Two medicines, side by side
Acetaminophen vs bupropion
Acetaminophen is labeled for fever, cough and cold and pain; bupropion for depression and quitting smoking. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of acetaminophen since 1968 and of bupropion since 1985. Pharmacies paid $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) and $0.0785 per bupropion HCl xl 150 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the acetaminophen FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2024); the bupropion FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 21, 2024).
Highlights of the acetaminophen record
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) · label of November 13, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache premenstrual and menstrual cramps the common cold headache toothache temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 7, 1968
- Generic labelers
- 89 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0339 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 19
Highlights of the bupropion record
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) · label of June 21, 2024
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term trials. These trials did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in subjects over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in subjects aged 65 and older [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Used for
From the label: indicationsBupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). The efficacy of bupropion in the treatment of a major depressive episode was established in two 4-week controlled inpatient trials and one 6-week controlled outpatient trial of adult subjects with MDD [see Clinical Studies (14)]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 30, 1985
- Generic labelers
- 69 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0785 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 35
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Acetaminophen label of November 13, 2024, Bupropion label of June 21, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do acetaminophen and bupropion differ on the record?
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: acetaminophen since 1986; bupropion since 1999 (Drugs@FDA).
| Acetaminophen | Bupropion | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Cough and cold, Pain | Depression, Quitting smoking |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Aminoketone |
| How it works (label) | n/a | The exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of bupropion is not known, but is presumed to be related to noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic mechanisms. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The mean elimination half-life (±SD) of bupropion after chronic dosing is 21 (±9) hours, and steady-state plasma concentrations of bupropion are reached within 8 days. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 7, 1968 | December 30, 1985 |
| First generic approved | December 1, 1986 | November 29, 1999 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 89 labelers | 69 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) | $0.0785 per tablet (Bupropion HCl xl 150 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 19 | 35 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 445,075 | 140,269 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to acetaminophen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions