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For more information about the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists or to find a service in your area, call (866) 626-6847 or visit
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Bupropion (Wellbutrin®) and Pregnancy

This sheet talks about the risks that exposure to bupropion can have during pregnancy. With each pregnancy, all
women have a 3% to 5% chance of having a baby with a birth defect. This information should not take the place
of medical care and advice from your health care provider.

What is bupropion?
Does bupropion use increase the risk for
miscarriage?
depression and seasonal affective disorder. It is marketed under the trade name Wellbutrin®. more often in pregnant women taking bupropion Bupropion is also sold under the trade name Zyban® as an aid to quit smoking. Bupropion medication. However, the rate of miscarriage in belongs to the class of antidepressants known as women taking bupropion was not above what is considered to be the background rate for (NDRI), which help balance the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Can taking bupropion during my pregnancy
I am taking bupropion, but I would like to stop
cause birth defects?
taking it before becoming pregnant. How long
does bupropion stay in my body?
association between first trimester exposure and a While it can vary from person to person, particular heart defect. The design of this study it generally takes about 12 hours to eliminate half does not allow a conclusion to be drawn. In of the drug from the body. Bupropion is almost contrast,the manufacturer’s pregnancy registry completely gone from the body in three days. reported there was not an increased risk for major Pregnant women who suddenly stop taking their birth defects among over 1,000 pregnancies with antidepressants are at risk for physical and first trimester exposure to bupropion. Other studies involving over 1,300 pregnancies exposed to bupropion in the first trimester also showed no nervousness or anxiety. If a woman plans to stop increase in the rates of birth defects when taking her bupropion, it is recommended that this be done slowly over time. If you are considering Therefore, it is unlikely that using bupropion coming off your treatment with bupropion, please during pregnancy would increase the risk for talk with your doctor to decide if the benefits of not taking this medication during pregnancy outweigh the risk of your symptoms returning. Should I stop taking bupropion when I find out
I am pregnant? What about weaning off
Can bupropion make it more difficult for me to
bupropion before the third trimester?
become pregnant?
Infertility was not seen in rat studies. depression, there are reports of increased risk for There are no studies that look specifically at miscarriage and preterm delivery, as well as fertility in women taking bupropion. Two cases babies born with complications and low birth have been reported of irregular menstrual cycles weight. Untreated depression in pregnancy can linked to bupropion use. However, these case continue after delivery as postpartum depression, reports did not mention fertility problems. which is a serious condition that should be or babies with other complications. More studies are needed to better focus on this area. decision of whether or not to stop antidepressant the amount of milk their bodies make. If you therapy. If you choose to stop your medication, your doctor can help you wean off it in a slow What if the father of the baby takes bupropion?
There are no studies looking at possible I need to take bupropion throughout my entire
risks to a pregnancy when the father takes pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms
bupropion. In general, medications that the father in my baby?
is exposed to would not increase the risk to a pregnancy because the father does not share a exposure to bupropion and withdrawal symptoms blood connection with the developing baby. For in babies. Some infants whose mothers took other more information, please see the OTIS fact sheet antidepressants near the end of pregnancy have had withdrawal symptoms like irritability, difficulties. These symptoms usually go away
April 2011.
within a few days to two weeks. It is important to decide with your doctor whether the treatment of depression with bupropion offsets the risk of Will taking bupropion have any long-term effect
Selected References:
on my baby’s behavior and development?
Alwan S, et al. 2010. Maternal use of bupropion and risk of congenital heart defects. term effects on children exposed to bupropion Baab S, et al. 2002. Serum bupropion levels in 2 breastfeeding mother-infant pairs. J Clin Psych 63:910-911. during pregnancy. One study has suggested an Chun-Fai-Chan B, et al. 2005. Pregnancy outcome of women exposed to bupropion during pregnancy: a prospective comparative study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 192(3):932- bupropion and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are many factors that Cole A, et al. 2006. Bupriopion in pregnancy and the prevalence of congenital malformations. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 10.1002/pds.1296. contribute to ADHD and further study is needed before a conclusion can be made. Presently, we Einarson T and Einarson A. 2005. Newer Antidepressants in pregnancy and rates of major malformations: a meta-analysis of prospective comparative studies. pregnancy would have any long term effects on Figueroa R. 2010. Use of antidepressants during pregnancy and risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the offspring. J Dev Behav Pediatr 31(8):641. Glaxo Wellcome Bupropion Pregnancy Registry 9/1/97 - 8/31/06. Issued December 2006. Research Park, Wilmington, North Carolina. Can I take bupropion while breastfeeding?
Haas J, et al. 2004. Bupropion in breast milk: an exposure assessment for potential Please talk to your doctor if you need to treatment to prevent post-partum tobacco use. Tob Control 13:52-56. take bupropion while breastfeeding. Bupropion is Halbreich U, et al. 1991. Menstrual irregularities associated with bupropion treatment. J Clin Psych 52:15-16. found in breast milk. A mother taking the recommended dosage of bupropion passes only a 2004. Neonate characteristics after maternal use of antidepressants in late pregnancy. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 158(4):312-3016. Kalra S, et al. 2005. Motherisk Update: Taking depressants during late pregnancy. Can Breastfeeding while taking bupropion should not Nonacs R, et al. 2005. Bupropion SR for the treatment of postpartum depression: a pilot study. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 8(3):445-9. individuals prone to them. There is a report of one baby exposed to bupropion through breast milk who then had seizures. The seizures stopped If you have questions about the information on when the mother stopped taking bupropion. The this fact sheet or other exposures during small amount of bupropion passed through breast pregnancy, call OTIS at 1-866-626-6847.
milk may have more impact on premature infants

Source: http://www.shawnhersevoortmd.com/uploads/bupropion_risks_in_pregnancy.pdf