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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by pollyjean on September 6, 2007, at 13:16:14
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by sheofthemoon on August 22, 2007, at 11:52:28
I've been taking Wellbutrin XL 300 mg for about 5-6 years now. Initially I had the standard jittery feeling side effect along with dry mouth, and soon after that I had extreme loss of appetite and nausea. Thankfully the jitters and dry mouth went away in just a few months, though the appetite came back much more gradually. The nausea went away as soon as I was able to consistently take the pill with food. A few months ago when the generic Budeprion XL 300 mg became available my insurance automatically switched me, which I was happy about because it's so much cheaper. I didn't have any side effects so I thought everything was the same, but after about a month I had obvious symptoms of depression (which I haven't struggled with *at all* on brand, except for a brief attempt to go on the Pill for birth control -- sudden extreme depression that went away as soon as I stopped taking it). Anyway, after 2 months on Budeprion I was ready to make an appointment with the doctor. My depression isn't that extreme unless something bad happens but by this point I was just generally sad, tired, trouble sleeping, crying for no apparent reason, feeling worthless, unproductive, you know the rest. However, a switch in health insurance resulted in them putting me back on brand without me requesting it. I decided to wait and see if that made a difference before calling the doctor, and within a week I was back to normal. I've been back on brand for about 3 months now and all is normal. I had some of the jitters and dry mouth again when I went back on, but they're gone now. I can't believe Budeprion is marketed as "the same thing" as Wellbutrin, because clearly it's not! I'm glad it works for some people, though, and would love to be able to take a generic myself if it worked!
Posted by zenhussy on September 6, 2007, at 16:33:50
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by pollyjean on September 6, 2007, at 13:16:14
>>>generally sad, tired, trouble sleeping, crying for no apparent reason, feeling worthless, unproductive, you know the rest.<<<
sounds very similar to what many have gone through on this generic.
sorry you had to endure that. how fortunate to have such positive results after returning to the namebrand Wellbutrin XL 300mg. bummer you suffered a few dismal depressed months on the generic Budeprion XL 300mg. after several years of effective medications one doesn't expect a generic to be as ineffective as a sugar pill! but for many this Budeprion XL has been just that.
somewhere in this thread is a link to FDA to report such reactions to medications (assuming you're in USA). many have reported their negative experiences w/ this generic this past year(2007).
generics can vary so widely. 4 of 6 meds in our cocktail are generics and have been for at least seven years w/o incident UNTIL this particular generic Budeprion XL 300mg back in the beginning of this year. thank goodness pdoc wrote rx for 'namebrand only-medical necessity' so the ins. co and pharmacy cannot swap out to save a few dollars at the expense of a patient's health.
glad you're back to being 'you' and the depression has been taken care of with the namebrand Wellbutrin XL 300mg.
Posted by Mark in SC on September 23, 2007, at 23:01:07
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin XL » darling, posted by darling on March 12, 2007, at 15:34:36
I just switched to Budeprion from Welbutrin because of the price savings.After I started taking Budeprion I thought that maybe I had been given something else besides Welbutrin. I have never been so irritable and agitated in my life: also am very depressed (I am not taking Welbutrin for depression anyways). I have been okay as far as getting things done though. Thank goodness someone posted a picture of what Budeprion looks like because like I said I thought the pharmacy had given me some other incorrect drug by mistake. I will definitely trash this Budeprion. I don't think its the same thing even though its supposed to be. I am also reporting what happened to my Dr, my pharmacy and the FDA site given in these postings. I hope you all do better with it than I have.
Posted by Mark in SC on September 23, 2007, at 23:05:50
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Arlene223 on April 3, 2007, at 1:30:42
I just switched to Budeprion from Welbutrin because of the price savings.After I started taking Budeprion I thought that maybe I had been given something else besides Welbutrin. I have never been so irritable and agitated in my life: also am very depressed (I am not taking Welbutrin for depression anyways). I have been okay as far as getting things done though. Thank goodness someone posted a picture of what Budeprion looks like because like I said I thought the pharmacy had given me some other incorrect drug by mistake. I will definitely trash this Budeprion. I don't think its the same thing even though its supposed to be. I am also reporting what happened to my Dr, my pharmacy and the FDA site given in these postings. I hope you all do better with it than I have.
Posted by DharmaBum on September 24, 2007, at 20:16:47
In reply to Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Daniel2000 on September 30, 2004, at 7:41:28
Just to add fuel to the fire, my pdoc believes there are definite differences between Wellbutrin and the generics. She put me on 75 mg generic bupropion for two reasons: 1) we are starting out and there is no 75mg version of Wellbutrin and 2) I am using bupe as an adjunct to a reduced dose of effexor.
Her thought was that, money aside, if your sole AD is bupe, that's a good reason to opt for Wellbutrin and if you are using a sustained release version, she feels that Wellbutrin is also a superior choice.
I suspect I might end up on 150mg of Wellbutrin XL. I sure as hell will avoid the budeprion.
Posted by cynomom on October 2, 2007, at 20:44:14
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by DharmaBum on September 24, 2007, at 20:16:47
I took budeprion a few months back and had devastating side effects. I have been taking brand name wellbutrin for a few months now and feel great. Our bodies cannot be fooled. And it is not psychosomatic. Talk to your dr. if you have any problems with it. Some people can take it with no problem, but I couldn't as well as many others on this sight.
Posted by CaveMan on October 30, 2007, at 18:15:18
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » sld68, posted by darling on May 1, 2007, at 10:43:01
Ok, my insurance company switched me from Wellbutrin XL to the generic version without telling me. When the pharmacist told me it was over $100 dollars, I thought there was a mistake. No mistake here. Both my therapist and I have been sending letters and filling out forms, but I just recieved a final "NO" from AvMed.
The generic version made me feel more depressed than ever with horrible mood swings and bursts of rage. I didn't want to go out or see my friends. All I wanted was to stay home with the doors closed, the lights out, and feel sorry for myself. When I did decide to meet some friends, I felt completely out of place. It was like I was seeing myself from the outside and just wanting to run. I could hardly maintain a conversation. Bottom line. There is a huge difference between brand vs generic budiprion.
Jeff
Posted by stargazer2 on October 31, 2007, at 8:31:50
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by CaveMan on October 30, 2007, at 18:15:18
This issue has been brought to the FDA's attention becasue of so many complaints. They are looking into it. Many people have said it is not working as well as Buproprion did.
This happened with Nardil as well but since there are not as many people on Nardil, so I think it has fallen on deaf ears.
The pharmaceutical companies have gottn away from testing the generic drugs since the generics supposedly contain the same active ingredients as the brand name. But what is not the same are some of the 'non-active" ingredients which affect thing like the absorption time, etc.
It's not happening just with psych meds either. People on BP meds are finding their BP is not being controlled with some of the generics.
It's bad enough when it happens to one generic but many brands have multiple generics.
How many people out there are taking generics and suffering from them and don't even know it?
It sounds like a major blunder on the part of the FDA....They don't have enough staff as it is to test all the new 'brand' name meds, let alone,all of the generic forms of the brand.
Wellbutrin is the brand, Bupropprion is the generic, so what is Budeprion, the generic of the generic? It's mind boggling and the impact of all of this is more patients who have been stabalized being destabalized. A real health care crisis if you ask me.
Stargazer
Posted by pandawat on November 29, 2007, at 11:08:26
In reply to Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Daniel2000 on September 30, 2004, at 7:41:28
I've been on Wellbutrin for years, and just tried Budeprion this past week. My opinion is that Budeprion sucks elephant *#@*!@#!!! Whoever tried to pass it off as Wellbutrin should be shot. I've never been this close to suicide in my life. It's as if I just stopped taking Wellbutrin cold turkey. Also stopped smoking a long time ago, but am craving cigarettes again now.
Posted by doylethug on December 5, 2007, at 17:52:05
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Dubster on September 5, 2005, at 21:28:05
I recently took budeprion and experieced nausea for about 2 weeks. Then the prescription ran out and now I'm on buprion XL. When I take them in the morning I feel really angry and confused. Has anyone experienced this and if so did it subside?
Posted by sdworaczyk on December 6, 2007, at 8:52:06
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Dubster on September 5, 2005, at 21:28:05
My son and I started having boughts of rage or being set off by the smallest thing and castrophizing the situation on the name brand Wellbutrin XL after a few months, (however I had such horrible affects on the generic I wanted to just die for the brief 2 weeks I took it). We are both still taking the Wellbutrin XL, however our doctor added 10mg of Lexapro daily to it and we have both had excellent results, I feel better than I have in years with the added Lexapro. I hope this helps.
Posted by 30years on December 28, 2007, at 14:24:08
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by sdworaczyk on December 6, 2007, at 8:52:06
I honestly don't understand the complaints between the brand-name and the generics. I've been on anti-depressents for the worst kind of depression for about 30 years now and have never noticed any difference going from brand-name to generics. Generics are the identical chemical composition as the brand-names (such as Wellbutrin).
The New England Journal of Medicine reports that "Generic-drug manufacturers must establish bioequivalence to the active ingredients of the original drug and demonstrate adherence to FDA-approved manufacturing processes."
I've been switched from Wellbutrin XL to Budeprion XL and now to Bupropion HCL--all contiain the chemical makeup of "bupropion HCL." I've never had new side effects or noticed any difference in efficaciousness. Same is true for all the generics I've been on the last 30 years.
The ONLY thing that might make a difference is if the XL (extended release) process is different in the differing generics versus the brand-name drug--i.e., if the extended release of the drug is somehow not equivalent over time. Seems the FDA oversight of the manufacturing process should also eliminate any problems there as well.
Perhaps Dr-Bob has some insight.
Posted by mom2 on January 12, 2008, at 15:34:15
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » Arlene223, posted by kingcolon on April 22, 2007, at 12:51:23
I got my Wellbutrin XL filled yesterday, and also was switched to the generic Budeprion XL without notice from the pharmacy. I am curious if there is anyone that has taken the Budeprion XL without any problems? I am nervous about taking a generic for depression when the brand works so well. Thanks!
Posted by Mclscotts on January 12, 2008, at 15:41:18
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by mom2 on January 12, 2008, at 15:34:15
I HAVE USED BUDEPRION XL FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT, I TRIED THE WELLBUTRIN XL NAME BRAND FOR A MONTH AND THEN SWITCHED TO THE GENERIC. I REALLY DON'T SEE ANY DIFFERENCE AT ALL AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT.
> I got my Wellbutrin XL filled yesterday, and also was switched to the generic Budeprion XL without notice from the pharmacy. I am curious if there is anyone that has taken the Budeprion XL without any problems? I am nervous about taking a generic for depression when the brand works so well. Thanks!
Posted by slogan on February 14, 2008, at 23:02:33
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Mclscotts on January 12, 2008, at 15:41:18
i just started taking Budeprion 2 weeks ago, i've had headaches, been dizzy, no sex drive and i feel like i cant breathe. i have never been on wellbutrin and wonder if its worth even giving it a try
Posted by Ladybug56 on February 15, 2008, at 10:53:31
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by slogan on February 14, 2008, at 23:02:33
> i just started taking Budeprion 2 weeks ago, i've had headaches, been dizzy, no sex drive and i feel like i cant breathe. i have never been on wellbutrin and wonder if its worth even giving it a try
There is a difference between the brand name and the generic. With the brand name Wellbutrin I felt no difference in my libido, which I had on other medications, and it really calmed my anxiety and depression. When I had to switch to the generic due to insurance I could definately tell the difference. If your insurance pays for it, or your co-payment doesn't triple like mine did, you should try to go back on the name brand, at least long enough to see how it really works for you. But then again everybody reacts to medications differently, thats apparent by reading some of these posts. Some people say they can tell no difference at all, others really suffer from the change. Good luck!
Posted by 30years on February 18, 2008, at 3:51:40
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by mom2 on January 12, 2008, at 15:34:15
> I got my Wellbutrin XL filled yesterday, and
> also was switched to the generic Budeprion XL
> without notice from the pharmacy. I am curious
> if there is anyone that has taken the Budeprion
> XL without any problems? I am nervous about
> taking a generic for depression when the brand
> works so well. Thanks!I've never noticed any difference whatsoever between the brand and the generics over the 30 years I've been taking medication (and that's about all of them--I'm treatment resistant). They are chemically identical, which means there is no way your body can tell the difference (as long as the generic is identical in all aspects; for example: immediate release, sustained release (SR), extended release (XR or XL), etc.)
My guess is that for those that notice a difference, it is either psychological or symptoms that would have occurred regardless. Aspirin is aspirin, regardless of what brand you buy.
Posted by 30years on February 18, 2008, at 4:00:14
In reply to generic drugs are not tested enough..pts suffer, posted by stargazer2 on October 31, 2007, at 8:31:50
> Wellbutrin is the brand, Bupropprion is the generic, so what is Budeprion, the generic of the generic? It's mind boggling and the impact of all of this is more patients who have been stabalized being destabalized. A real health care crisis if you ask me.
Budeprion is one generic company's "brand name" for the generic buproprion--the prescription label will always include both the "name" given by any company, generic or not, as well as the generic (chemical) name. The same is true of Budeprion, but it's still just another generic.
There was a "generics scare" widely reported in the press several years ago. Turned out after the FDA investigated, the generics were found to be just fine.
Posted by kingcolon on February 18, 2008, at 11:00:24
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » mom2, posted by 30years on February 18, 2008, at 3:51:40
> > I got my Wellbutrin XL filled yesterday, and
> > also was switched to the generic Budeprion XL
> > without notice from the pharmacy. I am curious
> > if there is anyone that has taken the Budeprion
> > XL without any problems? I am nervous about
> > taking a generic for depression when the brand
> > works so well. Thanks!
>
> I've never noticed any difference whatsoever between the brand and the generics over the 30 years I've been taking medication (and that's about all of them--I'm treatment resistant). They are chemically identical, which means there is no way your body can tell the difference (as long as the generic is identical in all aspects; for example: immediate release, sustained release (SR), extended release (XR or XL), etc.)
>
> My guess is that for those that notice a difference, it is either psychological or symptoms that would have occurred regardless. Aspirin is aspirin, regardless of what brand you buy.My feeling is that the question is not whether the chemical bupropion is identical in the generics vs. the brands, but whether the release formulation is identical. Even if a generic says XL or SR, I believe the FDA does not monitor the composition of the release component. Therefore, a generic might release differently--eg, more erratically, with poorer absorption, leading to lower bupropion blood levels. Some sustained release formulations have been known to pass through the GI tract intact and emerge as whole pills!
Posted by pollyjean on February 18, 2008, at 18:06:03
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » mom2, posted by 30years on February 18, 2008, at 3:51:40
>> I've never noticed any difference whatsoever between the brand and the generics over the 30 years
>> I've been taking medication (and that's about all of them--I'm treatment resistant). They are chemically
>> identical, which means there is no way your body can tell the difference (as long as the generic
>> is identical in all aspects; for example: immediate release, sustained release (SR), extended
>> release (XR or XL), etc.)
>>
>> My guess is that for those that notice a difference, it is either psychological or symptoms that
>> would have occurred regardless. Aspirin is aspirin, regardless of what brand you buy.That's not entirely true. Generics are supposed to be identical to brand name with respect to their "active" ingredients, but their "inactive" ingredients can differ (which is why generic pills often look different than their brand name analogs). The inactive ingredients are things other than the drug itself, like fillers, coloring, etc, and so differences aren't supposed to affect the efficacy of the drug. However, sometimes switching between generic and brand name can result in different symptoms either because your body has an allergy to one of the inactives, or because your body is just used to the combination of the drug with specific inactives.
So it certainly isn't supposed to make any difference whether you take generic or brand, and generic is a lot cheaper. But if you have a problem on generic it's worth trying the brand name (if you can afford it or get insurance to cover it).
Judging from message boards like this, it seems to me that there have been a lot more negative responses to generic Wellbutrin than there usually are to generics, which would suggest that the generic companies are either using inactive ingredients that are problematic or they aren't being very consistent with their quality/strength/etc. (They have to meet strict FDA quality conditions to get certified as a generic, but that doesn't mean they don't slack off on quality once they've got approval).
Posted by grinch on February 18, 2008, at 19:05:08
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by pollyjean on February 18, 2008, at 18:06:03
After a month on Budeprion XL generic I switched back to the brand. I noticed a change while on the generic. I have no preconceived ideas about the ineffectiveness of generics vs brands because of my many years working as a pharmacy clerk. I don't know how many times I heard and said the generic is just as good as the brand. Overall, I really do believe that generics are the same. In this case I noticed a difference in my level of agitation. However, I do feel some level of agitation on the brand as well and even though I am back on the brand my prescriber added 5mg of Lexapro to the Wellbutrin and that combination has worked very well for me for the past 10 months. I might try the generic again due to cost.
Posted by yxibow on February 22, 2008, at 2:38:29
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by pollyjean on February 18, 2008, at 18:06:03
There are few compounds that are sensitive enough for individuals generally to detect between generic and patented. Also there are a few compounds that are required to be especially monitored.
There are other issues -- there can be a placebo effect when one knows they're using generic medication. This is not entirely baseless.
Some generics, little known are actually made by a subsidiary of their own original patented company. Gabapentin (Greenstone brand) is made by Greenstone, a generic subsidiary of Pfizer, the original maker of Neurontin.
The most important thing with generics if one really finds they actually have sustained differences is attempting to insist on obtaining the same generic brand from the pharmacy. Some pharmacies may change suppliers from time to time which is based on their own cost issues. This may result in having to fill it at another pharmacy if one needs this route.
Finally, generally things like propranolol, diazepam, and the like have been generic for years, used generically in hospitals, and it is far expensive to get the few remaining "originals" of Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium.
Patent regulations and years are different in Canada and there is already generic Seroquel (Cipla) in Canada. There is also a provision in the US for "hostile" or non-notifying of application for generic. Teva is currently trying to apply for generic Seroquel, which may cost them patent infringement fees but could come to market. I'm not a lawyer so I don't quite understand these provisions but these things have happened apparently.
Just a view-- Jay
Posted by grey on February 26, 2008, at 19:57:24
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » mom2, posted by 30years on February 18, 2008, at 3:51:40
> I've never noticed any difference whatsoever between the brand and the generics over the 30 years I've been taking medication (and that's about all of them--I'm treatment resistant). They are chemically identical, which means there is no way your body can tell the difference (as long as the generic is identical in all aspects; for example: immediate release, sustained release (SR), extended release (XR or XL), etc.)<
> My guess is that for those that notice a difference, it is either psychological or symptoms that would have occurred regardless. Aspirin is aspirin, regardless of what brand you buy.<
According to the FDA generics do not have to be "identical" in all aspects, such as XL = XL. They only have to be within a 20% range of the name brand sustainable level. That can be higher or lower. The same is true for all different type releases, i.e. XL, SR, ER. For some people that 20% different can be the difference in a drug working or not. But then, all generics are not the same. Hypothetically, while Bupropion XL might be only a 5% sustainable difference Budeprion XL might be an 8% sustainable difference.
A friend of mine who is a neurologist told me that even a 1% difference can affect how someone responds to a drug. He also said that he has seen someone not tolerate a 1st level generic like Bupropion XL (ANCHEN) but can tolerate a 2nd level generic such as Budeprion XL (TEVA)with no problem. On top of that it will also depend what other meds they are on.
The bottom line is that you may have to try several brands of generics to find one that works for you. Most drugs have several generic manufacturers. You might also have to go back to Wellbutrin XL.
Posted by yxibow on February 27, 2008, at 0:21:34
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by grey on February 26, 2008, at 19:57:24
> > I've never noticed any difference whatsoever between the brand and the generics over the 30 years I've been taking medication (and that's about all of them--I'm treatment resistant). They are chemically identical, which means there is no way your body can tell the difference (as long as the generic is identical in all aspects; for example: immediate release, sustained release (SR), extended release (XR or XL), etc.)<
>
> > My guess is that for those that notice a difference, it is either psychological or symptoms that would have occurred regardless. Aspirin is aspirin, regardless of what brand you buy.<
>
> According to the FDA generics do not have to be "identical" in all aspects, such as XL = XL. They only have to be within a 20% range of the name brand sustainable level. That can be higher or lower. The same is true for all different type releases, i.e. XL, SR, ER.
Releases -- is the important word. Once someone is on a stabilized set of medication, it is more of a difference of plasma level. They would have already reached that stage so tolerance of 80-120% under the AUC curve should not be an issue. Personally, some of the releases of Wellbutrin I believe are patent extensions, such as XL... others like ER are important because they have demonstrated a lower seizure threshold. But that's just my 2c.For some people that 20% different can be the difference in a drug working or not. But then, all generics are not the same. Hypothetically, while Bupropion XL might be only a 5% sustainable difference Budeprion XL might be an 8% sustainable difference.
>
> A friend of mine who is a neurologist told me that even a 1% difference can affect how someone responds to a drug. He also said that he has seen someone not tolerate a 1st level generic like Bupropion XL (ANCHEN) but can tolerate a 2nd level generic such as Budeprion XL (TEVA)with no problem. On top of that it will also depend what other meds they are on.
That sounds like an extremely isolated case, and may have to do with more than binding. Don't forget, this is a secondary knowledge of a patient of a neurologist, not a psychiatrist. The individual could have much other different problems.Not even some of the -brand- name manufacturers have stamped every pill of a batch will be within 1% tolerance of itself although they should generally.
There are only a few important compounds where there are issues of safety and mortality and are monitored to the Nth degree or are only "original". There is a small list of these types of drugs that the FDA does scrutinize differently, including Synthroid and agents that could be more life threatening.
> The bottom line is that you may have to try several brands of generics to find one that works for you. Most drugs have several generic manufacturers. You might also have to go back to Wellbutrin XL.
Posted by heather66 on June 6, 2008, at 13:26:34
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » grey, posted by yxibow on February 27, 2008, at 0:21:34
I just received Bupropion HCL XL without notice from pharmacy when previous refills were Budeprion XL. The pharmacy told me this is a difference in manufacturer but medication is same. I am wondering if I will notice a difference. This new pill is round white circle marked with A 102. I like that it is smaller than the long yellow pill.
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