Par Bupropion Xl 300mg Vs Actavis (Page 2)

I've been taking the generic brand PAR of Buproion LX 300MG for over 2 years and haven't run into any problems. Walgreens switched the brand to Actavis generic this month and I feel extremely depressed. I plan on seeking medical attention from my doctor right away-- but I'd like to hear about your experiences to not feel so alone. I started taking Actavis around January 15th and I've noticed my mood has completely shifted and no longer feel like myself. PAR seemed to work well for me. Before I switched brands my depression was manageable but now it's out of control. I constantly feel angry, annoyed, and highly irritated and it scares me. Can generic brands of the same exact medication cause your mental health to decline?

REPLY

REPORT

Emma—I'm with you on this issue. Actavis is the worst. They've destroyed my life-saving medication, Oxazepam, which is now like taking nothing—even the capsules are only half-filled, with their terribly inferior medicine. As far as Buproprion XL goes I would stay far away from Actavis and go out of your way to find a pharmacy that will special order PAR. PAR is the Bupropion I use and would not use anything else ever. I recently settled for a new trash version (because my pharmacy was out of stock of PAR) from some company called Luprin, and it made me sick as a dog. Find a pharmacy that will get you PAR—I honestly believe it is the only reputable and potent substitute for Wellbutrin on the market.

Hope this helps. I wish PAR made every generic. They are great.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I thought I was crazy and the only one honestly! I have been taking bupropion for about 2 years now. I was originally on the WATSON generic when I started on 150mg and when I was switched to 300mg I was on the actavis generic and honestly i had no side effects or problems. One time my pharmacy sent me a set from ZYDUS and immediately i felt nauseus, headaches drowsiness and no matter how I tried to space it(take it exactly every 24hrs, etc) i was still sick. So I had them resend me the actavis and i was feeling much better. The 300mg curved my agression that i experienced on the 150mg and inproved my mood, I was so productive. When my insurance expired and I had to pay out of pocket one pharmacy gave me GENOA generic and it was horrible, even worse than ZYDUS. I was sick all the time, I just felt like sleeping and I was too nauseous to eat and reeaallly angry. I had change pharmacy because that was the only generic they had, and was given LUPIN. It's not too bad, unless I don't eat before taking the meds. I hate being tied to such a condition because I could take it at any time with ACTAVIS . I eve hace to eat "the right amount" before it staves off the S/E but it kills my appetite. But even when I ate there's some slight drowsiness and some agression but I can control it for the most part I am about to try PAR for the first time tomorrow and I'm so nervous because of the things I went through I just want to be able to function again like i was on ACTAVIS but par is the much cheaper option, and i dont have much money. Any advice for taking PAR? Should I eat? I'm just so scared i'm tired of this

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Generics can have as little as 70% active ingredient. The rest is filler powder. Researched this and all pharmacists at my new pharmacy agree. Previous pharmacies said I was just imagining things. They talked down to me because I have depression. My CVS is this only one that stocks PAR only. Most pharmacies use whichever wholesaler offers the best price. That's sad but true.

CALL AHEAD!! If in doubt, ask pharmacy which manufacturer your Rx will be issued from. Call ahead before you run out. When you pick it up, BEFORE paying for it: Let cashier know you might need them to open bag or bottle to see if your order is correct. Don't need to give a lot of details. You need to Make sure PAR is listed as the manufacturer. Read the Rx bag label AND AT the bottle while at counter in front of cashier. BUT don't open the bottle. If YOU open the bottle and/or pay for it. OR leave w/o checking, they will not refund your $. If you turn in Rx at the counter and want to wait in store to shop or whatever, while they fill it. Just ask them to check it will be from PAR. Saves frustration for you and pharmacy. IT'S WORTH THE EFFORT!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

I was searching the web today for "problems with generic Wellbutrin" and came across this site and thread. THANK YOU all for your posts! I have been recently experiencing many of the same (sudden) side effects after years of successfully taking 300 mg Wellbutrin XL daily: agitation, hives, nightmares, and worst of all, I've felt very unlike myself. I also used Walgreens, and they of course use Actavis. I called Target Pharmacy, they use PAR as their supplier. I had my Rx switched, and will pay out of pocket. I'll let you know how it goes. Many thanks!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Please see my post from June 8, 2018 at 2:31 a.m. (Debbie). It's very detailed, so I won't repeat it here. You are not alone. Please reply if you need any clarification.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Always Looking for the Pony (# 24)

I have had this problem for some time, noticing multiple times at Walmart or Walgreens when other than Anchen (I believe is PAR - A 101 imprint for 150 mg) was given to me. I always returned it and until now they were able to fill with the right generic. Now they say Walmart no longer gets meds from Anchen. Called CVS but they don’t have any PAR in stock. Will try Target . Thanks for the post saying that they carry PAR. It should be covered but cost a little more based on Express Scripts’ new tier system for Pharmacies.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I was on a generic brand of Wellbutrin 300 XL myself for years. Sorry not sure what brand. When I moved my new Pharmacy filled that script with the generic brand Actavis. It only took four days of taking it for me to know it was NOT good for me & was NOT going to work out!!! It gave me terrible nightmares, headaches & stomachaches!!! As if that wasn’t bad enough I was nauseous & vomited a couple of times!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I really prefer Activis worked great. I was taking the brand and was concerned when I went to Activis and it worked much BETTER. So now, Duane Reade (which is Walgreens) has switched to Par, so I am super concerned. Good to hear that people think Par is better...but I tell you that Activis was amazing for me.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm an so glad I found this. My wallgreens switched in July. I felt different right away but it took me a long time to figure out what caused the change. Anger, weeping, annoyance with everyone...it sucked. So I went to my dr and she said, yup that can happen. She called wallgreens. I went into today to pick it up....and they gave me the same thing as before!! I was so mad. I explained that it was wrong. I didnt know it was PAR that I needed....but the pharmacy had no idea what I was talking about when I said they switched it. Although it didnt help that I described what it looked like wrong. J hope they can do something about it tomorrow. I cant fo through another month as miserable as I am.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm just about to start taking Bupropion XL. My doctor ordered the brand name manufacturer, but Kaiser Permanente must have changed it to a generic "PAR PHAR". The tablet looks like it's coated which is good because I have a very sensitive tummy. Is Par Pharm a good generic? No icky fillers? Thank You!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Same here. The PAR from Walmart was working pretty well for me for a few years. Switched to Walgreens Because it was closer and got the Actavis. Things got worse. Depressed, low energy and irritable. Didn't believe it had anything to do with the brand. Read a bunch of studies saying they're all identical, but there are no outside contributing factors. Everything is better in my life and I felt like I was on a roll. No change in diet but I have been jogging more frequently which I've read can make me feel emotional perhaps as much as it can help lift spirits. But I'm waking up depressed. Feels like there's pressure on my temples. Short fuse and impatient. ADD seems worse even while taking Dexedrine. Will have doctor order me some PAR online if we have to and see how it goes.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

As of today I got switched from Actavis - which was working - to Lupin. I am getting side effects I never had before and am freaking out. Apparently there's a huge shortage of Actavis with no predicted end in sight. I am miserable, anxious, irritable, itchy, experiencing bruxism, and I have a terrible headache. I may have a nervous breakdown.

There is definitely a distinction between the manufacturers. The inerts lists for each one are different and can cause reactions. It's also an issue of this being an extended release drug; those inactive ingredients are what makes this extended release.

It doesn't seem to matter which mfg you use; whichever one you are used to is the one that more or less works, and any change can cause serious problems.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Greg (# 31)

Following up. Back on PAR and feeling better. Nothing is perfect and I may have it increased but I don't feel awful anymore. There is a difference. Find out which one is better for you.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been taking bupropuin 150 mg 2 times daily made by actavis for over 6 months and doing very well with it last wee...

7 REPLIES

it is ayellow color oblong and it is made by teva i am looking for the ingredients active and non active ## My bupropion...

2 REPLIES

WPI 3332 ## Just to clarify, the pill in description is Bupropion hydrochloride XL (300 mg) To view information about th...

1 REPLY

Hey there, I started taking the dose at night (10 pm)to prevent night sweats and insomnia, which has been working. But I...

1 REPLY

Needing to know if i could take both my meds bupropion xl 300mg and diclofen pot 300mg ## I take Bupropion 300XL, (gener...

2 REPLIES

Hello, I have been taking 450mg of Bupropion for about 5 or 6 years and my Psychiatrist thought it might be a good idea ...

1 REPLY

weening off this antidepressant, i have been on it for 3 months. any one out there with exactly the same medicine? how m...

1 REPLY

Any reported trouble with the 300XL or 150 XL not digesting? ## Hello, Pat! How are you? This subject has been mentioned...

2 REPLIES

Instead of bupropion 150mg xl tab 150mg 24hr (A 101), I received bupropion xl tab 150mg (681). Will it last 24hr like th...

1 REPLY

I've been taking Watson bupropion 150 XL (first 2 daily, then increased to 3 daily) for many years. I found all the ...