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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by equus5210 on March 31, 2007, at 9:58:20
I have read all the posts about budeprion. I noticed that my prescription changed from buproprion to budeprionSR and I was curious about the differences. I am bipolar and have been doing well on a daily cocktail of wellbutrinXL (300mg) lithium, seroquel, and clonazepam(prn). I have been having a rough month, feeling pretty dark, so I am concerned about what I have read about budeprion on this board. My tablets are lemon colored with 2444 on one side and a G on the other. My dosing schedule was changed from 3 wellbutrin in the am (300) to 2 budeprion in the am and 1 at night. Today is my first day on the budeprion. I'll be interested to see how it works.
Posted by bassman on March 31, 2007, at 11:16:27
In reply to wellbutrin vs. budprion, posted by equus5210 on March 31, 2007, at 9:58:20
Unless I'm missing something, they are two names for the same drug (generic name:buproprion). Unless you mean difference in the same drug but formulated differently (?)
Posted by Racer on March 31, 2007, at 14:32:15
In reply to wellbutrin vs. budprion, posted by equus5210 on March 31, 2007, at 9:58:20
Well, you've been moved from the long acting name brand version of Wellbutrin to the shorter acting generic version. That's why you've been moved to twice daily dosing.
There are three versions of Wellbutrin: immediate release, sustained release, and the XL, which is the longest acting version. Budeprion has an XL, but only in the 300mg dosage. Therefore, you've been switched from the 450 XL to 450 SR generic. That might be fine, but it would annoy the heck out of me if I was switched to another formulation without discussion. Do you know if your doctor made the change, or if it was just insurance? (Our insurance company won't pay for name brand if there's a generic available, but they don't force you to change the formulation to get to a generic. I take Wellbutrin XL, at 450mg, and they pay for my three 150mg name brand. My husband takes 300mg XL, and they did change him to Budeprion.)
For what it's worth, mostly generics are equivalent to name brand, and there's no problem with switching. The only problem I've ever had was an allergic reaction to a generic, because of the fillers used. Otherwise, I've never had any trouble. On the other hand, you may find differences because of the formulation change.
Oh, and be sure you do take the divided dose -- the reason you can't take the other forms of Wellbutrin less frequently is that it can lower the seizure threshold. You want to keep the blood levels as stable as possible, by multiple dosing schedules, in order to reduce the risk. This isn't something to take extra of.
Good luck.
Posted by equus5210 on March 31, 2007, at 17:04:58
In reply to Re: wellbutrin vs. budprion, posted by Racer on March 31, 2007, at 14:32:15
Thanks for all the input. I am fairly sure I was switched because Medicare won't pay for Wellbutrin, but I got the buproprion as a substitute last time, this time I have budeprion...? I will call my Dr. on Monday. He is excellent and was not happy that I could not continue on the Wellbutrin because of medicare. Maybe he will try to override Medicare due to medical necessity. I know I felt better on the Wellbutrin.
This is the end of the thread.
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