Bupropion extended release (ER) is a generic prescription drug that’s used to treat depression and prevent seasonal affective disorder. Bupropion ER’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

The price you pay for bupropion can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. It will also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to receive bupropion ER.

To find out how much you’ll pay for bupropion ER, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or keep reading to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

To save money on your bupropion ER prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)

Bupropion ER is a generic drug. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug but tends to cost less.

Bupropion ER comes in a brand-name version called Wellbutrin. To find out how the costs of Wellbutrin and bupropion ER compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed bupropion ER and you’re interested in taking Wellbutrin instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you take one version instead of the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take bupropion ER long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

  • Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of bupropion ER if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of bupropion. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication: Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for bupropion ER. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of bupropion ER or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover bupropion ER. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss bupropion ER in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If bupropion ER requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether bupropion ER requires prior authorization.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.