Bupropion hydrochloride ER oral tablets may not be safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Certain factors, including the risks of not treating your condition during pregnancy, may determine whether you should take the drug during this time.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and actions

This drug has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

The use of bupropion hydrochloride extended-release (ER) tablets may increase the risk for suicidal thoughts and actions in certain people. This includes children, teenagers, and young adults treated with antidepressants for various mental health conditions. Bupropion hydrochloride is a type of antidepressant drug.

No matter your age, your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions during your treatment. You and your loved ones should also watch for any changes in your mood or behavior.

For more information on this warning, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have thoughts of suicide during Bupropion hydrochloride ER treatment, call 911 or your local emergency number. In the United States, you can also call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You can also refer to this suicide prevention support article.

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If you may be or can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether bupropion hydrochloride ER is a safe option for you.

It isn’t known whether the SR and XL forms of bupropion hydrochloride ER oral tablets are safe to take during pregnancy.*

Since bupropion hydrochloride† came onto the market, researchers have studied the SR and XL forms of the drug. The results haven’t shown congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects), such as heart defects, during the first 3 months of pregnancy. But more information is needed to confirm whether these medications are safe to take while pregnant.

Animal studies of the SR and XL forms of bupropion hydrochloride during pregnancy showed conflicting results. Some results showed harm to animals’ offspring, but other results didn’t. Keep in mind that outcomes in animals don’t always predict effects in humans.

It’s important to note that mental health may be at risk when depression doesn’t receive treatment during pregnancy.

Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. They can explain the benefits and risks of taking this drug while pregnant, as well as the risks of untreated depression.

* “ER” stands for extended release, and this means that the drug is released slowly in the body. ER oral tablets include two forms of the drug. One form is sustained release (SR), which is generally taken twice per day. The other form is extended release (XL), and it’s taken once per day.
† Bupropion hydrochloride is the active drug in the SR and XL forms of bupropion hydrochloride ER oral tablets.

Pregnancy registry for antidepressants

If you decide to take the SR or XL form of bupropion hydrochloride ER oral tablets during pregnancy, talk with your doctor about joining the pregnancy exposure registry. This service tracks the health effects of taking antidepressant drugs during pregnancy for both those who are pregnant and their children. These details can help doctors and pregnant people make better choices about treating mental health conditions while pregnant.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or visit the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants.

If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, it’s important to consider how bupropion hydrochloride ER could affect your birth control options.

It’s not known whether the SR and XL forms of bupropion hydrochloride ER oral tablets are safe to take during pregnancy.* If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking either medication.

For more information about taking this drug during pregnancy, see the “Pregnancy and Bupropion hydrochloride ER” section.

* “ER” stands for extended release, and this means that the drug is released slowly in the body. ER oral tablets include two forms of the drug. One form is sustained release (SR), which is generally taken twice per day. The other form is extended release (XL), and it’s taken once per day.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to understand the effects that bupropion hydrochloride ER could have on you or the breastfed child.

It isn’t known whether the SR and XL forms of bupropion hydrochloride ER oral tablets are safe to take while breastfeeding.* In clinical studies of the SR and XL forms, bupropion hydrochloride† passed into breast milk. But it’s not known how this affected people who took the drug or breastfed children.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor. They can explain the pros and cons of taking either medication while breastfeeding, as well as the risks of untreated depression.

* “ER” stands for extended release, and this means that the drug is released slowly in the body. ER oral tablets include two forms of the drug. One form is sustained release (SR), which is generally taken twice per day. The other form is extended release (XL), and it’s taken once per day.
† Bupropion hydrochloride is the active drug in the SR and XL forms of bupropion hydrochloride ER oral tablets.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.