What Is The Best Generic Version Of Wellbutrin Xl - Watson Or Anchen? (Page 34)

My doctor will not prescribe generic Wellbutrin XL but my insurance will no longer pay for brand name drugs. I will have to pay about $7000 per yer for what I am taking now (3 of the 150mg Wellbutrin XL brand name per day). I am reading that the problem with the generics is the time release mechanism and not the drug itself and that some are better than others. Anybody have experience with the generics made by Watson and /or Anchen?

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I upped my dose from 150XL to 300 XL (of name brand Wellbutrin from Direct Success pharmacy, $50/month) and I really feel like it is helping! I am so grateful. The generic I tried made me sick. The name brand 150XL made me edgy and tearful, but I could tell it was still lifting me out of the deep depression, as I was starting to get a few things done. After three months on 150XL, my doctor upped my dose to 300XL and I have had no problems at all with any side effects. I feel more positive in that I notice I don't ruminate like I used to, or get as upset and stay upset like I had been. Even though I still have days where I don't accomplish much, I 'm starting to have more days that are productive and that is really such a positive effect.

It's like, my depression brain acknowledges things that need to be done, and I may even feel willing to do those things, and think about doing them, maybe even intend to do them, but in the abstract somehow. Seems almost impossible to bridge that gap from thinking to taking action. The Wellbutrin seems to help me bridge that gap. I think of something that need to be done, and then miracle of miracles, I actually get up and go do it. And that is a big step forward. If you have lived with major depression for many years as I have, you know what I mean! I am very happy with this dose. I've been on it for two weeks and dare I hope it will even get better?

I feel sorry for people who are struggling with the unreliable generics and some who don't seem to read back through this whole thread. In case anyone didn't find the info, you don't have to use generics anymore. Name brand is $50 a month through Direct Success pharmacy. It's not a scam, it's bonafide name brand, manufactured by Valeant, in the U.S. If you google Wellbutrin, the info will come up on their website.

Thanks again to everyone who has shared experiences here as it gives us a way to compare our own. Good luck to everyone in finding a dosage that works for you! I will post again in a while to let you know how it is going.

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Just because you read info on google, doesn't make it true either, brand name or generic the same chemical ingredient is being used, true they may use different fillers which one could have a negative reaction to, but at the end of the day bupropion is the chemical name, wellbutrin is merely a brand name like pepsi, coca-cola and so on....

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Sorry dude but you are DEAD wrong. There is a HUGE difference in the release mechanisms. Careful your ignorance is showing. I think you and everyone else would be shocked to see the visual differences on how they release. Also having been on Watson, and Actavis and the name brand I can tell you there are large differences. It is for that reason I examined their release mechanisms.

I'll give you a pass on your claims if you can get the studies published by the manufacturers on the actual data. Originally the FDA allowed the 300 XL data to be extrapolated by the 150 SR data and that's what led to Teva, Watson and others being pulled from the market.

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Peewter, it's true that generics are supposed to be comparable to the brand, but in reality, for this medication, they aren't.

If you bother to read through this forum or any other forum on bupropion, you will find that there are major differences not only between generics, and between generics and the brand name, but between batches of the same generic. The ONLY medication that went through a complete analysis and was proven effective is the brand name.

Just because you're ignorant, don't assume everyone else is, too.

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To reiterate what K said:

The chemicals in the drug are patented, the contents of patents are public information, once the patent expires anyone who wants to can put those exact chemicals into their pills.

Delivery methods (most relevantly, time-release mechanisms) are trade secrets, and so every drug manufacturer can/will have different ones.

Generic drug manufacturers are prohibited from communicating or advertising anything about their drug which would differentiate it from the brand name or from other generics, because if it IS different then they need to go through the whole billion-dollar drug approval process over and over again. So manufacturers can ONLY compete on the basis of price. Different manufacturers lower their costs in different ways -- some manufacturers have superior engineers, while other manufacturers commit fraud and bribe officials in their countries to look the other way.

Over the last year or two the largest drug companies have been merging among themselves. While we patients can pass around our personal stories and after awhile that adds up to some data there as to the quality of various manufacturers, once a merger happens all of that history is worthless. If both previous companies made a particular drug, which trade secret recipe is the new company going to use? Or is the new company ruthless cost cutters who are going to pop out fake pills that don't have any of the active ingredient? Or is the new company going to keep the best engineers from the two old companies and come up with an even better pill?

Because of the delivery mechanism being a trade secret, we can't even assume that the brand-name version of the drug is the best version. It is certainly POSSIBLE that some generic company could have a better secret recipe.

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I take bupropion xl 300 manufactured by mylan and it works fine. I noticed that mylan was not mentioned in any of the comments.

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Check mylan

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I had a similar problem with the Teva brand back in 2012 and then again this January when my local pharmacy switched the generic they were dispensing to Actavis. Both Teva & Actavis were oblong pressed powder type pills & neither worked. They looked nothing like the GSK namebrand Wellbutrin or the other generic I had taken prior to Jan 2014. The Wellbutrin that worked for me were the round white pills that felt hollow in the center. After much searching, I finally was able to get a generic from Anchem which looked just like the name brand & have been taking it for 2 months now & it definitely works. Good Luck & Be Well!

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My experience with Wellbutrin just goes to show you that everyone is different. I took the Teva brand Budeprion SR for four years and felt great. Teva stopped making Budeprion and I was given Sandoz SR which made my pulse race and brought back my depression. I then tried the brand Wellbutrin and I am feeling depressed and unmotivated. I know that many have complained about Teva but it definitely worked for me. I am picking up a new generic today, Sun Pharma, at CVS and if that does not work I think I will try the other brand that they can get, which is Mylan. I have only been on the SR form not the XL. Maybe I will have to try that if these others don't work.

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Renee, I'm just wondering how you're making out with brand so far? It still can be early to tell but usually people have an idea after a few weeks.

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@Nino,

I am pleased with how the WB is performing. When taking the Mylan, I noticed that I was generally calmer. I knew that not taking anything at that point was not an option because I felt better on it, was more productive, and focused. For example, if I'm driving home, I'm not distracted about what the kids are doing at home or not doing. Lol. Then playing out how upset I'm going to be when I get home and now don't even want to go home because I know the house is going to be messy and the kids didn't do what they were supposed to do. Now I'm just driving in the car mad and ruminating. Lol Mylan helped me.

It's been 3 weeks 2 days and in the beginning had some mild insomnia for a couple of days but because I was more energetic, it didn't affect me enough to give it a second thought. I was still alert in the AM. That has passed. What positive effects I had on Mylan were noticeably improved.

So I'm taking advantage of feeling better. In those 3 weeks, I'm settling in to changes at work, had my patio deck done. Trust me, it needed it but when you're so overwhelmed with the 8 million other things that have to be done and feel tired, it just faded to the back. If it was structurally sound then it could wait. Well it's done and I feel good about it. I purchased a total gym and have been strength training at home. I've been getting small projects done around the house. Like throwing out dated clothes, organizing closets, and dresser drawers.

In addition, I've noticed stuff happening and realize that if I had not been on the WB, I know it would have bothered me and lingered a while. Now it's like...oh really? Next. It's at the point that I've stopped paying attention to if it's improving further because I'm satisfied with where it's at. If I continue to improve it's just the icing on the cake. Lastly, the libido. I'd say that if I were in a relationship then we'd have intercourse more often but I'm not combing the streets or pulling out old address books looking for people. P.S. Do you have to send those pink sheets back every month confirming that you received your shipment?

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Hi Roseyposey,
Is Global working for you? I just got a prescription yesterday for Sun Pharma. If that doesn't work I know the CVS can get me Mylan so that will be next on my list.

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Hi Noelle,
I tried Mylan, only 100 mg, and it did not work well, feeling low without much energy. I have started the Global brand,
150 mg, and I am very happy with it! The depression is gone, my energy is back, and I feel "normal" (whatever that is). Hooray!

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That's great! Glad it is working for you Roseyposey!

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Your doctor is right for not wanting to prescribe generics, but at the same time, brand name is so pricey nobody really has a choice any more.

The generic buproprion medications are all over the chart in terms of quality. And your pharmacy will switch you out often. I've been doing this for five years now and it's frustrating when you have something that works, and then are switched to something that absolutely does not. Worked for me (150mg xl) Sandoz, Watson, Mylan. Did not work: Eon, Teva, and Par which I am on right now and suffering quite a bit for it.

I finally had enough and asked my doctor for prescription Wellbutrin. I'm considering getting the drugs from Canada. I don't care if its illegal.

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This has all been covered if you would have glanced at as few of the last 10 of the 674 posts before yours.

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Ipey, DON'T do the Canadian route -- some people here have had a problem where they are getting the GSK generic from Turkey swapped in for them, and that works worse than the other generics!

Go to wellbutrinxl.com and sign up for their program. (You will need to get your doctor or pharmacist involved to transfer the prescription to them.) It is real Wellbutrin, made according to the exact recipe which is the original drug. It is manufactured by a company called Valeant, which bought the recipe from GSK. Since GSK sold the recipe, the stuff that they are making in their plant in Turkey is a NEW recipe, and it appears to be crap. The price is $50/month if you don't have insurance, but if you have insurance and it pays them at least $100, then it is no cost to you.

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I was on the Teva 3x100mg Sr for years and it worked well for me. Earlier this year my pharmacy changed me to Sandoz brand. I became depressed again very soon after I started it. Then a couple months ago I tried Activis 300mg XL. Ever since I started it, I feel like I'm taking nothing. I'm tired all the time, moody and have lost interest in things I was doing before.
I have an appointment next week with my doctor and am hoping she can help me figure something else out!

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TEVA Budeprion 100mg worked beautifully for me for 4 years. In Dec. 2013 they stopped making it. I tried SANDOZ (Awful!) then ACTIVIS 100 mg (depressed) and now GLOBAL 150 mg. from CVS. IT's been 4 weeks on Global: I am NOT depressed. I do have energy.
However I am tired all the time, feeling more irritable and impatient (less sweet), trouble sleeping as well; if I wake up my mind obsesses on things and I can't fall back asleep - I used to sleep very well.
Do these side effects go away with time?
Has anyone else had these experiences? TEVA 100mg worked well, then what did you switch to that worked for you?
Thanks for sharing your experiences- it helps!

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TEVA Budeprion XL worked as well for me as brand Wellbutrin XL. The FDA pulled TEVA Budeprion from the market and left others on the market which were disasters for me. I'm staying with brand Wellbutrin XL now regardless of cost, will never even try any more generics, and view the FDA as the Keystone Cops of the pharmaceutical world.

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