What Is The Best Generic Version Of Wellbutrin Xl - Watson Or Anchen? (Page 65)

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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Rm: There are some big variables that we can’t quantify by reading the ingredients list. For example, the controlled release profile depends on the ratio of three elements: the two types of polymer coat (water-soluble and water-insoluble) and the plasticizer. Generally, the more water-insoluble polymer layer that you have, the slower the drug will release. I’ve got a graph somewhere of what the time-release profile of Wellbutrin XL looks like. I imagine that Par/Anchen, Mylan and Actavis would have curves different enough to noticeably affect some users of generics – for better or for worse.

Povidone (aka polyvinylpyrrolidone) is a water-soluble polymer. Ethylcellulose is a water-insoluble polymer. Triethyl citrate and polyethelene glycol are plasticizers (i.e. they make the coatings less brittle like an M&M).

Methacrylic acid co-polymer is the same as “methylacrylic”. I think the US preference is for “methacrylic.” These acrylic polymers are generally used as an enteric coating on the outside, protecting the tablet from early dissolution in the stomach’s gastric acid (which would lead to dose dumping and possible seizure).

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Eric - THANK YOU!!! Such a HUGE God-send to have someone who knows the chemical compounds in these meds!

I researched Adderall and there are more negative reviews than positive so I won't be trying the combo of SR & Adderall suggested in previous posts.

Just ordered Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Alpha GPC supplements to see if those will help with cognition and memory issues.

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I've tried Bupropian HCL 300 mg XL by Par Pharm but after a 12 day migraine I got off and headaches went away. I tried going back on to 150mg by Par and headaches came back. Now I'm wondering if I change manufacturers could that help with headaches? I really like what it does besides the headaches, or am I just doomed and have to try something else? Has anyone switched manufacturers and eliminated previous headaches?

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So after having my appeals denied, I have two choices...Go on a generic or keep fighting through the state's healthcare advocate.

For now we are going to test a theory of mine. The generics that I admit issues with before we're all SR, but the name brand Wellbutrin was IR. I had a pharmacist friend compare the ingredients of all the? IR generics to the GSK original. He suggested that I try the Mulan brand IR. Today I went to Walgreens and they are ordering it for me and it should be in on Monday.

Here is hoping.

Though, I do wonder what happens to the original formula now that GSK has discontinued the Wellbutrin IR.

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Keep fighting for it! I was denied 4 times by MediCal (state insurance) since early Feb. I had several people praying with me this past week and approval for U.S. brand finally came through! God is faithful!! In the interim, I just stayed on Canadian manufactured WB XL which wasn't as bad as generic Par version, but definitely not the same as U.S.

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If you take the IR or the SR, I think your timing is going to be the key. I'd probably set reminders to take them at the same time every day. I've actually settled in to the Actavis generic of xl 300. I think it's working the same as the brand for me.
It took a lot of time and patience to find what worked for me. The brand doesn't have that adjustment period. When I tried Par, I was on it for 3 months before I gave up because of side effects. My worst side effects developed after a few months on both Par and Mylan. I don't have the patience to try any others right now so I hope the Actavis is available to me for a long time.

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I have MS, so I already take pills all day long. I even have a specific app just to remind me (Dr. Evil tells me to take them. It cracks me up every time. Gotta make the best of a chronic
situation, right??) I did best on the IR three times a day (early am, lunch and bedtime).

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Yes there is a difference in Brands....I found that out the hard way. I broke out with hives shortly after taking a Generic Brand of Wellbutrin. So, beware. Nasty stuff. 300 ML caused hives for me. Also, was told my insurance was not going to cover the name brand drug either.

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So I just had a long chat with the folks at the Wellbutrin XL Co-Pay Savings Program. Was told that there is no annual $ limit on savings - can get 12- 30/day refills. I am considered insured, but no coverage (my insurance doesn't cover brand name at all). Have to sign up for the program on the internet, then print out the card and activate it. Take it to the pharmacy with a new script - pharmacist has to run it through my insurance - when they refuse coverage, then I will be responsible for a $100 co-pay (for 30 days supply). You can access this program by doing a search for "Wellbutrin XL Co-Pay Savings Program" or by visiting wellbutrin.pskw.net.

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Just ordered brand name Wellbutrin XL again through Direct Success using the most recent Valeant co-pay discount. I have insurance through work, but they will not cover brand name at all. Direct Success ran my information and I will be receiving the brand name again for $100/month. It is more than what I was paying before through Direct Success, but far better than the $1500/month for brand name.
I know that Crosbysmom covered this a while back (thank you Crosbysmom!), but it was several pages ago...thought it might be good to offer up another person that this will work for.

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Your question is the opposite of most. Many want the brand-name and are prescribed generics. I know of more than one person, including myself, that had very bad reactions to The TEVA generic. I am on the CIPA generic right now, and it appears identical to the brand-name.

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"The FDA literally never paid mind to this subject until several years ago TEVA released a notoriously bad version of the generic called Budeprion."

The FDA forgot to tell this to the thousands of people, including myself, for which TEVA Budeprion duplicated the effects of brand Wellbutrin. If I had known in advance that TEVA Budeprion wasn't supposed to work for me, I never would have taken it. Unfortunately, I wasted two years taking it because it worked for me but it wasn't supposed to.

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What were your side effects. I started out on Par and my pharmacy switched to Actavis and they don't feel like they are doing anything to me. Thanks

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I started on PAR and it worked great then my pharmacy switched to actavis and I didn't feel it worked and then I got hives. The next time I got it filled I told them about it and they said they'll make sure they special order the PAR brand and put it in my info to fill only PAR brand. I've known other ppl that say the same thing about it not working.

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Please let us know how it works for you. I'm taking Wellbutrin XL 300 and have done well with it for years. My new insurance won't cover it. I'm looking for an alternative. The Mylan 159 mg is good.

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I have been on Wellbutrin XL for the past 12 years continuously. About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Osteopenia. There was no explanation, but they told me if I took my Vitamin D and did some weight baring exercise I could come back. This past week I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis. The doctor says the only explanation is the Wellbutrin (bone density loss is a common side effect). Has anyone else on here had this problem. I don't know what to do. Wellbutrin is the only drug that has ever helped my depression (and I have tried over 13 different SSRI's).


I realize this is not related to getting the brand name Wellbutrin. However, I thought it would be the best forum for my question. I am hoping someone has some experience with this issue since apparently it is a very common side effect. (That no one told me about.)

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I had the exact same thing happen to me. I had been taking Bupropion 300 XL manufactured by PAR for years and then switched to Actavis because of insurance.
It has taken me almost 4 weeks to figure out my increased depression, foggy headed, blurry vision was caused by this manufacturing switch. I thought I was losing my mind.

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You need to have your physician prescirbe the medicine and SPECIFY no generic substitution. That is the only way you can get the non-generic brand

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You are not crazy. Same thing happened to me, but get this... I was on the Bupropion with 141 on the tablet and then was sent a different tablet and had the same reaction... fogginess, increased depression, malaise. I found a stash of the 141 I had put in a separate container for travel, went back on it and immediately felt better! Upon calling the Express Scripts pharmacist, we discovered both tablets have Actavis as the manufacturer, but the 141 tablet has been discontinued. My luck. She said it may be that Actavis bought out another company making a generic bupropion and then eliminated the 141 so as not to be making both. The pharmacist checked the formulas of the two pills and said she did see differences. She recommended I try the manufacturers Par or Mylan as the brand name Welbutrin was $9300 for a 90-day supply!! (that's a while other issue).. What a mess.. and I thought all generics had to be the same (and Im sure most people think this.) Am really hoping Par or Mylan work for me as I will not go back on Activas. Now I understand how someone on an antidepressant can become suicidal.

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I have been taking Adderall XR 30mg with bupropion XL 300mg for many years.
It took a year to find the right combo for me. I'm an adult that has ADHD W/Depression.
This combo works great for me with no side effects. I have had no weight loss on this combo.
D-Amphetamine Salt Com ER (XR) 30mg. This is generic Adderall

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