What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Bupropion and ritonavir
Bupropion's FDA label of June 21, 2024 names ritonavir in its drug interactions section, and ritonavir's label names bupropion too. The ritonavir label: “Patients receiving ritonavir and bupropion concurrently should be monitored for an adequate clinical response to bupropion.”
Check it at the source: the bupropion FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 21, 2024); the ritonavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 23, 2026, AbbVie Inc.).
What does the bupropion label say about ritonavir?
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 ritonavir label say about bupropion?
Ritonavir label, drug interactionsConcomitant Drug Class/Drug Name: Antidepressant: bupropion; Effect on Concentration of Ritonavir or Concomitant Drug: ↓ bupropion ↓ active metabolite, hydroxybupropion; Clinical Comment: Patients receiving ritonavir and bupropion concurrently should be monitored for an adequate clinical response to bupropion.
Source: FDA drug label (Norvir), AbbVie Inc., effective July 23, 2026 (SPL set 2849298e-de6e-47bb-8194-56e075b33fc3), 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 | Ritonavir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Quitting smoking | HIV |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0785 per tablet 150 mg tablet | $0.607 per tablet 100 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
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