Posted by Simcha on January 15, 2002, at 7:39:31
In reply to Wellbutrin vs. Wellbutrin-SR, posted by eric1973 on January 14, 2002, at 13:11:21
Eric,
My GP did that with EffexorXR. He left off the XR. The stupid pharmacy (that had filled some XR prescriptions before for me) would not believe me that the doc left the "XR" off of the script. They had to call him. Naturally it took them two days to get an answer from him that yes, he wanted me on the XR formulation.
Thank G-d I had enough of the stuff to tide me over!
Before I leave the office with a script I read it to make sure that the doc wrote what he said he wanted me to take clearly enough to be understood by the pharmacist. This current pdoc has yet to screw up but you just never know. We're all human.....
> Jane, thanks for your very clear input.
>
> One wrinkle, though -- I think my doctor wrote my Rx for "Wellbutrin" and just left off the "-SR" even though he knows the SR is what I've been taking and he intended me to. (Does Glaxo even sell the non-SR anymore?)
>
> Also, he wrote the Rx dosage wrong in such a way that the pharmacist had to call him to find out his intention. I know that they did not discuss me getting a generic because I asked my doctor.
>
> Btw, this was the second time my doctor had made this kind of mistake.
>
> Any thoughts, anyone?
>
>
> > Eric,
> > I think you've had too many changes recently to be able to point to any one of them. One possibility is that you have been getting worse continually - and the brief reprieve with Celexa was just a fluke. Another is that the higher dose of Effexor is a problem. A third is that the Celexa was actually helping somewhat and the effects of it have finally completely worn off. Or short dark days and the holidays got to you. And of course you could be right about the switch to generic bupropion.
> >
> > You've made two changes with the Wellbutrin, from name brand to generic and from slow to immediate release. I'd be inclined to suspect the release mechanism first. I've never tried the immediate release but it is supposed to cause more fluctuation in the levels throughout the day meaning you have to dose more often and still may find your energy going up and down. By the way, you should find out if your pharmacy contacted your doctor to get the prescription changed. Since it's not just a change to a generic I don't think it's one that they are allowed to make by themselves.
> >
> > If you want to change back to Wellbutrin SR, at least until you've gotten used to the other changes you've made, you may be able to get your prescription plan to pay for it. Call them and find out what they would require. I've had to do this several times now and each time all it took was some kind of certification from my doctor. If you don't have a new one yet your old one may be willing to do it. But, even if they do pay, you may have a higher copay for the generic.
> >
> > Finally, if it comes up again you probably don't want to assume that "they wouldn't give this to me if it weren't the same thing". Mistakes happen and it's worth the time to always check what you are given.
> >
> > Good luck.
> >
> > Jane
poster:Simcha
thread:90018
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020110/msgs/90254.html