I've taken bupropion for several years. The pharmacy change the manufacturer. Now it's a pink round sg176 pill. It has a very strong smell like sulfa antibiotics. Is it bad or unsafe to take?
New manufacturer bupropion smell like sulfur is it safe?
Question posted by Jmnelson on 21 Jan 2017
Last updated on 21 August 2023 by Oldbrian
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6 Answers
Oldbrian
22 Aug 2023
I had been taking bupropion for many years before with no problem with sewer smell. Several years ago I started getting my pills from Express Scripts made by Slate Run that smelled like a sewer. I contacted Express scripts and they sent a new batch that smelled the same. I contacted them again and they said they had no other suppliers. I have been taking the sewer pills with no seeming problems except a kind thought about the manufacturers and supplier every day that I take them. Looking on the web I found many explanations for the smell and many people saying it was OK to take. I have read that some people were able to find stink free pills at various pharmacys. I have not found even one explanation as to why some manufacturers seem to be able to make stink free bupropion and some don't seem to be able to even when they are aware of the problem. I have an idea that the people that try to say that the stink is normal are either uninformed or propagating the manufacturers propaganda. It can be stink free, why isn't it?
Lissa1986
7 July 2020
Its normal. Google wellbutrin odor. Mine smells like, sorry for vulgarity, eggs or someone passing gas. Safe to use. But if you want to make certain ask a doc or pharmacist.
MaryRW
27 May 2017
I JUST received the same pills from my Postal Prescription Service. I immediately called the Pharmacist because mine too smelled very strongly of Sulphur and it's a different manufacturer than it has been. He's checking into it as he's not had anyone call about this drug/smell. Until me. I don't plan to take it. And will return it to a local pharmacist if I don't hear back soon. This new manufacturer is Dr.Reddy.
Inactive
27 May 2017
Hi Mary: Although some people want to wave this off as unimportant, it turns out that my previous comment was correct, in my case anyway. We have to be aware of the meds changes that can be taking place. You can google many articles about companies overseas and how many of them are producing substandard products. There are not enough inspectors to keep up with all the plants and how safely they regulate the manufacturing of their products. I read about a plant in another company, well-known, that was operating out of a building with holes in the roof, mold in the building, and animal feces on the floors. Just one example.
In the case of my particular generic medication, as I said before, I took them to my local pharmacist, who agreed with me that it was a questionable batch, due to the odor they were emitting. She replaced the remainder of my pills from that refill. They didn't have that odor and they worked just fine.
Sidekick55
3 Feb 2017
lol yeah my Wellbutrin always smelled bad, kind of like vinegar a little. I wouldn't worry. A lot of pills smell, most people just don't sniff em like we do.
GRAMYBEAR
23 Jan 2017
Please call your Pharmacy asap and better yet, bring the medication into the Pharmacy and show them to him or her and ask them to smell what you are smelling. This happened to a friend with a different med and it was bad. Please don't take any chances. Hugs
Inactive
2 Feb 2017
The same thing happened to me. I took the pills back to my pharmacist, had her smell them in the bottle, and she replaced them, no questions asked. I read somewhere how to handle this, and do not take pills with that odor, because it indicates that the chemical components have broken down and are no longer effective.
WildcatVet
21 Jan 2017
Hi, Jm! It likely is safe, but you should call your pharmacist and explain the problem to him/her and ask for advice. If you feel uncomfortable with it the pharmacist can refill the script with a different product.
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depression, bupropion, sulfur, pharmacy, pill
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