Tadalafil and Bupropion: Can You Take Them Together?

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Tadalafil and Bupropion: Understanding the Interaction

Published: 18 October 2026

Many men wonder whether tadalafil and bupropion can be taken together safely. The good news is that no major direct interaction is commonly reported between tadalafil (Cialis) and bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin), but your prescriber will still review your full medication list during consultation to ensure the combination is suitable for you personally.

What Is Tadalafil and How Does It Work?

Tadalafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men [4]. It belongs to a group of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing blood vessels in the penis, allowing increased blood flow when you are sexually stimulated. Tadalafil is the generic name for Cialis and is available in two forms: on-demand tablets (10mg or 20mg taken at least 30 minutes before sex, with effects lasting up to 36 hours) and daily low-dose tablets (2.5mg or 5mg taken once a day) [4].

Tadalafil does not cause an erection on its own—you still need sexual stimulation for it to work [1]. Because of its long duration of action, tadalafil is sometimes called 'the weekend pill'. It is broken down in the body mainly by liver enzymes, particularly one called CYP3A4, which is why certain other medicines that affect this enzyme can alter how tadalafil works [4]. At Cured Pharmacy, tadalafil is available after a confidential online consultation reviewed by a UK prescriber.

What Is Bupropion and Why Is It Prescribed?

Bupropion is a prescription medicine primarily used in the UK to help people stop smoking (brand name Zyban) [12]. It is also licensed in some countries as an antidepressant (Wellbutrin), though this use is less common in the UK. Bupropion works by affecting chemicals in the brain called noradrenaline and dopamine, which can help reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms during smoking cessation [12].

Unlike some other antidepressants, bupropion does not usually cause sexual side effects and may even improve sexual function in some people [12]. This is one reason why it is sometimes chosen for patients who have experienced sexual difficulties with other antidepressants. Bupropion is broken down in the body by different liver enzymes than tadalafil, which is why a direct pharmacological interaction between tadalafil and bupropion is not commonly reported [12].

Bupropion and Sexual Function

Some antidepressants, particularly SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction as a side effect [1]. Bupropion is different: it does not typically cause sexual dysfunction and may even help improve libido and erectile function in some men [12]. If you have been prescribed bupropion for smoking cessation or mood, and you are also experiencing ED, tadalafil may be a suitable treatment option after a full assessment by your prescriber.

Can You Take Tadalafil and Bupropion Together?

No major direct interaction is commonly reported between tadalafil and bupropion, and many men take both medicines together without problems [12]. Because they are broken down by different pathways in the liver, bupropion does not significantly affect the levels of tadalafil in your body, and tadalafil does not affect bupropion levels. However, every person's medical situation is unique, and your prescriber will review your full medication list, medical history, and current health during consultation to ensure the combination is safe for you personally.

It is important to remember that erectile dysfunction can have many causes, including psychological factors, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and side effects from other medicines [1][2]. If you are taking bupropion for smoking cessation, stopping smoking itself can improve erectile function over time, as smoking damages blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the penis [1]. Your prescriber will consider all these factors when deciding whether tadalafil is suitable for you.

What Your Prescriber Checks Before Prescribing Tadalafil

Before prescribing tadalafil, your prescriber will ask about your full medical history, including any heart conditions, blood pressure problems, liver or kidney disease, and any medicines you currently take [2][4]. This is because tadalafil can interact seriously with certain medicines—particularly nitrates (such as GTN spray or isosorbide mononitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, and recreational drugs called 'poppers'—and must never be taken with these [4]. The combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Your prescriber will also check whether you take alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin or doxazosin) for prostate symptoms or high blood pressure, as these can add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of tadalafil and cause dizziness [4]. If you are on an alpha-blocker, you should be stable on it before starting tadalafil, and you will usually start on the lowest dose. Other blood pressure medicines, antifungals, some antibiotics, and HIV medicines can also affect how tadalafil works, so it is essential to declare every medicine, supplement, and herbal remedy you take [4].

Medicines That Must Not Be Taken with Tadalafil

Do not take tadalafil if you use nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or amyl/alkyl nitrites ('poppers') [4]. Do not take tadalafil together with another PDE5 inhibitor such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), or avanafil (Spedra) [4]. If you are unsure about any of your medicines, your prescriber will check them all during your consultation, and you should never stop or change a prescribed medicine without professional advice.

Practical Advice for Taking Tadalafil with Bupropion

If your prescriber confirms that tadalafil is suitable for you while taking bupropion, follow the dosing instructions carefully. For on-demand tadalafil (10mg or 20mg), take one tablet at least 30 minutes before you plan to have sex; the effect can last up to 36 hours, so you do not need to rush [4]. For daily tadalafil (2.5mg or 5mg), take one tablet at the same time each day, regardless of when you plan to have sex [4]. You still need sexual stimulation for tadalafil to work—it will not cause an automatic erection [1].

Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol when taking tadalafil, as heavy drinking can make erectile dysfunction worse and add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect, causing dizziness [4]. Grapefruit juice can raise tadalafil levels in your blood, so it is best to avoid it [4]. If you experience any side effects such as headache, indigestion, back pain, or flushing, these are usually mild and temporary [4]. However, if you develop chest pain during sex, an erection lasting more than four hours, or sudden loss of vision or hearing, seek urgent medical help immediately [4].

When to Seek Further Medical Advice

If you develop new or worsening erectile dysfunction while taking bupropion or any other medicine, it is important to see your GP [1][2]. Erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, so a full health check is important [1][2]. Your GP can assess whether your ED is related to an underlying health condition, a side effect of medication, psychological factors, or a combination of causes, and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

If you experience any unusual symptoms after starting tadalafil—such as dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or palpitations—stop taking the medicine and contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice [4]. If you have an erection lasting more than four hours (priapism), sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, or sudden decrease or loss of hearing, these are medical emergencies and you should go to A&E or call 999 immediately [4]. At Cured Pharmacy, our UK-registered prescribers are here to support you with safe, confidential treatment for erectile dysfunction after a thorough online consultation.

Ongoing Monitoring and Support

Once you start treatment with tadalafil, your prescriber may want to review how you are getting on, especially if you have other health conditions or take multiple medicines [2]. If tadalafil does not work well for you, or if you experience side effects, there are other PDE5 inhibitors available (such as sildenafil, vardenafil, or avanafil) that may suit you better [2]. Never increase your dose or take tadalafil more often than prescribed, and always keep your prescriber informed of any changes to your health or other medicines.

Scientific References

1. NHS. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 18 October 2026]
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 18 October 2026]
3. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Tadalafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/tadalafil/ [accessed 18 October 2026]
4. Electronic Medicines Compendium. (n.d.). Summaries of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflets. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/ [accessed 18 October 2026]

Information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Prescription treatments require clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any medication.