Two medicines, side by side
Bupropion vs venlafaxine
Bupropion and venlafaxine are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of bupropion since 1985 and of venlafaxine since 1993. Pharmacies paid $0.0785 per bupropion HCl xl 150 mg tablet and $0.0799 per venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule (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 venlafaxine a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the bupropion FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 21, 2024); the venlafaxine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 15, 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 venlafaxine record
Venlafaxine (Effexor) · label of August 15, 2023
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Effexor XR is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsEffexor XR is indicated in adults for the treatment of: • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] • Panic Disorder (PD) [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] Effexor XR is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) indicated for the treatment of adults with: • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) ( 1 ) • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) ( 1 ) • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) ( 1 ) • Panic Disorder (PD) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 28, 1993
- Generic labelers
- 61 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0799 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 21
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Bupropion label of June 21, 2024, Venlafaxine label of August 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do bupropion and venlafaxine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, bupropion is an aminoketone and venlafaxine 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.”; Venlafaxine, “The mechanism of action of venlafaxine in the treatment of MDD, GAD, SAD, and PD is unclear, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous …”
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 …”; Venlafaxine, “The apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: bupropion since 1999; venlafaxine since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Bupropion | Venlafaxine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Quitting smoking | Depression, Anxiety |
| 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 mechanism of action of venlafaxine in the treatment of MDD, GAD, SAD, and PD is unclear, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, through inhibition of their … |
| 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 apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 30, 1985 | December 28, 1993 |
| First generic approved | November 29, 1999 | August 3, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 69 labelers | 61 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0785 per tablet (Bupropion HCl xl 150 mg tablet) | $0.0799 per capsule (Venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -21% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 35 | 21 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 140,269 | 131,560 |
| 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?
Venlafaxine label, drug interactionsOther Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of Effexor XR with other serotonergic drugs (including other SNRIs, SSRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, buspirone, amphetamines, tryptophan, and St. John's Wort) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to bupropion
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions