What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Bupropion and methylene blue
Bupropion's FDA label of June 21, 2024 names methylene blue in its contraindications section, and methylene blue's label names bupropion too. The bupropion label: “Starting APLENZIN in a patient treated with reversible MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is contraindicated.”
Check it at the source: the bupropion FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 21, 2024); the methylene blue FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 28, 2025, American Regent, Inc.).
What does the bupropion label say about methylene blue?
Bupropion label, contraindicationsStarting bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) in a patient treated with reversible MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is contraindicated [see Dosage and Administration (2.4 , 2.5 ), Warnings and Precautions (5.4) and Drug Interactions (7.6) ].
Aplenzin label (Bausch Health US, LLC, March 4, 2026), contraindicationsStarting APLENZIN in a patient treated with reversible MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is contraindicated [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 , 2.6 , 2.9 ), Warnings and Precautions (5.4), and Drug Interactions (7.6) ].
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 methylene blue label say about bupropion?
Methylene blue label, drug interactionsAvoid concomitant use of PROVAYBLUE with medicinal products that enhance serotonergic transmission including antidepressants like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), bupropion, buspirone, clomipramine, mirtazapine, linezolid, opioids, and dextromethorphan because of the potential for serious CNS reactions, including potentially fatal serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug label (PROVAYBLUE), NDA204630 (Provepharm Sas), as published by American Regent, Inc., effective May 28, 2025 (SPL set 4f6848e5-35ed-4046-b13c-3032b5ba3232), 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 | Methylene blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Quitting smoking | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0785 per tablet 150 mg tablet | n/a |
| 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