Bupropion is a prescription medication used to treat major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and to aid in smoking cessation. Because it has multiple formulations, its physical appearance varies significantly. The pill’s specific shape, color, and identifying marks are tied directly to its dosage and the mechanism controlling how the medication is released. This visual identification is crucial for safe and correct use.
The Three Types of Bupropion Formulation
The appearance of a bupropion pill is determined by its drug delivery mechanism, which controls the rate of absorption. Bupropion is available in three primary release types: Immediate Release (IR), Sustained Release (SR), and Extended Release (XL). The IR version provides a quick release of the entire dose, often requiring multiple daily doses to maintain consistent drug levels in the bloodstream.
The SR and XL formulations are designed to release the medication over a longer period, resulting in a more stable concentration and reducing the necessary dosing frequency. Sustained Release (SR) typically releases the drug over about 12 hours, while Extended Release (XL) formulations are engineered for an approximately 24-hour release. These modified-release formulations use specialized polymeric coatings or internal matrix systems.
The formulation and labeling of all prescription drugs are subject to strict quality and disclosure requirements mandated by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). This regulation ensures that both the active ingredient and the complex drug delivery system meet specific standards for safety and efficacy. The SR and XL pills incorporate specialized components, like an osmotic pump or matrix polymers, that visibly distinguish them from the simpler IR tablets.
Identifying Bupropion by Dosage and Imprint
The physical characteristics of a bupropion pill are the most reliable tool for verifying the medication. Common Bupropion XL tablets, such as the 150 mg and 300 mg strengths, are often white or off-white and typically round, though some manufacturers produce an oblong or capsule shape. A 300 mg Bupropion XL tablet might be imprinted with a code like “300 XL” or a manufacturer-specific code such as “A 102.”
Bupropion SR tablets, commonly available in 150 mg, show greater variability in appearance across generic manufacturers, sometimes appearing white, pink, or even purple. A 150 mg Bupropion SR pill is frequently round, and its imprint may be a simple number or a combination of letters and numbers. The imprint code is an identification requirement for all FDA-approved tablets and capsules, providing a unique marker that links the pill to its manufacturer, strength, and formulation.
It is important to cross-reference the pill’s visual details with the information printed on the prescription bottle to confirm the correct dosage and release type.
Why Pill Integrity is Critical
The complex design of SR and XL tablets makes their physical integrity a safety concern. These pills rely on their outer coating or internal structure to control the slow, steady release of medication. If the pill is cut, chewed, or crushed, this time-release mechanism is destroyed.
Compromising the pill’s structure causes a phenomenon known as “dose dumping,” where the entire 12-hour or 24-hour dose of bupropion is absorbed almost instantly. This rapid absorption leads to a dangerously high concentration of the drug in the bloodstream, dramatically increasing the risk of serious adverse events. The chance of a seizure is highly dependent on the dose and concentration, and dose dumping can elevate the drug level to a toxic range.
For safety, any bupropion SR or XL pill that appears cracked, broken, or has a compromised coating should not be taken.