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Bupropion

Other names: Contrave, Wellbutrin, Zyban, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL

The FAA's guidance for bupropion depends on what it is taken for. Each use is below, with its own FAA source and date.

Taken for weight loss

bupropion + naltrexone

FAA guidance

Do not issue.

Examiner

Do not issue: the examiner cannot issue a certificate

FAA label

UNACCEPTABLE

Source: FAA, Weight Loss Medications. FAA date 26 August 2026. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA lists the bupropion and naltrexone combination for weight loss as unacceptable.

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Compare FAA documents: bupropion + naltrexoneWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen

Its Do Not Issue list names bupropion + naltrexone (Contrave) for any condition, and says the examiner should defer the exam and not issue a medical certificate.

Show the FAA's words: bupropion + naltrexoneThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Weight Loss Medications · FAA date 26 August 2026
UNACCEPTABLE Weight Loss Medications. Use prohibited as a single agent or in any combination product — bupropion + naltrexone (Contrave), citric acid + cellulose (Plenity)
FAA, DO NOT ISSUE – DO NOT FLY Medications and general No Fly wait times · FAA date 30 September 2026
DO NOT ISSUE (DNI) MEDICATIONS
If the applicant is taking any of the following medications, AMEs should DEFER the exam. DO NOT issue a medical certificate to applicants who are using any of the following drug classes or medications for any condition:
WEIGHT LOSS • Sympathomimetic (such as phentermine [Adipex]) • bupropion + naltrexone (Contrave)
Sources and dates: bupropion + naltrexoneTwo FAA documents, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked themOpen

Taken for depression or anxiety: IR (immediate-release) tablets

bupropion IR as an antidepressant

FAA guidance

Do not issue.

Examiner

Do not issue: the examiner cannot issue a certificate

FAA label

UNACCEPTABLE

Source: FAA, Antidepressant Medications (table). FAA date 27 August 2025. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA lists the IR formulations of bupropion as an unacceptable antidepressant.

More detail: bupropion IR as an antidepressantThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen

The SR and ER formulations have their own entry, and bupropion prescribed to quit smoking (Zyban) has its own entry.

Show the FAA's words: bupropion IR as an antidepressantThe official FAA wording: one passage, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Antidepressant Medications (table) · FAA date 27 August 2025
UNACCEPTABLE Antidepressant Medications (Used as a single agent or in any combination product.) — Dopamine/Norepinephrine-Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI): buproprion (Wellbutrin) IR formulations
Sources and dates: bupropion IR as an antidepressantOne FAA document, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked itOpen

Taken for quitting smoking

bupropion SR for quitting smoking

FAA guidance

Do not issue.

Wait

7 days

no-fly after the last dose once treatment is complete

Examiner

Do not issue: the examiner cannot issue a certificate

FAA label

UNACCEPTABLE

Source: FAA, Smoking Cessation Medications. FAA date 29 April 2026. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA lists bupropion SR (Zyban) as an unacceptable smoking cessation medication.

More detail: bupropion SR for quitting smokingThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen

For the first treatment course it says not to issue a medical during active treatment, and once treatment is complete a 7-day no-fly after the last dose is required. For recurrent treatment or extended therapy over 6 months it refers to its Anxiety, Depression and Related Conditions Table. Bupropion prescribed as an antidepressant has its own entries, one for the SR and ER formulations and one for IR.

  • 7 days after the last dose: no flying
Show the FAA's words: bupropion SR for quitting smokingThe official FAA wording: one passage, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Smoking Cessation Medications · FAA date 29 April 2026
UNACCEPTABLE Smoking Cessation Medications: bupropion SR (Zyban): FIRST treatment course: Do NOT issue a medical during active treatment. Once treatment is complete, a 7 day no-fly after last dose is required. RECURRENT treatment or EXTENDED therapy > 6 months: Refer to Anxiety, Depression and Related Conditions Table.
Sources and dates: bupropion SR for quitting smokingOne FAA document, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked itOpen

Taken for depression or anxiety: SR (sustained-release), ER or XL (extended-release) tablets

bupropion SR or ER as an antidepressant

FAA guidance

Special issuance required.

FAA label

CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTABLE

Source: FAA, Antidepressant Medications (table). FAA date 27 August 2025. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA's antidepressant table lists bupropion as conditionally acceptable with a special issuance, used as a single agent, if otherwise qualified, in its SR and ER formulations only.

More detail: bupropion SR or ER as an antidepressantThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen

The IR formulations have their own entry, and bupropion prescribed to quit smoking (Zyban) has its own entry.

Show the FAA's words: bupropion SR or ER as an antidepressantThe official FAA wording: one passage, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Antidepressant Medications (table) · FAA date 27 August 2025
CONDITIONALLY Acceptable Antidepressant Medications with SI (Used as a single agent, if otherwise qualified.) — Dopamine/norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor (NDRI): buproprion (Wellbutrin) SR/ER formulations ONLY
Sources and dates: bupropion SR or ER as an antidepressantOne FAA document, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked itOpen

Taking it for something else? The entries here do not cover that use. The FAA may address it in the guidance for your condition. Ask your examiner.

See also

Medication guidance alone does not determine whether a pilot is medically qualified to fly. The underlying condition, dosage, side effects, medication combinations, and certification history may affect FAA eligibility.

For informational purposes only. Not legal or medical advice.