Key takeaways
Bupropion is a prescription medication used to treat depression or help people quit smoking.
The bupropion cost without insurance depends on the format prescribed, ranging between $1,200 and $1,600 annually.
Generic bupropion is usually covered by health insurance when it’s used for FDA-approved conditions, but people without insurance can save money with discount cards, community resources, price shopping, and other savings strategies.
Bupropion is a generic prescription drug used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and to help people quit smoking. Healthcare providers may, however, prescribe bupropion off-label for other conditions, such as attention deficit disorder (ADHD) or weight loss. Bupropion can be taken in one of three forms: immediate-release, sustained-release, and extended-release. Bupropion’s retail price will vary based on the form, but the brand-name versions, Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL, are more expensive. No matter what form is prescribed, people without insurance coverage have many options to save money on bupropion.
RELATED: Antidepressants coupons & resources
Is bupropion covered by insurance?
Bupropion is usually covered by commercial health insurance, Medicare Part D drug coverage, and Medicaid for FDA-approved medical conditions.
How much does bupropion cost without insurance?
The bupropion price without insurance depends on the format used.
Immediate-release bupropion costs $41 per 30, 75 mg tablets, enough medication for about ten days at three doses per day. A month’s supply of generic sustained-release bupropion (60, 150 mg tablets) will cost about $98, and a month’s supply of generic extended-release bupropion (30, 150 mg tablets) averages $137 at both the starting and standard dosage. Because bupropion is often prescribed for months at a time, the annual cost can range from $1,200 to $1,600.
The Wellbutrin price without insurance is hundreds of dollars higher per month than with insurance.
With health insurance, the cost will be lower. If prescribed Wellbutrin for depression treatment, health insurance formularies generally classify generic bupropion in all its forms as a Tier 1 drug, meaning it will have the lowest copay cost. As a brand-name medication, Wellbutrin will have a higher copay. Other factors will determine the actual out-of-pocket cost, including the insurance plan’s deductible or coinsurance.
There is one exception: when used for smoking cessation, bupropion SR is classified by the Affordable Care Act as a preventive medication. The insurance company must provide the medicine at no cost: no deductible, no copay.
For uninsured patients with depression, there are less expensive antidepressants, however, they all work differently from bupropion. Other common antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and atypical antidepressants. Ask your healthcare provider for medical advice about other antidepressants and why bupropion is being prescribed.
Over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements can help improve mood, but they are not effective treatments for major depressive disorder.
For smoking cessation, there are no comparable prescription or over-the-counter medications. Nicotine replacements and varenicline are FDA-approved smoking cessation treatments, but they work differently from bupropion. Only nicotine replacements can be purchased without a prescription.
RELATED: Should you take Wellbutrin to quit smoking? | Wellbutrin vs. Chantix
Compare bupropion prices to related drugs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Bupropion HCl immediate-release | $41 per 30, 75 mg tablets of generic bupropion | $9 per 30, 75 mg tablets of generic bupropion at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Wellbutrin SR
(bupropion sustained-release) |
$565 per 60, 150 mg tablets | $6 per 60, 150 mg tablets of generic bupropion SR at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Wellbutrin XL
(bupropion extended-release) |
$3,799 per 30, 300 mg tablets | $9 per 30, 300 mg tablets of generic bupropion XL at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Lexapro (escitalopram) | $578 for 30, 10 mg tablets | $9 for 30, 10 mg tablets of generic Lexapro at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Viibryd
(vilazodone) |
$438 for 30, 40 mg tablets | $35 for 30, 40 mg tablets of generic Viibryd at CVS Pharmacy | See latest prices |
| Trintellix (vortioxetine) | $705 for 30, 20 mg tablets | $491 for 30, 20 mg tablets of brand-name Trintellix at Kroger | See latest prices |
RELATED: Wellbutrin SR vs. Wellbutrin XL
How to get bupropion without insurance
For a generic antidepressant, bupropion may be expensive. With a monthly cost approaching $100, a year of bupropion SR treatment will cost about $1,200 without insurance. Some people can save money with patient assistance programs, but these are rare for generic drugs. Fortunately, there are more certain price-slashing strategies, starting with SingleCare.
1. Save up to 80% with a SingleCare savings card
Immediate-release bupropion costs $41 per 30, 75 mg tablets. With a SingleCare discount savings card, you could pay just $9 at Kroger. Keep in mind that the actual discount will depend on the participating pharmacy where the SingleCare card is used. SingleCare is free to use and available to everyone. Registered members can save even more, and it’s fast and free to join.
Save up to 80% on Bupropion with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
2. Compare pharmacy prices
Find a pharmacy near you and search for your prescription on our website or app to compare bupropion prices offered at local pharmacies.
3. Take advantage of community resources
A healthcare provider or local health official can provide a list of community clinics and 340B providers. They may be able to fill a generic bupropion prescription for only a few dollars or at no cost, depending on income eligibility.
4. Enroll in Medicaid
If a SingleCare discount price is still higher than you can afford, visit your state’s Medicaid website to see if you meet the eligibility requirements. Bupropion and other generic prescription medications typically cost little for Medicaid recipients, but the actual copay may depend on income.
RELATED: Can I use SingleCare if I have Medicaid?
5. Switch to a less expensive antidepressant
As a last resort, ask a mental health provider for medical advice about other antidepressants such as fluoxetine. For some people, bupropion may not work as well, and other medications may work better. Common side effects may also be different.
6. Talk to your local health department
All states have tobacco control programs that are federally subsidized, therefore, they may be able to find ways to help patients get bupropion treatment for smoking cessation. Visit your state’s tobacco control website for information or contact your local health department.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jun. 3, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Bupropion hydrochloride tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2023)
- Health care reform preventive drug list, Aetna (2026)
- Medicaid.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- National and state tobacco control program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2024)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
- Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research.
- Trustworthy: All of SingleCare’s content goes through a multi-phase review process by our writers, editors, and Medical Board in order to provide clear and credible information.