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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Squirrel on April 18, 2007, at 14:40:49
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » SallyAnne, posted by zenhussy on February 5, 2007, at 13:48:13
I have been on the generic budeprion for about 2 months now (previously I used welbutrin). I haven't experienced nausea or had any sleeping problems but I have been feeling about 50% depressed. I have been able to get through each day but have felt extremely un-motivated over the past weeks and don't feel like doing much more than sleeping and eating (I tend to do lots of both when I'm depressed). I've been dealing,(I'm not sure if these symptoms are due to the increased stress I've been under) but its really becoming a problem. After reading that generic budeprion has caused issues for other people I'm going to make a call to my doctor to discuss and hopefully solve this problem.
Figuring out the whether you are truly depressed or just experiencing some temporary blues can be very difficult at times and this thread has helped me come to some important conclusions
Thank you!
Posted by kingcolon on April 22, 2007, at 12:51:23
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Arlene223 on April 3, 2007, at 1:30:42
> I have been on the "previous" generic for Wellbutrin XL (bupropion)for about a year with excellent results. I am in the health care field and have always felt safe prescribing generics for my patients so I was very surprised to see my rapid response to the change in the new generic (budeprion)for this drug. It is a different chemical compound and is not chemically identical to the original drug.
>
> Within 2 weeks I was seriously depressed, headache and experiencing many of my specific depressive symptoms. I have now switched back to the Brand drug and am reporting my experiences with the drug to the FDA. I strongly suggest that those posting on this site do the same.I'd like to add myself to the list of unhappy people who've taken Budeprion. I had a feeling it wasn't working with recurrence of feelings of lack of motivation, decreased energy, and lack of "well-being", perhaps anxiety. I started brand Wellbutrin and there's been a definite change for the better after 2 weeks. I'm also in the health care field, and I'd love to hear from other providers who have had their patients report problems with Budeprion.
Posted by crenshaw387 on April 22, 2007, at 21:33:09
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » Arlene223, posted by kingcolon on April 22, 2007, at 12:51:23
i was on the generic budeprion and then found this posting and got on brand name and its a completely different drug... i lost all faith in generics now
Posted by sld68 on April 23, 2007, at 8:05:44
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by crenshaw387 on April 22, 2007, at 21:33:09
Hello again, I posted back on the 10th of this month after realizing the 'new' generic Buderprion the pharmacy had changed me to was making my life a nightmare and had just restarted the name brand Wellburtrin again that same day...I am here to state after 13 days, I feel so much better. I saw my doctor last week and went into greater detail of the horrifying 18 days I had on the generic drug and she was in disbelief and said she would be writing 'name brand only' on all the Wellbutrin scripts she hands out so none of her other patients would have to suffer the way that we all have...So thanks so much to everyone that posts here, because thanks to you I was able to realize it wasn't only me. I also did get a response back from the FDA stating they were logging my complaint..thank goodness
Posted by PRIME on April 23, 2007, at 13:17:40
In reply to Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Daniel2000 on September 30, 2004, at 7:41:28
My ob/gyn put me on Wellbutrin due to my complaints of poor libido. There was a study that proved Wellbutrin would increase libido and also decrease your weight. Sounded like a great deal. I took her samples for 1 week --greatly incresed libido within 2 days and only mild caffeine-like headaches. I went in to get my firstRx. But it was not for Wellbutrin- it was the generic- Budeprion. Not what i expected. I took it the first day and immediately noticed a difference. It was like i wasn't taking the medication at ALL. Then the symptoms started- no headache but constipation, not wanting to do ANYTHING at all but sit around or sleep, walking around like i was in a daze and just not feeling well at all. I also felt depressed and had never felt that before i was on the Rx. Remember, the only reason i went on it was to increase libido. But with this--NO libido either! I called my dr today and her nurse stated "off the record" they have had MANY complaints on this Rx. So...after hearing that and seeing everyone else's complaints-- I know we're not all loosing our minds. There is definitely a reason. They are NOT the same medications! Good luck to you all.
Posted by Cindy Eggleston on April 23, 2007, at 20:03:37
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by PRIME on April 23, 2007, at 13:17:40
I posted a message earlier about the Budeprion substitution for Wellbutrin XL issue and cannot seem to find my post anywhere on this site. I thought it would be listed on the same page as the rest of the postings of this subject. Did I not do it right?
Cindy
Posted by zenhussy on April 24, 2007, at 0:18:25
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Cindy Eggleston on April 23, 2007, at 20:03:37
would this be the one? http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070419/msgs/752744.html
>>> I posted a message earlier about the Budeprion substitution for Wellbutrin XL issue and cannot seem to find my post anywhere on this site. I thought it would be listed on the same page as the rest of the postings of this subject. Did I not do it right?
Cindy<<<
Posted by Ladybug56 on April 24, 2007, at 9:18:36
In reply to Re: Budeprion XL (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » Cindy Eggleston, posted by zenhussy on April 24, 2007, at 0:18:25
yes, I couldn't find it earlier. took my first generic wellbutrin yesterday and no "weird" side effects yet, hopefully there will be none. I'm finding the comments from people on this site about this quite helpful to me.
Ladybug56
Posted by Michelle Schultz on April 24, 2007, at 11:01:48
In reply to Re: Budeprion XL (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Ladybug56 on April 24, 2007, at 9:18:36
What I find to be truly disturbing is the fact that not only have I reported problems with this medication and my doctor told the pharmacy only brand name, that last night when I refilled my rx they attempted to give me the generic again. There is a serious issue when a pharmacy can override a doctors determination to provide only brand name.
Posted by PRIME on April 27, 2007, at 10:24:03
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by crenshaw387 on April 22, 2007, at 21:33:09
I posted a message a few days ago because i had been switched from Wellbutrin to Budeprion (the generic) and was having lots of side effects and the drug was just not working for me. I am glad to report that my dr listened and re-wrote my Rx as "medically necesarry" for Wellbutrin and my insurance paid. I am now back on the name brand. My side affects are slowing going away and i am finally feeling normal again! This is a great website and it helped me alot!
Posted by Ladybug56 on April 27, 2007, at 12:04:39
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by PRIME on April 27, 2007, at 10:24:03
This is my third day on the generic wellbutrin, "Budeprion XL, and I don't want to be "looking" out for changes because I found out you can have them with it. But on the other hand I'd like to know what kind of side effects are people having? The only thing I seem to be having, and I don't know if it's because of this, are increased headaches. Plus my mood or depression I guess you would call it seems to be a little bit worse. I don't know, maybe it's all in my head, does it take longer to notice any changes? I used to be on both Wellbutrin XL and Effexor XR but because of a few negative side effects of the effexor I went off of those about 6 monhts ago, so I've already been trying to adjust to not having the benefits of being on both. If it was not for those side effects I would go back on effexor in a heart beat because as far as helping with my anxiety and depression it worked very well. In fact my husband called it my happy pill. Anyway as far as the Budeprion so far so good.
Ladybug
Posted by sld68 on April 30, 2007, at 8:20:06
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Ladybug56 on April 27, 2007, at 12:04:39
I can't speak for everyone else but terrible headaches were one of my first symptoms and then the increased depression and hopelessness and other symptoms. Please be careful and continue monitoring any changes like you have obviously been doing, because if these are indeed side effects you are experiencing they will only continue to worsen as you continue taking the medication. Good luck and take care of yourself!
Posted by darling on May 1, 2007, at 10:43:01
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by sld68 on April 30, 2007, at 8:20:06
Hi, I am here to tell you this is my last day on this medicine. I started this medicine on March 17th and I have to say its giving me more anxiety, panic attacks,mucsle pain, weakness, no motivation, shaking on the inside,flushing and even sweating, headaches, ect. To me this is the worst drug ever!Wellbutin XL was hard enough to get used to, but this is 10 times worse. My doctor is going to change me back to Wellbutrin XL or try something else, waiting to here back from the Dr. Also they told me to contact my insurance co. and tell them name brand ONLY! I just hope they do it cause I have read from a couple of you that the insurance co. tried to override the Dr. and give the generic anyways. this is rediculous!!! I think maybe we should pay more attention to generics, our bodies, and how it reacts to these meds., and also I think insurace co. could be a little more respectful and let us know what they are giving us before we get the new meds. It should be our choice! Thanks for being here to chat and know we are not all going crazy. I will keep reading this and also let you know what meds. I get changed to and let you know how its working for me. Thanks Again!!! GOODBYE you oval yellow nasty pill!
Posted by Ladybug56 on May 1, 2007, at 11:51:54
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » sld68, posted by darling on May 1, 2007, at 10:43:01
Yes I have to say I'm not doing too well on this generic crap either, and since we have to order our prescriptions through mail order, 90 days supply at a time, I'm not sure if our insurance company will allow me to switch back to Wellbutrin XL until that supply is gone. My main problems are still daily migraines, depression...I cry at anything, I have fibromyaligia and with the Wellbutrin it seems to help my muscle and joint pain but now all my joints feel inflamed and on fire. Like the previous person who posted it's really hard to get motivation to do anything when I get up each day also. Before I would go to Curves (a women's gym) and exercise 3 times a week and I also go to a pool for warm water exercise. But the last time I tried to exercise it hurt so bad, and not the normal pain from exercise either. So I'm not sure how much longer I am going to stay on this too see if these side effects will go away or get worse. I'll keep reading these postings each day and see what other people are doing.
Posted by catesfolly on May 1, 2007, at 12:55:51
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin » Arlene223, posted by kingcolon on April 22, 2007, at 12:51:23
Dear friends,
I just had a nightmare experience switching from brand name Wellbutrin 300mg to the generic "wellbutrin" called Budeprion 300mg (manufactured by Teva), both extended release. I wanted to add my voice to this long list of others...
I have no history of suicidality, but a day after switching I went into a week of steadily rising panic state. Then I hit rock bottom this last Saturday. Like some demon took over my body. I wanted to die, felt like someone was holding me by the throat and pressing me against the wall. I was psychotic, self-loathing way WAY beyond anything I have ever experienced.
I made it through the worst of it, called a suicide hotline, took two Ativan, and didn't take any more of the budeprion. The next day I felt much better and today I'm back to my normal self.
I just saw my psychiatrist (who didn't know I'd been given the generic and hadn't heard of this one) and he says it was almost certainly from a toxic dose of the generic wellbutrin building up in my body. He says many of the generics are not absorbed or metabolized at the same rate as the brand names, so you can get unpredictible effects. This unpredictible effect damn near killed me.
The pharmacists and the drug companies are adamant that the generics are THE SAME. This is, I believe, a bit fat lie. And I think we need to do what we can to expose this big fat lie. I would love to send these budeprion tablets I have to a lab to see what's actually in them and how they might be absorbed the same or differently from the brand name -- anyone have any leads for that? And what's the FDA link for submitting a complaint, does anyone know?
There are enough stories like this out there now that real studies should be done!??I gather I may be a slow metabolizer which may make me more vulnerable to these toxic effects, so it's possible the higher dose of wellbutrin might have been too much for me anyway, but the psych seemed sure it was because of the generic (this psych is my second one, is one of the best in our city, and has apparently had a lot of similar stories from patients about generics).
Posted by ConcernedMom4 on May 4, 2007, at 23:27:32
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Squirrel on April 18, 2007, at 14:40:49
Well, I had been on Wellbutrin XL for almost a year when I got pregnant. I stopped the med cold turkey because of the potential harm to the fetus. I struggled with my depression my whole pregnancy, and it got worse post-partum. When my milk supply wasn't sufficient anymore (basically because I wasn't eating because of my depression), I stopped breastfeeding and I called my doctor and asked to be put back on the Wellbutrin XL. Now, he suggested trying a different med at first because I have no medical insurance now, and as you probably know, Wellbutrin is very expensive. The problem with that is, I for some reason have a hard time taking medication. I am allergic to so many it's ridiculous! So, I am always very hesitant to start a new med...especially when I already know one works for me. So, I've been on the Wellbutrin XL for a month now and I am feeling so much better, and still feel like I am improving every day. So, much to my surprise when I got home from the pharmacy today, the bottle looked different. I opened it and the pill looked different. I finally read the name on the perscription and realized I was given the generic. Trying not to overreact and panic, I of course got online right away to research the difference between the brand name and the generic. Needless to say, I called the pharmacy right away and asked them why I was given the generic, especially when I paid cash for the medication. Lucky me, I didn't have to fight an insurance company. They told me to bring it back in and they would give me the brand name. We will see if they actually give me problems with it when I go back in tomorrow morning, though.
Basically, my point is, thank you for posting all your personal stories because without reading them, I would have tried it...and had a major problem. I can't afford to dip back down into my depression (not that I am suggesting any of you can either!), because I have a newborn to take care of, as well as my other three children! I need to be on my toes! And you know that commercial about your depression hurting everyone around you...that is so true. Unfortunately, when I can't get up and go, and take my children places, and do things with them, and help them with homework, etc., who do you really think I am hurting?? Thank goodness I have found something that works for me, and I found it while my children are still young and don't really know better yet. It comes down to my children being more important to me than taking a chance trying a med that may make me worse than when I wasn't on anything at all!
I want to encourage each and every one of you to report the differences between the two meds to your doctor, and to the FDA. Let's try to stop these terrible trials that people are having to go through all because of the pharmacies and insurance companies!
Posted by smom on May 5, 2007, at 10:35:57
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by ConcernedMom4 on May 4, 2007, at 23:27:32
So, apparently I don't speak up for myself enough, maybe I try too hard to get along, I don't know. I have spoken with my doctor on two occasions, talked to other staff members of her office on two additional occasions, and thought everyone involved understood the adverse reaction I had to the Bupropion HCL XL that was substituted for Wellbutrin XL. Since my insurance company wanted me to order a three month supply of my medication through the mail, I did that. I placed the order for the name brand and then waited while they verified it with my doctor's office. Between the two of them they sent my three more months of the generic! So, I thought I should give it a try again. WRONG! Within, two days I was not only physically ill, but an absolute emotional wreck!
It has taken my nearly a week to straighten my head out on the Wellbutrin. Don't do what I did. Do not try it again. The second reaction was worse than the first.
The two links I have found for reporting are:
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/reportproblem.asphttp://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/problem.html
I am lucky to have pulled out of that nose dive again. I don't ever want to go back. It is amazing that drug companies, insurance companies and some doctors can be so causal about something that is so serious as this.
Posted by donaldduck on May 10, 2007, at 9:02:12
In reply to Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Daniel2000 on September 30, 2004, at 7:41:28
> I have yet to see a thread on this site talking about weather or not the new generic form of wellbutrin sr , called budeprion sr, is found to be as good. Most people and most pharmacists argue tht all genrics undergo testing to prove they are the same, that they have the same bioavailability in the body and everything,and that any differences would be purely a kind of reverse placebo effect, but I was interested to see if anyone else has found a difference between the two. I have only tried budeprion sr 150 mg and it has seemed to have some side effects which seem inconcistent with what many users of brand name wellbutrin sr claim to experience; mainly being a worse experience of side effects from it. Anyways, I would appreciate some feedback from anyone who has tried both,tried budeprion, and who tried wellbutrin sr to see if we can get anywhere with this. Mainly I want to see if it is worth it to tell my doctor weather I should try brand name wellbutrin this time or not.
have been on the budeprion xl 300 mg for a week now from wellbutrin, and works fine for me, I am a little more hyper, but that’s it, and at 5$ instead of $140+ a month, its not a bad trade off, I made the mistake of reading these crazy posts by others and it scared the sh*t out of me about switching, everyone reacts differently, so don’t take into account some nut who is on 20 different meds and says Budeprion will make you go nuts, its FINE, it would not be FDA approved if it did not work or make you go crazy.
Posted by zenhussy on May 10, 2007, at 10:45:49
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by donaldduck on May 10, 2007, at 9:02:12
you're fortunate that your experience was different than most of the posts in this thread.
thank goodness ppl can decide for themselves whether or not to ingest a new generic and if they're willing to endure the SEs, if any arise.
you're so lucky to be saving money, taking a generic that works FOR YOU, and feeling better. hurrah donaldduck!
thanks for sharing your experience w/ the community so that folks can read varying accounts and DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES = )
Posted by Ladybug56 on May 10, 2007, at 11:21:46
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by donaldduck on May 10, 2007, at 9:02:12
I've been on the generic Wellbutrin XL 300 mg, Budeprion Xl 300mg for about 3 weeks now and the side effects I was having are starting to subside. I had been getting more headaches and my depression or feeling of sadness had gotten worse for a while. But now it seems to have leveled off to where I was before so maybe this generic substitute will work for me after all, I guess time will tell still.
Ladybug56
Posted by donaldduck on May 10, 2007, at 11:31:02
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Ladybug56 on May 10, 2007, at 11:21:46
thanks very much, i was terrified about the switch, my doctor had not even heard of it until i mentioned it, she prescribed bruprorion and i got this stuff, i feel ok, mood has been slightly unstable, but nothing like what i expected, which was an awful reaction to the switch. thanks:)
Posted by anj on May 11, 2007, at 13:47:08
In reply to Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Daniel2000 on September 30, 2004, at 7:41:28
Posted by drB on June 6, 2007, at 15:12:35
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by Ladybug56 on April 27, 2007, at 12:04:39
I have been on Budeprion for four months after a number of years of being relatively stable on Wellbutrin. The sealed bottle of the Budeprion with three sorbent Strip Paxs and temperature recommendations on the outside of the bottle was enough to make me uneasy about the stability of the medication, so I saved my last pill of Wellbutrin. I have been wondering about effectiveness of the Budeprion, especially the last month, but after one week of feeling like weeping over gardening setbacks (I garden all the time), I took the pill I had saved. The response was dramatic, I was jumpy and had trouble sleeping for two nights and had a bad headache for two days. It was as though I had been restarted on medication at the dose my doctor had previously worked up to. Depression is our family illness and my daughter is doing well on another generic, but for now, I'm back on what has worked in the past--Wellbutrin.
Posted by Ladybug56 on June 6, 2007, at 19:12:46
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by drB on June 6, 2007, at 15:12:35
I thought I could handle the differences between the generic Wellbutrin and the "fake" stuff but as soon as my prescription is up I am going to ask my doctor to write a new one that says, name brand only. Not only is that giant ugly yellow pill hard to swallow but it just does not work near as well as the real thing, I really miss that little white tablet! Why do they have to mess with something that already works so well?
Posted by Michelle Schultz on June 7, 2007, at 6:00:44
In reply to Re: Budeprion (Generic) vs. Wellbutrin, posted by donaldduck on May 10, 2007, at 9:02:12
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