I take Wellbutrin XL 300 mg. When I was switched from Brand name Wellbutrin to Par, Anchen, & Actavis generics I became more depressed, and had adverse reactions like unexplainable weight gain, Rashes, allergies, contact dermatitis to products that I had never been allergic to before ( I had never even had contact dermatitis to any thing for that matter before being switched to Wellbutrin XL Generics) I'm sick of not feeling well, and receiving different generic brands every time I pick my medication up. I want to be able obtain the name brand Wellbutrin XL 300 mg even if I do have to pay $50.00 for it. It would be well worth it If it works The same as it used to for me When my insurance did pay for it. I have been taking Wellbutrin XL for 8 years now, and there is NO DOUBT that the generics are horrible And do not work for me. Thank you all in advance for taking your time to respond. :-)
Thoes taking name brand Wellbutrin from Direct Success; How's it working? Are you Feeling better?
Question posted by RichMich on 24 Jan 2015
Last updated on 16 September 2020
30 Answers Page 2
This is an extremely late post, but I read this and could not NOT respond. Your concern with Par Wellbutrin is common. To my knowledge, there are two big manufacturers of generic wellbutrin, Par and Global.
I have experience working with wellbutrin both as a patient and as a health care professional. I am a pharmacist and I take Wellbutrin for Seasonal Affective Disorder. It has been my experience, both as a patient and as a clinician, that wellbutrin manufactured by Par does not work for many, many people. It appears that the drug component in the pills of wellbutrin made by Par does not get absorbed adequately by the body in some people. Even though pills of the same drug made by different manufacturers have the same drug (called the active ingredient) in them, the excipients (inactive ingredients like fillers, binders, emulsifiers, etc.) can be completely different. The excipients influence the way a drug works in the body as well.
They can affect the drug’s dissolution, absorption, distribution, and even excretion.
I would recommend either finding a pharmacy that orders in bupropion from the manufacturer Global or finding a pharmacy that would be willing to special order Global. This can be difficult, as Global tends to charge more per capsule than does Par. Or, you could ask your doctor to write you a script for the brand name drug and have them write DAW on your script, meaning, dispensed as written. Depending upon your insurance, it will likely require a prior authorization, and may or not pay any towards the cost of the drug.
I understand your frustrations and concerns. I hope that this information helps.
(For the record, I do not have ties with any manufacturers and am not receiving any endorsements of any kind.)
Although Par seems to work for me and I do not have the symptoms I did when I took the Cipla version, it makes me wonder if I would do even better on Global or brand name Wellbutrin. It has been so long since I have been on the brand name. I occasionally still have physical symptoms and some emotional anxiety but nothing like the few weeks I was on Cipla where it just kept getting worse and I was so on edge. Also think if I was not taking anything, I would be borderline for SAD. Thanks for the info DrKatePharmD. I will seriously consider trying Global or brand name just to see if there is a considerable difference. Think Cipla was the worst of the worst.
This is for everyone who needs the brand Wellbutrin XL and cannot take generics for whatever reason. I was in the Direct Success Wellbutrin XL Guarantee Program and only found out yesterday that it had been stopped. I was paying $150 for 90 day supply, I have high deductible insurance and a 90 day supply through my insurance would be $4000. So for me $150 was a great bargain for medication I have to have. Generics worked poorly for me due to the generics time release mechanism releasing the medication too fast into my system. Brand time release works perfect for me. Anyways I called Valeant, the manufacturer, directly today to ask if they have a replacement program. They do and its not on their website. You have to call! Call 1-877-431-3578, which is their Consumer Affairs.
(Any problems calling that number, you can call 1-866-268-7325, which is for their Patience Assistance Programs and they can transfer your call to the right place.)They will mail you a coupon that you take to a pharmacy and the costs for medication will be $100 for 30 day supply. This is double the cost of the old program I was paying but still better then alternative for me. Anyways the coupon is good for 12 refills and is their 2017 program and at this time they said they do not know what 2018 program will be. Oh, and there is no income requirement. They only ask if you have commerical insurance but they do not ask for specifics.
Really good info for those who have to have the brand. I know many will appreciate this info.
I received a prescription of 90 pills of generic Wellbutrin from express scripts. After taking half I started sweating a lot, I had thoughts of driving and smashing into a tree. I couldn't handle the extreme stress that was going on like I used to. I even had a serious I guess--- panic attack where I couldn't breathe. I was thinking of going to emergency room. I started reading all the withdrawal symptoms from Wellbutrin and I had all of them! Went to my doctor and told him and he changed it to xl 150 twice a day so I could gradually wean off of it till I found psych to prescribe something else.
Surprise the medicine worked. All my symptoms from Activate generic withdrawals went away. Normal now. So glad to have found this message board and I am not the only one. Going to write letter to them. This is dangerous--- could have driven into a tree!
I printed their "coupon" off of the WellbutrinXL website, I agree with Sammy it says $100 copay for 30 day supply . First you have to have your regular insurance reject a do not substitute prescription for your doctor. I am on both the 300mgXL and 150mgXL daily I don't know how they did it , but my Publix pharmacy called the number on the coupon and I received 90 day supply of both strengths for $15 +$15 for a copay of $30.00. I was amazed to say the least. Yes their is no income requirement.
Yes, the Cipla generic was the worst generic I have ever had. The issue with all of these generics is how fast they release the drug. Two different companies generics were recalled at the end of last year
My husband was on it a year and it worked GREAT. But Just want to mention. The program with Direct Success is no longer. We found out 3 days prior to the end of the year and my husband only had 12 days left of medicine. Stinks and really put us in a bind. But we were fortunate to be on this program for a year when our insurance carrier wouldn't allow him to take brand name wellbutrin xl. WPS stinks. They would but with a cost of $3,648 a month. We pay the total bill. Apparently there is another program but you need to have a household income under $36,000 for 2 people. My husband has taken 2 of the 3 generics and has been in the ER for them not working correctly. More depressed. They say not to order from Canada but how can you not when the cost of the one drug is more than we make in a month. My husband gave us a pharmacy in Canada that several of his patients get the Wellbutrin xl from and none of them had bad side effects.
littheshump, would you mind sharing the canadian pharmacy details for WB.i used to buy from direct success and unfortunately they stopped it 2 months back
What happened to my comment?
I am copying and pasting the following two comments from previous posters, as I think it is food for thought about Brand Name Wellbutrin. Here it is:
1) ~~~~"CH chandraclaws 9 Oct 2016
Brand name Wellbutrin used to be made by GlaxoSmithKline. Now it is made by Valeant, and whatever questionable manufacturer in the world that they happen to be using. They sent me a new shipment because the previous ones didn't work and looked a little funky, but they are no better. My depression is horrible, extreme mood swings, can't remember anything, have a headache all the time, and have begun to have panic attacks. This is not the Wellbutrin that used to come from GSK. It is not the same drug, and I seriously believe it will never exist again. I've been on this drug for over 20 years.
It's the only one that works for me and I'm not sure how to survive the long term (year or more) withdrawal and the projection that the depression will be much worse than it was before I began taking it."~~~
2) ~~~"KA katiebooks 17 days ago
Wellbutrin xl was manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and it is now manufactured by Valeant and I'm finding it totally ineffective. None of the generic bupropions have worked in the past. Is anyone else having trouble with the brand name and have you found any solutions?~~~~"
3) My comment:
~~~~So, some people are experiencing a lack of efficacy from even some of the BRAND NAME WELLBUTRIN antidepressants. Something to be aware of. Why do I bring this up? Because years ago, ( back when it was still being manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline ), before my insurance changed, I was using brand name, and as far back as 2009, it just wasn't as effective as it was all the years previously that I had been taking it. I can't explain it. I just know that it wasn't being effective for relieving my anxiety/depression. And now that brand names are being manufactured in foreign countries, who knows what we are getting??? ~~ **shrugging my shoulders** ~~
I have copied and pasted below, a comment exchanged between me and another poster here earlier: ( I was addressing Mouthmaid, but was 'corrected' by Westwindspiritworld ).
"~~~~GM G mc 8 Nov 2016
Mouth maid: Has Direct Success raised the price of the Wellbutrin from $50/month to $100/month?"
"WE Westwindspiritworld 5 days ago:
No they did not.~~~~".
@ Westwindspiritworld: That is good news and bad news. The good news is that I was wrong in stating that the Direct Success Program had raised their monthly price of name brand Wellbutrin, and you were right.
The bad news is: that they didn't raise the price, but they discontinued the program, and no longer offer Wellbutrin at any reduced price. Bummer...
Strange. I got a letter a few days ago from Valeant Patient "Assistance" Program for Wellbutrin, where I have been getting Wellbutrin from for several years, saying I no longer qualified.
The letter also said that their Patient "Care" Program for Wellbutrin may be "a viable alternative if you have difficulty with the cost of your medication through your insurance plan." They gave a phone number specifically for Wellbutrin (888) 479-6337. I don't know what program this is that they are offering, but it might be worth a call.
My shrink said Direct Success is no more and I am ordering, through him, from a Canadian Pharmacy It is onlinecanadapharmacies.com. 125.00 for 90 and it is brand Wellbutrin XL. I hope your Docs will help you by ordering though them. I set up an account and he faxed my script. I had them in a week and a half..
It is good to know that some programs are still offering some sort of discounts on name brand wellbutrin. I was quite discouraged when I was told that the cash price of name brand wellbutrin ( for me where I live, that is ) has gone up to $1300/month compared to generic wellbutrin at $13/month. The pharmaceutical companies are trying to get rich off of people who unfortunately need these medications to function normally. It is so far from fair!!! So many people do not get the same satisfactory results from generic and HAVE to take name brand. Please keep posting information like this for people who need to take brand name, so they can get it at an affordable price. Thank you.
Check my last post about the Canadian pharmacy brand name Wellbutrin XL 300mgs. So worth it.. 125.00 for 90 pills.
Mouth maid: Yes, I was agreeing with you on your last comment. It is very well worth it! Thank you.
Sorry about that. I can't find half of my posts in this thread. Must take awhile to post...
tried the link for the online canada pharmacy and it was a domain for sale, can you check the spelling?
I'm writing to let you guys know that Direct Success called me on Wednesday evening and left a voicemail. It basically said that they are stopping the 0$ copay for name-brand Wellbutrin XL *and* the 30 pills a month for 50$ name-brand plan. *Both* of them. As of November 1st.
I've taken brand-name Wellbutrin XL for the last year, and it was the only thing that pulled me out of my second major clinical depression.
As you can well imagine, the news hit me like a brick to the head. The voicemail said to call a 1-800 number to find out the new co-pay schedule. After I finally got over the panic, I called that number - it turned out to be a general answering center for some insurance companies. They were nice but unable to help me since I get my insurance (not one they cover) from my workplace. They suggested I contact my insurance directly but my insurance only covers generic WB XL.
I don't know what to do. My psychiatrist said the best thing to do would be to try the generic - didn't say *which* generic - and see if that works. (This, despite the fact that I did try the generic last year and it did nothing for me.) I don't mind confessing that I'm quite frankly terrified. I nearly didn't make it through my last depression - now the only drug that *finally* broke it has been priced out of my reach. I've got a month of the brand-name left and I am already making as many plans as possible to accomplish what I enjoy or need to do, before I end up in the dark nothingness again.
These "programs" are frustrating for this very reason, BkLady. I got started on Pristiq on a "half price" program years ago. Unfortunately, they stopped the program at the end of the year (several years ago) and I no longer received it at the half price. But it was all for the good, because I started having a bad side effect from that med, anyway. I have taken several of the generics of wellbutrin. Many of us here in these forums have. Unfortunately, it's a hit and miss process, since we all have a different chemical makeup and are all affected in different ways from the generics. I tried maybe 6 different generics till I found the one most effective for me. I am sorry to not have better news for you. But, you could luck up and have good results from your very first generic! It happens. I wish the best for you. It would be good to ask your psychiatrist to prescribe an anti anxiety med for you to take during the start up process with your generic wellbutrin.
It really helps to have that med as an add on as your body adjusts to your new bupropion. I will keep you in my thoughts and I wish you well. Please try to have a positive attitude and it will help your medications to work more successfully for you. ( At least that has been my experience in the past ). Good luck and keep posting.
I have been on Wellbutrin and then different forms of the generic bupropion xl 300 for 10 years. I really haven't paid a lot of attention since I was not experiencing symptoms and it has been a while since they changed to a different manufacturer. However, the type of pill was changed at my last refill 11 days ago. I usually go online when the color and shape of the pill change to ensure I am getting the right medication (bupropion). I have been feeling awful since early this week with anxiety, fatigue and very emotional. The manufacturer was changed from Par-Achen to Cipla. I have not had anything else change or any triggers occurring in my life. Cipla is an Indian manufacturing company that received approval to sell here in the US in August and is one of the cheaper suppliers from what I understand. When I made the connection today, I contacted a local pharmacy that had Achen in stock. Publix only dispenses Cipla now.
I will be able to get back on the Achen generic tomorrow and am hopeful that I will be back to normal in a week or two. I definitely think the change in generic could be the cause of my symptoms. Will check in in a couple of weeks as to status of my symptoms.
As a physician I have used this program for my patients for years. As a patient I have used this program for myself for years. I have taken Wellbutrin XL for over 15 years, nothing else worked. My husband and I switched insurance plans on January 1, 2017 and Humana apparently does not have Wellbutrin on their formulary (I understand the panic!), which equates to $1800/month, even with a savings card. I have tried every generic, none work. I have called the number on the Wellbutrin site, multiple pharmacies and Direct Success. No one can help. So, my only option looks to be a Canadian site. I have read there are 2 name brand Wellbutrins that are sent out. Can someone let me know if they have used a Canadian pharmacy and which name brand to ask for.
Definitely! After I went through the side effects even though I had been taking the generic for years, my mind was clearer. The fog was gone, I am more alert and had a slight improvement in energy! I definitely feel the difference! I hope you do also!
Mouth maid: Has Direct Success raised the price of the Wellbutrin from $50/month to $100/month?
No they did not.
Yes, they did raise my copay to $100. However, I have no insurance so maybe that is why my copay is $100. I had just gotten a new Rx, filled it once in October at $50, then went to refill with Direct Success in early November. They told me it was now a $100 copay. Again, maybe that is with no insurance and it is still $50 depending on what your insurance reimburses.
I started on bupropion xl 300 (brand zydus) on sept 14th this year for depression . It helped gradually over the month and by one month in I was feeling alot better. I went to pick up my refill and didnt notice until I got home that they gave me a different brand. It was bupropion xl 300 (brand actavis) While taking this new brand I seemed to gradually be getting my depression feelings back. I then found direct success and my doctor sent in a prescription for the brand name wellbutrin xl 300. I took it only 3 days but it was almost like I was not taking anything. I had all my symptoms back! Should I continue on the brand name because everyone says its the best or go back to the one that worked. I am so confused as to why the brand name wellbutrin works so well for everyone but me .
Forgot to mention... The wellbutrin I got from direct success says this on the bottle. Manufactured for: Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America NJ. Made in Canada
I would try going back to the first generic that worked for you before it was switched. Mine was switched 11 days ago and I started having symptoms early this week. Have been symptom-free on the generic I was on prior to the switch.
Hi, Rich! You can simply ask your druggist to special order the generic you prefer. They order the product that is least expensive each time they order in order to keep your cost down. Your cost may be slightly higher than the last time you purchased it, but will still be the generic rather than brand price.
And yes, generics are equally effective although the inert ingredients (lactose, cellulose, soy, lecithin, etc). may differ. One of the generics will work for you as the fillers are innocuous ingredients.
That's true. I found in my personal experience with the above-mentioned generics, that the time-release mechanism is different from name brand, and different from each other in the various generics. Some of them dump a whole lot of the active ingredient in your system at various times of the day, not keeping a steady blood level up in your system. That also can cause the high anxiety episodes at various times in the day, and the fatigue that would come at various times as well. Many of the generics do not have a sufficient time-release mechanism to make a particular generic as effective as it should be.
Absorbtion is measured within one hour of dosing with only a 3.5% variabilty.allowed.
Just wanted to add my .2 here. I've been on Brand Wellbutrin on and off for years. Am currently facing the horrific 'insurance won't cover it anymore' situation. I intend to try Mylan because I've read a few good reviews on it's efficacy. I don't have a lot of faith but time will tell. Anyway my .2 is that not every drug store will order the generic you are looking for. My local (not big chain) drugstore says whatever we get from the manufacturer, we get so it may change. Now, that being said, there is another small local drug store that DOES seem to say yes ok, we'll order the generic you like or want or need. So I stick with them. Sometimes they're small places that can use the business. Not sure how the process works on their end or why the first small drug store says it's impossible to request a certain generic. Whether or not it's true, they won't do it, so I take my business elsewhere.
If Mylan works for me and I'm seriously hoping it does, I don't want a wrench thrown in the works down the line by having a diff generic thrust upon me.
HI Fdanogood!
I take generic wellbutrin by Mylan. It's Bupropion SR 150mg. to be taken once or twice a day. I checked with the pharmacies in my area. The one in my neighborhood orders Mylan for me and makes sure I get it every time I have a refill. The last time I went to pick it up, someone had mistakenly filled it with Sandoz generics. Before I paid for it, I checked to make sure it was Mylan, which it was not. I talked to the pharmacist, and she corrected it right away, and filled my prescription with Mylan , no problem. They can make a note on your account so that you can keep getting Mylan every time.
I am one of the "guinea pigs" who tried several different generics, including Teva, Global, Anchen, Watson, Sun, Sandoz, Par, and finally Mylan.
For me, it is the one that has the most benefits with the least amount of side effects. I took brand name for several years, and in my opinion, Mylan is just as effective as brand was for me. I hope you will have good success with it as well. Good luck!!! "G"
They can put mylan on the label and still fill it with another generic especially if they know that's all they have. They do not generally have 2 different generic manufacturers of a medicine on their shelf at once. Has happened with my dad's meds quite often.
tpclady: That just doesn't ring true with me. Always check your meds when you pick them up to see if they are the same - size, color, markings, etc. A reputable pharmacy would not put other generics in the bottle and then mark it "mylan", for example. The generic bupropion by Mylan pharmaceuticals is light green in color, round, with the markings of an "M" over "U12". That is a true Mylan generic for Wellbutrin. It is good to be an informed patient and make sure you are getting the correct medications.
You can also go to the pill checker on this site and compare the medications you have to the descriptions and photos shown there of each medication to make sure your prescription has been filled correctly.
Hi RichMich:
I had similar reactions to the generics that you mentioned above. Let me add that I also tried Watson and Sandoz generics. I can't take Wellbutrin XL - too many side effects for me. It made my stomach hurt, made me very irritable, high anxiety, headaches.
I take Bupropion SR by Mylan pharmaceuticals. Most benefits and least side effects.
My insurance won't cover brand name, and the cash price is over $1,100.00 a month. Another poster here said Mylan Pharmaceuticals version of Bupropion SR was not available anywhere that they had checked. I get mine filled at CVS Pharmacy, and when they don't have it, they order it for me. Walgreen's Pharmacy has also ordered the Mylan generic for me. Try those 2 pharmacies for it. G
RichMich, I see that you were the person who asked about the availability of Mylan SR. So maybe this will help you to find it, in my above comment.. G
Hello., I take 200 mgs two times a day. It works out for me. I no longer cry all the time
I have been taking Mylan Labs generic 200 SR successfully for many years. I've recently found out that they have discontinued making any form of generic Wellbutrin. I was switched to SOLCO by my drugstore and have had a terrible reaction to it. It feels as though I have an epinephrine faucet turned on full blast inside me and my blood pressure is through the roof. The only thing that helps is taking tranquilizers. They bring down the adrenal rush as well as my blood pressure - but not enough. I'm trying to survive taking as few tranquilizers as possible. Express Scripts says they can get Mylan, but that may only be temporary (if at all), because I phone Mylan and they told me that they are no longer making bupropion. I've read that Sandoz is the next best, but Express Scripts tells me they can only get it in 100 SR. My next choice is Watson, I guess, but I don't know how long I can live like this. I've heard other complaints about SOLCO.
I have been on Wellbutrin for over a decade. Many insurance companies and pharmacies tout the benefits of generics. I've tried the Teva version, the Watson version, and the Anchen version. What they often don't tell you is some of the generics are actually budeprion and not bupropion. They also don't tell you the 300mg XR Teva version was pulled after two bioequivalacy investigations. I have to order direct since the generic medications are not covered by my insurance (read 350 a month for the name brand that works!) I've been on this medication for over a decade! I know what works.
Sakusan:
My understanding is that the Direct Success program is in question, for some reason, and is not taking new patients at this time. Are you still getting your wellbutrin xl from them at the $50/month price? "G"
I just signed up with DS last Friday. Quick and easy. Very thankful! I think the generics are horrible also. I am hoping the Brand name will get me back on track!
Mouth maid:
I am so glad to hear that Direct Success is still available! Good to know.
I couldn't use the Wellbutrin XL, which is the version that they carry. I have to use generic Wellbutrin SR (Bupropion SR) made by Mylan Pharmaceuticals. It is not available through Direct Success, only the Wellbutrin XL is.
Sakusan: I tried those same generic ones that you took, and I didn't like them either. I had various side effects with them. I have used this brand of bupropion sr successfully for several years also.
By law and FDA regulations this is totally untrue.
WildcatVet:
I didn't understand your comment. Could you expound on it please?
Was my comment incorrect?
@G, I was responding to the main comment not yours. "-)
Oops, my bad! (red-faced)..
Hi All!
I used direct success for years and then went off Wellbutrin for a few years. I just started back up last month at $50 a month (I have no insurance). I just called to refill and was told that it went up to $100!! (for no insurance, that is). She said that program ended 10/31/2016. Would have been nice to know that it would double in price!!
HI Brooklyn: Thanks for the current information. I made a comment on this post that I heard that the Direct Success program of $50 was in question. I am sorry that it has gone up to $100/mo. But, considering that the cash price I was quoted for wellbutrin is now $1300/mo,,, I think that is a real bargain through Direct Success!
Direct Success pharmacy isn't doing $50 or $100 for Wellbutrin anymore. It's the full price $1600!!
I took Wellbutrin for years before the generic became available. Once I was forced by insurance to switch to the generic I experienced the same thing. The generic never worked like the brand. I tried Mylan, Watson, Teva and Actavis. Activists worked better than the others but never like the brand. I finally discovered Direct success and was happily paying $50 a month for the brand. I found out in December 2016 they had stopped the program. I called back in January and they had a new program where I had to pay only $5 a month. But that program has ended now. My local pharmacy quoted me $1500 for 1 month. It is crazy!
I am doing everything I can to get welbutrin xl at a reasonable price. No luck brand costs over $1500.
I began on one generic of bupropion about eight months ago, and it worked fantastic for me. However, about a month and a half ago the prescription switched their generic to another, and I have increasingly been having issues with it since. More depression, and weight gain as well (it is due to my appetite, but it was fairly non-existent for the period before, and I know it's tied in with the depression). I am unsure of who the makers of the generics were, other than the fact that they switched. I am currently going through the process of appealing this to my insurance company so that I can try the brand name for the first time to see if it works better, however.
That being said, I don't doubt that you're reacting poorly to the generic. I'm sorry, and hope that you're able to find something that works for you. Good luck.
Hi, I agree with you completely, the generics are horrible. The inactive ingredients vary and you can't be sure what you're getting each time. Getting brand name through Direct Success was surprisingly easy and $50 a month is worth it to know I'm getting the real deal. I almost had to fight my primary care doctor to get her to understand I was only going to take the brand name, though. (Just print out the form from the WXL website and have your doctor fill out and fax to them. They call the next day to get your billing info, and I got it in no time with their UPS shipping.)
I was on the brand name 300mg XL for about a year and then the generic was released, and after the generics screwed me over (stopped working, made me feel like I was crazy for thinking my medication just suddenly stopped working--not realizing that it literally HAD stopped working, and also made my hair start to fall out), I was afraid to stay on it and I couldn't afford the brand name at that time. I had been managing mostly without meds for quite a while, (tried Prozac/Lexapro, but no thanks, due to their side effects!), but recently decided I needed to get back on Wellbutrin XL. I had been on 300mg before, but my lame new doctor insisted on 150, so I'm going to see how that goes until I can just go to a psychiatrist who understands meds and will listen to me about what I know works for me and skip my clueless doc.
Honestly, today is the first day I've taken the 150 XL's from Direct Success, so I do apologize for being another person who can't *quite* answer your question, but I can tell you that it hit me within hours, I could feel my head clear. I know everyone says it takes weeks, but the initial "welcome sign" in my brain goes off quick. (NOT a placebo effect, I'm sure of it). Based on that, I have no doubt that the stuff from Direct Success is the real deal. Yes, Glaxo is the original maker of the drug, and the manufacturer listed on the D.S. label says Valeant Pharma, Canada. The bottle does also have the brand name label on it. (A simple Google search will show you that GSK & Valeant are partners.). I trust a business deal a hell of a lot more than I trust the FDA claiming that all the WXL generics on the market today are "just fine." It's wrong that so many insurance companies won't pay for the brand name when it clearly is superior to the generics.
I'm so glad I discovered the Direct Success Pharmacy option, which they show right on the Welbutrin XL website. It seems too good to be true, but it worked without a hitch for me.
I can check back after I've been on it a while, but I expect nothing but lighter, happier brain feels from this. Your question is from January, so I hope you've had time to give the DSP a try since then.
Brand name Wellbutrin is made by GlaxoSmithKline. Bupropion is made by several companies. I take bupropion made by Mylan. Switching from one manufacturer of a drug to another will not cause everything that happens to you. Actavis is a large reputable company. So is Mylan. The problems with generic bupropion was addressed by the FDA in 2013. Mylan, actavis and par were deemed ok.
Kaismama, that was not an answer to my question. I did not ask about the generics. I do not care if Actavis is a large reputable company, their generic form of Wellbutrin XL 300 mg does not work for me, it also makes me way more easily agitated and leaves me feeling nerve wrecked. The Par form of generic Wellbutrin, now distributed by Anchen, is the one that causes me unexplained weight gain with not much of a positive effect on helping with my depression. I have not tried the Mylan generic because it is not available to me. I'v called almost every pharmacy in my state to obtain it, and no one has it, or have said they could, or would order it for me. I believe it is only sold in 500 pill quantities and not 30. I have been taking Wellbutrin XL and the Generics long enough to know the difference in them and how they effect me In different ways. Now, if anyone else can really answer my original question, I would be much obliged. Thank you. :-)
Brand name Wellbutrin used to be made by GlaxoSmithKline. Now it is made by Valeant, and whatever questionable manufacturer in the world that they happen to be using. They sent me a new shipment because the previous ones didn't work and looked a little funky, but they are no better. My depression is horrible, extreme mood swings, can't remember anything, have a headache all the time, and have begun to have panic attacks. This is not the Wellbutrin that used to come from GSK. It is not the same drug, and I seriously believe it will never exist again. I've been on this drug for over 20 years. It's the only one that works for me and I'm not sure how to survive the long term (year or more) withdrawal and the projection that the depression will be much worse than it was before I began taking it.
Wellbutrin xl was manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and it is now manufactured by Valeant and I'm finding it totally ineffective. None of the generic bupropions have worked in the past. Is anyone else having trouble with the brand name and have you found any solutions?
I have been taking WellbutrinXL over 15 years. Five years ago my Dr. Tried me on the Bupropion because my new insurance did not cover Brand! After 2 weeks I started getting in that horrible sick feeling called Depression!!! I was able to find a pharmacy in NJ that helped me on a monthly copay!! Now once again I'm going through this again!!! Its hard enough to function from day to day. Don't ever think that there is not a difference in those drugs!! Look it up in 2003 my Dr. Handed me an article on how generic vs brand!! Oh, Yes it was all about Wellbutrin!!! The FDA needs to stop the lies and make this drug affordable ... Really think about it... It's been on the market for a long time .. Why is the cost so high?
Augh I have been on a generic of wellbutrin, Zydus, for years. Since January I have gained weight I am a wreck emotionally and my skin is a mess. I had vaguely recalled my pharmacy mentioning they were making a manufacturer switch... and sure enough it was in January. I can only find the Cipla and Par manufacturers near me... anyone have anything positive to report about them??
You are very wrong. The first four days of taking 300 mg. Actavis I went into a deep depression having been fine before on the same Wellbutrin 300 mg. Tried Mylan and it was good for 5 days then down for 4 days etc. One whole month of a rollercoaster ride. Bad for me but not others.
(Originally was started on 150 mg. Actavis for a few days and it also did not help thus it was upped to the 300mg.)
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wellbutrin, wellbutrin xl, depression, weight loss (obesity/overweight), seasonal affective disorder, major depressive disorder, weight, generic, brand, actavis, reaction
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