What Is The Best Generic Version Of Wellbutrin Xl - Watson Or Anchen? (Page 56)
(Newest replies first)

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?

REPLY

REPORT

Which pharmacy do u use?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been taking bupropion 200 mg 2x day for several years. Most recently I have been getting them from Walgreen's and they are Mylan generic. About 3 or 4 weeks ago I realized that I have been steadily getting more depressed. I switched to the brand name for a week and quickly recovered. I have tried to use the Mylan again but I am not having good results. Not sure if it is because of changing other medications, or something else. As far as I can find out, the Mylan that I had been taking successfully were in the same 'batch' as the ones I am taking now. I am going to switch to CVS - they said their bupropion 200 mg is by Global and I cannot find any reviews for ti. I will try for a week. Cannot afford brand name.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Ashley,
I have been on Wellbutrin for over 10 years and I will admit it was the last resort for me. I have been on probably every other antidepressant over the years with no luck. The only problem I have had is the fact that a generic ever came into play. I cannot take the generic as none of them seem to work for me. I have to have the brand and have been buying from Canada for the past few years.
Most doctors will work with you on antidepressants, if yours will not listen, please find another doctor.....Good luck!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

I have been on welbutrion before. I have been taking it for 2 years. I think the first year I had the name brand and then there was an insurance change (i have state insurance) and was switched then to generic which is buproprion. I seen no change in using generic. And it still only costs me $1 for 30 tablets of 150mg per month.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I understand that Watson manufactured Wellbutrin for Glaxo Smith Cline and it was identical...or so I believe I read somewhere. That would be my generic of choice. Sandoz worked well but I can not get it through my drug plan. If I choose to use Brand Name it will cost me $1056 for a 3 month supply.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I must get generic Wellbutrin too, but had no problem with the generic manufactured by either Watson or Sandoz. I have to take Mylan and it is not working for me. I realize that these are supposed to be comparable but since starting the Mylan I have fallen back into a deep depression. My insurance will not pay for the Brand name and my pharmacy only will fill with Mylan. As a result, I am having to try other antidepressants when I think it is just the one generic version. Anyone have problems with Mylan?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Bupropion HCL XL 300mg by Watson Labs works for me. Costco Rx just switched me to bupropion by Anchen Pharma. Nervous to switch between generic formulas.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been on Wellbutrin XL 300 mg for over 10 years for major depression and it worked very well for me. I have been switched to generic form twice without being informed. The first generic was not enteric coated and my ulcer acted up. I was switched back to brand name. Now after an insurance change I was switched to BUPROP 24 XL 300 mg. I tried it for 11 days and started getting symptoms of depression again. My therapist again switched me back to the brand name form and I felt better in a little over a week. My cost now for a 3 month supply is $125.00 and prior to this I was paying much less. Why will it take 2 years for the FDA to act on this?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

From what I have read when it comes to side effects Wellbutrin is considered to be one of the best (fewer side effects) if not the best, right up there with Lexapro. Wellbutrin works differently than the SSRI's (Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft etc.). I would read up on the difference there is plenty of information on the internet. I believe, but am not 100% sure, that Welbutrin has a much better success rate re: avoiding weight gain than the typical SSRI's. Welbutrin is also well known for being the best antidepressant to avoid sexual side effects. The one downside of Welbutrin is it is not as effective as the SSRI's in controlling anxiety which often accompanies depression. If you are suffering from anxiety as well as depression an SSRI may be more appropriate (but more chance of weight gain). Sometimes a combination of Welbutrin and an SSRI does the trick. As long as you can afford the name brand Welbutrin I highly reccomend it vs. a generic. Your doctor should not give you any problem with writing "medically neccessary" on a script for name brand Wellbutrin. If he/she does give you a hard time you need to find a new doctor!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi I am hoping to start wellbutrin xl next monday..I'm rather nervous & I hope you guys dont mind if I ask some questions..

1- I have pretty much accepted that brand name is out of the question..I have the option of going to CVS that has watsons brand, Walgreens that has Mylan, or Wal Mart that has Activas (ps..I'm not looking at my notes & am trying my best to remember the names so please ignore my bad spelling :] )
Which off brand has worked best for you..so far I'm leaning towards the Watson..but would love some more feed back

2- I do not think I will be able to function at all if this makes me gain weight, especially since most of my depression & issue is my weight...has anyone had any weight gain from the generic?

3- I live in TX & have blue cross..I called them & they said in order for them to cover the name brand I'd have to get it a letter from my Dr & have it approved by them..has anyone had any luck with this?

4- This is my 1st antidepressant & I'm going to my OBGYN to get started. I plan on telling her flat out I want to try wellbutrin 1st..but I cant help but worry that she'll say no & give me a hard time. We're not exactly close, but shes my only option right now & I guess my question is, how much luck have you had with getting your way with drs? Is wellbutrin pretty well known/popular? I'd like to think that she would be willing to work with me, but like I said, we're not very close & shes been pretty smug in the past (smug might not be the best word for it..I guess shes just always busy & I never feel like shes listening) in the past so...I'm a bit nervous about it.

I'd love any & all feedback...please & thank you

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Been using Welbutrin XL 150 for several years and found it to be very effective. Have tried generic version twice including currently (Tiva and now Activis). First time with Tiva noticed big difference and switched back. My insurance company requires a 90 day supply. For Welbutrin I pay $100, generic $14. From reading the posts I see that I have a better plan than most but the economics are still obvious. Decided recently to try a generic again due to some tight economic times. Been on the Activis for 3 weeks now and started noticing a difference right away. Went to see my doctor about switching back to Welbutrin. He said that based on what he has read and on discussions with his colleagues that the answer might be to increase the dose of the generic. Seemed logical to me so I said let's try it. I now have a script for generic @ 200 mg however I also noticed that it is for the sustained release (not XL). I've got a great doctor and I trust him. Going to give it a shot. I can always go back to Welbutrin. Mailing my script today. I will report back in several weeks and give an update.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

The Valient version Of Welbutrin XL is the original. GSK never manufactured Welbutrin, they only marketed it, for Biovail. Wellbutrin is now and always has been manufactured by Biovail. When Biovail bought Valient, the chose to adopt the Valient Name, and discontinue using the Biovail name. But it the Same Company manufacturing Welbutrin as has always done so.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

You are not crazy. My doctor insists that none of the generics are anywhere close as effective as the brand and she is very strict about weaning me on and off of meds gradually - she believes that you can tell a difference right away. It took me forever to convince her to write the generic prescription. I could no longer afford to shell out thousands a year on the brand (450 mg a day isn't cheap) when my insurance stopped covering all brands. I still believe the brand is best, but I am making do with what I have.
BTW, my doctor added Viibryd last fall and I took it for about 8 months but noticed I was gaining weight, so I tapered off. It was effective - kind of an added punch to the generic Wellbutrin since it wasn't doing what the brand did for me. Lately I have been dragging and don't know whether it is the lack of Viibryd or the summer heat.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have used the Watson brand for a number of years and, for me, it has been as good as the name brand. BTW, just to make things a bit more confusing, Watson bought Actavis, and they are going to call the company -- Actavis! So at some point, I assume the Watson generic will become the Actavis generic. Don't know if that will be the current Watson or Actavis generic.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been taking the Watson generic every since my insurance quit paying for the brand, but it is good to know that some think Actavis is better. I had never even heard of that brand. I will have to check around to see which pharmacy carries it. Where do you find it?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had some issues with Watson's generic so started googling. Thanks for supporting the fact that I am not crazy. The doctors and pharmacists insist that you cannot tell the difference for at least 10-14 days. I always insist back that my chemistry must be different then the masses because I can tell the difference within the first 24 hours. Usually sooner. I do not take them daily. That's when the problems start.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have tried all brands in last 5 years. The ONLY brand that works is made by Actavis. NOT Watson (Actavis).

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thank you for link. Very interesting article. The FDA seems to be saying that even though the brand name has only a 6% or 8% recurrence of depression and the generic has closer to a 20% rate that they are deemed equivalent. Good science but WRONG conclusion.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I couldn't agree more. The insurance companies are practicing medicine with all of the authority and none of the responsibility for their actions. Their relationship with their customers and with doctors is completely out of balance and dysfunctional for us and perfect for these greedy companies.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

It is cheaper to take the 300mg and a 150mg than 3, 150's

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

FYI: The drug manufacturer Watson bought out Activist. Watson "made a business decision" to no longer produce th...

36 REPLIES

I have been taking diclofenac for about 6 months. Had it filled at 2 different pharmacies who had different suppliers. O...

3 REPLIES

If anyone could help me with just these two...Rhodes or Endo - as those are the only choices I have for right now, I'...

9 REPLIES

Hi - I just got a perscription for the Sun Pharma generic version of Wellbutrin SR (Bupropion HCL SR). Has anyone had su...

83 REPLIES

I had a huge problem with a generic before (TEVA) and have been paying a larger co-pay for brand.....I was wondering if ...

12 REPLIES

I was taking 150 ml of Bupropion SR by Teva for several years and it has stopped working for my depression. Has anyone b...

9 REPLIES

I'm am told by my husband's dad to make my husband take wellbutrin Sr 150 mg ta for his anxiety. But he got gene...

8 REPLIES

I've been taking the generic for Lamictal for about five years. Recently I've been feeling different at about th...

216 REPLIES

Watson turned Mayne, yellow, scored tablets marked with 5 and Dan 562 on the other side have not sold their "recipe&...

I have been tapering off Zoloft 100mg and switching to generic Wellbutrin XL 300mg. I gradually went off the Zoloft over...

12 REPLIES