Generic Wellbutrin Xl Itchiness Reaction

Hi All,
I was taking 300 mg of the generic made by Watson. I didn't feel anything different for the first 2 week of being on it, but the third week I started to notice the effect of the medication and I felt great! It is the first antidepressant that has made a dramatic difference in my mood and energy levels. I was very excited until I started itching like crazy during my forth week on the medication. After calling my doctor, she said I should stop taking the medication. We've discussed trying the name brand, but I've called around and without insurance (my insurance does not cover name brands), the cheapest would be close to $400 a month, which is way out of my budget. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Has anyone else had this issue? Would it be worth trying out a different generic version? From what I have gathered the itchy side effect is usually from a filler in the medication, not the active ingredient. Thanks for any input. I feel like this medication could work very well for me!

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Hello, TC! How are you? Sorry about the reaction you had to this medication.

And really, the itching could be due to either/or, it may have been caused by an inactive ingredient, but it could also be due to the active ingredient, it's hard to say.

The problem, however, is that if it's due to an allergic reaction to the active ingredient, Bupropion, then those just tend to get worse, with further exposure. That's why people that experience an allergic reaction to a medication are usually told to stay away from it and to make sure that it's listed in all of their medical charts and with their pharmacies.

For example, I had a very bad reaction to the antibiotic Bactrim last year, it started small, with just some swollen glands and bad body aches….when I went the ER, the doctor assured me that those symptoms were being caused by the infection I was taking it for, not the antibiotic and told me to continue taking it…. and I wish I hadn't listened! After another 2 days on it, I ended up with a full body rash, that then turned into hives, the swollen glands and aches got worse and my PCP confirmed that I was in a full allergic reaction. I was actually lucky that it hadn't gotten any worse….but it still took over a month for all of the symptoms to finally ease off, even with potent antihistamines and topical steroid treatment.

Thus, I really think it would be safer to try a different medication, rather than risk a worse allergic reaction that could put your life in danger.

But….I am not a doctor, I can tell you the details about how allergic reactions usually work and that is the extent of it. Only you and your doctor can decide what's right for you, so if you want to try one from a different manufacturer and your doctor thinks it's okay for you to do so, that is entirely up to you.

The major caution I will give is that if you start itching again, or get noticeable hives, then see your doctor immediately.

What other antidepressants have you tried?

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