Bupropion Xl By Cipla Pharmaceuticals (Top voted first)

My pharmacy has been giving me refills of the generic bupropion for my last two refills that are manufactured by CIPLA. The pill is oblong and has the number 13 on one side and what appears to be a capital I on the other side. I do not feel that this generic is doing much for me. I have researched this manufacture they are located in India. Approximately 45% of the medications that are sold in the United States are manufactured in foreign countries. I am going to call my pharmacy to see if they can get one of the generics that were previously dispensed to me. The buyers for drugs at pharmacies look to find lower priced drugs, which I understand.

I have been taking Wellbutrin XL 150 mg three tablets daily for about eight years including the generic form. This medication helped my severe depression. I have tried many other families of antidepressant medications that did not work or caused side effects. The cost for the brand Wellbutrin XL continued to increase because of big Pharma greed (a discussion for another time). Eventually I had to go to the generic Wellbutrin because of the cost and my insurance would not pay for brand or my copay was too much.

When I could no longer work because of my Multiple Sclerosis and another incurable gene mutation condition I eventually received Medicare. I continued to take generic bupropion XL because I had no choice. Various generics of this medication have been dispensed to me for a number of years. The generics have never been a good as the brand Wellbutrin. For those of you that may not be aware a study was done that proved there was a difference between the brand and the generic. The main factor is that generic Wellbutrin XL rises quickly in your bloodstream then drops. The brand Wellbutrin rises up in your blood stream then goes down over a number of hours.

Perhaps for some people the generic form of Wellbutrin works okay for them. In generic medications different fillers are used and the percentage of the main ingredient can be less or higher on either side of the main ingredient. I know a pharmacist that explained this to me that confirmed my suspicions. I take other medications that are generic that seem to do okay. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that certain medications such as antidepressants, seizure medications to include some others should not be propped up as being a bioequivalent.

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I began taking the Cipla version of Bupropion HCL XL 300mg 4 days ago. Each day I've had a strong, clustered headache; the headache would be minute in the morning and then grow after taking the medication.

In addition, my vision has been a little blurry and I've felt off and fatigued. Nothing else in terms of medications, lifestyle, diet, etc. has changed these past 4 days. Given the timing, I can only assume it's due to the medication.

I've taken 3 generic brands of Wellbutrin XL 300mg in the past, each without issue. This is the first generic that has caused me problems. CVS is going to refill with their remaining supply of Achen (a white pill marked A 102), but I was told that the location would no longer be carrying it. When I inquired over the phone as to whether any locations in the area would continue offering a different generic, I was told I'd have to check each location in person.

If you are having similar side effects as I am, I encourage you to report the medication to the FDA and CVS. I've seen multiple other reports of the same side effects on this forum and elsewhere regarding Cipla's version.

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I switched over from PAR to Cipla (Bupropion 300 mg XL) 3 days ago. Had been taking it for year plus for major depression and doing really well. After switching I had green/yellow flashing visuals, lightheadedness/distant, difficultly concentrating. The next day I had all of that plus a headache and extreme fatigue, and have been sweating/clammy. Had to take a 3+ hour nap (haven't done that in over a year). Emotionally I feel drained and have had to skip activities because I cannot concentrate. Cannot stop crying. This medicine definitely is NOT equivalent to the PAR generic. I've switched back to PAR this morning, but do not yet have any relief.

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Not only did Cipla's version of Wellbutrin do absolutely nothing for my depression, but it gave me headaches, severe bloating and uncontrollable gas. To make matters worse, I gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks. Needless to say I went off and currently looking for a pharmacy which carries a decent generic brand.thanks for nothing CVS and Cipla!

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Hello, Pat! How are you? I am sorry about the problems you're having.

Yes, you can read about the allowable differences in generic medications by looking up the Hatch-Waxman Act of 1984. They can differ from the name brand by a maximum of plus or minus 20%. They also don't have to measure against each other, only against the name brand, so it is conceivable that you could get one that's slightly higher, for awhile, then suddenly receive a different one that is slightly lower, which could cause it to not work as well for you.

Have you had any luck getting the pharmacy to order in a different one for you?

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I've been having those syptoms as well since I got my refill 3 weeks ago. Also noticed I was suddenly switched to Cipla from Mylan. My syptoms have included cluster headaches, dizziness, spaceyness/unable to focus, and minor nausea. I'll be calling CVS tomorrow, how do you report it to the FDA?

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GO to pillbox.nlm.nih.gov as this link will ask you for the description/or medication name. I put in the MEDICATION NAME ONLY on the right side of the "form". I uncheck the "do not search for repackaged or relabelled" choice. THEN HIT SEARCH... you will get a lot of pictures of particular medications in that class, i.e., Wellbutrin is Bupropion Hydrochloride. I look up and down the page for the 150/300 XL as this is the one that I take. When I find the particular dose, I hit the "show more information" button to see fillers and such.

THE IMPORTANT THING TO CHECK IS THE DRUG LABEL INFORMATION. THIS CHOICE WILL BRING UP "LABELS" FROM THE MAKER/DISTRIBUTOR/MANUFACTURER. I will no longer get any drugs from China or India or a third world manufacturer, (other than Germany or strict control countries). If the "label" does not say "manufactured in US or Canada", then it is made god knows where and distributed in the US by the company shown on the label. COMPANIES HAVE DRUGS MADE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND DISTRIBUTE IN THE US., however, I PERSONALLY LOVE APOTEX IN CANADA., AND MYLAN-LOOSE PILLS/PREPAK. Cipla, I believe is made in Peurto Rico? Not sure.

I signed up for notifications at FDA.GOV regarding drug recalls. THE FDA DID A 3 YEAR STUDY AND DECIDED TO LET FOREIGN DRUG MANUFACTURERS POLICE THEMSELVES as to the quality controls of their medicines. Well, I know the FDA cannot be everywhere and cannot "search the quality" of all drugs entering the US, therefore, BE VIGILANT FOR YOUR OWN SAKE. When Walgreens would not fill an RX for my daughter for sertraline with a US/canadian company, I went too a local pharmacy and they had no problem "special ordering" the med for me. I PUT IT ON MY RECORDS AT WALGREENS THAT I WANT NO FOREIGN MANUFACTURED DRUGS OTHER THAN USA OR CANADA, I DO GET SPECIAL ORDERED MEDS AT WALGREENS, BUT, THEY WILL/CANNOT ORDER FOR EVERYTHING. I WILL GO SOMEWHERE ELSE IF I CANNOT GET DECENT MEDS AT WALGREENS. Good Luck to You! Hope this helps!

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IMGT: you can report medications to the FDA via their "MedWatch" program. Not sure if this site allows direct links, but if you google FDA MedWatch, you'll find it.

BioEq: I hope things are getting better now that you switched back. Hang in there.

An update on my situation:

I began taking Par/Achen again this morning ("A 102" marking on the pill). 7 and 1/2 hours in, my headache has diminished to a dull ache (instead of flaring up after taking the Cipla), I am much more energetic, and I am beginning to feel better overall--less out of it, vision is becoming sharper again, and I can finally focus a bit. The difference in such a short amount of time is remarkable.

Just to add to my previous note, here's the 3 generics I've taken (there's more than just these besides the Cipla that I have not taken) without issue:

-White oval pill marked "A 102" (made by Par/Achen, a subsidiary of Par.)
-White oval pill marked "WPI 3332" (made by Watson.)
-White elliptical pill marked "142" (made by Actavis.)

I'll be notifying my doctor as well about the Cipla "I 71" pill.

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Re: bupropion hcl xl CIPLA mfg. CVS pharmacist said no more PAR mfg., their cost, I'm sure. Does anyone know another chain pharm that carries PAR? Happy to leave CVS far, far behind

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Do you all honestly think the workers in India have a salary equivalent to the prices we pay for meds?? I DONT THINK SO!! SOMEONE IS BANKING BIG BUCKS

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See link below to report to the FDA. I'm a healthcare professional who also takes bupropion 150 xl. There is something seriously wrong with the Cipla generic!

MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form

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Found bup hcl lx @ Walmart PAR mfg! Is this detailed enough?

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MyHeadsHurts: Thank you, I'll look into that. CVS is helping me switch back to Mylan SR soon, and I hope that helps me go back to normal. In addition to physical symptoms I've noticed a return of depressive symptoms. It essentially felt like I haven't been taking any meds.

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I was taking the brand name Wellbutrin SR 150 twice a day for 2 mos. I took it years ago and had problems with the generic one so switched to the brand name and was fine. When I went back on it this time, I insisted on the brand. I was having a lot of anxiety on it although it did help mood, and when I started seeing a psychiatrist she suggested they wellbutrin xl 300 as she felt the delivery on xl would do better with anxiety. I agreed to the generic and the first 2 weekd I did feel better re: anxiety , then I kind of leveled off. I did notice a lot of cravings and mentioned this last week. She suggested Contrave as an adjunct and I declined because of the naltraxone (crazy stuff). I'm almost at the end of the month and the mood effect is waning, I've lost all my motivation, getting a little weepy again and wicked carb cravings which I'm giving into and gaining weight so I'm going to ask her to give me the brand name and see if there is a diff.

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YES YES YES. The CIPLA sucks!!!! Big time. I feel like I'm going through withdrawals.

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I just called my local HEB (if you have those in your area) and they said they still carry Phar Pharmaceutical. I've been on Cipla for 2 data and feel ok but I'd like to know if anything goes wrong then I can go back to Phar.

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Walgreen special ordered the Par brand for me, the Actavis gave me bad side effects that I never experienced with any of the other generic brands.

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So sorry to hear you are dealing with this. I have had success with the bupropion XL generic by Par pharmacy. I was switched the Cipla for a couple of months (without my knowledge) and I had terrible gastrointestinal distress. Depending on where you fill your prescription, you can request a different supplier. I use CVS and request the Par bupropion XL. Good luck!

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I became brave again and started on the Parr XL March 30th. It has worked wonders, I dropped 10 lbs, which was a good thing! I have lots of energy and am once again my optimistic self.

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I have had problems each time my Buproprion Rx has been filled with Cipla. This last time, it had been years so I had completely forgotten to check which manufacturer the pharmacy had used. Within days I was feeling suicidal and getting ready to blow up my life because of the depression. Then I realized the symptoms started with my new bottle of pills and looked, sure enough it was Cipla. Whatever it is about their version, it severely amplifies my depression instead of resolving it.

I've been taking this prescription for years and have only had issues when using the Cipla generic. All other generics have worked as expected.

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I just started this brand of wellbutrin a few minutes ago. Also take ativan 2mg twice daily. I am a nervous wreck. All the pharmacist kept saying was information about seizures over and over. So what brand is better or should I wait and see if this one works

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