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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by BroncoGirl on February 7, 2007, at 20:14:07
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Brutus1 on February 7, 2007, at 18:00:48
I just recently started taking Budeprion and i am not liking the results. I am having a bit of nausea and all through the day I keep having these moments of light headedness. Has anyone experienced this symptom? I am not sleeping well either.
I just noticed the differance tonight of my prescription. I had been taking bupropion for about 2 years, when suddenly in December my insurance company decided not to cover the cost anymore. I saw the nurse practitioner and she prescribed me Cymbalta. I didnt like it as good as the bupropion and my co-pay was higher. I mentioned this to my doctor last week and he was livid at the insurance company. He called them and got them to cover it for me but now they have given me Budeprion. It just makes me want to scream. I will just have to call the pharmacy tomorrow.
But I am glad I found this website. I was thinking it was all these symptoms were in my head.
If anyone has experienced the light headedness though, I would love to know. Thanks.
Posted by zenhussy on February 9, 2007, at 12:06:38
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by SallyAnne on February 6, 2007, at 9:16:50
>>>I've only been back on Brand for a few days. I feel better, I'm not nauseous or dizzy, but I'm still not sleeping well. It may take some time to get my system back on track.
I hope you fatigue lessens. What does your doc say? Maybe, hopefully the med needs time to build up to the proper levels. That fatigue must be awful. Good luck.<<<it does feel like it will take some time to build the meds back up in the system. the fatigue is lessening quickly...a friend on the phone said we sounded wired the other afternoon/evening. guess it will take a while to balance out going from sloth to wired back to steady medium.
the pdoc wasn't keen on this trial but as with many docs their hands get tied by medicare and bean counters saving money with generics---damn the patients and their well being! it was required to try the generic to show it didn't/wouldn't work as well. three weeks or so was the limit before the decline was rapidly apparent to folks outside.
pdoc has years of notes showing less than positive responses to wellbutrin (buproprion hcl) in the instant and sustained release forms. the newest namebrand XL (once daily) was the first and only wellbutrin that didn't come along with all the GI woes of the other ones.
the dizziness and slight nausea are par for course and a trade off that is acceptible for us given our track record with meds.
right now feeling a bit uncomfortable with the amped sensations going on bodily but it will balance out soon hopefully.
how are you coming along? any difference in sleep?
Posted by zenhussy on February 9, 2007, at 12:15:17
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by smom on February 5, 2007, at 15:36:55
>>>It is unfortunate that insurance companies can require the use of generic. I pay the difference for the name brand Wellbutrin XL because taking the generic was just as bad or worse than not taking anything at all.<<<
not sure if income restrictions apply in your case but glaxcosmithwhatever has a meds program that can help with costs or even provide free medications. this was the case with wellbutrin XL before medicare kicked in.
Bridges To Access was the name of their program. couldn't hurt to see if they can't perhaps assist.
it is fortunate that some companies have overrides for medical necessity requirements for medications not covered in their formularies. sometimes it is a matter of fighting the good fight to get that override.
wishing that your insurance company recognized your medical necessity for namebrand.
how it feels when bean counters interrupt a patient's effective treatment: "oh hey, sorry your leg is broken...glad the morphine is helping with the pain but it costs too much...here's some aspirin...it should be the same to morphine so you'll be fine." yeah yeah apples and oranges but the best we can express as this brain is not stabilized from the weeks of less than adequate meds (the major AD component of the cocktail)
Posted by zenhussy on February 9, 2007, at 12:37:36
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by zenhussy on February 9, 2007, at 12:15:17
Posted by smom on February 9, 2007, at 14:05:00
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by zenhussy on February 9, 2007, at 12:15:17
> >>>It is unfortunate that insurance companies can require the use of generic. I pay the difference for the name brand Wellbutrin XL because taking the generic was just as bad or worse than not taking anything at all.<<<
>
> not sure if income restrictions apply in your case but glaxcosmithwhatever has a meds program that can help with costs or even provide free medications. this was the case with wellbutrin XL before medicare kicked in.
>
> Bridges To Access was the name of their program. couldn't hurt to see if they can't perhaps assist.
>
> it is fortunate that some companies have overrides for medical necessity requirements for medications not covered in their formularies. sometimes it is a matter of fighting the good fight to get that override.
>
> wishing that your insurance company recognized your medical necessity for namebrand.
>
> how it feels when bean counters interrupt a patient's effective treatment: "oh hey, sorry your leg is broken...glad the morphine is helping with the pain but it costs too much...here's some aspirin...it should be the same to morphine so you'll be fine." yeah yeah apples and oranges but the best we can express as this brain is not stabilized from the weeks of less than adequate meds (the major AD component of the cocktail)
>So far I have been able to manage paying the difference. But, I do appreciate the information in case I get to the point that I cannot. I do fear the day they pay nothing at all for the name brand, then it would be a different story as to being able to afford to pay for it.
I have leveled out pretty well being back on schedule with the 300 mlg Welbutrin XL. I hope to keep things on track.
Posted by zenhussy on February 9, 2007, at 14:40:20
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by BroncoGirl on February 7, 2007, at 20:14:07
what a drag! to have to discontinue the original wellbutrin, go to cymbalta for over a month and then to return to what you thought would be wellbutrin only to find you've been given a less than adequate generic.........argh!
the symptoms you describe often can accompany starting wellbutrin. the nausea often abates after two weeks for some....longer for others. as for the lightheadedness it could be from the wellbutrin building back up in your system.
the raciness and amped feelings aren't comfortable but since we know they're not permanent we'll ride out the bumpiness and wait for that middle ground to come again.
lightheadness often happens within an hour or so of taking the namebrand XL for us....we chalk this up to acceptible SEs as we've been through worse and this is good 'nuff for us. if it was ongoing throughout the day then we'd not be so accepting of that particular SE.
good luck with the pharmacy. let us know how things turn out.
dang this budeprion once daily (generic for wellbutrin XL) just doesn't have enough of the active ingredient or just doesn't have the same time release as the namebrand.
it isn't a matter of anti-generics as four of five meds are generics for us. no problem with the other four.....just this one. let's keep a working thing going, eh?
Posted by BroncoGirl on February 11, 2007, at 7:58:15
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » BroncoGirl, posted by zenhussy on February 9, 2007, at 14:40:20
Thank you for the infomation.
The day after I post my original post, I skipped my morning dose, just to see if I still had the symptoms. And, no I didnt have any nausea or light-headedness.
I then resumed taking the budeprion that evening and so far the symptoms do seem to be not as severe as they were before.
So I am going to try it for another week or so and hope for the best. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Thanks again for the information, it good to know I'm not the only one having problems.
Posted by notfred on February 11, 2007, at 14:57:48
In reply to Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Daniel2000 on September 30, 2004, at 7:41:28
Cool, the generic version of Wellbutrin XL is now on the market. I just refilled and got the Teva version, Budeprion.
Posted by zenhussy on February 11, 2007, at 15:45:28
In reply to Generic Wellbutrin XL, posted by notfred on February 11, 2007, at 14:57:48
good luck! hope you have no ill effects switching from brandname to generic....the teva versions can differ.
which one are you getting? Teva (Gate) or Teva (Lemon)? ours was the Teva (Lemon)....large oval yellow chalky tablet.....massively underwhelming when it came to being same as namebrand in our system.
some are lucky and don't have any SEs to slight changes while others are flattened by any miniscule difference in the active ingredient in their medications.
here's hoping you're one of the former.
Posted by notfred on February 11, 2007, at 16:32:30
In reply to Generic Wellbutrin XL-can depend on manufacturer » notfred, posted by zenhussy on February 11, 2007, at 15:45:28
> good luck! hope you have no ill effects switching from brandname to generic....the teva versions can differ.
It works as same as the brand, for me.
>
> which one are you getting? Teva (Gate) or Teva (Lemon)? ours was the Teva (Lemon)....large oval yellow chalky tablet.....
no sure, yellow tab marked 682
Posted by Wildflower on February 15, 2007, at 17:19:16
In reply to Generic Wellbutrin XL, posted by notfred on February 11, 2007, at 14:57:48
To my suprise, the Wellbutrin XL 300 prescription I've had for years has now been mailed to me in generic form - Bupropion HCL XL. Is this the same thing as Budeprion? If not, has anyone had experience with the Bupropion HCL XL? The pills are much bigger than the Wellbutrin and I've been holding off taking them.
Posted by Budeprion = Bad on February 16, 2007, at 0:52:03
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by zenhussy on February 9, 2007, at 12:15:17
There certainly was a difference for me. I read the label today because I had to take a cough syrup which cannot be combined with MAOI anti-depression drugs. I could not believe all the suicidal tendency warnings on it. I took Wellbutrin for ADHD and when I switched to Budeprion (for insurance purposes) a month ago I began dealing with bouts of depression and anxiety. I did have suicidal tendencies even up until today. Needless to say, I am taking my supply of Budeprion back to the pharmacy and trading it in for Wellbutrin. Please spread the word so that other unsuspecting users know the dangers of this drug. Does anyone know what else we can do to notify the right people that this drug can be harmful and indirectly fatal?
Posted by zenhussy on February 17, 2007, at 11:05:28
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Budeprion = Bad on February 16, 2007, at 0:52:03
how'd that work out for you? did you manage to get the name brand back? or are you going to have to wait for the weekend to be over to get results?
writing in to the FDA about adverse SEs can be one method of reporting less than desirable SEs. Talking to your doc and pharmacist to let them know your experiences could help. Posting here to let others who search the Internet about budeprion vs buproprion hcl brand name is yet another way to spread the word of your experience.
hope you're back on the "good stuff" and feeling like you were before the generic trial.
Posted by Michelle Schultz on February 19, 2007, at 7:21:01
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Budeprion = Bad on February 16, 2007, at 0:52:03
I reported the unfavorable results of Budeprion to the FDA. I filed a formal complaint. Perhaps the more they get the more likely they will do something so someone else doesn't have to live through what we did.
Posted by gedirk on February 20, 2007, at 19:44:11
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Michelle Schultz on February 19, 2007, at 7:21:01
What reading!! I just was ready to change my prescription from Wellbutrin to Budeprion. Guess I'll need to do more esearch before I do!m
Change is due to new med admin company per my insurance co. ... CareMark. MUCH cheaper to do "mail-order" prescriptions, cheaper yet to do generics. In their info I noticed Bupropion was listed for other dosages, but for mine (I'm on daily Wellbutrin XL 300mg) it listed Budeprion ... thought it was a typo/data entry error.
Been on it (Wellbutrin) for last couple of years (as well as Prozac) with no noticeable side effects, except the lower libido, probably due the Prozac ... I take the generic of this, Fluoxotine (sp?).
Will check back for any comments and/or new info or experiences ... thanks.
Posted by SallyAnne on February 21, 2007, at 9:36:42
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by gedirk on February 20, 2007, at 19:44:11
I started on prozac when it first was approved. It was a godsend! Before that I only had talk therapy because the early antidepressants caused disturbing symptoms such as palpitations and weakness. So I was thrilled with prozac. I didn't think my lack of libido had anything to do with medication because it was one of the symptoms of my depression. But everything else got better so I finally asked my Doc if I would ever have a sex urge again and he suggested that I try Wellbutrin. I hesitated because I finally felt well and didn't want to upset my chem. So I wasted alot of time! Now I'm on Wellbutrin and I can't believe the difference. My husband says he is glad to have me back.When my insurance company put me on generic I had all sorts of problems.GI disturbances and then I also started to feel Depressed. Including lack of libido. The Doc listened. I'm back on brand and back to myself.
Posted by SallyAnne on February 21, 2007, at 9:39:17
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Michelle Schultz on February 19, 2007, at 7:21:01
That's great. How do you file a complaint?
Posted by Michelle Schultz on February 21, 2007, at 14:24:13
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » Michelle Schultz, posted by SallyAnne on February 21, 2007, at 9:39:17
All complaints can be registered on the site www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm You need to file a report by consumers.
Posted by Beary on February 21, 2007, at 15:52:10
In reply to Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Daniel2000 on September 30, 2004, at 7:41:28
Yikes, my Dr. is off today and I am getting the runaround from the insurance company to get the branded re-filled. I have just started the generic this week and am feeling terrible. I called the pharmacist and they claim that there as no difference between the branded and the generic. They then needed special paperwork from the Doctor for the insurance company. This has been a nightmare, I am dizzy cannot concentrate and it’s hard to get up in the morning. My sex drive is gone in 3 days and I am angry. How long will it take the branded Wellbutrin XL to build up in my system? Hopefully not the month that it took before. I can not believe that the FDA would let something like this go through, typical I guess.
Posted by SallyAnne on February 23, 2007, at 6:44:42
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Michelle Schultz on February 21, 2007, at 14:24:13
Thank you I will definitely post this complaint. My Doc was very supportive and open to hear my reaction. If enough patients follow through with their complaints the FDA and insurance companies will realize that the generic doesn't work for everyone.
I'm doing so well now (back on brand) that I have started exercising again. Which is a real big deal for me.
Posted by zenhussy on February 25, 2007, at 13:40:42
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » Michelle Schultz, posted by SallyAnne on February 23, 2007, at 6:44:42
>>> Thank you I will definitely post this complaint. My Doc was very supportive and open to hear my reaction. If enough patients follow through with their complaints the FDA and insurance companies will realize that the generic doesn't work for everyone.
> I'm doing so well now (back on brand) that I have started exercising again. Which is a real big deal for me.<<<that's great you're up and exercising again! good on you for posting a complaint to the FDA as well. the more feedback hopefully the fewer ppl to suffer similar.
still enduring the ups and downs as the fight to return to level....or level enough continues.
dang this was an unexpected side trip from healing with longer lasting consequences than anticipated. glad to not be as drained and leaden limbed but still wishing for somewhere between wired and sloth.
Posted by microsarah on February 27, 2007, at 0:49:34
In reply to Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Daniel2000 on September 30, 2004, at 7:41:28
thank goodness i found you all on here! i cried when i read all of your posts, i thought i was going crazy! i had just about given up on ever finding a drug that worked for me because the wellbutrin had seemed to stop working. i too ended up with two different kinds of generics and i couldn't figure out why i still felt like crap. i'm going to the doctor tomorrow to get a refill rx and i was glad i did some research and learned that the generic BUPROPRION HCL is actually the SAME chemical as the name brand, it just looks different. as for the budeprion, i don't know what it is since its NOT the same chemical as the wellbutrin, and frankly, its going in the trash.
Posted by Jordan Smith on February 27, 2007, at 10:05:30
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Michelle Schultz on February 19, 2007, at 7:21:01
I have been taking the Budeprion for 4 weeks. This past week noticed recurring depression symptons - waking in the middle of night with mind racing, crying frequently, irratability, low libido. Thank goodness for finding your posts. I just called GP to get back on the Wellbutrin. Did receive notice from insurance announcing the generic and a HIGHER copay for the WB. Not sure how much more...assuming the $50 which is standard for "brands" it was lower when no generic was available. Any advice on getting a lower co-pay when the generic doesn't work?
Posted by dtxllady on February 28, 2007, at 3:17:23
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » Michelle Schultz, posted by Jordan Smith on February 27, 2007, at 10:05:30
Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin
Thank you all for sharing your experiences... I just refilled the second round of generic, but I am glad I checked into this ... I have been feeling as I did BEFORE I was put on Wellbutrin XL... nothing worked ... couldn't gather enough "give a damn to do anything"... I WILL be seeing my doctor this week to get my life back... Thanks everyone!
Posted by Michelle Schultz on February 28, 2007, at 5:53:21
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » Michelle Schultz, posted by Jordan Smith on February 27, 2007, at 10:05:30
I actually work for an health insurance company. I would have your doctor send in notification to the insurance that the generic does not work and therefore you should not be penalized for not being able to take it. Most companies will then make an exception to allow the brand name with no penalties.
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