What is the generic name for Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin is the brand name for the antidepressant bupropion. The generic drug name you’ll see on prescriptions is bupropion (often listed as “bupropion HCl”). [1]
What are the common generic “Wellbutrin” versions and their names?
Different Wellbutrin products use different bupropion formulations, so you may see these generic-style names depending on what you take:
- Wellbutrin SR: bupropion sustained-release (SR) [2]
- Wellbutrin XL: bupropion extended-release (XL) [3]
- Wellbutrin IR (immediate-release, when applicable): bupropion immediate-release (IR) [4]
What’s the difference between bupropion SR and XL (generic names)?
The generic active ingredient stays the same (bupropion), but SR and XL differ in how the medicine releases over time:
- SR (sustained-release) is designed for a longer effect than immediate-release, typically taken more than once per day depending on the product label. [2]
- XL (extended-release) is designed for longer, once-daily dosing depending on the product label. [3]
Why do generic names sometimes look different on labels?
Even when the drug is the same, the label can include:
- the release type (IR, SR, XL),
- the salt form (commonly bupropion HCl for many products),
- and sometimes brand-specific listing conventions in a pharmacy system.
If you tell me whether your prescription says SR or XL, I can help you translate it into the exact generic name you should look for.
Sources
[1] https://www.drugs.com/monograph/wellbutrin.html
[2] https://www.drugs.com/monograph/wellbutrin-sr.html
[3] https://www.drugs.com/monograph/wellbutrin-xl.html
[4] https://www.drugs.com/monograph/bupropion.html