Key takeaways

  • Fast-acting results: In some cases, Auvelity can noticeably improve symptoms of depression in as little as 1 week after starting treatment. But it can take up to 6 weeks to feel the full effect of the medication.
  • Combination formula: Auvelity is a combination drug that contains dextromethorphan and bupropion. While most antidepressants focus on boosting serotonin levels, Auvelity targets NMDA receptors and glutamate.
  • Dosing schedule: Auvelity’s starting dose is typically one tablet daily for 3 days. Then, you’ll move to the standard maintenance dose of two tablets daily, spaced at least 8 hours apart.

Auvelity is a prescription drug that’s used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. It contains two active ingredients: dextromethorphan and bupropion.

Auvelity is an antidepressant drug that helps lessen these and other symptoms of depression. Studies have found Auvelity to be an effective treatment for depression.

Keep reading to learn more about Auvelity. This article includes details about Auvelity’s side effects, dosage, how it compares to Wellbutrin, and more.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Auvelity that’s right for you. Always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strength

Auvelity comes as an oral, extended-release (ER) tablet that you swallow whole. An ER tablet releases medication slowly over time as it passes through your digestive system.

Auvelity is available in one strength: 45 milligrams (mg) of dextromethorphan and 105 mg of bupropion.

Recommended dosage

  • Initial: You’ll usually start treatment by taking one tablet once per day in the morning for 3 days.
  • Maintenance: After 3 days, your doctor may increase your dosage to one tablet twice per day, with the second dose taken at least 8 hours after the first.

This is the typical recommended dosage that’s recommended by Auvelity’s manufacturer. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage if you have certain health conditions or take medications that might affect how your body absorbs Auvelity.

Medical Perspective

Many drug labels say “take in the morning” because of how the drug works and the side effects it may cause, not because the clock time itself is medically important.

For people who work nights or have non‑traditional schedules, “morning” almost always means the start of their day, not sunrise.

The goal is usually to align the drug’s effects with your active hours or to prevent side effects from interfering with your sleep.

— Andrew Cox, PharmD, MBA

» More details: Understanding the Relationship Between Antidepressants and Insomnia

Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Important details about Auvelity’s dosage

  • Do not take more than two tablets in 24 hours.
  • Auvelity tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not crush, chew, or split.
  • Auvelity can be taken with or without food.

Like most drugs, Auvelity may cause mild or serious side effects. The list below describes some of the more common side effects that Auvelity may cause.

The most common side effects reported with Auvelity include:

Other mild side effects that have been reported include constipation, reduced appetite, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety. Most mild side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks.

Serious side effects from Auvelity can occur but are not common. These include:

  • seizures
  • high blood pressure
  • mental health side effects, such as:
    • hallucinations
    • psychosis
    • mania
    • paranoia
    • confusion
  • serious allergic reaction
  • boxed warning: risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

These lists don’t include all possible side effects. For a full list of side effects, see Auvelity’s prescribing information.

More details about Auvelity’s side effects

To learn more about the potential side effects of Auvelity, see the following articles:

Auvelity has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Antidepressants such as Auvelity may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults under age 25 years.

This risk is highest when first starting the medication or after a dosage change. While taking Auvelity, it’s important to watch for changes in mood, emotions, thoughts, and behavior.

Contact your doctor right away if you notice changes such as worsening depression, new or worsening anxiety or irritability, agitation, mania, or new or increased thoughts about harming yourself or suicide.

Note: that Auvelity is not approved for use in people younger than age 18 years.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

It’s not entirely clear how Auvelity works to treat depression. However, it does combine two active ingredients that are believed to help boost different chemicals in the brain:

  • dextromethorphan (Delsym, Robitussin, others), which may affect glutamate and serotonin
  • bupropion (Wellbutrin), which may affect dopamine and norepinephrine

Bupropion also slows the breakdown of dextromethorphan, potentially boosting its effect.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. To save money on your Auvelity prescription, explore the coupon options below.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Discover more about Auvelity

Auvelity Cost
Auvelity Interactions

Auvelity can interact with several health conditions, drugs, and substances. Be sure to tell your doctor about your health history, including all medications, vitamins, herbs, or supplements you take.

Who should not take Auvelity?

Auvelity should not be used if you have certain health conditions or take certain medications. Before you start treatment with Auvelity, let your doctor know if you:

Other interactions

Auvelity may still be safe for you to take if you have other health factors. However, your doctor may want to adjust your dosage or monitor your condition more closely if you have:

Doctors also typically recommend limiting or avoiding alcohol while taking Auvelity. Alcohol may raise your risk of mental health side effects during treatment. You may also be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol while taking Auvelity.

More details on Auvelity’s interactions

To learn more what can interact with Auvelity, check out the following articles:

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Auvelity.

Uses: Both drugs are used to treat MDD in adults. Wellbutrin XR is also approved to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is commonly called seasonal depression.

Active ingredients: Wellbutrin and Wellbutrin SR contain only one active ingredient, bupropion. Auvelity is a combination drug that contains dextromethorphan/bupropion. The combination of bupropion and dextromethorphan is believed to help the medication work faster, often within just 1 week.

Forms: Wellbutrin comes as a sustained-release tablet (Wellbutrin SR) and an extended-release tablet (Wellbutrin XL). Auvelity is only available as an extended-release tablet.

Dosing schedule: Wellbutrin XL is typically taken once daily, while Auvelity and Wellbutrin SR are taken twice daily. Both drugs can be taken with or without food.

Side effects: Because they both contain bupropion, Wellbutrin and Auvelity share side effects like dry mouth, dizziness, excessive sweating, and insomnia. But Auvelity can cause side effects that weren’t reported with Wellbutrin, like sleepiness and sexual side effects.

Warnings: Both medications carry a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts in young adults. And doctors typically won’t prescribe either drug if you have a history of seizures or eating disorders.

To figure out which medication is best for you, talk with your doctor. They can help you weigh the pros and cons of Wellbutrin vs. Auvelity.

» FIND CARE: Find a psychiatrist in your area today.

Auvelity is only FDA-approved for treating MDD. It is not typically prescribed for anxiety, ADHD, or bipolar disorder. However, some doctors may prescribe it off-label for those conditions.

Off-label use is when a doctor prescribes an FDA-approved drug for a condition, age group, or dosage it isn’t approved to treat. Doctors may do this in some cases if they believe it is the most effective treatment for your specific needs.

Note: If used for depression in bipolar disorder, Auvelity could cause a manic episode.

No, Auvelity is not a controlled substance.

If you have questions about taking Auvelity, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Questions you may want to ask include:

  • Does Auvelity have any long-term side effects?
  • Is Auvelity more or less likely to cause sexual side effects than other antidepressants?
  • Is Auvelity more effective than other antidepressants?
  • Will I have withdrawal symptoms when stopping Auvelity treatment?

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.

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