Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Bupropion is an antidepressant that works differently from the SSRIs: it blocks the reuptake of dopamine and noradrenaline (an NDRI) and does not act on serotonin. It is used for depression, for seasonal depression, and to help people stop smoking. It is sold as Wellbutrin and, for smoking, Zyban, among other names.
Bupropion is turned by the liver enzyme CYP2B6 into hydroxybupropion, an active form that reaches higher levels than bupropion itself. People with the slow CYP2B6*6 version form less of it; CYP2C19 also takes part. For stopping smoking, studies have looked at CYP2B6 and at the nicotinic receptor gene CHRNA5, and for depression at dopamine-related genes, with weaker evidence. There is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.
Every published finding on gene variants and Bupropion. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
CYP2B6 CYP2B6*1, CYP2B6*4, CYP2B6*5, CYP2B6*6, CYP2B6*18, CYP2B6*22, CYP2B6*30: Level 2A · replicated. Metabolism/PK. 12.
CHRNA5 rs16969968: Level 3. Efficacy: Tobacco Use Disorder. 7.
ANKK1 rs1800497: Level 3. Efficacy: Tobacco Use Disorder. 6.
CYP2B6 rs3211371: Level 3. Efficacy: Tobacco Use Disorder. 2.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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