Wellbutrin Generic Antidepressant Behaves Differently from Original Drug

[worlds edge]

Heard about this on NPR this AM, but I don't think they've put a WAV file up...Anyway I think I've been on the generic the whole time I've been taking Bupropion/Wellbutrin. Cocksuckers.

Generic Antidepressant Behaves Differently from Original Drug
By Staff
Oct 12, 2007 - 8:12:18 AM

ConsumerLab.com Finds Generic Antidepressant Behaves Differently from Original Drug. May Explain COMPLAINTS BY PATIENTS.

— Generic Drug Equality Questioned —

HealthNewsDigest.com) - WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK AND DURHAM, NORTH CARLOLINA — OCTOBER 12, 2007 — ConsumerLab.com reported today that its tests of a generic version of the popular antidepressant drug Wellbutrin showed differences between the generic and original that might explain recent consumer complaints about the generic product. In February, readers of The People's Pharmacy® syndicated newspaper column began reporting problems with this generic version of once-a-day Wellbutrin XL 300. Prior to generic competition, annual U.S. sales of Wellbutrin XL 300 mg were nearly one billion dollars according to IMS.

The ConsumerLab.com report, available at www.consumerlab.com/results/wellbutrin-bupropion.asp, shows that the generic product released the active ingredient, bupropion hydrochloride, at a very different rate than the original Wellbutrin XL. Tests also showed that two generic bupropion SR (twice-a-day) products released the drug somewhat differently than one another — although both were within the fairly wide limits permitted by the FDA. Time-released generic drugs often use tablet technologies different from the original product, possibly explaining the variations found.

Continued at Link

 

[VALIS]

Thanks man for posting this. my doc has been on the lookout for the generic XL to come out but the whole reason I'm on XL is to keep my bipolar ass in line so if the rate of metabolism of the generic version is different that could screw up everything. If they try to get me to take generic pills I'll tell them where they can stick those shady pills

no seriously thank you so much for posting this. you have probably saved me some amount of time and misery!!

 

[iracund]

i took both name brand and then generic wellbutrin xl. i took the generic for about 3 days before calling my pdoc and telling her that she needed to get me off it and back on the name brand. i was jittery, sleepless, anxious, agitated ... basically miserable and feeling worse and worse with every passing hour.

i didn't give it much thought because she gave me a bunch of samples to get me through the month until my insurance would pay for another month's worth of meds. it sucked though. ever since i've been extremely wary of switching from a name brand to a generic.