Health guides > Anxiety > Buspirone vs Bupropion

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Buspirone vs Bupropion: Which is Best?

By Jennifer Nadel, MD

Medically reviewed

August 3, 2022

While their names may sound similar, buspirone and bupropion treat different types of mental health conditions. They are not in the same class of drugs and have different effects on the brain.

In this article, I’ll talk about each of these medications and how they work. I’ll also lay out the differences between each medicine, including side effects, interactions, and costs.

Finally, we’ll wrap up by going over when it’s time to seek professional medical treatment.

What Is Buspirone?

Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety. It is an anxiolytic.

It was first developed as an antipsychotic drug but was found to not have any effect on psychosis. However, researchers found it works well for treating anxiety.

Buspirone became a primary treatment for Generalized Anxiety disorder (GAD). Many people favor buspirone over other medications because of its mild side effects.

Other positive qualities include no risk of physical dependence and no withdrawal when stopping the medication.

One drawback is that it can take two to four weeks to feel the medication’s full effect. It does not work well for treating acute anxiety.

Buspirone decreases anxiety by stimulating some serotonin receptors in the brain and antagonizing some dopamine receptors in the brain.

Serotonin is a substance in the brain that helps regulate mood, wakefulness, and personality.

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What Is Bupropion?

Bupropion is an antidepressant medication that’s been on the market since 1985. It was also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 as a medication that can help people stop smoking.

Several forms, such as sustained-release and extended-release bupropion, have been approved for use.

People generally feel the medication’s full effect after taking it for one week, though for others it may take longer.

Bupropion’s mechanism of action is not completely understood, but is known to inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine.

Differences Between Buspirone vs Bupropion

Buspirone and bupropion are similar in requiring a prescription from a medical professional. Neither are available as over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

The main difference between buspirone and bupropion is their drug classes and their indications.

Buspirone is an anxiolytic that treats anxiety whereas bupropion is an antidepressant that treats depression.

The following chart goes over the main differences between buspirone versus bupropion.

Main differences between Buspirone vs Bupropion

	Buspirone	Bupropion
Drug class	Anxiolytic	Antidepressant
Brand/generic status	Brand and generic	Brand and generic
What is the generic name?	Buspirone	Bupropion
What is the brand name?	BuSpar, BuSpar Dividose, Vanspar	Aplenzin, Forfivo XL, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban, Budeprion XL
What form(s) does the drug come in?	Oral tablet	Oral tablet Oral tablet, extended release
What is the standard dosage?	Initial dose: 7.5 mg orally two times a day or 5 mg 3 times a day. Maintenance dose: The daily dose may be increased in 5 mg increments every 2 to 3 days up to 20 to 60 mg/day in divided doses. Maximum dose: 60 mg per day	Dose depends on what form of the medication is being taken and what the diagnosis is. A weaker strength is started and gradually the strength is increased until the maintenance dose is reached.
How long is the typical treatment?	Short term or long term. Consult with your medical provider.	Short term or long term. Consult with your medical provider.
Who typically uses the medication?	Adults	Adults Children (off-label)

Conditions Treated

Buspirone is known for treating anxiety, while bupropion is known for treating depression. However, there are some other uses for the medications.

The following charts go over FDA-approved conditions and off-label conditions these medications are used for.

FDA-approved conditions

Buspirone	Bupropion
-Anxiety -Panic disorder	-Major depressive disorder -Depression –Smoking cessation –Seasonal affective disorder

Off-Label uses

“Off label” means the FDA has not approved the medication to be used for this condition. However, it has been found to have some benefits in treating these conditions.

Your mental health provider should be clear with you on why they are ordering this medication for off-label use.

They should also let you know the limits of the research and let you know if there are other treatment options.

Buspirone

Anxiety
Panic disorder

Bupropion

Major depressive disorder
Depression
Smoking cessation
Seasonal affective disorder

Effectiveness

Bupropion has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10. There are 2,578 ratings and 61% of them report a positive effect while 20% report a negative effect.

Buspirone has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10. There are 1,210 ratings and 47% of them report a positive effect while 37% report a negative effect.

Costs and Coverage

The following prices are without insurance. This information was taken from drugs.com.

	Buspirone	Bupropion
Quantity	100 each	30 each
Dosage	10 mg	150mg/24 hrs
Per Unit	$0.46	$1.51
Cost	$45.78	$45.27

Side Effects

Buspirone is a favored medication over other anxiolytics because of its smaller list of side effects. However, they both have side effects that are important to watch for.

Buspirone	Bupropion
Common side effects: -Restlessness -Nervousness -Unusual excitement	Common side effects: -Anxiety –Dry mouth -Hyperventilation -Irregular heart beats -Irritability -Restlessness -Trouble sleeping -Shaking –Constipation –Weight loss
Less common side effects: -Blurred vision -Sweating or being clammy -Trouble concentrating -Diarrhea -Drowsy -Dry mouth -Muscle pain or cramps -Ringing in the ears -Trouble sleeping, nightmares	Less common side effects: -Buzzing or ringing in the ears –Severe headache -Skin rash, hives, or itching
Rare side effects: –Chest pain -Confusion -Fast or pounding heart beat –Fever -Incoordination -Mental depression -Weakness -Numbness or tingling in hands –Skin rash or hives –Sore throat -Stiffness in arms or legs -Uncontrolled body movements	Rare side effects: -Confusion -Fainting -False beliefs that cannot be changed by facts -Having extreme distrust of people -Hallucinating -Seizures -Trouble concentrating
Symptoms of overdose: -Dizziness or lightheadedness -Severe drowsiness -Fainting –Nausea or vomiting -Dilated pupils	Symptoms of overdose: –Lightheaded or dizzy -Fainting -Slow or irregular heartbeat –Severe fatigue

Interactions

Drug interactions may make your medication less effective, increase its effectiveness (dangerously), or cause unwanted side effects.

Interactions can occur with other medications you take, something you eat your drink, or with another health condition you have.

The following chart goes over what other drugs buspirone and bupropion interact with. For a full listing, and to search specific drugs, click here for buspirone and here for bupropion.

Drug	Drug Class	Buspirone	Bupropion
Phenelzine Rasagiline Selegiline Tranylcypromine	MAO Inhibitors	Yes	Yes
Diltiazem ErythromycinItraconazole Ketoconazole Nefazodone Ritonavir Verapamil Grapefruit juice	CYP3A4 Inhibitors	Yes	Yes
Carbamazepine Phenobarbital Phenytoin Rifampin	CYP4A4 Inducers	Yes	Yes
Codeine Fentanyl Oxycodone Morphine Tramadol	Opioids	Yes	Yes
Alcohol	Alcohol	Yes	Yes
Amitriptyline Citalopram Desipramine Desvenlafaxine Duloxetine Escitalopram Fluoxetine FluvoxamineImipramine	Antidepressants	Yes	Yes
Baclofen Carisoprodol Cyclobenzaprine Metaxalone	Muscle relaxants	Yes	No
Divalproex sodium Gabapentin Lamotrigine Levetiracetam Pregabalin Topiramate	Anticonvulsants	Yes	No
Diphenhydramine	Sedating antihistamines	Yes	Yes

Warnings

You should not take bupropion if you have an eating disorder or have a seizure history.

You should also avoid it if you suddenly stop drinking alcohol, or taking sedatives or seizure medications.

Avoid taking bupropion within 14 days before and 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, methylene blue injection, linezolid, rasagiline, phenelzine, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Some young people, when starting these medications, have thoughts about suicide. Stay alert to changes in your symptoms or thoughts and report worsening symptoms to your medical providers such as:

Changes in behavior or mood
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Trouble sleeping
Impulsiveness
Irritability
Agitation
Hostility
Aggression
Restlessness
Hyperactive
Thoughts of suicide

Both of these medications can impair your thinking or reactions. Use caution when driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert.

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When to See a Medical Professional

If you are experiencing anxiety or depression that is interfering with your everyday life, it’s time to seek medical attention. Let a mental health medical provider know how you feel.

If they think it will benefit you, they will write you a prescription for a medication to help you feel better.

If you have questions about taking buspirone versus bupropion, talk to your mental health provider about your specific situation, they can help guide you to which medication would be best.

Seek immediate medical attention if you believe you are experiencing side effects from either or both of these medications such as:

Thoughts of suicide
Increased anxiety, impulsiveness or agitation
Dizziness
Fainting
Irregular heartbeat
Extreme fatigue
Dilated pupils

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: buspirone or bupropion?

These medications are in different drug classes and treat different conditions. Buspirone is better for anxiety, while bupropion is better for treating depression or smoking cessation.

Can I take buspirone or bupropion together?

These medications have no known drug interactions, however, there is no research on whether they are good to take together. Speak with your mental health medical provider if you are wondering if taking both would help you.

What medication is better than buspirone?

Buspirone is favored over many other anti-anxiety medications because of its minimal side effects. However, if you would like another option, speak with your mental health medical provider about your specific situation.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

Jennifer Nadel, MD

Dr. Jennifer Nadel is a board certified emergency medicine physician and received her medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine. She has worked in varied practice environments, including academic urban level-one trauma centers, community hospital emergency departments, skilled nursing facilities, telemedicine, EMS medical control, and flight medicine.

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