bupropion vs clopidogrel

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Side-by-side comparison of bupropion and clopidogrel. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Inhibitors of CYP2B6 Ticlopidine and Clopidogrel: Concomitant treatment with these drugs can increase bupropion exposures but decrease hydroxybupropion exposure. Based on clinical response, dosage adjustment of bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) may be necessary when coadministered with CYP2B6 inhibitors (e.g., ticlopidine or clopidogrel) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].

Drug Class
bupropion Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI)
clopidogrel Antiplatelet Agent
Type
bupropion Prescription
clopidogrel Prescription
Summary
bupropion

Bupropion is a medicine used to treat depression and prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It can help improve your mood and energy levels.

clopidogrel

Clopidogrel is a drug that helps to prevent blood clots. It is used to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

What It Treats
bupropion

Bupropion is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), which can cause you to feel sad, lose interest in activities, and have trouble sleeping or eating. It is also used to prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter.

clopidogrel

Clopidogrel is used to prevent heart attack and stroke in adults. It is for people who have had a recent heart attack or stroke. It is also for people with peripheral arterial disease (poor circulation). Clopidogrel can also help people with chest pain or certain heart problems.

How It Works
bupropion

Bupropion works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain called norepinephrine and dopamine. It helps to increase the levels of these chemicals, which can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

clopidogrel

Clopidogrel keeps blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots. It blocks a substance that causes platelets to clump. This helps blood flow more freely through your body.

Common Side Effects
bupropion
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Dizziness
  • Sore throat
clopidogrel
  • Bleeding
FAERS Reports
bupropion
  • Completed Suicide 4,408
  • Toxicity To Various Agents 3,113
  • Fatigue 2,665
  • Nausea 2,309
  • Headache 2,218
clopidogrel
  • Dyspnoea 9,917
  • Myocardial Infarction 9,459
  • Fatigue 8,479
  • Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage 8,202
  • Nausea 7,881
Serious Warnings
bupropion

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults. Watch closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in mood or behavior.

clopidogrel

This drug may not work well for people with certain genes. If you have two copies of a certain gene, clopidogrel may not prevent clots as well. Your doctor may consider a different medicine for you.

Pregnancy
bupropion

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is important to consider the risks of untreated depression during pregnancy. There is a pregnancy registry to monitor outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. You can register by calling 1-844-405-6185.

clopidogrel

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Clopidogrel may increase bleeding during labor and delivery. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant or breastfeeding.

How to Read This bupropion vs clopidogrel Comparison

bupropion is classified in the Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI) drug class, while clopidogrel sits within the Antiplatelet Agent class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, bupropion has 14,713 submissions while clopidogrel has 43,938. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to clopidogrel changes how your body processes bupropion, which can lead to higher levels of the drug in your system.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for bupropion or clopidogrel.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.