Two medicines, side by side
Bupropion vs desvenlafaxine
Bupropion and desvenlafaxine are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of bupropion since 1985 and of desvenlafaxine since 2008. Pharmacies paid $0.0785 per bupropion HCl xl 150 mg tablet and $0.396 per unit (Desvenlafaxine succnt ER 50 mg) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, bupropion is an aminoketone and desvenlafaxine a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the bupropion FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 21, 2024); the desvenlafaxine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 27, 2023).
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
Highlights of the desvenlafaxine record
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) · label of January 27, 2023
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in patients aged 65 and older [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Used for
From the label: indicationsDesvenlafaxine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) [see Clinical Studies (14) and Dosage and Administration (2.1)]. The efficacy of desvenlafaxine has been established in four short-term (8-week, placebo-controlled studies) of outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 29, 2008
- Generic labelers
- 20 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.396 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Bupropion label of June 21, 2024, Desvenlafaxine label of January 27, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do bupropion and desvenlafaxine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, bupropion is an aminoketone and desvenlafaxine a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Bupropion, “The exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of bupropion is not known, but is presumed to be related to noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic mechanisms.”; Desvenlafaxine, “The exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of desvenlafaxine is unknown, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, through …”
Half-life, in each label's words: Bupropion, “The mean elimination half-life (±SD) of bupropion after chronic dosing is 21 (±9) hours, and steady-state plasma …”; Desvenlafaxine, “The mean terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) was prolonged from 11.1 hours in the control subjects to approximately 13.5, 15.5 …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: bupropion since 1999; desvenlafaxine since 2015 (Drugs@FDA).
| Bupropion | Desvenlafaxine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Quitting smoking | Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Aminoketone | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of bupropion is not known, but is presumed to be related to noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic mechanisms. | The exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of desvenlafaxine is unknown, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, through inhibition of their reuptake. |
| Half-life (label) | 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. | The mean terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) was prolonged from 11.1 hours in the control subjects to approximately 13.5, 15.5, 17.6, and 22.8 hours in mild, moderate, severe renal impairment and ESRD subjects, respectively. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 30, 1985 | February 29, 2008 |
| First generic approved | November 29, 1999 | June 29, 2015 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 69 labelers | 20 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0785 per tablet (Bupropion HCl xl 150 mg tablet) | $0.396 per unit (Desvenlafaxine succnt ER 50 mg) |
| 12-month price change | -21% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 35 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 140,269 | 26,842 |
| 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 do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Desvenlafaxine label, warnings and precautionsSerotonin syndrome has been reported with SSRIs and SNRIs, including with desvenlafaxine extended-release tablets, both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John's Wort).
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to bupropion
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions