In the past I have taken both brand name and generic Wellbutrin XL and noticed a significant difference. I've tried to switch from brand name to generic twice in the last couple of years, and both times came to the realization that the generic Wellbutrin/ Bupropion XL is nothing like brand name. But recently my insurance co-pay has gone from $50 to $150, and I'm wondering if anyone has found a generic Wellbutrin XL that feels equivalent to the brand name. Any opinions on what the best generic is?
What is the best generic Wellbutrin?
Question posted by Effect on 11 Feb 2016
Last updated on 9 October 2023
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
41 Answers
Tshell2002
10 Oct 2023
Have you tried going to the Wellbutrin website and getting their savings card? My insurance copay is $55.00 but with the savings card I only pay $5.00 a month.
Mlh1950
9 Oct 2023
I have never tried the brand name. I am using the generic 150 XL from Rising Pharmaceutical and I haven't had any problems. I was so worried I would get tinnitus or some of the other side effects the only one I've had is a little high blood pressure in the first few days. But again I don't know what the brand is like so I'm sticking with this one.
Cine T
26 April 2023
Mylan and Sandoz worked very well for me, just like the Eli Lilly original. When they stopped making it, switching to some of the others was almost like stopping abruptly without tapering off, and within a few weeks getting back into the emotionally sterile morbid dark little cage.
I've tried Bluepoint, Heritage, and Apotex, which were all ineffective for me.
I haven't tried yet Alembic, Apnar, Cadila, Invagen, or Micro Labs.
I only take the instant release, so I don't know about the slow release versions.
bluesinthenight
13 Feb 2023
For a year, I tried almost every generic bupropion on the market. The miserable side effects were different with each one, but none of them were are effective or as tolerable as the Mylan generic I had been taking which was not available. Finally, my physician got an authorization from my insurer for me to have brand name Wellbutrin. The difference between what I experienced when I started taking the brand name was like night and day. No more side effects and my depression greatly improved. What I, and many others know, is that whatever the FDA says, the various generic bupropions available today are not as effective as brand name Wellbutrin. It's a travesty that it costs so much in the U.S. when it costs so little in Canada. Unfortunately, Wellbutrin is a drug for which the generics have not been equivalent either in their effectiveness nor in the problems with side effects.
This is not just a problem discussed on this thread, but on many threads on the internet. To simply quote the FDA's party line doesn't help the many sufferers out there who cannot tolerate the generic bupropion available or for whom they simply do not work.
WildcatVet
13 Feb 2023
There are products that use the same formulation as Mylan.
sabby304
12 Feb 2023
crying spells have nothing to do with generics. it's a side effect of bupropion. if you're having crying spells that means you're not taking sugar pills.
YetAnotherGuy
13 Feb 2023
Sorry, but no. You CAN have crying spells, but that isn't an indication of whether or not the drug is working...
WildcatVet
13 Feb 2023
Depression and emotional lability are both side effects of Wellbutrin along with many other antidepressants usually after initially starting the medication..
For most people who have these side effects (about 1-10% of users) they find that they resolve within days to several weeks. If they persist your doctor should be informed.
WildcatVet
10 Oct 2023
Just for the record, how many different generics have I taken over almost five years? And they all worked exactly the same... very well.
Currently it's Rising Pharmaceuticals.
It shows that everybody has a difference response.
WildcatVet
10 Oct 2023
That means what works for 1 person may not work for the next ten people. And what works for those 10 people may not work for the first person.
The best generic is the one that works best for you...
rls3333
14 Jan 2023
I was switched to State Run Pharmacy, and also had crying spells. Unfortunately, I also had suicidal ideations. So that might not be a good choice. My pharmacy recently gave me Solco, but I'm seeing bad reviews for it, so I will try to switch it out.
TBISurvivor
27 Jan 2022
At my last fill, the pharmacy switched to generic bupropion XL 150mg, produced by Slate Run. I started having random crying spells, sometimes for very little reason. When I pick up my next refill tomorrow it'll be from Cipra, because I don't have any problem with theirs. I had never known that genetics could be so different!
Cheezits-plz510
7 Jan 2022
I’ve been on generic 300mg XL for a year and had Cipla - it worked great! My last Rx refill was from Slate Run pharma and for the last 3 weeks it’s felt like before I was ever on it. My pharmacy just gave me a 30 day supply of Activis and will try that as they haven’t stocked Cipla in awhile. They also had Lupin and Par in stock…the pharmacist said he’s gotten most complaints from Par. Fingers crossed this works!
Mford21
10 April 2021
ACTAVIS Brand is the first generic
brand I started on. It has always worked for me. One time I was changed to a different generic manufacturer, and after 2-3 weeks, I wasn't feeling right?? But didn't know why?? A little over a month later, it dawned me??? The different brand of my bupropion!!! After I had it changed back to the ACTAVIS Brand, I've not had any problems. Now I won't even try another manufacturer for fear it wont work!
cleo130
14 March 2021
I was taking Wellbutrin SR and insurance switched me to Bupropion XL SR. Now I am currently taking Bupropion XL by Lupin, which I have never heard of. I just switched from Walgreens to Smart Scripts, and I think that the XL/SR combo works much better for me. I am taking the 300mg dose.
thousandkcity
13 March 2021
I cannot definitively say which generic is "best" as it seems to be very specific to each person's brain chemistry. However, this is my experience: I was on TWI Bupropion XL 150 for a little over a year, and had no complaints. My depression was mild-moderate before medication, and seemed about 80% in remission while on meds. I just changed insurance providers, and now have been put on the Par bupropion XL. 3 days after switching, I started experiencing severe anxiety including cyclical anxiety attacks that happened routinely at the same time each day. I also began having intrusive thoughts and suicidal ideation. Once I realized the problems were happening on a set schedule daily, I immediately started tapering off the med. Sure enough, the anxiety attacks stopped.
As of today, I now no longer take Bupropion (switched to Sertraline), but only realized in hindsight that the only change to my routine that could have caused this was the switch in generics. I believe it was something about the time release of the Par tablets that was spiking my anxiety so badly. I'm still dealing with residual issues even after I tapered off, so I will be paying MUCH closer attention to generic manufacturers for all of my medications moving forward.
Scarlett124
16 Nov 2021
Just joined this Group..I was taking The Brand Name-Wellbutrin on and off for a couple of years..
Stopped altogether..when my insurance would no longer pay part of it... Went without it for many months, but realized I could cope better with it..The CVS cost monthly was over $600 for the brand.
I(incredible... As a writer..started researching all the generic versions..YES..THERE IS A DEFINITE
DIFFERENCE FROM ONE BRAND TO ANOTHER..EVEN THOUGH IT IS ABOUT 20% OF THE DRUG..
Had no problem with Brand-except for dry mouth and more sensitive skin..Switched over to
PAR Pharm..it was not good... very ineffective on 150XL- twice daily... side effects... Stop taking it..
Researching now best generic-when I find it..will be glad to share that with everyone..
My doctor and pharmacist recommended SANDOZ..different than PAR..Headaches..painful eyes..
nauseous
, stomach issues..stop taking recently..MISS THE AUTHENTIC BRAND NAME... STILL
RESEARCHING... stay well..
Scarlett124
16 Nov 2021
you are correct..have taken PAR with al lot
side effects,,still looking,,,
Scarlett124
16 Nov 2021
you are correct..have taken PAR with al lot
side effects,,still looking,,,
lindalu1
24 Jan 2021
The generic PAR brand works, period. The PAR brand generic is the only brand that I've found that works even remotely close to brand Wellbutrin. I TOTALLY and completely understand this nightmare because I've been thru it myself. After switching from brand Wellbutrin to generic due to cost, I tried probably 4 other generics that didn't work... and for months I got those head zings and whooshes and all the other really awful mental stuff that occurs when one drug that works is leaving your system and being replaced with one that DOESN'T work. When I found the PAR brand, I knew within a week that I was in the right place. Everyone is different, but I've heard from more than a few people that PAR brand solved their issues. Ask your Dr to write your script for SPECIFICALLY the PAR brand and see if it works for you too. I know how hard it is to search and search for something that WORKS when you are actively depressed...
it just seems too hard and overwhelming sometimes. PLEASE, trust me on this one and try it immediately if the other generics aren't working for you, and good luck... this mess won't last forever, just try to bite the bullet and keep trying. You're worth the effort and it just may work for you too. Gentle hugs !!
TyreseTl
27 Oct 2021
Does Par pharmaceuticals make the XL version?
Ashleyminton
12 Jan 2021
I have also had great success with the Activas manufacturer. But it is currently out of stock nationwide with no dates of availability. I have tried three other generic manufacturers and they all make my symptoms worse. It's like taking nothing whatsoever. The name brand Wellbutrin is astronomically expensive. But here is what I have found: If one has private insurance (not medicare or medicaid) the manufacturer offers coupons than reduce the copayment to only $5. I used this coupon for the first time last month. Both my pharmacist and myself were surprised but it absolutely worked. Your physician must write Dispense as written on the Rx for the name brand. The drug company picks up the reminder of the coat after your private insurance pays.
d1anna
13 Jan 2021
Thank you, unfortunately I have medicare. I am going to try Cymbalta instead for now. Glad to hear that the company is helping with the costs.
rldunn44
3 Dec 2020
I have experienced a terrible problem between two manufacturers of the generic 300 mg XL. One manufacturer (Actavis), I tolerate well and do absolutely perfect on. The other one that I have tried (Accord), makes me sick as a dog. I have stomach pains, diarrhea, dizziness, heart racing, and headache. My pharmacy was ordering the manufacturer that I tolerate for me but now that version is no longer in stock anywhere and on backorder. I tried switching to the other manufacturer again (just to see if it really did make me that sick) and now 3 days in and I am sick as a dog. After some research, this seems to be a very common problem with generic versions of Wellbutrin. I really think the FDA needs to get involved again. I made a report (doubtful it will do any good).
I have a call into my doctor to see if he can put me on the name brand or take me off the XL and see if that helps. But I absolutely can NOT tolerate the 300 ml buproprian manufactured by Accord. Waiting to hear back from my doctor and what he will suggest.
Please know that none of you are alone in your struggles with generic brands of bupropion.
Beach Jane
19 July 2020
I have taken Mylan SR for years. When they took it off market I managed to get a few 100 and have tried to taper off the drug. This is been a terrible battle. Not from depression but the side effects of withdrawal,nausea, weakness, syncope - 3 trips to ER, they can't do anything. I have tried the Wellbutrin brand by GSK and found it's like not taking the drug at all, same withdrawal symtoms, also tried two other generics. Now I am switching to Mylan 75 mg which they still make but is currently back ordered. I am going to keep trying to get off of this medication because of all the difficulty with brands and how different they are. It breaks my heart to read how we are all struggling with this medication. I'm going to try Neurofeedback next. Has anyone gotten off the medication? How long did withdrawal last?
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wellbutrin, wellbutrin xl, depression, bupropion
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