What Is The Best Generic Version Of Wellbutrin Xl - Watson Or Anchen? (Page 3)

My doctor will not prescribe generic Wellbutrin XL but my insurance will no longer pay for brand name drugs. I will have to pay about $7000 per yer for what I am taking now (3 of the 150mg Wellbutrin XL brand name per day). I am reading that the problem with the generics is the time release mechanism and not the drug itself and that some are better than others. Anybody have experience with the generics made by Watson and /or Anchen?

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Anchen is the only generic I have found to be effective (Wellbutrin XL 300 mg). They even look identical to the brand name pills - I think they are the same thing. Avoid the big yellow ones Costco carries - I don't know the brand. They do absolutely nothing.

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None at all. Canda has been extremely helpful, efficient and safe - Canadadrugs. com. So sad, Ilive in the us and have to order from another country.

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Wendy, How long have you been taking the Anchen brand? My refill showed up today and apparently my doc did not check the "Dispensed as Written" box and they sent me the Anchen brand. I previously took the Watson generic several years ago and it put me into a severe depression, so I have been paying through the nose for the brand Wellbutrin XL 300 for years now. These Anchen pills do look like the Wellbutrin, but I am nervous to try them.

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My pharmacy uses the Achen brand. It sent me back in to severe depression. I'm back on the Wellbutrin XL and I'm doing much better. I order from Canada as I can get a 90 day supply for less than a 30 day supply locally. I use northwest pharmacy

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I've been using Anchen for about a year. Luckily that's what my mail order pharmacy provides. For me they definitely act just like the non-generics. People have been saying the Watson ones worked but they did not for me or for my boyfriend - they had no effect whatsoever. He is lucky to have insurance that covers the name brand!

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To Cheri, I used to be on the brand Wellbutrin and was switched to the Watson WPI 3385 generic version and am now extremely fatigued. What supplier through Canada do you use?

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Northwest Pharmacy is the Canadian pharmacy I use. I found a web site that told what all to look for in a reputable one and they meet all of them. I've been using them for at least a year and a half. I can't believe the difference in the name brand Wellbutrin XL 300 and the generic. The generic had me back where I started from. KZIJL

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I believe Anchen repackages the Teva Brand medication.Teva is the one that released the chemical at erratic rates causing the problems.Galxo-Smithcline 's patent only came off the active ingredient.There is still a patent on their time-release mechanism.That is what I read and why there is such a problem with many of the generics.I could not handle the Anchen.My life is very stressful and it made me feel like my head was going to explode from the stress.I researched extensively after feeling these terribly negative side effects.From everything I have read, If you must get generic,..Watson is the closest to original.It is ,supposedly, made by Glaxo-Smithcline as their generic version and distributed by Watson..I have the re-fill in my cabinet and have not started it yet.I did demand that version and only paid the small co-pay even though it was far too soon for a refill.Hope this helps.

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I have taken Wellbutrin for ten years with success, 3 years ago got the generic version and every year I am asking for something additional to help. Received temp supply for Wellbutrin XL brand a couple of weeks ago and felt an immediate change. The doctor has to now deem the brand name is medically necessary for my insurance now 3 month supply went from 1 penny to 70.00 dollars but sanity is worth cutting back somewhere else. Generic equals placebo dam insurance companies!

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Great to find a good thread on Wellbutrin. So Im here to add my knowledge. First off all I need to say that Wllbutrin restored my normal life again. From a hardworking normal person years ago, I started getting more and more tired, and ran out of energy. I ran to doctors, sleeping clinics for 3 years, and they had no clue, and I lost faith in doctors. Everyone seemed to do something different, and a complete lack of metodological approach.
Anyway, It was the help of a friend who figured out I had ADD, so after going to the the 3rd Hospital specialized in sleeping problems, I got Wellbutrin and I returned to being a normal person again. Other pills like rilatine, sertraline etc.. didn't help a bit. These pills seems to work for some, and not work at all for others. So people looking to solve AD(H)D and small/big depressions: keep trying different medicines, until one makes you notice a difference. Dont give up the hope. Maybe some regular simple internet tests to find out if you are (getting) in a depression or not. It is sometimes difficult to tell, you mostly notice when you are too far down there. If you haven't gone out of the house with friends for 3 months, and you dont feel like calling friends, its very likely you are not feeling like a healthy person should.
I tried a couple of times to stop the pills, telling myself that it was maybe psychological, but every time I started sleeping more hours, lost concentration, memory problems, having no energy to clean my house, and wanting to stay more inside. Mostly I realized I had to switch when i slept my whole Saturday away, and my apartment started to look like a dump.
I also tried some generics, and they didn't work as well. During the day it was OK, but then in the evening i felt like doing nothing at all. I feel it as a "dirty tiredness". Im not physically tired, not mentally tired, but something inside me feels like it ran out of energy. I am mentally a very strong person, nothing can stop me, but this illness, just turns me into a wuss, if my pills dont work properly. As to wellbutrin, the key must be in the extended release mechanism, which seems to work really well from GSK, and probably not so much with the generics brands.
I'm taking 300mg a day, which is just good for me, but I need the max extended release which is XR (in some countries called XL)
Its sad to hear in the US, it is that expensive. As you know in Europe, we have a healthcare system. I know for example in Belgium you only pay like 5-8 euro yourself for 30 pills 300mg wellbutrin. I think I once paid 23 euros for 6 months! Same in Italy, governement pays most of it, if you live there of course. In France its not sold, and in Switzerland its expensive, but also here the insurance can pay 90% of it, depending on your insurance, and after a certain amount. It must be horrible to pay so much, since this pill is not optional. Do note that governements in Europe not just do charity. We pay much more taxes than in the US. But this way here everyone pays a little for ill people, and they are not left behind. Its more social, but what is the point when your neighbour gets really rich, while the other neighbour cant pay his medicine. now, if I dont take it, I have a miserable life, and my girlfriend will leave me with a 100% guarantee after 6 months.
Hopefully Obamacare will be implemented soon, because its really shocking to hear how a wealthy country like the US, lets you sink to the bottom of society (when you run completely out of money) once you get ill there. Getting ill is NOT a choice, and everyone gets ill more or less badly once or twice in his life. So you know who to vote for :), although I don't want to talk politics here at all. So for those who are close to being broke, and see no way out, perhaps you have friend or family in Europe who can help you out on some pills. And secondly, I think GSK should lower its prices! They made enough money on it already. this product is a cash cow, and I don't think they should get rich on our behalf. Perhaps some people can share any prices of wellbutrin in other countries. the illness did made me realize how fortunate I am being completely healthy again, and I enjoy life every day, and do things I wouldnt have done when i took my health for granted! I hope I helped some of you.

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I agree with your findings. Still trying to make do with Watson which I think is the best of the generics, plus another antidepressant - also a generic.
I could get brand name Wellbutrin when it was specified on my old insurance plan, but on the new plan, it doesn't cover any brands at all - not good, but all I can afford, and it still isn't cheap!

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i use the Anchen brand for the 300 XL of the generic Wellbutrin- it is the only one that works well for me.

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Hi again.Just wanted to update that I've been on the Watson version for 3 days now.No high stress levels at all, although I'm on 150 mg in morning for now and will go up to 2x's per day for a total opf 300mg soon.I couldn't handle the Anchen even at the 150mg level.As I said, my research showed that Anchen repackages Teva brand.However, some people handle Teva just fine.It's probably about 70/30. 30% can handle Teva, 70 % need Watson or actual Wellbutrin.The brand name would probably be best for everyone if people could afford the price! My pharmacy said mine would be $500.00 per month for 60 pills @ 150mg each and that my insurance wouldn't cover it! If I do start having any problems with the Watson, I will try to fight that with my insurance company, but so far, so good.

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How do I order Wellbutrin from Canada? Do I need a Canadian doctor? Can I use my script written here and send it to Canada? I lost my insurance and my Wellbutrin costs me $US 67 a month. This is killing me.
Doug H
in northern Michigan not all that far from Canada

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Go to "northwestpharmacy" and you can get the Brand name. Their phone number is 1-866-539-5330. They are a legitimate licensed Canadian pharmacy and I have been having good service from them for over two years with no complaints at all. I trust them competely. They are licensed in Canada just as pharmacies as in the U.S.

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I use Northwestern, too. I've used them for about 18 months and have always been pleased with their service and product.

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After being put on the generic of Wellbutrin (bupropion) - well, just let me say things were never the same. This is one drug where the generic is NOT THE SAME AS THE BRAND NAME! I feel very grateful that I was able to find northwestpharmacy in Canada because the side effects of bupropion which is supposed to be identical of the brand name are not. My other medications are generic and so far have not had any problems. But the generic bupropion is a nightmare. I have read on other sites that more patients have had similar side effects so I know I'm not imagining this. So for anyone needing the Brand name for Wellbutrin XL, I again highly recommend northwestpharmacy in Canada. My doctor even suggested I write the FDA to make them aware and possibly have the generic taken off the market.

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I have been taking Wellbutrin XL for nearly 9 years. When it went generic, my insurance insisted that I go with the generic. Within 10 days, I could feel myself spiraling down and it scared me. I am one that has tried so many many other anti depressants and this was the only one that worked. My doctor had no problem writing for brand only and has since confirmed that they are hearing more and more that the generic does not work. I am in a bit of a jam as my husband divorced me a year ago and I now have no insurance. Cannot begin to pay for the brand or generic on the Wellbutrin XL. I found a pharmacy online called Blue Mountain Drugs. They carry brand only with this medication and I am paying $260 for 3 month supply of 3 a day 150mg. This pharmacy is in Canada, but the actual company that bought the Wellbutrin XL is located in Canada.
Hope this helps.

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I started taking Wellbutrin XL 300 7 years ago. I received brand name for a long time and was switched to Teva's generic. I had one bad batch from them and the rest were great. Fast forward to 2010, all pharmicies switch to Watson's brand. Watson's was awful. It caused me to be severely nauseous. Yes, I tried to stick it out, figuring my body was adjusting. After 3 weeks, I gave up and had my pdoc write a prescription indicating "dispense as written" on it.

Starting this year, I had to switch insurances. My $300 Max rx coverage is gone. I'd love to find the Reva brand and would be willing to try the Anchen one. I'm out of my wxl and only have my Lamotrigine. I am severely depressed because I haven't had it for a week. What does everybody take wotc when they can't afford their frigging wxl??? Any help is much appreciated!!!!

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As I said before, Big Mountain Drugs in Canada has the brand from Valeant, who bought the rights from GSK. Make sure you tell them you want the brand from Canada, not any where else. And do some searching, because they do price matching. I just had to get a refill today. It is 270 of the 150 mg which is for 3 months. With the price match from another pharm. it was 344.97 for the 3 month script. I have no insurance at all, so this is all I can do. I have to have this and it has to be the brand.

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