What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Bupropion and efavirenz
Bupropion's FDA label of June 21, 2024 names efavirenz in its drug interactions section, and efavirenz's label names bupropion too. The efavirenz label: “Increases in bupropion dosage should be guided by clinical response. Bupropion dose should not exceed the maximum recommended dose. Increases in sertraline dosage should be guided by clinical response.”
Check it at the source: the bupropion FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 21, 2024); the efavirenz FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 31, 2024, Cipla USA Inc.).
What does the bupropion label say about efavirenz?
Bupropion label, drug interactionsCYP2B6 inducers: Dose increase may be necessary if coadministered with CYP2B6 inducers (e.g., ritonavir, lopinavir, efavirenz, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin) based on clinical response, but should not exceed the maximum recommended dose.
Aplenzin label (Bausch Health US, LLC, March 4, 2026), drug interactionsCYP2B6 inducers: Dose increase may be necessary if coadministered with CYP2B6 inducers (e.g., ritonavir, lopinavir, efavirenz, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin) based on clinical exposure, but should not exceed the maximum dose.
Source: FDA drug label (Aplenzin, NDA022108), Bausch Health US, LLC, effective March 4, 2026 (SPL set 6494d2d9-0ce4-4126-b1c7-49684395942b), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Wellbutrin Xl, NDA021515), Bausch Health US LLC, effective February 10, 2026 (SPL set a435da9d-f6e8-4ddc-897d-8cd2bf777b21), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Bupropion Hcl Er (Xl), NDA022497), Lifestar Pharma LLC, effective February 4, 2026 (SPL set df959e1b-3f6d-42cf-8521-fe03b5a4ceb8), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (BUPROPION HYDROCHLORIDE), Epic Pharma LLC, effective June 21, 2024 (SPL set 9fb44e96-6160-4a4a-90cb-91764c0dcd89), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the efavirenz label say about bupropion?
Efavirenz label, drug interactionsConcomitant Drug Class/Drug Name: Antidepressant: Bupropion Sertraline; Effect: ↓ bupropion * ↓ sertraline *; Clinical Comment: Increases in bupropion dosage should be guided by clinical response. Bupropion dose should not exceed the maximum recommended dose. Increases in sertraline dosage should be guided by clinical response.
Source: FDA drug label (Efavirenz), Cipla USA Inc., effective March 31, 2024 (SPL set 92603fa5-7a2c-4bfb-9a70-aadb4fba952c), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Bupropion | Efavirenz | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Quitting smoking | HIV |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0785 per tablet 150 mg tablet | $1.28 per tablet 600 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once