FDA To Review Generic Wellbutrin… Again
68 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // September 23rd, 2008 // 6:52 am
Five months after declaring a generic version of the Wellbutrin XL antidepressant is safe, the FDA will now conduct a human trial to investigate consumer complaints, The Wall Street Journal reports. Last April, the agency released a report of the once-daily generic drug, which is made by Impax Labs and distributed by Teva Pharmaceutical, that found the med is a “safe and effective choice for consumers.”
The FDA reviewed 85 post-marketing reports in which 78 patients who switched from Glaxo’s Wellbutrin XL 300 mg dose to Teva’s Budeprion XL 300 mg complained the pill simply wasn’t working, while others complained about various side effects, such as headaches and anxiety. These FDA noted the cases occurred at a time when sales data suggest that hundreds of thousands of patients using Wellbutrin XL were switched to Teva’s newly available generic (back story).
The FDA report was prompted by hundreds of postings on the People’s Pharmacy web site, which contained complaints of side effects from patients who switched meds. And an independent study by ConsumerLab.com found the once-daily Budeprion XL released 34 percent of its active ingredient after two hours, compared to 8 percent for the original drug.
“The FDA agrees it is important to study further the cause of these reports,” an FDA spokeswoman tells the paper.
Joe Graedon, a pharmacologist and co-founder of the People’s Pharmacy, wasn’t satisfied with the FDA review and tells the paper complaints about the generic are still being logged on his Web site. He argues the agency probe was unsatisfactory because it was based on data from the 150-milligram version of the drug, not the 300-milligram dose that is at the center of the complaints.
This past summer, Graedon and others were granted a meeting with senior officials from the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, and he tells the paper there was a “consensus” by the end of the meeting that the two sides could collaborate on a study that would involve patients who reported problems with the generic after taking the branded version. But he can’t begin a recruitment effort until he is given the details of the study design, and is still waiting to hear from the FDA.
The FDA spokeswoman says the agency still supports conclusions released in April. While it believes that critics “are attributing the wrong cause for the problem,” the agency also believes the complaints are “sincere” and is therefore prepared to do more work on the matter. “The FDA agrees it is important to study further if there is some specific reason…for the product to be not effective in these patients,” she tells the paper.
Officials from Teva weren’t available to comment to the paper.
Kath8562
(FYI- I work as a pharmacy tech)
Of course, there’s a small little problem right at the moment–brand Wellbutrin XL 300 is on backorder from the manufacturer- even if we want to give it to a patient, we can’t–because we can’t get it from any warehouse!
AGACE
This is very scary. I thought I was loosing my mind when the past month I have been so overwhelmed with the simple things in life that I can’t function well. I have headaches, tension, anxity, and a fog that just won’t go away. I can’t sleep well which then makes me sleppy all day! My ins. company won’t cover the Wellbuturn XL so now I have to go back to my doc. and switch. What a mess! The FDA needs to do a better job of studing these things for the people since the we pay them form our tax money! Thank God I found this website as well as the People’s Pharmacy website!
JamesMD
This generic is junk! It dumps the drug into the system and causes heavy sedation. The problem is in the XL delivery device with in the generic pill. instead of a gradual release you get a sudden release. This could increase the number of seizure from the medication…. this was markedly improved with the introduction of the extended release (XL) form of the drug.
Lisa1169
I’ve been on Wellbutrin for over 10 years and tried different forms. I can assure anyone that the generic does not work and I’ve tried different generic companies. I will admit that some of the generic seemed to work a very little bit, but nothing like the brand. So I pay the price to avoid paying the price. Best to all!
Sneezy
I just got mine filled this evening and it was $100.19 for 30 pills with insurance! $253.99 without insurance. My insurance will give it if the Dr writes brand nessessary on the script. The generic doesn’t work, I too have been on it for about 10 years. I thought I was nuts until I started reading other people were having the same problem.
Michele
I have been on Wellburtin for less than a year. I started with the brand and then the pharmacy filled my prescription with generic (ok by law in NJ). It took only a short time for me to feel a difference. I felt very anxious all the time. That feeling was absent when on the brand. So immediately I had my doctor note “no subsitution” and returned back on brand. I honestly feel the generic does not work as well.
Leoni
Wow. I have been on Wellbutrin for the past three years and, for the last several months, I’ve been overwhelmed with severe anxiety, sadness, loss of interest in activities like working out (which I could ALWAYS muster the motivation to do) and — most recently — serious thoughts of suicide. For the last several months I’ve been taking the generic of Wellbutrin. To think that could be the cause of this horrible relapse into darkness. FOR SHAME. I shudder to think how many people like me are suffering right now.
Louise
I’ve been on a rapid decline mentally. It helps to see the comments here. I am very depressed, and have been recently diagnosed with sensory neuropathy. The combination of the diagnosis with the lack of help from the generic have made people not want to be around me. Thank you everyone who has written thus far!
Margaret
I have been on generic for three months. I too have noticed a difference, maybe not as serious as the most of you. Mine has just had breakthrough depression, like I was on a sugar pill.
John
My insurance company jacked up the brand co-pay by $130 in order for force my switch to the generic 300mg. I noticed the change very quickly and notified my doctor. He switched me back to brand, but I’m having to cough up the higher copay every month. I’m still wrestling with my insurance carrier over this.
Anna
My pharmacist said it was all in my head when I told him about my experience with Budeprion XL; I had been using Wellbutrin for almost two years when the insurance company suggested I switch to save money on the co-pay. Within one month, I was feeling the black cloud of depression…and it was awful. I went back to Wellbutrin and all was well within another month.
I am so glad to hear the other stories about Budeprion and the fact that the generic is being reviewed. It wasn’t all in my head!
Janet
I have been sick for the last few days and the only thing I could come up with that was different was that I started taking the generic for Wellbutrin. Was from Tevan. I have flu like symptons being headache, body aches, exhaustion and a very noticeable mood change by people around me. I am so grumpy and have horrible anxiety. Kept thinking I may be coming down with something but now I believe it to be the switch to generic.
Zee
This is horrible, I can’t stop crying long enough to care for myself much less my children. Life feels unmanageable again, so as I approach the ‘why bother’ stage I found this info on the generics. Shame on the drug companies for selling this garbage! What about the people who don’t find this and do something stupid to themselves or others?? I was on wellbutrin xl for the last 6 years and everything was stablized and normal, no feeling of uselessness, dread or like I am just taking up space. now I only hope I can get the name brand in my system, before my feelings completely consume me.
Zee
I forgot to ad, I have only been taking the Teva generic for 20 days. so it has only taking 20 days for everything to completely fall apart.
Elisa
I went directly to my pharmacist before I filled my prescription and told them flat out that I’m not taking any generic form of Wellbutrin XL. They said there was “no available generic” for XL 150, but I will continue to be a paranoid nag about generics of this drug wherever I go. I just started taking it a few days ago.
Karen
Elisa,
I have the generic brand for Wellbutrin XL 150. So, your pharmacist is ill informed or just flat out dishonest! It is distributed by Teva and IT DOES NOT WORK! You have every reason to be paranoid about this particular generic brand!
Anne
After looking at this whole thing, I have this to say.
No one is nuts about what is working and what is not. I have actually read things that try to imply that it’s “in your head” type of response. If you are taking a generic that does not seem to be working as well as the Real McCoy, then stop right away and tell your doctor.
If you doctor doesn’t respond well enough to help you, then insist if you have to. You know your body, you self more then they do and it’s your right. Tell who you can, so we can all protect each other, since it doesn’t seem evident that those who are supposed to be helpful can actually do their job.
Safa
I reached the 4 week mark 5 days ago on general Wellbutrin. Is it supposed to be working to it’s full extent by now? Or does it START getting into your system after 4 weeks? I guess I just don’t completely understand… chocolate seemed to be a better placebo than this crap! It really stinks because aside from a few mind numbing head aches I have seen absolutely no effects from this. I am taking 150 mgs. Could it be the generic, or could it be that I need a higher dosage? Or could it be that I need a couple of months to see a change? Or could it be that I put too much faith in this being a miracle pill?
Mary
I had taken Wellbutrin XL 150 for about 4 years when I was switched to the generic. After about two weeks on Budeprion , I found myself at Wal-Mart in a frenzy. I was stuffing bags of chocolate candy into my cart . Whenever another shopper walked close to me or stood near me, I became agitated and angry. I wanted to hit them or worse. Somehow I got myself outside into my car and started hysterically crying. I called my pharmacist and went straight there . He gave me some of the real Wellbutrin and told me to throw the generic away. I shudder to think what would have happened if I had continued taking it.
Danielle
After having been on Wellbutrin XL for about 4 years, I too, was switched to the generic and within a couple of weeks all of my depression symptoms returned. I called my doctor, who, incidently, told me I was not the first person to complain about the Teva generic not working. I am back on the brand Wellbutrin XL and doing great again. I know this is not my imagination because all of my other drugs are generic and they work fine. Something is very wrong with this Teva generic and someone needs to seriously look into it before someone gets seriously harmed.
MP
I haven’t been able to read all the above comments becausse I am sitting here beginning to cry (again). I had to switch to the generic due to insurance reasons. After 6 months on the generic, I thought I was going crazy or hitting menapause much earlier than I wanted. I find myself snappng at those around me and then crying about it with guilt minutes later. I went online today to see if there was a higher dosage that i could ask the Dr. for. I never thought I’d find information like this!! and yet I feel such relief to know I’m not losing it. But the fact that myself and so many others are suffering from the generic brand consistently, this should be pulled off the shelves immediately before someone really snaps and hurts themselves or someone near and dear to them!!!!
Amanda
I, too, had no clue why my medication was not working anymore. I thought nothing about it being the generic version that wasn’t working, I just figured that generics were the same thing, as most people on here did. When I googled “Wellbutrin XL stopped working” I found a HUGE number of websites with complaints from patients about the generic Budeprion and everything made sense to me. I suffered through post-partum depression for over a year and was afraid to stop taking the medication because I thought I would get worse. I remembered how much of a God-send it was to me when I first started on it (when it was the brand name drug that I was taking)but once I finally stopped, I suprisingly felt 100% better. I am sooooo angry that I lost basically a year of my life taking that crap….a year that shouldve been the happiest of my life with the birth of my daughter. I am incredibly disappointed that the FDA doesn’t pull this generic with all of the complaints. It’s quite obvious that it is a defective medication and could cause someone their life.
vicky
I have only been taking Budeprion XL 300 mg for 3 days, and have never felt worse in my life. Crying for no reason for all 3 days, head in a cloud, can’t sleep any longer than 15-20 min intervals, my brain feels disconnected from my head. I was transfering from Efexor to Budeprion to help me stop smoking. As soon as I got into work today, I called my dr. and she told me to get off the medication. and not take it anymore. Just start taking the efexor again.
I will NEVER take this again
Salmon
Vicky,
It might not be that it isn’t working. It could be that it is working and you react badly to it.
JJ
Hi everyone I switched from my Wellbutrin 300 to the generic on fri Dec.19 I’m on day 3. I’ve used the Brand name for over 7months. Because my new insurance will not give a fair coverage for the name brand I had to switch. Today on Sunday 12/21, I’ve been crying all day,angry,and my suicidal thoughts are back in full swing. I’m scared because of the downward spiral. I called the pharmacist at Walgreens and she had me come in and she gave me one brand name tablet,to get me through til tuesday.She called my insurance co.,and they told her that they will not switch me back to my Brand name unless my doctor sends them a letter stating that I can’t do generic. Until this time I wait……………and wait…….. the FDA has tears on their hands.
JS
I took Wellbutrin 300 XL for awhile. When generics came out, I was switched to them. I had no problems with the generics, until I was given the Teva brand. Very soon after taking the Teva brand pills, my hands would shake and my vision would become distorted. My migraines started to get worse. About two months in (since I naively thought that I just had to get accustomed to this new form), I realized that my hair was falling out. I talked to my doc and my pharmacy. My doc said not to take the Teva brand, and my pharmacy started stocking another brand. All was well: I started to get tiny bangs across my hairline and lots of tiny hairs along my part within a few weeks. I take this medication to mitigate the symptoms of ADHD, so my heart goes out to the people who suffered such incredible emotional/mental effects. I thought mine were bad enough. Unfortunately, while I have been able to dodge Teva for the past year or so, I need to move my prescription to a pharmacy that, I was just told, only carries Teva - Costco. I don’t understand why it isn’t off of the market so that people don’t have to work so hard to avoid it. Maybe, I’m naive again. I hope that the FDA actually does something this time, instead of issue a statement that “depressed people are just sometimes suicidal.”
Jalen
I am very glad that I have discovered I was not alone. When I was switched from the branded product to the generic version within days I began having sever s/e. I have experienced crying spells, anxiety attacks, dark mood swings, severe depressive episodes. Also loss of ability to focus, concentrate and memory lapses. It has gone beyond suicidal thoughts, I have had four near misses in the last 9 weeks. I had to stop talking the medication altogether for fear that I would not be here. Now I guess I am to the point that I am afraid to take anything. I have seen a decrease in the most severe side effects and depressive episodes.
Gale
I never quesioned this being my problem until 2 days ago when I was trying to pinpoint when my moods changed so drastically. I was trying to relate it to anything I could find, but couldn’t find the precipitating factor. I went to take my Wellbutrin XL and it suddenly hit me. My brand name 150 mg dose was changed to generic about 4 months ago and things have continued to spiral downhill since then. I am irritable, quick to snap, and cry a lot. These are symptoms I have not experienced in a long time. I decided to research the comparison of the generic and brand online and was directed to several different sights. I think I have found the answer. Thanks
Becky
My husband has taken Wellbutrin for about four years. Originally it was given to him to help him quit smoking but he noticed that it also helped keep him calmer and from being depressed. He continued to take it after he quit smoking and it helped. However, when he was switched to the generic he complained that it did not feel the same and the anxiety came back. I agree that the FDA really needs to take a look at allowing the generic for Wellbutrin to be distributed.
Compounding Pharmacist
Compound Pharmacy has gained much popularity in the field of medicine. The medications are equally effective and safe for sick patients who cannot take the actual medications due to their personal allergies.
Kim
Ditto! I completely agree. I was on Wellbutrin XL 150 for two years and it worked well. My insurance company recently made the switch to the generic version. I (as well as my family)could tell within a couple of days that it didn’t work nearly as well. Then I thought it was all in my head because I’ve never liked generic brands of anything, especially with a drug like this. I mentioned it to my doctor who recommended I go back to the name brand. I instantly noticed an improvement. Unfortunately, the name brand now costs more than twice as much as it used to. Most days when I was on the generic I didn’t feel like I had taken anything at all. I noticed that especially in the evenings. This isn’t right and we need to get this changed. I’m going to start with my insurance company.
Mitch
I was taking generic Wellbutrin for almost 4 weeks as a means to ween off of Effexor. (Read the horror stories about that!) The first week was very managable, probably because of the small doses of Effexor I was still taking, but when the Effexor was gone, I hit rock bottom. I assumed it was the lack of Effexor causing my mania, but after reading about Bupropion i stopped taking my dose and after one day I feel improved. Now I’m quite sure my issues stem mostly from the Bupropion with the Effexor withdrawls just there to make my month even more difficult.
I won’t lie, this last month has shaken me to the core. There were many moments that i wasn’t sure I’d make it. I’m a 33 yr old male that should be a pillar of strength, not the emotional wreck I am now. I have 2 days until I see my psych, but I now know I’ll make it.
Thank you all for your entries, they have helped more than words can say.
shelley
I am in the same situation as so many of you. I have been so down and depressed, fighting these feelings for about a year now. It is funny that I just kept telling myself that it’s just me. This is terrible and very unfortunate that now I wont be able to pay for the authentic drug due to the price…if it is even available. I was finally doing great and then this generic had to change everything.
SUZ
WOW! I had no idea truly that this would be an issue. I am all for trying Generic..BUT NOT when it concernes mental health. It’s like going to the Beautician to talk about your “issues”. This is CHEMICAL and NEEDS to be addressed immediately. I can tell you that I have noticed a HUGE difference. As a matter of fact; things have been much better physically and emotionally in my life, but this GENERIC has been a complete failure. I am so tired, no desire to “function” or laugh, can’t focus at all. Do not go outside. NO, I am not a crazy person… I thought I was the only one here. Nice to know I am not alone in this.
chereese a.
You guys are really scaring me. I have the generic as well. I only took it for two days and I felt really funny.I had really bad headaches and worse then before. I stopped taking the meds because of the way it made me feel in just a few days. The pills I have are purple medium sized pills. I will talk to my doctor and ask him 2 please put me on the real brand.This site has helped me a lot.
Barbara
I’ve been having various side effects from Bupropian: sneezing, coughing, anxiety, tired to the bone, aches and pains. the ewal wellbuterin does not do that, nor I think does the other generic that is dark purple in color?
Kelly
Wow, Same story here. Insurance switched me to generic over a year ago after being on Wellbutrin for 6 years. I was happy about the $ savings at first. Little by little the generic version wasn’t working as well for me. It was subtle at first and I didn’t put 2 and 2 together. Since my depression had somehwat returned the DR. upped the generic from 300mg to 450. Talk about irritable! I had a co-worker tell me that I haven’t been myself for sometime and wondered if anything was wrong. I went to my DR. for a blood pressure check and mentioned that the Wellbutrin generic didn’t seem to be working and he said that it was a known documented fact that the generic did not perform as well as the Wellbutrin. I asked to be put back on it and had to come up with $150.00 but within a week I was my OLD happy self. So, why are insurance companies more interested in saving $ when the generic doesn’t work the same then in the best interest of their patients? Shame on them!
Olyvia
My doctor recently prescribed me Wellbutrin, but of course the pharmacy gave me the generic Budeprion SR (Teva). I swear i have been getting sick from it almost everyday. I have been throwing up and have no appetite. I called my doctor and she said that i should keep using it to see if it isn’t just anxiety. I have never taken the brand name but after reading these posts, i know i have been getting sick from this medication. We need to all inform the FDA of the dangers of this drug.
Alex
I have taking wellbutrin Sr 150mg generic from Glaxo Smith Kline for over two years. It has been really helpful for me, no complaint about it.
Abby
I don’t have insurance, so of course when my doctor switched me to the generic, I took it. I also take Topamax and that’s extemely expensive. We simply cannot afford to pay for me to go back to the brand version of Wellbutrin, but now that I’m reading all these comments, everything has fallen into place: why I’ve become so depressed I can’t get out of bed, etc.
Thank you so much. Thank you for not truly testing this generic and making it impossible for people like me to be able to stay mentally healthy. I feel like the floor just dropped out from under me b/c I know now that we’ve been spending $137/mo on something that’s not even WORKING and we can’t afford to double that.
LEH
Here is the difference between the Wellbutrin from Glaxo-Smith-Kline and the generic by Teva. The GSK formulation is absorbed into the body at a little over 8% over 12 hours. Teva’s formula is absorbed at 43% in the first hour. This is a dangerous over-dose. It also leaves the body quickly, causing rebound symptoms from withdrawal. This medication has caused hypomania in many people, myself included. Why the FDA thinks this rapid absorption is a good idea completely mystifies me.
I was taken off of Teva’s formula and put on the GSK version in January of this year. I have had rapid improvement since then and feel better than I have in years.
Jennifer
I urge everyone here to report their bad experiences w/ Wellbutrin generics (esp. for 300mg XL) to the FDA. Do a Google search for “FDA Medwatch Reporting Form” and either submit your info online or download the form & mail it in with medical documents to support your statements. Yes, it’s an involved process & the form is a bit confusing - but this can encourage the FDA to investigate the safety of these generics & take our complaints seriously. I’ve had bad experiences w/ the Teva & Anchen generics, and the Watson generic actually put me in the hospital. This is happening to too many people to merely be “all in our heads”…
Steve
I started with a 150 XL today and have thrown up twice. I was on wellbutrin for 2 years back in the 90’s. This is not what it was like to be on it. I am glad I have only taken one. I do not need to taper off. I am NOT taking this crap tomorrow. I am getting it changed out immediately. To everyone above…I agree.
whenitgoes
I was put on Wellbutrin for my risk of PPD (Post Partum Depression, since I have a history of depression). It started out with giving me insomnia (not good for being home with a new baby), then I got these horrible pounding headaches, and my appetite is virtually gone. After a couple weeks those side effects subsided (except loss of apetite). It felt like it was working, and I felt great, I had more energy, was in a good mood, felt HAPPY. But then… in the 4th week or so, I started to feel ANGRY. I felt pissed off at everyone for seemly no reason, or little things that aren’t even important. My suicidal thoughts took a 10 fold, more than I’ve ever had in my life. Sometimes I scare myself with how much I consider it and think about it. I feel like punching people or throwing things sometimes, and this is very uncharacteristic of me. I am usually a calm, logical person. To me, I now feel illogical, and my friends have been asking me what is my problem lately. I told my psych, and she put me on a mood stablizer and kept me on Wellbutrin for now. So we’ll see what happens… I am so disappointed with this.
Lou
Thank you for this website. I thought I was either post menapause nuts, a brat or exceptionally lazy. I was first put on name brand in 2003 with great success. Sometime around 2005/06 I switched to the generic and didn’t really think much of it except noticed weight gain. I told my doctor that there was something different, but not a significant issue. Because I was on 300 XL, the pharmacy changed (due to insurance) to generic 150 SR twice a day. Looking back, there were a few instances that made me question but nothing huge until this past month. I asked my doctor to let me wean off since I felt like the meds weren’t working and I suffered from constipation. He weaned me to one tablet/day of the generic. I’m in serious trouble now. Serious because I can’t seem to turn anything around. The lack of enthusiasm, drive, concentration and libido is horrible. I’m forcing myself to do everything — except eat. The nibbling is driving me nuts in the afternoon. This website helped me know exactly what to do — ask the doctor for the “real stuff” and pay the additional amount GLADLY!!! I will take steps to tell everyone I know that generic Wellbutrin is NOT THE SAME THING!!! Again, thank you for a forum to help me not feel so strange or whiney. I’ve been praying for God to give me a light and an answer for the way I’ve been feeling . . . I’m hopeful my prayer has been answered.
Sindy
Generic Wellbutrin does NOT work! I took it for 6 months and experienced horrible rage, irritability, aggression, night sweats, wieght gain, terrible headaches, and more. I began searching the internet for answers when I had a raging episode that scared me and my family. I wondered what I had become and what was happening to me. I was turning into someone frightening that I didn’t recognize. I found many sites that said hundreds of thousands of people were experiencing the same symptoms on this generic drug but had better results on the brand name Wellbutrin. I immediatly called my doctor and was switched to the brand name Wellbutrin that day. Within a month I was back to normal. NO rage, NO hostility, NO aggressive behavior, NO depression, NO anxiety, NO headaches, NO night sweats and my weight began returning to normal. The generic version of this drug is SCARY and that is a complete understatement. Someone is going to get hurt or hurt someone else taking that. There is NO way that drug should still be prescribed when there is SO many people saying the same things and experiencing the same reaction to it. What a mess! I hope the FDA and insurance companies get their act together before something really bad happens and then they get sued for ignoring these real complaints.
Luis
I’ve been trying to find out if I’ve been scammed by my pharmacy. My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin 300 XL about 2 years ago. Sometime last year my pharmacy switched me to BuPROPion Hydrochloride XL - the pill has WPI 3332 written on it. They said it was the same as Wellbutrin, and they assured me it was not a generic. So I continue to pay the formulary brand cost. But, the effectiveness of this version doesn’t seem to be as good as the previous. Does anyone know if this “other” version is considered a brand name?
Laura
Within a few months on Wellbutrin XL, I lost about 15 pounds and looked and felt the best in years. After two years, my insurance switched me to the generic version. That is when I began my downward spiral into deeper depression, irritabilty, fatigue, hopelessness, and WEIGHT GAIN!!! Within 14 months, I had gained about 15 pounds. At that point I just assumed that Wellbutrin just wasn’t working for me any longer and weaned off of them. I continued to be depressed and overweight for about two months. After reading up on the generic’s side effects, it became blaringly obvious that the problem wasn’t with Wellbutrin XL, but with the inferior generics!! ( I was given two different ones).
Anyways I called my doctor last April and requested “Brand Name Only”, and I am very grateful that my insurance allows me to get it with a higher copay. Now I am slowly losing weight again, I have lots of energy, I have a more positive outlook, my relationship is A LOT better, and I no longer suffer from bouts of deep depression. Although I’m feeling better, I can’t help but feel angry at the FDA for allowing these inferior generics. Some insurance carriers will absolutely not let people get the brand name when there is a generic available. I think that is cruel and unsafe and the FDA needs to raise their standards!! I feel like I have wasted a year of my life!!! I was irritable, overweight, had very little sex drive, depressed, sad, became a recluse, and I just didn’t want to do anything fun because I felt and looked terrible. All the while BLAMING myself for all of it!!!! Way to go generic!!! Thanks for absolutely NOTHING AND WORSE!!!!!
The generic version is a sham, and I can say that with absolute certainty because I’ve experienced both. The FDA should pull all that garbage off the shelves ASAP until an EXACT Wellbutrin version is created!!!!!
When people report they are gaining weight and feel depressed on Wellbutrin, my first question is “Are you taking the generic?”. I am outraged by all of this!!
MR
Been on the generic purple SR version, made by Sandoz, for years. 150mg x 2 / day. No problems at all. I just switched to the Teva generic and all I can say is garbage. I take this for ADD and very mild depression, wouldn’t take it for depression alone, and I have experienced not being able to sleep, focus, being dizzy, not being able to think right, anxious, moody, just not myself. I didn’t take it one day just to see how I would feel and I was a zombie! After a couple weeks it just gets worse. I can feel that the drug is being released way to quick. I knew something was wrong the first day I took it. I just decided to do a search… glad I found this.
Gina Pera
MR - I’ve been hearing that about all sorts of Teva generics, including Adderall. So, if you think something is amiss, it certainly could be.
Yet, Consumer Reports is advising that generics are just fine for ADHD. And moreover, don’t take those free samples of brand names offered by your physician — you could get “hooked,” they say.
I recently wrote a blog post about why this report is ill-advised (and I hope it won’t be taken into consideration in any healthcare reform plans!): http://tinyurl.com/nmulcl
Yet, CR carries a lot of weight. They issued that report (actually, re-released it recently with a new lede), and now thanks to PRNewsWire, it’s been picked up everywhere. Some sites like nothing better than free “stories” - even if they are bogus and completely lacking balance.
Gina Pera, author
Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?
Pamela Hood
I take Wellbutrin ( & have for 8 years) for seasonal depression and it works great. I was given the generic (round yellow/orange tab) 2 weeks ago and I had a panic/anxiety attrack while grocery shopping (never had one before in my life) and was very dizzy and light-headed and would forget things too easily. I was basically bed ridden for a couple days after starting it. I suspected it was the generic Wellbutrin as it was the only thing that had changed for me. Then I got on here and saw I am by far not the only one. Scary. Now the hassle of getting a new prescription so insurance will cover the non-generic version..
Carol Walker
Now I know why I am always feeling like I am fighting the depression… it seems like I am always just at the very edge… Drug companies are only in it for the money. They really do not care about people. Read Kevin Trudeu’s book for lots more interesting facts!!
AC
I had taken Wellbutril XL 150 mg for about four years and it was a big help both for depression and ADD.
I was switched to the generic and within five days I was crying for no reason all the time. I felt anxious but could not pinpoint anything to really be afraid of.
It was very scary to regress to a level of sadness, fear, and hopelessness that I hadn’t felt for a few years. And it happened in just a few days! The next week when I went back to counseling I found out that 3 other patients had “crashed” within a week after being switched to generic.
“Equivalent” chemically and “equivalent” inside people’s bodies are not the same thing. It seems to be that it dumps into the bloodstream too quickly, then is gone for the rest of the day.
Mona McCombs
I have been on Wellbrutin XL 300 mg. for 7 years and I did wonderful on it. I was being treated for anxiety, depression, and ADHD. I was switched a couple of years ago and I noticed that I was not doing very good. All the systoms that I had were back. I had been having trouble concentrating, lack of interest, lack of concentration, not caring about my appearance as well as weight gain.
Recently I was switched again to another generic brand and I notice I was worse. I finally realized it was the Wellbrutin and I called the doctor and had them prescribe Wellbrutin XL brand. I hope that I will see an improvement it has only been about a week.
Matt
As if you don’t believe everyone by this point, please, please be sure to begin your cycle with the brand name and if you’re curious, try the generic, but be ready to get back on Welbutrin immediately. The difference is very notable. I hope they figure this thing out soon, its mucho expensivo when you don’t have insurance……
Sarah
Oh man, I’m not alone! I was prescribed Wellbutrin XL (150mg for the first week, 300mg after) for depression & low libido. At Rite-Aid they gave me the TEVA generic (Budeprion). The first 5 days were great! I felt happier and calmer than I have in a quite awhile. Alas, I reached day 6. The night before I was to start taking 300mg, I snapped at my boyfriend, then felt guilty about it and cried uncontrollably for 2 hours. Poor boy, he was so unprepared for that! I didn’t really think too much of it…until it started happening EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. The 300mg just seem to make my irritability worse. One little insignificant thing/remark/look can set me off into a rage…then guilt…then non-stop crying. It’s a vicious cycle. I’ve also been mildly nauseous ever since I went up to 300mg. I’m calling my doc & the pharmacy tomorrow - hopefully the name brand will work out! The plan was to FEEL BETTER, not to feel even WORSE than before. :(
Ann
Hi,
Recovering from anal cancer here.
Have suffered off and on from anxiety and depression for years; until cancer and retirement :) 2 yrs ago, was ok on clonazapan.
My psychiatrist felt an antidepressant was in order to get me out of my apt…..
Although he wrote Wellbutrin on script, I was given the evil generic!!!
Took one tablet, and was afraid I’d need medical attention for the dramatic side effects…too soon to say if depression was lifting, but the bomb of a headache, and overall weird feeling keep me inside two days.
I’m no stranger to side effects, having tried antidepressants since I was 40 (now 74). Don’t think I’ve ever felt as awful as I did after taking only one 150 mg tab.
My opinion: FDA needs to definitely take another look or do a real study of this drug, before it kills someone.
My son
My 14 year old was given the TEVA generic (Budeprion xl 150mg to help with ADHA by the pharmacy. I didnt realize he was given the generic until I got home to studied up on what was given. I am scared for him to take these meds. After reading all this I am worst then I started. I called the pharmacy and found out that they automaticlly fill for generic without asking you. SO if you leave and pay for it and see that it was a generic becareful because you cant return it to get your money back for the orinial meds that were written out for you in the first place. I dont even know If I even what him to take the meds in the first place… Can someone respond
Olga
Glad to hear, I’m not alone. My husband thinks I’m crazy, and God bless him for putting up with me. By all accounts I look normal, but I am tired of feeling this way.I am sad, lonely and depressed and very angry as well, which is crazy!! I snap at everyone. I may end up divorced or 6 ft. under.
Griffin
I was also taking the generic for Wellbutrin XL. The insurance company switch me. I think it is crap that an insurance company can pretend to know what is best for you because of money. If they really think they save money by doing this they are crazy. This medicine causes so many bad side effects that people are spending more time in the doctors office and some in the hospital. I pay almost $70.00 a month for the name brand. I do not think that this is fair to me or any of us. I do not like feeling out of control. That is why I got on Wellbutrin in the first place. Then to be given a generic that makes you go back or make you worst for that matter. I should pay the same copay for name brand if I can’t take the generic. No insurance company should have control over meds. My dr. even wrote “Medically can not take generic.” Like they care!
DB
Amazing. I took Wellbutrin to quit smoking in 2001 and it worked wonderful. My mom died in 2002 (of lung cancer) and I took it off and on since. I also lost 115 pds. 6 months ago, high stress in my job put me back on Wellbutrin, but was given the generic due to switch in insurance. I have gained 20 pds even though my calorie intake is less than 1200 a day and I am 5′9″ tall AND I work out 4 times a week. I have had panic attacks, migraines, irritability and depression. Nausea and gastric problems also. I didn’t make the connection until today when I decided to look up “side effects of generic wellbutrin” and Wow! what a eye opener. Called my doctor immediately. Told her I would not take another generic pill and to please prescribe the name brand. We will see what changes occur.
pat
Everyone who has had an adverse reaction to TEVA”s pathetic imitation of Wellbutrin XL please go to the FDA sight and download Medforms and send it to the FDA. Our insurance companies are forcing us to buy the original product at a great expense to us, the consumer.
The sad truth is that as soon as several people commit suicide because their depression worsened then and only then will the FDA takes this horrible product off the market.
Kayla Guendulain
sdd
Kayla Guendulain
I to had problems with the generic wellbutrin sr. HAS ANYONE ORDERED FROM CANADA? IF SO HOW DID THAT BRAND AFFECT YOU.
JaT
I had not read this thread before now. It is eerily familiar. At least up until the part where FDA decided it deserved further consideration. What has happened with this- anything?
Subzero
@My Son
Call your pharmacy. I was given the generic for Wellbutrin 300 XL, and noticed it was releasing WAY too fast. I called my pharmacy, and they were very accommodating. They let me bring it back, exchanged the pills for the brand name, and I just paid the difference!
I am worried what I will do when I graduate and have no insurance, but for now the $30/mo is well worth it compared to the $15 for the generic!
Jan
I take the Wellbutrin XL 150mg. When I tried the generic last year, I immediated felt the difference. It just didn’t work. The depression was worse. I swithed back. My symptoms improved. It’s as simple as that. Now, as of 1/1/2010, due to an insurance plan change, I am being forced to use the generic or pay 3x ($300) what I paid in 2009 for a 90day supply. Not sure what I’m going to do.
Judy Stines
For the second time in my life I have attempted to use the generic version of Wellbutin. My symptoms not only returned, but I also experienced terrible side effects that were debilitating! I honestly wanted it to work because my insurance company covers only a tiny part of the cost of the name drug! The “generics” are not even close to the name brand in results! The FDA needs to remove them immediately!