Two medicines, side by side
Bupropion vs varenicline
Bupropion and varenicline are both labeled for quitting smoking. Drugs@FDA records approvals of bupropion since 1985 and of varenicline since 2006. Pharmacies paid $0.0785 per bupropion HCl xl 150 mg tablet and $0.316 per varenicline 1 mg tablet (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 varenicline a partial cholinergic nicotinic agonist.
Check it at the source: the bupropion FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 21, 2024); the varenicline FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 23, 2026).
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 varenicline record
Varenicline (Chantix) · label of January 23, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCHANTIX is indicated for use as an aid to smoking-cessation treatment. CHANTIX is a nicotinic receptor partial agonist indicated for use as an aid to smoking-cessation treatment. ( 1 and 2.1 )
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 10, 2006
- Generic labelers
- 27 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.316 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Bupropion label of June 21, 2024, Varenicline label of January 23, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do bupropion and varenicline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, bupropion is an aminoketone and varenicline a partial cholinergic nicotinic agonist.
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.”; Varenicline, “Varenicline binds with high affinity and selectivity at α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.”
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 …”; Varenicline, “Elimination The elimination half-life of varenicline is approximately 24 hours.”
Only the bupropion label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: bupropion since 1999; varenicline since 2021 (Drugs@FDA).
| Bupropion | Varenicline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Quitting smoking | Quitting smoking |
| Pharmacologic class | Aminoketone | Cholinergic Receptor Agonist, Partial Cholinergic Nicotinic Agonist |
| 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. | Varenicline binds with high affinity and selectivity at α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. |
| 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. | Elimination The elimination half-life of varenicline is approximately 24 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 30, 1985 | May 10, 2006 |
| First generic approved | November 29, 1999 | August 11, 2021 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 69 labelers | 27 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0785 per tablet (Bupropion HCl xl 150 mg tablet) | $0.316 per tablet (Varenicline 1 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -21% | -35% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 35 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 140,269 | 79,556 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Varenicline label, drug interactionsBupropion Varenicline (1 mg twice daily) did not alter the steady-state pharmacokinetics of bupropion (150 mg twice daily) in 46 smokers.
Varenicline label, warnings and precautionsRisk Differences (RDs) (95%CI) vs. placebo were 2.7% (-0.05, 5.4) for CHANTIX, 2.2% (-0.5, 4.9) for bupropion, and 0.4% (-2.2, 3.0) for transdermal nicotine.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to bupropion
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions