Drug interactions
Bupropion + Nicotine
Severity: Moderate
Bupropion and Nicotine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Combining nicotine replacement with bupropion for smoking cessation can raise blood pressure more than either agent alone. Both drugs have pressor effects, and some patients develop new or worsened hypertension.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bupropion and Nicotine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Bupropion belongs to Central Nervous System; Nicotine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive pressor effects: nicotine stimulates sympathetic activity while bupropion inhibits noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake.
What to do
Measure blood pressure before starting and regularly during the combination, especially in patients with existing hypertension. Reduce or stop nicotine replacement or bupropion if blood pressure rises significantly.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Nicotine
- Adenosine + Nicotine Moderate
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Nicotine Moderate
- Dihydroergotamine + Nicotine Moderate
- Esketamine intranasal + Nicotine Moderate
- Nicotine + Solriamfetol Moderate
- Cabotegravir + Nicotine Minor
Other interactions of Bupropion
- Bupropion + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bupropion with Nicotine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Bupropion and Nicotine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Combining nicotine replacement with bupropion for smoking cessation can raise blood pressure more than either agent alone. Both drugs have pressor effects, and some patients develop new or worsened hypertension.
How serious is the interaction between Bupropion and Nicotine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Measure blood pressure before starting and regularly during the combination, especially in patients with existing hypertension. Reduce or stop nicotine replacement or bupropion if blood pressure rises significantly.
What other medicines interact with Nicotine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nicotine with, for example, Adenosine, Dihydroergotamine intranasal, Dihydroergotamine. The full list is on the Nicotine page.
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