Have you taken Budeprion XL?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I apologize if this topic has been brought up before, I did a search and came up with nothing.

Budeprion XL is the generic version of Wellbutrin XL. This MSNBC news article says that contrary to what drug companies say, new studies show that this particular generic might not be as effective as the brand name drug. The woman in the article said that Wellbutrin “renewed my joy for living.” As a person that takes Wellbutrin, I can easily identify with that. Well, when I renewed my 3 month supply of Wellbutrin XL sent from my mail-order pharmacy, they sent the budeprion. At first I was really nervous about it because I had taken bupropion (another generic form) before, and it just made me feel awful. So I went to my regular walk-in pharmacy to see how much it would cost to just get brand name Wellbutrin, and it came to over 100 bucks for one month (daaaamn). So I called my Dr. and she said just give the generic a shot, so I gave it a shot.

Well well, suddenly my awesome grades started going downhill, my bedroom looks like a tornado hit it, my general feeling of “well being” is gone. I just don’t care. Now, I chalked (is that the right word?) it up to maybe my body getting used to the medication, or my depression started to become worse, and I needed a to try a new medication.

Now, after reading the MSNBC article, I started to look online, and I found scores of stories and comments from people saying that they started to take budeprion, and their depression returned. Some even said it was like they weren’t taking anything. Some even became suicidal. Well, this mirrors my experience (I am not/have not been suicidal though) . So I called my doctor and told her that I want to start taking the brand name Wellbutrin XL again, because I want my “joy for living” back.

I’m not writing to debate the effectiveness of generic drugs, because I do believe that in most cases, they are great, and effective and do what they are supposed to do. But somewhere, somebody messed up with the formulation of the generic Wellbutrin XL.

So, I am wondering if anyone here has had the same experience, or if you know anyone who has experienced this. It actually makes me feel better to have found this information, because it shows that there IS hope for things to get better, and I can have my positive attitude again.

2

I’ve never had Budeprion, but the generic that I use for Welbutrin XL has been Bupropion and it seems to work okay. It might be an option for you to request that one and see if it works better for you.

3

I work at a local retail pharmacy. I haven’t had anyone complaining about generic Wellbutrin. And Wellbutrin is rated as a equivalent generic. Honestly, I think its most likely that its a psychological thing that is causing your problems (Not saying that in a bad way, its the reverse of the placebo effect, you think it won’t help as much, so it doesn’t.)

There are only a few commonly prescribed brand/generics where it really matters. Synthroid and Coumadin (Levothyroxine and Warfarin Sodium respectably) are the really popular ones.

Now, if you think you really need to use the brand, call your insurance company. They might be willing to work with you on it, especially if you can get your doctor to say that it is “medically necessary”.

4

I honestly expected the generic to work just fine for me. I questioned it, yes, but I heard from both my Dr. and the pharmacist that this medication is a little bit different than bupropion, and it has proven to work as well as brand. Some days I would wonder if maybe I skipped a pill, because I just felt awful.

I didn’t even consider that it wasn’t working until I started reading some of these experiences. For that reason, I don’t think it’s psychological/reverse placebo. Looking back at the time up until now that I have been taking the generic Wellbutrin there are obvious signs of depression. But I thought, “No, I’m on medication, I shouldn’t be depressed.” So I figured that it was just me, and I was for some reason just getting really lazy.

I’m an open-minded, smart girl. I am willing to accept if it is just a coincidence, but such a dramatic change signals to me that maybe it really is the medication.

They all are rated as the generic equivalent, that’s how they get on the market. That’s the point, I don’t think it performs the same way that brand performs. XL is extended release, and obviously everyone has different metabolisms, so the way that their body (or my body) breaks down the medication may be what’s making it ineffective. Maybe whatever is in the brand name that is binding it together is more effective than what is binding the generic version together. Maybe they release at different rates. (IIRC generic has to have the equivalent amount of the actual drug, but they can use different binding chemicals). I am no expert on the subject, so correct me if I am wrong, but I am just going by what I have heard.
I contacted my doctor, and she prescribed the brand name for me again. I found out that taking 2 of the 150 mg tabs a day saves me over 50 bucks a month, vs. taking 1 300 mg tab. So, that’s what I’m doing. I guess if it doesn’t work, I’ll know my answer.

5

Ok, this could be true. When the FDA looks at a generic medication, it makes sure the active ingredient is the same. The fillers, whats is used to make the tablet, could be different. There are different manufacturers making generics of the same medication. If you think the problem is the fillers, try asking your pharmacy for a different generic. They might have some, or at least, they can order a different one from their distributer.

Honestly, I have had some people swear that a particular generic was no good for them, but they were fine with another one. If you’ve only tried one generic, try one from another manufacturer. The price should be the same to you for different generics (if you have insurance) so its worth a try.

Just curiosity, what generic are you currently using? (The manufacturer name on most pharmacy labels can be found right after the drug name. Wats, teva, ivax, green, etc)

6

Well way back when I first started taking it, my Dr. actually prescribed the generic for me, because she thought it would work much better for me. That was* bupropion*, and it made me more anxious than I have ever been. I think I threw it away, so I don’t know the manufacturer.

Now I have been given budeprion.

::checks med bottle::

It was manufactured by Teva.

You know…both bupropion and budeprion are the generic of Wellbutrin. Aren’t they two different drugs? Why would they make the same drug with a new name? Just curious if you know anything about it.

Like I said, I really believe that generics are great in most circumstances, I take/have taken other medications that are generic, and they worked superbly.

7

Well, I know one of the generics names are trademarked by Watson, so I’m assuming thats the bupropion one. But I don’t remember off the top of my head. I can check for you when I go to work next, but thats not till Saturday.

Teva thought is a good generic drug maker, I don’t hear too many complaints about them. But everyones body is different, so who knows. I still suggest you might want to see what other generics your pharmacy might carry. It never hurts to try another, and it might help the pocket book. Remember, you don’t have to get a full months supply, your pharmacy should be able to fill it for how many you want. As long as it is less then the amount your doctor prescribed though.

Just for full disclosure, I’m not a pharmacist (though I want to be, and am trying, if only the damn schools would accept me already), I’m only a pharmacy tech. So don’t take anything I say as medical advise. I’m not a doctor, I just want to be one.

8

Normally I would be up for trying a new generic, but antidepressants take so long to become effective, that trying new drugs is a PITA. For now, the price that I am paying is reasonable, and I am comfortable knowing that I am taking something that has worked for me in the past.

You mentioned that the pharmacy will give you any quantity you want and not charge you for a whole month. My friend (who has the same insurance/employer as me) was given a month prescription for a medication, and it came to $75. Well, it turns out, the pharmacy misread the prescription, or the doc miswrote it, because she was given 32 pills instead of 30. She called the pharmacy and explained this, and got $30 back. A 30 day supply costs $45. They charged her $30 more for 2 pills!

Soo, I am thinking that my insurance isn’t very flexible.

9

The money thing is possible, insurance is very weird sometimes. We’ve dispensed a ten day supply of medication for the same amount as a months normally costs. But thats insurance for you. If you don’t mind paying whatever your paying for the brand, then just go ahead and keep using the brand. No one knows your own health, and what works for you better then you.

If your insurance is charging you a higher copay for the brand then you normally pay for brand because there is a generic available, talk to your insurance company and your doctor. If you doctor writes the medication for “Brand Necessary” you might be able to get your insurance to charge you the normal brand copay.

10

Oh nice, I didn’t know that was possible! I figured that since there is a generic available that I was just stuck paying the high price of the 300mg tabs no matter what. But like I said, I’m very okay with what I’m paying for the #60 150mg tabs. Plus, if I get a 3 month mail order supply, I only get charged for 2 months of co-pays. That is awesome! So here’s to hoping it works well.

11

I JUST came across this thread and info and I will have to disagree with this since I have noticed a change since my prescription went to the generic (and I was happy happy joy joy! when it did since it was less expensive!). I never reviewed any information, didnt even consider it to be a possible contributor to my not-so-good changes. Actually, I was concerned that my body was getting used to the med so it no longer worked as effectively, which is common for many people who are on long-term anti-depressents.

Guess it’s a call to the docs!