Does Bupropion Interact With Phenytoin?

Name: Does Bupropion Interact With Phenytoin?
Creator: OmniRx Health

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS CYP2B6 inducers: Dose increase may be necessary if coadministered with CYP2B6 inducers (e.g., ritonavir, lopinavir, efavirenz, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin) based on clinical exposure, but should not exceed the maximum recommended dose.

Reviewed by the OmniRx Health clinical team•Last reviewed Jul 4, 2026

Severity: Minor

Severity basis: drug interactions section. Combining Bupropion (Aminoketone antidepressant) and Phenytoin (Anticonvulsant) is classified as a minor interaction.

What to Do

This is generally a minor interaction, but review it with your pharmacist to be sure it is safe for you.

How This Interaction Works

Interactions like this one can happen when two medicines have overlapping effects, or when one changes how the other is absorbed, broken down, or cleared from the body. Bupropion is a aminoketone antidepressant and Phenytoin is a anticonvulsant; together they are documented as a minor interaction. How much this matters depends on your dose, your other medications, and your overall health.

If You Take Both Medications

If you have been prescribed both Bupropion and Phenytoin, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.

From the FDA Label

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS CYP2B6 inducers: Dose increase may be necessary if coadministered with CYP2B6 inducers (e.g., ritonavir, lopinavir, efavirenz, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin) based on clinical exposure, but should not exceed the maximum recommended dose.

Source: FDA structured product labeling (set_id 004d8121-59d4-46c4-acb8-b2dd097bf556).

Bupropion

Aminoketone antidepressant

Brands: Wellbutrin, Zyban, Aplenzin

View Bupropion safety profile

Phenytoin

Anticonvulsant

Brands: Dilantin

View Phenytoin safety profile

Check these against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you take Bupropion and Phenytoin together?

Bupropion and Phenytoin have a documented minor interaction. This is generally a minor interaction, but review it with your pharmacist to be sure it is safe for you.

How serious is the Bupropion and Phenytoin interaction?

It is classified as a minor interaction, based on the FDA label's drug interactions section. A minor interaction is usually limited in effect but is still worth discussing with your care team.

What should I do if I'm taking both Bupropion and Phenytoin?

This information is educational — not medical advice.

This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.

Questions About Your Medications?

A licensed OmniRx provider can review your full medication list and help you understand what's safe for you — no office visit required.

Other Bupropion Interactions

Other Phenytoin Interactions

Sources & References

Learn more about where our data comes from and how we write and review medical content.