Has Anyone Tried The Generic Version Of Wellbutrin Sr Made By Sun Pharma Bupropion Hcl (Page 2)

Hi - I just got a perscription for the Sun Pharma generic version of Wellbutrin SR (Bupropion HCL SR). Has anyone had success with this one? If not which generic version have you had success with?

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REPORT

I actually did better on the Sun Pharma than on the Watson and Mylan. Mylan did nothing for me and on Watson I clenched my jaw so badly that my doctor was going to prescribe me a muscle relaxant. I found out that right now the Sun Pharma is on backorder so I am taking Buproban, which is for smoking cessation. I was taking TEVA budeprion for years and it worked for me, then they stopped making it. I have heard how badly people reacted to TEVA but for some reason it worked for me. I am just tired of trying new generics every few months to find one that actually works for me!

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I agree 200% Lori! It upsets me terribly to think that some people might have taken the Sun Pharma and sunk more deeply into depression as you and I and many others did. At least we realized it was the ineffective pill... What about others who plummeted into deeper depression...and may never have come back from that, or worse.

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Lori:

I have had negative experiences with both Sun Pharma and Actavis versions of bupropion 100 SR (aka Wellbutrin 100 SR). Both were manufactured in India by companies with shady histories.

On the other hand, I had done well with the Sandoz version (Swiss company but who knows where the medication is manufactured) - this is a bright blue tablet.

Note that Sunpharma recently acquired Ranbaxy, another Indian pharmaceutical mfg outfit.

Several years ago there was a long article in the NY Times magazine regarding Indian-sourced bupropion - in this case the 300 mg long release version. The upshot was that the tablets did not contain a therapeutic dose of bupropion (read this as zero medication). This was, perhaps, due to poor QC at the plant or shorter shelf life of the Indian formulation. Or out-and-out fraud. I tend towards the latter - but I'm a lifelong skeptic when it comes to products sourced by large conglomerates - especially ones based in Asia - from kite string to specialty steel, I'm a 'show me' kind of person (although not from Missouri).

My takeaway is to avoid ANY Indian- or Chinese-sourced generic medications - the US FDA is just shuffling papers submitted by these outfits and they could be sending us chalk pills for all the US Gov't cares.

wb

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Thank you all for sharing your experiences with this drug. I started taking it in early July and gradually was getting more depressed every week. I couldn’t stop crying...had a mild headache, and seemed much more edgy in the car than usual. I started crying this morning when I was walking my dog and realized the only thing different is the change med from SUN. I am so thankful that I logged on and saw all of your stories with the drug. I filled out an FDA report. I called OPTUM RX and they said they would report it. Now I have to have my doctor do a prior authorization call with OPTUM RX to see if I can get the brand name Wellbutrin and hopefully start living my life again. Thank you again for sharing your stories. I really appreciate it.

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Darla:

Your experiences are similar to mine - when taking the Sun Pharma 'bupropion' I rapidly experienced a decrease in my mood and affect. I had been through this before with the Actavis version of 'bupropion' and quickly went to my HMO pharmacist and obtained 10 tablets of Sandoz branded 100 MG SR bupropion - within a day my mood turned around.
I have been taking bupropion 100mg SR for 15 years and cannot tolerate any other version besides the Sandoz.
IMHO ALL the Asian sourced pharmaceuticals are not as-labeled. The culture in that part of the world tends toward fraud - it you get away with it, so much the better for you and if it has an effect on others than that's their problem.
Then again, the US Congress, run by Republicans paid off by global companies, has defunded the FDA to the point where they can't protect the American public against fraud - we are back to the situation in 1904 when the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed - back then it was copper sulphate in peas and opium in patent medicines. Now it's fake 'ethical' pharmaceuticals coming from our Trans Pacific Trading Partners - and if you accuse them of fraud then will sue you in the World Court. Good Luck.

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The sun pharma generic Wellbutrin is dangerously bad, as reported on this page by me and others here. A year later, I am still doing fine on the Sandoz generic. I hope you are doing well - try the Sandoz if not!!!

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I have been taking bupropion SR 150mg from Mylan for nearly two years with no issues, however back in August I filled my script at my regular CVS pharmacy and it was the purple pill from Sandoz, frequent headaches soon followed, mood swings and severe depression, anxiety attacks. I thought it would go away, but 30 days later it just keep getting worse, I requested an override from my insurance and tried to go back on Mylan, I called several pharmacies and all could find was Sandoz, Sun Pharma or Actavis...I went with Sun Pharma, only to realize that it is worse than Sandoz, horrible depression set in, excessive sleepiness and headaches. I have never taken branded Wellbutrin, but I assume it works much better than most generics, I wonder how such blatant variations in formulations can be allowed by the FDA. Is there any way to request a particular supplier, or are we at the mercy of big pharmas?

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MDS,

I had the same reaction - severe depression within a week or so, headaches, anxiety, not sleeping, crying for no reason. I was given a link from someone on this site that had the same reaction. The link to report this to the FDA is: fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch. Hopefully more people will report these issues and the FDA will finally do something. It seems that the FDA gives a lot of wiggle room to the manufactures on their generic versions, not caring how badly it affects people. I also shared the link and the issues with my pharmacy and they quickly got me replacements. They are not a big box pharmacy but a small women owned private pharmacy, which I switched to when walgreens starting with the short supply bs and making me go without my prescription (for many days until they could locate some. go back to the pharmacy and demand that they get you replacements. depression is tough enough to live with no one should have to go thru these issues because the pills that are supposed to help make it worse. Check back here for more info.

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Hi Lori and MDS,

Lori, I am so glad to hear that you reported your experience with generic Wellbutrin to tge FDA by filing the CDER report. I am the person who posted that link over a year ago.

If more of us take this simple action, hopefully, the FDA will respond appropriately! It is wrong for and dangerous to all of us who rely on this anti-depressant to have to rely on generics that do not do what they are supposed to do!

I hope that we will remain vigilant with our pharmacies. The large corporations are gambling with our lives in order to save $$$'s.
Just not okay!

All the best,
Janie

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Janie
thanks so much for the link and your following of this to make sure others don't have to go it alone. I keep checking the fda website and am wondering if a second report would help push them into an investigation.

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Hi Lori,

I was very disappointed about 6 months ago when the FDA announced it would be reviewing a long list of generic compounds for compliance and bupropion wasn't on that list.

So, yes, I think it's a good idea for everyone to file a report and for us to do it again. "The squeaky wheel gets oiled" - evidently we didn't get their attention yet... I am incredulous that the FDA is continuing to allow people like us who have depression and rely on bupropion to help us function on an even keel, to flap in the breeze at the mercy of inconsistent compounds. I often wonder and shudder to think about the people in this situation who didn't/don't realize the pill they took/take is at fault as they spiraled into the depths of despair... I remember how I felt! We on this board are very fortunate to have realized what was happening!!!

I will file another report! Thank you for the great suggestion!!!

Let's get the FDA's attention with this dangerous travesty!!!

Best to you and all our "colleagues!"

Janie

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Hi Lori,

I was very disappointed about 6 months ago when the FDA announced it would be reviewing a long list of generic compounds for compliance and bupropion wasn't on that list.

So, yes, I think it's a good idea for everyone to file a report and for us to do it again. "The squeaky wheel gets oiled" - evidently we didn't get their attention yet... I am incredulous that the FDA is continuing to allow people like us who have depression and rely on bupropion to help us function on an even keel, to flap in the breeze at the mercy of inconsistent compounds. I often wonder and shudder to think about the people in this situation who didn't/don't realize the pill they took/take is at fault as they spiraled into the depths of despair... I remember how I felt! We on this board are very fortunate to have realized what was happening!!! I will file another report! Thank you for the great suggestion!!!

Let's get the FDA's attention with this dangerous travesty!!!

Best to you and all our "colleagues!"

Janie

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OK EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD AN ISSUE WITH GENERIC BUPOPRION
LETS FILE AN OTHER COMPLAINT TODAY!

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Hi everyone,
Just wanted to let you know that I am out here too having issues with the Sun Pharm generic. Almost a month on it and horrible symptoms. I can't believe this has gone on so long with so many reports to FDA (filed my yesterday) and no response. I am also having problems finding anyone in my area who doesn't have this as the only generic option available for my dosage. 150mg SR twice per day. Keep filing reports and maybe we will see some action.

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Dear Lori, Margaret and all on this Board,

I just filed my report again!

Please follow the link below in Lori's or my post and file yours too!

There is strength in numbers. Many people have been affected by these substandard generics and may not have realized that their worsening symptoms were due to the very thing that is supposed to help...So, we need to be the ones who step up and take action!

Please save your pill bottle (s) so you can report the lot number and the ID number in your report.

Thanks so much!!!!
Janie

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Realize each new generic or new supplier is there, because they are charging CVS or Walmart less money. And lets talk about Biosimilars, which most of these are. basically you take a good drug, and then copy the molecule structure, you don't have to do clinical trials, you don't have to prove your drug works, you just say, "hey fda, these molecules look the same, let me start selling it" and the fda says YES! weak ass fda. So here's my bad analogy, your neighbor has a nice well built house, you build a replica, but use sticks instead of 2x4's and fake materials to make it look like your neighbors house. They look the same, but when the wind blows, your's falls over.

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I have had negative experiences with the Sun Pharma and Actavis versions of 'bupropion' (see my previous post of July 23, 2015).

The only version of bupropion that works for me is the one produced by Sandoz - it's bright blue in color.

Our government is doing a poor job in protecting us from fraudulent pharmaceuticals - all to the profit of those who donate to Republicans. Not that Demos are much better, but at least they don't fly their fraud flag as a symbol of 'freedom.'

wb

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Dear Warren and Dirk,

Please report your problems with the substandard generics to the FDA:

fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch

We need to bring this to their attention loud and clear in order to make a positive change!

Thanks so much and best of luck,
Janie

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I have reported my experiences to the FDA - three times - and gotten one form response.

You might like to look into the article on Indian pharmaceutical companies that ran in the NY Times Business Section three years ago (November 1, 2012). It was written by Katie Thomas and ran under the headline 'An Increase In Scrutiny For Generics.'

I have exchanged a couple of emails with Ms Thomas but have not seen any other work by her or others on the subject.

IMHO only an independent investigation of these medications will pry the lid off the business - the FDA has no interest or resources to do the work - they are overwhelmed by applications for reformulated medications that claim patent protection - and absurdly higher prices - and hamstrung by political influence.

wb

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Has anyone taken the generic for Wellbutrin manufactured by Mylar? I am on 75 MG a day and it is not helping. The RX was filled at CVS. My GP told me that 75 MG is a very low dose. The med was prescribed by a Psychiatrist.

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