's so great for anxiety/depression I plan to take it for the rest of my life."

10 / 10
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72 Report
  • Okwow
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 28, 2022

"Was prescribed for my depression after many failed medications. When I say this saved my life it's an understatement. Both my parents passed away in a four year period I could barely get out of bed. I was over 350lbs. Probably closer to 370 but I wasn't weighing myself at first. I got my energy back a week into taking it and was able to get back to work a couple months in. In a year I lost 130+ pounds never working out once other than what labour was part of my job. I just recently weighed in at 221lbs and stronger and happier than I've ever been. I haven't really noticed any side effects other than random erections as funny as that sounds. But I will take that all day to have my life back."

10 / 10
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48 Report
  • Emoti...
  • October 3, 2020

"when I started taking bupropion 2 weeks ago I was actually already on a weight loss plan and losing weight but I was horribly depressed and had really erratic mood swings. I have always been an emotional eater but I was getting that under control and then I started bupoprion 150mg and I started to gain weight, like this medication made it much easier for me to eat more and not less. My face acne is awful and my anxiety is really bad. I'm not sure if these side effects go away but I find it really puzzling that most people claim that this med helps them lose weight. Does it matter if you're already obese/overweight? Does it only work for a certain weight range? I was 260 initially and now I'm 270. My mood has gotten better though, but is it worth gaining weight and becoming even more obese? Not really"

3 / 10
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68 Report
  • lilbi...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 8, 2020

"I started Wellbutrin about a month ago due to my extreme depression. My doctor and I talked about keeping me on my anxiety/depression medication (lexapro) as well as starting wellbutrin. I was eating excessively before starting Wellbutrin and that was one of my concerns I shared with my doctor. I am on the 12hr slow release and it somewhat helps with my low energy levels / motivation just depending on the day. I was about 215lbs when I started and I’m currently down to 201. I lost 40lbs in 2017 and was 145lbs and then my anxiety and depression hit and that’s when I had a real increase in my weight gain."

8 / 10
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66 Report
  • Caramel...
  • September 23, 2017

"I had surgery. After my surgery I wanted to lose more weight but my cravings in bed eating habits came back therefore my doctor suggested Wellbutrin. Since then my cravings have disappeared and I'm on the right track. I take 150 mg 2x a day."

8 / 10
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97 Report
  • Jesslyn
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 22, 2023

Budeprion XL (bupropion) "I have been taking Budeprion XL 150mg once a day for the past 3 months for depression, and I have to say it is the "happy pill." My depression has gotten better, I have more energy, sleep better at night, and my anxiety has decreased. Additionally, I have noticed that my appetite is suppressed, and I have lost 20 lbs in 3 months. I have also cut back on smoking cigarettes. I honestly have never felt better. Before taking Bupropion, I had taken Sertraline, which only made me feel more depressed and caused me to gain weight, which made me feel worse about myself. Bupropion has been a win-win for me because, after having a hysterectomy, I lost my sex drive, and Bupropion has given it back. The only side effect I have experienced from the medication is dry mouth, but I can deal with it. It actually makes me drink more water, which is something I never used to do in the past."

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24 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 19, 2009

Wellbutrin XL (bupropion) "I used Wellbutrin XL for two years, and in conjunction with sensible eating and a walking regimen, lost 75 pounds. I believe the Wellbutrin gave me the motivation to stick with the eating and exercise plan. It may have also provided a pharmacological effect. I've since stopped using Wellbutrin due to it not being specifically recognized as a weight loss product, but rather as an antidepressant. Choosing this product in assisting my weight loss categorized me as being depressed, and adversely affected my ability to obtain favorable life insurance premium rates. After using Wellbutrin, I was given Bupropion XL due to managed care requirements to switch to generic prescription. I stopped taking Bupropion because it proved ineffective for me."

10 / 10
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162 Report
  • Lenny
  • February 18, 2021

"My doctor prescribed Buproprion in combination with a few other medications as a means to help my obesity. It helped curb my appetite. However I became increasingly irritable and depressed. I have a stressful life anyway so I chalked it up to that for a while. The change was gradual at first. Then it suddenly seemed to get increasingly worse. It felt like I was on a timer counting down and I was going to put myself out of misery. It quickly escalated beyond my control. It was like I was a bystander and something else took over my body, mind and spirit. I was somehow able to break through to get help. I called the suicide hotline and was able to reach an understanding that it was the medication. I immediately stopped taking the medication and felt gradually normalized over about a week. After 1 day the suicidal thoughts were gone."

1 / 10
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49 Report
  • Tina
  • December 21, 2020

"I've been on and off, Bupropion for over a year, and each time I'm on them I become more hungrier than ever, it's disgusting to hurt myself with binge eating disorders, but this drug stimulates me beyond trying to get well. But off them and only on my Dex, without the mix of Bupropion, I am in my normal and healthy weight and most of all, active. I hate myself on Bupropion, and tonight I've made my final decision to never go back to them again, they've increased my depression, anxiety disorders, panic, PTSD, ADHD and more. I'm happy for the people who they agree with, because it would be great to feel free of some afflictions due to disorders. Too much weight gain for me, goodbye Bupropion for Ever."

1 / 10
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38 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.