[Randy87]

I just received my most recent reill on my Wellbutrin XL, via mail order, to find out it has gone generic. The new generic pill is huge and nothing like the brand, specifically, the matrix coating on the outside. Curious as to exactly how this new pill was going to break down, I put one in a bowl of water and 24 hours later it was a huge glob of thick goop with white powder in the middle.

It was really disgusting to look at and to touch. When I poured it down the sink it was so thick it wouldn't even go down the drain. While generic drugs have to meet specifications and criteria that meet equivilant strength, quality, purity and potency, there can be factors that can alter administration and distribution etc. which can affect it working exactly as the brand.

I have never had a problem using generics, but I do know several people who have tried them and had to go back to the brand, even at the higher cost, to get the same good result. I am significantly concerned by this new generic for Wellbutrin, Bupropion HCL XL, even though it is made by IMPAX, the leading generic pharmacutical company, because it is obviously using a differen method for the extended release then the Wellbutrin's hydrophilic matrix system that is the most commonly used extended release system. This generic does not have a polymer matrix that the brand does.

At this point, I am not willing to take a chance that this will work exactly as well and just the thought of that awful glob of gook running through my body, makes me queezy. I am willing to pay the extra 5.00 a month to keep using the brand, at least until I can learn more about the deliver system of this generic which is clearly different from the brand.

Has anyone else had their Wellbutrin XL filled with the generic yet? I am stuck with an 80.00, 90 day supply of the generic because I was not informed it went generic when I called in the refill, but I am calling my doctor today to have the Brand Wellbutrin XL called. I will be interested in hearing how other do on the generic.

[Cats Meow]

It's going to break down completely in your stomach, you can't compare water with stomach juice.
Why not try it out, maybe it'll work better?
I've had Wellbutrin XL both name brand and generic, I didn't notice a difference. However I do agree there can be differences between name brand and generic to generic for some medications.

^..^ ~~ ,
=´`= ___ )~~

[raspberry60]

quote:Originally posted by Randy87

I just received my most recent reill on my Wellbutrin XL, via mail order, to find out it has gone generic. The new generic pill is huge and nothing like the brand, specifically, the matrix coating on the outside. Curious as to exactly how this new pill was going to break down, I put one in a bowl of water and 24 hours later it was a huge glob of thick goop with white powder in the middle.

It was really disgusting to look at and to touch. When I poured it down the sink it was so thick it wouldn't even go down the drain. While generic drugs have to meet specifications and criteria that meet equivilant strength, quality, purity and potency, there can be factors that can alter administration and distribution etc. which can affect it working exactly as the brand.

I have never had a problem using generics, but I do know several people who have tried them and had to go back to the brand, even at the higher cost, to get the same good result. I am significantly concerned by this new generic for Wellbutrin, Bupropion HCL XL, even though it is made by IMPAX, the leading generic pharmacutical company, because it is obviously using a differen method for the extended release then the Wellbutrin's hydrophilic matrix system that is the most commonly used extended release system. This generic does not have a polymer matrix that the brand does.

At this point, I am not willing to take a chance that this will work exactly as well and just the thought of that awful glob of gook running through my body, makes me queezy. I am willing to pay the extra 5.00 a month to keep using the brand, at least until I can learn more about the deliver system of this generic which is clearly different from the brand.

Has anyone else had their Wellbutrin XL filled with the generic yet? I am stuck with an 80.00, 90 day supply of the generic because I was not informed it went generic when I called in the refill, but I am calling my doctor today to have the Brand Wellbutrin XL called. I will be interested in hearing how other do on the generic.

Randy, like you, my most recent refill of Wellbutrin XL is generic. (I did not expect to receive the generic after always receiving the name brand for the past 2 years.) I was also surprised by the appearance of the much-bigger pill from the name brand. I was feeling a bit skeptical due to the big difference in appearance between the name brand and generic versions.

I have been taking the generic for a week now and have not, so far, noticed any difference in how I feel. (I also have the chronic dry mouth with the generic that I had with the name brand as well.)

I quess I will stick with the generic for now instead of asking my Dr. to write "name brand medically necessary."

[craz_chick]

I have just recently been prescribed wellbutrin xl and have not yet taken it. How do you know if it is generic or not? When I read then info given to me from the drug store I was kinda blown away by what it was for. I am taking it to replace clexa. Also my meds are paid for by pharmanet and for some reason these are not covered I am not sure the reason why.

[raspberry60]

quote:Originally posted by craz_chick

I have just recently been prescribed wellbutrin xl and have not yet taken it. How do you know if it is generic or not? When I read then info given to me from the drug store I was kinda blown away by what it was for. I am taking it to replace clexa. Also my meds are paid for by pharmanet and for some reason these are not covered I am not sure the reason why.

Name brand Wellbutrin XL is a white round pill. "Wellbutrin" is written on the pill in black print. The generic equivalent is a pale yellow oval pill, relatively large.

[craz_chick]

quote:Originally posted by raspberry60

Name brand Wellbutrin XL is a white round pill. "Wellbutrin" is written on the pill in black print. The generic equivalent is a pale yellow oval pill, relatively large.

cool thanx I have the name brand then.

[lrandolp]

I received no warning or even a heads up that a generic Wellbutrin XL 300 mg was even available. So naturally, the last time I received my 90 day supply (prescription through the mail) it was the generic. The first thing I noticed about the generic version was the funky smell from the bottle and then how much bigger the pills are. I've take generic drugs before so I really didn't think much about the swap to generic until I realized that these pills are much harder to swallow. After a couple of weeks I also noticed that some of the symptoms that I was experieincing before I started on Wellbutrin were returning. I was listless...didn't want to do anything or go anywhere...started sleeping way more, and gained about 5 pounds in 2 weeks.

Anyway...long story short, the only thing that had changed was my prescription of Wellbutrin to a generic version, so I talked to my doctor and he wrote my new prescription for name brand only. I can't wait for that 90 prescription to run out and my new one to get here.

I have searched the internet but have not been able to find much on any differences that actual users are noticing between the generic and non generic.

I am pretty sure my insurance company is not going to be happy about me not wanting the generic version....but I don't think they want to deal with me when I am not on my meds.

[DianaPB]

Well I am a bit relieved to read your email. I signed on to look for information about the generic Wellbutrin. In January my name brand Wellbutrin was filled with generic. I realized about 6 weeks after taking it that I was not doing well. I just went to my doctor three weeks ago and he feels sure I am having problems with the Generic. I have had this problem before with generic BuSpar. It it certainly not worth switching to generic and having a set back like I am having. I called the doctor yesterday hoping to hear when he thinks the brand name will kick back in for me and he said it will take longer than 3 weeks for the Wellbutrin to work. I wish I would have never even tried the generic. My generic pill is huge and yellow. Let me hear what else you might know about others having problems. It is good to know that I am not the only one having problems.

[Janet Ruth]

My husband has been chnaged tothe generic and has found no difference. Our drug company asks that we use the generic to cut costs. This being aside, his mood remains stable and he suffers no side effects, Persevere! Talk more openly with your therapist. If you are also engaged in cognitive therapy as well as medication, you could be looking at a trust issue. Sincerely, Jan

[Janet Ruth]

Celexa is one of the newer SSRI's and is so gently put together than a lot of seniors may find themselves on this med. if they find themselves depressed. Once again the drug companies are asking that we acquiess to their request to take the generic. Some people respond to either the trade or generic, while others do not. If you do not you will be asked to pay the uncovered amount at the pharmacy. You may be able to retrieve some back on your income tax. Hope this helps. Watch your health and note any cardinal symptoms that indicate the return of the depression. Jan

[calexico]

I switched over to generic about a month ago, and since then my anxiety has been crazy high and my weight is dropping. I have constant headaches and periodic nausea (although in fairness some of that may be allergy-related).

I'm glad I read this thread. I'd been searching all over for "transition from brand name to generic" and got nothing except "it's the same". My friends have had similar problems with thyroid generics, and that's what got me thinking about my situation. Too bad it took me so long to come up with this theory - but I can't be certain the generic is really the cause until I go back to brand and see what happens.

I'll try to change back and if it works, I'll let you know. Can everyone do the same?

[henry4]

Originally Posted by Randy87

I just received my most recent reill on my Wellbutrin XL, via mail order, to find out it has gone generic. The new generic pill is huge and nothing like the brand, specifically, the matrix coating on the outside. Curious as to exactly how this new pill was going to break down, I put one in a bowl of water and 24 hours later it was a huge glob of thick goop with white powder in the middle.

It was really disgusting to look at and to touch. When I poured it down the sink it was so thick it wouldn't even go down the drain. While generic drugs have to meet specifications and criteria that meet equivilant strength, quality, purity and potency, there can be factors that can alter administration and distribution etc. which can affect it working exactly as the brand.

I have never had a problem using generics, but I do know several people who have tried them and had to go back to the brand, even at the higher cost, to get the same good result. I am significantly concerned by this new generic for Wellbutrin, Bupropion HCL XL, even though it is made by IMPAX, the leading generic pharmacutical company, because it is obviously using a differen method for the extended release then the Wellbutrin's hydrophilic matrix system that is the most commonly used extended release system. This generic does not have a polymer matrix that the brand does.

At this point, I am not willing to take a chance that this will work exactly as well and just the thought of that awful glob of gook running through my body, makes me queezy. I am willing to pay the extra 5.00 a month to keep using the brand, at least until I can learn more about the deliver system of this generic which is clearly different from the brand.

Has anyone else had their Wellbutrin XL filled with the generic yet? I am stuck with an 80.00, 90 day supply of the generic because I was not informed it went generic when I called in the refill, but I am calling my doctor today to have the Brand Wellbutrin XL called. I will be interested in hearing how other do on the generic.

I have also been taking wellbutrin for over a year with good results. Unfortunatelly when I refilled my prescription I was given this new generic. My old symptoms are reappearing and I might as well be taking nothing. I was wondering if maybe it is a placebo. I do not want to go through this process all over again. It took me approximately 3-4 weeks to get relilef from depression symptoms. Does anyone have any suggesstions. Thanks,

[sdennisf]

Last January our prescription drug plan switched my wife from Wellbutrin to a generic. Within days she showed noticeable symptoms of her former depression. Luckily she had some of the Wellbutrin left and switched back to the branded medication and her symptoms disappeared. Our physician wrote a new prescription with "do not substitute" (higher cost but worth every penny!) There was a story this morning on NPR about problems with generic Wellbutrin but I did not catch the source. Our physician tells me that this is a common problem with many generics but this is the first time that it has affected anyone in my family. Be interested in hearing from anyone with similar problems.

[kzb2007]

I was given generic Wellbutrin a few months ago. I have no objection to generics, but I had intense headaches for about a week. My doctor switched me back to Wellbutrin.

[stricco]

Randy,

I went to see my pdoc a couple of months ago and we decided to up my Wellbutrin from 150mgs to 300mgs...but my doctor prescribed me 150mgs twice a day because the 150mgs do not come in generic yet. He said he wanted to do this because he didn't like the way the generic 300 looked either. So, I can't say I've had a personal experience with it but I've never had a doc purposefully prescribe a brand when a generic was available.

[currnet]

Сool, thanks.

[poodlegal]

Hello All,

I have been reading the thread and realized that a great many people use online pharmacies, however, I am still very skeptical. I have been given a prescription for Wellbutrin XL which I filled at my local pharmacy for a whopping $55 for a thirty day supply.

I would like to try ordering my next refill online, so I would love any recommendations that fellow posters have on a good, reputable online pharmacy. I am concerned that the meds that I order will be sugar pills or in some other way not the correct prescription. Please post the online prescription pharmacy websites that you have found to be trustworthy (and relatively low-priced) so that I can order my next refill online. Any other helpful hints on online prescription drug ordering that you have would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot, all!!!

[marketwizard]

I used to take Wellbutrin 150xl in combination with Zoloft for those really low troughs of bipolarity. But would have to come off the Wellbutrin because after a while it works too well, taking me off onto a manic ride to the moon.

After being off of Wellbutrin for about 18 months, I asked my doc for a script. He gave me 7 days of the 150mg to start and 30 days of the 300mg. As I remembered it would, the 150mg started kicking in around day 6 and day 7 I was on my knees praying to God in gratitude for feeling a little better.

I went to Pharmacy to pick up the 300mg script and to my dismay, they were horse pills, unlike the real stuff.

After 3 days of what should have been twice the dose of the 150mg, I felt absolutely HORRIBLE. I gave the damn things two weeks and here I am today writing this email.

Teva needs a big massive double barrel class action suit shoved up their ignorant and deceiving a$$es.

I can't wait to see the headline now.

"FDA confirms Teva's generic Wellbutrin contains aspirin"

If life has value to you, under no circumstances should you settle for the insignificantly miniscule savings off the generic ******************** from Teva.

[vectorizer]

Teenage daughter on Zoloft and Wellbutrin XL for severe depression, including suicide threats and attempts. After a long struggle, she was making decent progress, at least eliminating the suicide threats. A couple weeks after our provider switched from brand to generic Wellbutrin XL, she was going backwards, including an actual suicide attempt. My wife read an article about Wellbutrin generics and insisted on brand from psych. -- we got samples initially and then a real fill. A few weeks after switching back to brand, she was back to where she was, and today (knock on wood) we even get a couple smiles most days.

I know there are a thousand reasons for treatment regression, so the scientist in me (actually I'm an engineer) says this doesn't prove anything. But the Dad in me will certainly never go back to generic, even if I have to pay full retail.

[windsong353]

Appreciate seeing comments about the LARGE yellow generic Bupropion XL 300 mg...made by TEVA. I don't like them either. Good news: ANCHEN [in Irvine CA I believe] makes a generic that is a small round pill with A102 on it...WATSON also makes one. Looks almost like the original Wellbutrin brand pills. I notice no difference in effectiveness.

Express Scripps [mail order] currently uses ANCHEN [at least at the present time.] Check also with Prescription Solutions [mail order]. Suggest you speak to your local pharmacist or call your mail-order provider; they will be happy to tell you who they are using.

Bottom line: you can have you doc write the order specifying Buproprion XL "by ANCHEN or WATSON" or whoever "only as written" and get the small version. Good luck.