Bupropion

You did not mention the effect Wellbutrin can have on 'smokers'. I quit smoking almost the very day I took Wellbutrin, evidently it has similar properties as 'the patch' or those nicotine gums, I heard. In any event, I have not smoked or had the urge to smoke for 4 years--since I began taking 150 mg of Wellbutrin two times a day. I believe this to be the factor.
jdb

I am taking prozac and welbutrin. I would like to get off one of them, preferably the welbutrin, but then it helps some with adult ADD. So, I am torn. Is it possible to just take the welbutrin as needed?

I am also on prozac and wellbutrin, and I wouldn't dream of giving up the wellbutrin. It is the drug that has given me the most energy. One thing that seemed to go unmentioned in the article is the tendency for wellbutrin to raise blood pressure even in people with no prior history of high blood pressure.

I was put on wellbutrin for depression. Previously i had been on several different types of antidepressants--prozac, effexor, paxil, and others. I personally had the most success ever with wellbutrin, better than anything I had been on in the past. Even when I was on the other meds, I never woke up rested, and on my own got up automatically between 6 or 7am. Felt great, quit smoking, had more energy, and even ate more regularly with a weight loss of about 5 lbs. to start. Then with the energy I had, I was walking like 3 times the distance I ever did before, and wasn't tired. It was a fantasic change for me with no negative sexual side effects like I had with some of the other meds. Actually I think I had an increase in desire.

However my happiness with this new drug was short-lived, as I developed an allergy to it . My allergy specialist said I had to stop the drug. I got hives really bad. So now I have to go back to my general practitioner and see if we can find another drug that will work like Wellbutrin. I hope he can find one like this one because it was the perfect fit for me.

Just thought I would let people in on my experience with this amazing drug. Thank you

I am taking 450 mg of wellbutrin a day and 60 mg of prozac a day. Last fall I experienced very severe side-effects from taking a statin along with another drug for my triglyceride level. The only lingering side-effect is my mental state. I had to drop out of nursing school and have been looking for a job for that last few months; however, I have a fear that I'm no longer capable of working. Stress aggravates my problems. I don't trust myself anymore. I have a couple more weeks to wait for my visit to my shrink. But somedays I don't see the point in life anymore.

April 2, 2008

I was on 450 mg of Wellbutrin for about 2 years and was doing great. Then, about 15 months ago, the generic “Bupropion” came out and my insurance switched me to that. A couple months after starting the generic, I called my mail order drug company and said I didn’t seem to be doing as well. They said it was the same drug, but I should talk to my doctor about it.

I believed it was “Just me” and did not pursue it.
Yesterday, I read the article in “Prevention Magazine” (Feb 2008) about generic vs. name brand meds. I couldn’t believe it when they spoke about the generic Bupropion not working the same as the name brand Wellbutrin .

I’ve made an appointment to see my doctor so that I will get what works for me. I can’t change the past months of being in a “less than desired” state of mind, but maybe this note will encourage someone else in a similar situation to get what works for them. I called my insurance company, they will cover the brand name if the doctor writes the prescription as Dispense As Written (DAW).

I had a similar experience when I assumed that the generic buproprion SR 150 was the same as Wellbutrin XL 150, and boy was I mistaken. There is definitely a difference when I switched to the generic. I'm not sure why it didn't work as well, but it has me questioning generic drugs all together. The brand name of this drug is the only way to go.

I started taking Wellbutrin a year ago to stop smoking. After 2 months my insurance company switched to Bupropion. It has been a nightmare.

Until today I never knew not to take the 2 150 mg pills together. Over the past 6 or 7 months I have been extremely agitated, irratible, and sometimes just down right hostile to people. I am in jeopardy of losing my job.

I went to the doctor Friday and he put me on Lexapro for anxiety. He told me to continue with the Bupropion. After reading the severe side effects I think that is where the problems lie. I called the nurse hotline with my insurance company. She told me to contact my doctor first thing tomorrow morning because it sounded like I needed to get off of Bupropion.

I feel angry that the doctor did not explain to me how to take this medication. It has been a horrid roller coaster ride this past year. All I want is to feel normal again and from what I have read about Lexapro I don't think that will happen. I have no idea what to do.

I startetd taking prozac 40mg, great drug...good for OCD and some degree of anxiety and now I have added 100 mgs of wellbutrin a.k.a bupropion to offset the sexual side effect of prozac...It worked! but guess what, now I am beginning to feel little twitces that I did not normally notice before.

I was in class writing and my hand did this wierd jump a few times to where people noticed. I called my doctor immediately, he said I have only been on it for little over a week and that it should diminish within four weeks or so.

If it doesn't I will scrap it asap because if I went on prozac in the first place to treat depression and anxiety, I could do without this aspect of bupropion. However, the upside is that if you have kids, you WILL have the enery to do things with them and feel a sense of well being. And it increases your desire... for real.

Have been on this before and it helped with depression and had the big bonus of not tamping down my libido. I got off of it though a while back. Now I am having problems agains. I am still worried about the seizure risk because I take xanax every night for anxiety and I am afraid the I could have a seizure if I add Wellbutrin to this.

Wow. I'm thankful for your comments.

I had been on Wellbutrin until Oxford denied anymore prescriptions, and I switched to Bupropion. I went to my GP and she told me about the Bupropion article in Prevention. I'm searching the web, trying to get a link to that article -- which is how I got to this site.

First of all -- Let me say that I am so angry at doctors. Most of them are JERKS!!! I've never been told not to take Bupropion only 150 mg at a time. With the blessings of the one psychiatrist I ever consulted about meds -- I've been 'playing' with the dosage, lowering to 300mg when the anxiety is so awful and then upping it back to 450mg when the depression builds.

I must have been on Bupropion atleast two years -- when did the companies switch to Bupropon -- it's been that long.

Who the hell am I? Is it the Bupropion? Is it the years of depression? I've lost myself.

I had an epiphany: I've been walking around for weeks, maybe months, saying, "This is not me. No, this is NOT me... This is not who I am. These are not my feelings. These are not my thoughts."

I must say that so much of this is PHYSICAL, and I KNOW that it is partially the Bupropion.

I am miserable. Probably more miserable from the physical effects of the Bupropion than my emotional stuff.

And I know there is going to be more anxiety and an uphill battle both to find a competent psychiatrist and a satisfactory approval from my health insurance to switch back to Wellbutrin.

There is a definite difference.

I have been on Wellbutrin 100 mg 2 times daily and Prozac 40mg once daily. I stopped smoking the second day I started taking Wellbutrin. Don't even want a smoke, it's quite remarkable considering I have smoked for 25 years. All this was done with the generic Wellbutrin 100mg SR.

Well I have been chewing tobacco for about 24 years and finally my new doctor has prescribed bupropion, and it finally did the trick. I mean no withdrawal, but I still have the habit of going to the convenience store and wasting 12$ on more chew. But that's got to all end. Because I can't afford to keep putting my health in jeopardy, nor can I afford to keep on wasting 24$ per week on this garbage.

I understand that for some people generics sometimes don't work. But I started on the generic of wellbutrin and I had noticed it really helping me with my disconnected feeling that I get.

I have been taking bupropion for 7 months now and since then I have had at least 2 serious bouts of depression. After reading these comments, I see that it could be the medicine. I don't really feel side effects and it did clear up my head (diagnosed with ADHD) but the depression is still there. Anyone else experiencing the same?

I've been taking 450mg of Wellbutrin XL with no side effects... then my insurance started playing games trying to get me to switch to generic Budeprion. Is it safe to switch? Last time I tried generic budeprion was in the 300mg form.. and they want me to try 3 150mg budeprion tablets.. Will this work the same?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WE DON'T KNOW. SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH BUDEPRION, BUT MANY HAVE REPORTED DIFFICULTIES HERE. IN THEORY, 3 150 MG TABLETS SHOULD EQUAL THE 450 MG WELLBUTRIN XL. IF YOU TAKE THEM AT THREE DIFFERENT TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY (MEALTIMES, FOR EXAMPLE) YOU MAY BE ABLE TO OFFSET THE MORE RAPID ABSORPTION THAT OCCURS WITH BUDEPRION.

I have a question and am not sure if this is the forum or not. I have been taking 300mg of Wellbutrin (the timed release one) for several years. I want to switch to st. john's wort. How do I go about this?

I started on Bupropion SR 150 mg; one of the varieties from Watson Labs. Now, Target, as most other pharmacies, enjoy playing "musical manufacturers" with their generics and as such, I was put on a separate brand and now I am just NOT the person to be around, to say the least.

I called Target to insist that this refill isn't the same as the last, but they refuse to acknowledge the difference.

Looks as if I may need to come out of pocket to pay for real Wellbutrin. My insurance covers half leaving me to cover almost $90, but it's better than nothing I suppose.

What a horrible horrible situation for anyone to go through. I feel for each and every one of you.

I started on the generic bupropion XL 150 (Teva Labs) for depression in early November. I noticed a immediate difference the very first day: I had focus and energy, could concentrate on my work, and woke up well-rested. I hadn't felt that good in a long time.

On day 9 of taking it, I developed itchy hives all over my body. Immediately discontinued the medication and consulted my doctor, who gave me a shot of cortisone, some oral steroids, and told me to take antihistamines to bring down the hives.

My psychiatrist wasn't sure it was a reaction to the medication and told me that I could restart taking it. Three days after restarting at 150 mg, I began to feel chest pain, like a weight sitting on my chest. Discontinued the medication again, saw a nurse practitioner who told me sternly that these reactions could be life-threatening and that I should not take the meds again. I am sorely missing the focus and drive that I had while on bupropion, though.

How common is it to have an allergic reaction to bupropion? Is there any way to figure out whether I'm allergic to the bupropion or to some filler in the generic? Lots of people report that the Teva generic doesn't work for them, but not many are reporting hives etc. I would appreciate any help you can give me!

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW COMMON THIS REACTION IS, BUT WE HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS WHO HAVE DEVELOPED HIVES WHILE TAKING BUPROPION.

I had previously posted a comment about my experience with Bupropion XL. I wanted to follow up because I read another post from someone asking about the possibility of itchy hives being caused by this generic. I, too, had this experience with the generic, but I didn't realize it was from the medication initially. It never occurred to me that the generic version could be the cause of my problems until I had suffered from this medication for almost 4 months.

The hives did go away on their own, but I just didn't think about them being caused by the generic. I have been fighting with my insurance since December 4th to get back on the name brand Wellbutrin XL. I spoke with my physician, and although he didn't know of any problems with the generic he did write me a new prescription with 'brand necessary' on it for me to send in to my mail order pharmacy.

He at least believed that it was my experience that the generic wasn't working for me. I mailed the prescription in and because I live in Texas I also had a place on the form I filled in that gave me the right to check a box stating I did not want a generic substitution. It said in Texas I have the right to refuse generic substitution. I thought that was all I would need to do. Boy was I wrong.

They didn't do anything with the prescription for at least a week. During that time I called and asked them to make sure that I did not get the generic and to please expedite the order because I was really struggling. I have never been more frightened by my depression than I have been during this time. I sent them emails on their secure site and spoke to their pharmacist. I was told they would update my file. The next thing I knew they shipped me the generic version anyway.

The order status no longer showed the prescription being received when it was originally received, the date was changed and it said the prescription was a 'doctor call in'. This began the last several weeks of arguing back and forth with them. My doctor had forgotten that I had requested the brand name and when the pharmacy called he approved the generic. I called back and insisted on the brand name.

The most disturbing part of it all is I had repeatedly expressed to the pharmacy online, to customer service reps and to the pharmacists, that this medication has caused me serious problems. I don't even think they updated my file stating that because each time I called I got a canned response that they called the doctor and a generic was approved. It didn't matter what I said, or how it affected me. That is pretty scary to me.

One of my responsibilities as a patient is to let them know if I have problems, which I did, but I was ignored. I didn't just ask them, I pleaded with them. I actually finally made some headway after I got another rep giving me the canned response and I told them I live in Texas and I have the right to refuse a generic substitution. They transferred me immediately.. My doctor gave me a temporary prescription for Wellbutrin xl while this was being fixed with my online pharmacy.

Within a day I was up doing things around the house. The next day I actually felt up to exercising again!! My husband has said repeatedly, that he is glad to have his wife back! The difference is dramatic. I am not over this experience however. I became suicidal while on the generic. I was really afraid for my well being and I have never been more afraid of what I might do. It scares me a lot that the pharmacy I use did not ever feel any concern for my well being even after my repeated conversations with them. Basically they didn't believe me, or care. Fortunately, I figured out my own problem and fought hard to get this resolved.

Everyone might not have the same experience with their generic as I did, but for me it was the most horrible frightening experience I have ever had. I didn't mean this to be so long, but I am very upset that no one would listen to me. I had to call repeatedly to get the name brand sent to me and every time I called they didn't seem to have any record that I had called before and that I had expressed that I had had a problem. That's pretty disconcerting.

I started Wellbutrin a while back - I don't even remember because I believe it has severely affected my memory. I also think it has made me quick to anger. I can go from a zen state to crazy rage in half a second. I want off it. But I am afraid. I am afraid of withdrawals. I am afraid of depression. I do think it has helped some with that, but otherwise, it's no good for me. I wish somebody had clear definitive answers to all these drugs. It all seems to be a guessing game and we are human guinea pigs. Hang in there everybody.

I am a 3rd year pharmacy student. I am in my forties. I have had depression most of my life and after I had my son 19 years ago it got much worse. I did not want to be diagnosed because I was afraid someone would say I was an unfit mother and I was a single mother. I struggled with the depression to make myself function, go to work and play and pay attention to my son. After my son was older in the recent years I finally talked to the doctor about it. I have tried effexor, prozac, Zoloft but they all made me very sleepy.

I gave up cleaning my house. My house looked like a crazy person lived there, I would only take out the kitchen and restroom trash but the house was a complete chaos. I would sit in the backyard on a chair for hours ever day staring at the space and just thinking. I started taking Bupropion 300 mg/day about 6 months ago. This had been the wonderful pill that has helped me, I am not smoking as much anymore and I feel a lot of energy to do housework and even hang my new curtains that had been in a box for a year. The bottom line is that it has helped me tremendously. My only problem is that if I take the medicine every day I start seeing out of the corner of my eye little shades like little animals walking on the floor next to me, then I turn to look at them and they are not there, so I started taking the pill every other day and this did not happen anymore.

I know bupropion can cause hallucinations. Another problem for me is that since I am a student and I have to study and take exams at school, I am finding it hard to concentrate while studying and when taking a test my brain goes blank sometimes even if I studied for the test. Is this because I am getting old or is it the medicine? I have had thoughts of suicide and I know the medicine can also cause this, when I get these thoughts I tell myself it's the pill and I snap out of it real fast. I don't want to stop taking it because this is a new me, I am happy now and full of energy. Please advise. Thank you!

I have been on Wellbutrin for almost two months. The first 3weeks were a living nightmare for me. It made my depression 100x worse. All I wanted to do was lay in bed and cry all day. It was affecting me and everybody else in my life. I cut off all contact with people outside of my house. I honestly did not think I was going to make it. I went to see my doctor after about 3 weeks and told him I needed something else.

I told him everything, even that I was starting to feel like life wasn't worth living anymore. He told me to give the Wellbutrin more time. Can you believe it? Here I was, so miserable that I wanted to die, and all he could say was give it more time.

Well, needless to say, he was half right. Here it is a month and a half later, and my depression is a lot better. The only problem I really have now is that I have no patience. Every little thing makes me mad. And for no reason.

I will be going back to the doc this Friday to tell him about that, not that I think it will do any good. Oh well, all I can do is try.

Also I should mention, I did quit smoking on Wellbutrin. After about 1 week, I had no desire for a cigarette at all. And I still don't. I have also lost 9lbs since starting the med.

I have been on Wellbutrin or Bupropion for at least 8 years. It seems moderately effective, and I cannot think of taking Celexa or Lexapro without it, even though the benefits are subtle but measurable subjectively.

The new TEVA time release seems to have a greater onset edge to name brand, and it is about $25 cheaper per month also.
Some times I wonder if I need it, but always resume after a break usually cause by running out.

I have been on bupropion now for about 4 months. I started out at a low dose of only 150 mg per day. I had a couple really bad setbacks in my personal family life at the beginning of December and again the beginning of January. My doctor upped my dose of bupropion to 200 mg in the morning and 150 in the afternoon. I have felt WONDERFUL!! BUT... the last 3-4 days I have noticed my vision getting progressively blurry. Yesterday and today especially it is extremely noticeable. Has anyone experienced this problem with bupropion?? I'm kind of scared about it but also do not want to quit the buproprion if it is not that. Any ideas??

I started taking wellbutrin 4 years ago to help with mild depression and Chronic fatigue, it was AWESOME!I got my energy back, I quit smoking, I exercised everyday, I had a lot of motivation which I usually have none of. Then I became pregnant with my first child so I got off of it. After my son was born I waited about 5 months and I got back on it again, I was taking the time released one at 300 mill, a day. It was awful this time around, I was soooo depressed and just not feeling like myself, I had suicidal thoughts which I had NEVER had in my life.

I had horrible stomach pains all the time and a constant ringing in my ears. My husband was really getting worried about me and so I just stopped taking it, just like that. After 2 more years and 1 more child I decided to try again, only this time my insurance won't cover the name brand so I am on the generic.

I am supposed to take 100 mill. 3 times a day but so far I don't think I need to. I started out taking the 100 mill in the morning and almost immediately felt that energy come through, the motivation to get stuff done that I usually have to coax myself into, I feel like my thoughts are more controlled like I am not obsessing over everything and not worrying as much as usual, my appetite is not the same, I don't even really think about food that much.

So after about a week I started taking another 100 mill at 3:00 in the afternoon because I was starting to feel the other wear off and was getting really moody and anxious. Now I get the second boost in the afternoon but CANNOT fall asleep until like 2 in the morning!! I just wonder if all this is worth it, then I read all these reports of scary side effects and I think should I be doing this to my brain? It helps with a lot of stuff but I don't know. I am confused as to what I should be doing and the doctors are no help.

I have been taking bupropion sr 150 now for about a year. Initially my dose was 150mg twice a day. This worked well for awhile but I noticed the depression sneaking back in now and then. Last week my doc upped my dose to 2 in the morning and one at night for a total of 450mg a day. I have felt jittery and anxious a bit, and have had dry mouth but that's about all.

This higher dose seems to be more effective in getting me to quit smoking. All in all in seems ok at this point, I guess time will tell. My wife also takes this medicine at 100mg twice a day. Two separate times now she has developed very bad hives and may have to switch to something else, which is a shame because she says the drug makes her feel better mood wise.

I've read through all the comments and I am encouraged.

Like an earlier post, my pharmacy (Costco) has been playing "musical manufacturers." When I began Brupropion about a year ago, it came as white, round pill with black lettering. And it smelled like sulfur. It boosted my mood and ambition. Although I wasn't 100 percent, I felt better despite side effects of hot flashes, blurring/spotting vision and whirring in my ears.

Then Costco switched generics--a blue pill, for a month, then back to the white, whatever they had in stock, I suppose. A few months ago, I began getting the blues only and I feel like I'm taking sugar pills, some kind of inert placebo.

This evening I decided to do a little Internet research to see if I'm just going nuts or if there is some validity to all of this. Thank you, thank you! It's not just me being weird. I can now take steps to remedy the situation and not feel like a total ditz.

Generic vs. Brand name isn't always equitable, and Wellbutrin vs. Budeprion is one of the better-known discrepancies. I've also seen "Buproprion", which is the scientific name for Wellbutrin, used as a generic substitute because the tablets themselves didn't say Wellbutrin - how can they be allowed to use the same name if they're not the same product??

I had the same insurance company fight. I would recommend to anyone first wanting a brand name substitution to NOT RELY ON MAIL ORDER. Get a 1 month Rx filled locally while a 3 month is mailed off. My ins company called my Dr's office several times until they got the response they wanted - OK for generic, BECAUSE THEY TOLD THE DR'S OFFICE I REQUESTED IT.

They lead the PA to believe I requested it because it's cheaper; however, my copay was the same. IT's MUCH MUCH Cheaper for them, that's why even though RXs have "Dispense As Written" they try to persuade a generic instead. They won't count the 2 or 3 times they call and are told "NO" - that's why it takes so long to fill.

The Dr's office is busy - a nurse might read the chart, ask the Dr/PA/NP as a formality and then OK it. OR they call the 3rd time and the DR. forgot or is distracted, or is WORRIED that you haven't had your RX filled and generic is better than none. They finally get the OK which overrides all the previous "NOs" & that's what they've been waiting for - so they fill the generic.

YOU need to make sure your provider documents BRAND NAME ONLY in your chart, perhaps write "PT WILL NOT ACCEPT GENERIC" so there's no doubt. And do as the previous poster did and call frequently to track the progress.

Sorry if I sound like a conspiracy theorist, but insurance companies are evil. NO, they DON'T care about what's best for you - they're shooting for adequate and not liable.

Ins. companies try to keep costs low, but everyone wants the BEST care for themselves even when adequate will work. I get that, but they go overboard and their reason for keeping costs lower isn't only so they can provide more care for more people, it's for profit and their tactics endanger people as witnessed above. Another reason we need health care reform.

Well, I have taken the Bupropion SR 150mg. and started with the itching, but did have the increased energy and loss of appetite. On account of the itching which, was after about 5days, I switched to Bupropion XL 300mg. I only took that for 4 days and was so anxious. I was smoking more than ever. I did not leave the house the whole weekend and did not answer the phone.

I didn't want to talk to anyone, but my husband and 3 year old son just because I had to. I was surprised that I felt like this in just those few days. Well, then I called the pharmacist to switch me to the Brand name which took 2 weeks to wait for the ins. Co. to cover it. I thought it would be like $100. I was wrong $173.43.

So today I have started back on the SR that I have and am hoping to not have the itching. The system is so ridiculous. If they are not the same, they shouldn't be portrayed as being the same. Makes you wonder why there is a $150.00 difference if they are the same. Come on-what a joke! I'm crossing my fingers for the SR. Thanks for all of the posts and Good Luck!

Less than a month after I started taking bupropion sr, and right after i switched from 100mg 2xday to 150mg 2xday, I developed hives and got to take a trip to the ER as well as spend 3 days too high on antihistamines to accomplish anything. I was taking Teva generic.

I stopped the medication but decided to try the brand name Wellbutrin a couple weeks later when my depression symptoms got worse. I'm really glad I did. I've been taking the brand name for almost a year now w/o any problems (except for fighting with my insurance company...).

I started Wellbutrin XL 300mg in October of 2007 ( well budeperion (sp?)) and it was working awesome for me, and then my mom died and craziness happened with my sisters and it feels sometimes like the meds just aren't working (like taking no more than a vitamin). I lost 40lbs between October and April and felt wonderful and I would say just in the last few months I have started to put weight back on and feel like it just isn't working.

I don't sleep at night, I just lay there and cry. I know I need to call my doctor and possibly have the dosing changed but I also wonder if my pharmacy may have changed who they get their meds from too, and that is the problem. It seemed like after getting a new refill of my meds is when it starting going down hill and I would even get dizzy like I used to if i waited too long to take my meds in the morning. Thank you for bringing it up I will start with a call to my pharmacy then to my doctor. I just want to feel like me again.

I just wanted to warn people about the ability Bupropion has to cause a serious hypertensive crisis in those without pre-existing physical health conditions. I'm a 22 year old male with no prior physical health conditions or allergies, and I was prescribed brand name Zyban, the same manufacturer that makes Wellbutrin for depression. After being on 150 mg a day for a week, I went up to 150 mg twice a day, and on my second day on 150 mg, I felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest, and had a hypertensive crisis that required administration at the emergency section of an antihypertensive agent with a sedative.

About eight months later I thought I would give it another go, but would not exceed 150 mg a day, and after my ninth day, I developed hypertension again, although not as serious, I noticed my heart thudding exceptionally hard once again and am going to stop. I have overdosed on amphetamines before (for recreational purposes) and it wasn’t nearly as bad without the need for hypertensive treatment, only a sedative. Just be wary of this, as it can be serious. Shame it couldn’t work for me.

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: SEVERE HYPERTENSION AND RAPID HEARTBEAT (TACHYCARDIA) ARE POSSIBLE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS OF BUPROPION.

I have tried two other meds before being placed on Wellbutrin Sr 150mg (with the option of taking 1 or 2 a day). I was nervous because the Lexapro had caused me to gain 20lbs in one year and the Pristique made me incredibly ill, tired and anti-social. I have been quite please since starting this med 2 months ago. I feel less anxious and I deal with stressful situations better than I have before. I am hoping this will continue to help me.

Are brain fog and memory loss recognized side effects of generic Wellbutrin?

Does anyone know the dosage that was given to the group of women with eating disorders in the study where 4/50 experienced seizures?

I took 400 mg daily of immediate release Bupropion for approximately 10 months. I was prescribed the medication for Depression. Almost immediately, I experienced very bad side-effects which none of the doctors who I saw attributed to the Bupropion. These side effects included a 25 pound weight loss (down to 100 pounds), cognitive difficulties, blurred vision, fatigue, and memory impairments.

The cognitive difficulties were so profound that I went to see a neurologist. I finally stopped taking the medication and was almost immediately better. For the better part of a year, this medication robbed me of so much and made me feel like I was sleep-walking every day.

I have been on Wellbutrin XL for years, and, due to financial difficulty, tried to switch to generic. After 2 days, I cried constantly, could not function, whereas, with the name-brand, I had been doing fine-lots of energy, feeling great. I'm considering trying the generic again because the XL is so expensive, but can't decide if I should try another lab. I am afraid to play around with my mental health, but our health insurance it totally unaffordable. Guess they want me to go off of antidepressants. Then they wouldn't have to worry about the rest of my health at all.

This is my 3rd post in less than 24 hours. I just called my pharmacist and told them about all the information I've recently uncovered online about problems with the generic of Wellbutrin - Bupropion. The Target Pharmacist stated that he has not heard of any problems - which I then stated that there are written cases specifically stating Target giving the generics. He is ordering the Wellbutrin because he says they do not have it in stock and is calling my doctor.

I told him that I too will call her on Monday. I tried to suddenly stop the Bupropion but got scared because the side effects state seizures. I am trying to go from 2 doses a day to one until I can move to Wellbutrin. I actually thought it was me. The weight gain, dizziness, tiredness, lack of sleep, and mental fog, forgetfulness on and on.

I too had twitches, shaking in my hands, and literally not desire to do anything. I asked Target why they push the generics and they said it is the 'law'. I said there is a difference and he said 'it is the same ingredients'.....hmmmmm. It cannot be, because why are so many people having the same problems??????????

I started out taking Wellbutrin, 150 Ml and I did fine and was feeling great. My mind was sharp and I was filled with energy. My doctor increased my dosage when my sister passed away in March, 2009. My insurance company switched me to Bupropion HCL XL 300 MG, 1 Tablet per day, manufactured by Watson Labs. The generic brand along with the increased dosage of 300MG has been horrible.

I feel like a different person and I keep telling my doctor and family something isn't right could it be my medication. I'm experiencing the following: weight loss 25 pounds, mental fog, forgetfulness, memory loss, difficulty sleeping, gastrointestinal problems, (gallstones & gallbladder surgery), lack of motivation, extreme fatigue, dizziness, headaches, anxiety.

After reading all of the comments, I plan to discuss this further with my doctor and stop my medication. I think this medication has done more harm than good and the only one that is benefiting is the manufacturer. Most important it is costing me my quality of life. Thank you and I hope my comments help.

I am so glad I found this site...I started Welbutrin a month ago and broke out in hives with itching 2 weeks ago...I thought I had something in my house and have had an exterminator come out!

That didn't work and I have been going nuts!!!! Thank you all for adding your comments....I now know that it is from the Welbutrin....which is a shame because it is really great for me. But not worth these hives!! It is the most awful thing!

I am so glad to have read the information about 150 mg. budepropion sl. My experiences also have been awful with the Teva Generic Wellbutrin. I took it in the am only and it caused drowsiness, agitation, sweating (beyond belief), and even increased my arthritis/muscle pains. In addition, my allergies worsened to the point that my energy level was dropped and I got an itchy skin irritation which won't go away. Sometimes it looks like acne, but is more than likely very bad hives.

Claritin couldn't even help me keep from scratching, and my immune system has been really screwed up. I definitely suffered an allergic reaction to it. I am MORE anxious and tired being on this drug than off it. Teva's scientists have obviously produced a monster in a bottle. It's shocking that this is still on the market.

I thought it was me, as did some of the other consumers of this drug. Doesn't that speak volumes about the system, and how disinterested our medical community is in the health, safety and welfare of the average person?

I ordered the name-brand yesterday from my pharmacy, in a last ditch effort to rectify my problem. It costs over 100 bucks compared to the 40 I was paying every month, so I hope it works. Otherwise I'll stop taking it for good.

I have been taking Wellbutrin XL 300 for three weeks. Today I developed hives - really awful hives. This is on the brand name, not the generic.

Many people are reporting that they develop hives on Teva's generic, then switch brands, and the hives go away. I'm just evidence that the name brand can give you hives, too.

I had been off the Wellbutrin SR 150 mg for a week, then took it yesterday, only to notice an allergic reaction again last night and today. Forget switching from the generic. I tried that and it took only a month to develop the skin allergies again. Not to mention horrendous sweating, and feeling dazed with doing simple everyday chores.

It is not worth the $104 price tag, and I do better having a strong cup of coffee which doesn't have the gastrointestinal side effects which I have developed either. I can get way more done and feel much, much better and more aware WITHOUT this medication.

Readers who suggest exercise and eating right are on the right track. Antidepressants are full of side effects even at a low dose and DO cause more health problems!

Also try lifestyle changes if that's what's causing your depression. It really works.

http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDER/ucm153270.htm

What the FDA states TEVA VS BRAND

I tried generic Wellbutrin SR 150 mg about six months ago and felt angry at any little thing and had teeth-clenching anxiety and agitation. I have heard that the Wellbutrin XL has very few side effects and is much more efficacious - but it is very expensive.

So, I am trying generic Wellbutrin (Bupropion SR 150mg) again and have had the same reaction teeth-clenching reaction/agitation/headache and irritable. Is it worth continuing because it seems to me the only Wellbutrin worth being on is the Brand Name Only - not these dubious generics. (I don't know if mine are the TEVA I've read so much about - (the tabs are a purply-brown color with E415 written on them).

Don't know about you but it really annoys me that these "so called" bio-identical drugs are so very obviously different - and could be very dangerous.

Any advice?

I've been on a very low dose (75 at first then 100) of bupropion for 6 weeks now and have never felt much worse in my life. I feel as if I have lost myself totally this time. I can't remember when I was ever "normal" because I have been depressed most of my life.

Don't know much about the difference between generic and Wellbutrin... but if the real thing could help me I'd do my best to come up with the money. I've been on most other antidepressants. Some worked for a while then quit and others just didn't work at all. As you can see from my rambling my mind isn't quite with it. But I do know this will be the last time for any meds.

Does generic bupropion cause stinging pains in extremities? Experienced this upon switching from brand Wellbutrin to bupropion SR. Now on bupropion XL and have had one episode in my hand, almost like the electric shock I got wiring my new irrigation controller.

Do not feel I am myself, or maybe this is my new, less expensive self. Debating: Do I like this new designer personality, which blurts things out and speaks out inappropriately? And doesn't sleep at night?

My doctor upped my RX to 300 mg of Bupropion/wellbutrin. He said to take one 100mg tablet 3 times a day: One in the am, one mid-day, and one at night. I seen on your post that you were taking 2 in the am and one at night. And yours are 150 mg tablets. So would it be ok for me to take 2 of my 100mg tablets in the am and then 1 100mg tablet at night? Last time I tried to take 2 at once, I felt funny the entire day. But I'm hoping this will wear off after a few days of continuing to take 2 in the am and one at night. I ALWAYS forget to take one in the am, one in mid-day and then one at night. And as you can guess, it extremely messes with my emotions, depression, and anxiety attacks.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!!

Anyone have trouble with the brand name that they didn't have with the generic?

I was on a generic version of Wellbutrin XL for quite some time, bupropion doing very well with no ill effects. Then my pharmacy switched to budeprion as its generic, and I had a bad reaction to it -- racing heart, lightheaded, nausea, etc. So my psychiatrist wrote a new prescription saying I needed the brand name and not the generic.

The brand name is definitely worlds better than the budeprion, but I think the generic bupropion is perhaps better than both, at least for me.

Since starting the brand-name version, I have had a lot of digestive issues. I have ulcerative colitis and had been in remission for a long time, but I think the brand-name version may be exacerbating my UC.

I have a call in to the MD right now, waiting to hear back. Just wondered if anyone here has experienced problems with the brand name that they didn't have with the generic bupropion?

So, I feel like I'm a bit of an outsider here when it comes to my side effects...

I started taking Buproprion SR a few weeks ago (after taking Lexapro for 2 years) because I was tired of the sexual side effects of Lexapro (no problem with the sex, maybe a declined sex drive, but just could not reach climax). Now, since switching I feel like the sex drive is decreasing, after an initial bump, and now I'm having impotence issues.

After the first week or so, I've felt great. I had some minor headaches, dizziness at first...but they've since gone away.

What the hell??? I thought this was actually going to help sex!

I've experienced the same symptoms as you. Are you still on Wellbutrin and having the same symptoms?

Algernon

I'm not going to tell anyone how to handle their depression/anxiety, but the whole medication spectrum of SSRI's was nothing but one weight gain problem and disorienting to the point of feeling out of it, to be honest. Are the side effects of these meds serious? They are if you don't want your quality of life compromised.

I joined the Jenny Craig weight loss program, and so far have lost 13 lbs. over an eight week period. I am exercising, doing housework normally, have a healthy sex drive and eat right at every meal, and in between. Go back to Buproprion, Lexapro, Celexa or klonipen? Never!

Happy new year, and go natural, as much as possible... the rest of the civilized world has known about the benefits of orthomolecular medicine for years! We Americans need to wake up and smell the coffee (coincidentally, Coffee IS my new antidepressant of choice!)

I have been taking Bupropion 150 XL for approx 6 weeks to treat anxiety and depression. I immediately experienced loss of appetite and physical and mental agitation. Reducing the dose by half reduced my anxiety to a manageable level... but I am certain that my memory has been negatively impacted by this drug. Specifically, I have lost the ability to process complex thoughts and my vocab is greatly reduced as well. Additionally, my blood pressure is elevated above the normal range. I am very worried that the memory issues are permanent. I plan to do a gradual taper off the drug and go natural with exercise and vitamins.

It's reassuring to hear that someone else experienced nausea when budeprion was substituted for Watson Labs bupropion. When my pharmacy began using budeprion, I experienced extreme dizziness and nausea, to the extent that I had episodes where the side effects went away only if i was completely horizontal. Just getting up to go to the kitchen produced extreme nausea.

After a few months of trying to find a cause for the bouts of nausea [two neurologist, an ENT, a gastroenterologist all with numerous tests -- all finding no underlying problem] I was accidentally switched back to Watson bupropion. Nausea and dizziness immediately disappeared.

Now my pharmacy has it on record to order bupropion only for me and I open the bottle and check the pills for the "w" before paying for them and taking them home.

You should check to see if it was the wellbutrin you were allergic to or some component of a generic. They have a lot of fillers in them that vary from one generic to another.

My pharmacy keeps switching me too and it is scary because I am not at a point in my life for medical mental health screw ups. I am very vulnerable right now. I am like a branch on a tree that is fixing to break and fall to the ground if the wind starts to blow any harder. I want to get on Wellbutrin instead of generic. Do I just call my doc or do I need to go in for a visit? I don't even know if my insurance will pay because it has some order that you have to try generics first and maybe two different. I have been on budeprion and now bupropion. Would that count?

Had same reaction; never experienced worse sexual side effects from any AD.

But that doesn't mean I'm abandoning bupro. I was taking 150 mg bupro SR and feeling pretty good, more energy both physically and mentally, more outgoing, enjoying life again, regained interest in things that I used to have prior to ADs, felt better physically too with a noticeable decline in aches and pains which have always plagued me. Much less obsessive and compulsive. Long stretches of the day pass when I barely think of food as opposed to constantly thinking about it. I can see how this stuff could be effective with smoking and other compulsions.

But then I decided to go 300 mg (2x150). I don't want to say it was a mistake because 300 mg is considered to be a standard or common dosage but after about 2 weeks i felt terrible. Angry, hostile, irritable to the extreme, depressed, it was like from one end of the spectrum to the other. My wife and kids were shocked by the change in me. It took everything I had just to stay in the same room with them because just about anything anyone would say would set me off. Spent a lot of time in isolation, it was easier on me and everyone else. Well I'm back on 150 mg once daily and am right where I'm supposed to be (may change but currently optimistic). Wife happy, kids happy, me happy. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that the 150 mg can make a HUGE difference. I am feeling pretty good right now but will augment with an SSRI small dosage if anxiety is a problem. Also hoping sexual SEs diminish at smaller dosage but if they don't I willing to accept that though not happy about it.

I should probably add that I'm sleeping better with the bupro (even at higher dosages) and my wife says I have not snored or exhibited sleep apnea symptoms since I started the bupro. Maybe sleeping better is bad choice of words, let me just say that I have more energy when I wake up in the morning. At 300 mg felt like I didn't really sleep, more like I had one long lucid dream. Next day hard to separate dreams from reality. I expect this to diminish at lower dosages per previous experience at 150mg.

For a little background, I had been on paroxetine (paxil) for 10 years and although it did help me with anxiety I also lost interest in things, had little energy, and even think it may have contributed to a sleep apnea diagnosis. Had some sexual side effects but nothing as serious as the bupro.

PP, thanks for this warning re: bupropion and techycardia and HTN-thought I was heading for the big one, and have been scared. I am under a lot of work stress, and this week needed nitro for angina. I also read that the bupropion xl 150 mg needs to taken twice a day. I've been taking 2 pills together. I'll hold it for a few days and retry with 1 in the morning. thanks so much.

Is the Candadian name brand Wellbutrin XL of the same formulation as the name brand distributed in the US? I ordered the name brand from a Canadian pharmacy but it has "WXL 150" printed on the tablet rather than "Wellbutrin XL" as is printed on the name brand tablets from a US pharmacy.

Wellbutrin XL is manufactured by Biovail which is located in Canada so I was just wondering why the difference in appearance. The generic version was not working for me so I requested the name brand when I last filled my monthly prescription at a local pharmacy - sticker shock! The cost was $165.00 for 30 day supply. Mail order Canadian pharmacy is much cheaper if this is indeed the name brand. Thanks

I have no solution but have been wondering about the memory issues. Since I changed to bupropion from wellbutrin I have had major memory issues, forgetting meetings, information, things I was supposed to do. I have only just learned that the generic is likely to be causing this. I don't recall having this problem when I was on Wellbutrin/brand name. It has been a real detriment at work. What is your experience with this?

Bupropion IS NOT equal to Wellbutrin - there is a filler in bupropion that nearly killed me due to allergic reaction - filed complaint with FDA and due to BCBS insurance only covering "generic." I must pay $200 a month to take Wellbutrin which has been the ONLY anti depressant that has worked for me for YEARS; tried some of the new ones but none equal to Wellbutrin SR - I feel great, focused and have energy so I scrape up coin and do what I can to remain on WellbutrinSR.

Well, wish me luck as I start the wellbutrin and prozac combo tomorrow. I have been on prozac for 13 years with relatively little complication. However, last October when I ran out of prescription and medicines, I tried to get off all of it. Big mistake.

Never just stop taking an antidepressant; I actually started having psychotic symptoms in addition to the depression and anxiety which returned worse than ever. I am back on the prozac, now, but so far, it has not really helped like it had been before I tried to quit it. I have bouts where I lay in bed, don't shower, or brush my teeth for 3-5 day stretches. So, the doc has now added the wellbutrin to the mix. I really hope it works; I don't know how much more I can take.

About two months ago, it happened again. I figured my local pharmacy, one of the chain store pharmacies, had gotten a bad batch of the generic. I changed to a different pharmacy chain, which carried a different manufacturer's form of generic bupropion. That did not help. My symptoms persisted.

My doctor gave me a prescription for the name brand Wellbutrin. The dosing has changed. I'm taking a 300 XL once a day. With the generics, I was taking a 150 XL twice daily. I have now been on the name brand for 14 days. My symptoms continue. I'm not doing well, and my depression is really affecting my work. I'm feeling a little desperate. I don't have any other health problems that I know of.

My question for the forum is: Have I gotten where I'm no longer sensitive to the drug? Will this drug no longer work for me? Has anyone else experienced symptoms coming back after years of wellness, even with the brand name Wellbutrin? I'm male and middle aged. Has my chemistry changed with age? Is this a problem specific to me, to Wellbutrin, or to anti-depressants in general? Does the efficacy fade over time?
(I may have posted this in a different forum earlier. Sorry for any repeats.)

Watson laboratories was given the original formula by Glaxo for the SR version and is equal because it is the same. Glaxo can now pick up these sales in the generic market by doing this. This does NOT apply to the XL, only the SR. I suggest you look at consumerlab.org and see the intensive study they did showing how the generics (with 1 or 2 exceptions) failed miserably. Watson Labs SR version in 100, 150 and 200 all perform like the original because it is the original formula. The drug is off patent but the time release technology Glaxo uses is not and that is why the original is superior.

I recently went to a neurologist for treatment of chronic daily headaches and occasional migraines. He put me on Wellbutrin, generic, 150 mg. SR and I am supposed to go up to 300 mg. a day.

After just four days, I find that the headaches are worse than ever and my blood pressure (I take 80 mg. of Inderal a day most of the time) is really high. This morning it was 167/90.

I am very leery of medications that immediately give me undesirable side effects. Years ago, my pain management doctor prescribed methadone for pain. It made me nauseated and I decided not to continue to take it. My son died two years ago from a combination of methadone, soma and restoril taken as prescribed for pain. I certainly wish I had known how dangerous methadone can be before his death.

I believe telling the doctor about his death is the reason he rx'd wellbutrin. I was on Effexor for five+ years and I gained 20 lbs and began having hbp. I will ask the doctor about Sam-E or another herb. I have never tried the natural route but possibly it will help without the side effects.

I am very glad I read these posts tonight.

I have been taking Bupropion SR 150 - one time a day. I was suffering from stress (working 10-12 hours a day since last October) .. with no end in sight. Doctor thought I was depressed as well.

I am experiencing confusion and thought it was just the pressure from working too long and too hard (medical benefits specialist.)

The medicine seemed to help the 'depression' but not the confusion and now I'm wondering if the confusion was the Bupropion to begin with.
I am calling my doctor tomorrow to see how I get off this safely.

I started taking wellbutrin in the year 2000 after my birth of my second son at that point in my life I had no energy and weighed 260lbs. Needless to say in the year 2010 I am what I now am down to 137lbs and still fight with some depression but I have learned to live with it and take my meds properly. The dr. has recently taken me off and tried me on cymbalta and I really want to go back on my wellbutrin. Things are going to look up at all times.

Are brain fog and memory loss recognized side effects of generic Wellbutrin?

Fascinating to read about the varied and similar experiences of the people taking this drug. I started on Wellbutrin XL 150 mg approximately five months ago. The doctor started me out with 14 days worth of brand name samples, and wrote me a prescription for the 150 mg (xl) of the generic to use afterward. At first, I experienced what appear to be classic initial symptoms--increased agitation, increased anxiety, headaches, fogginess, and bouts of rage seemingly out of nowhere, especially toward my kids.

I also developed itchy skin in the first few days (from the brand-name, so I'm not sure that the hives people are experiencing can be attributed to the generic). I largely ignored the symptoms because my Doctor told me the medicine takes awhile to actually kick-in and do it's job, and I also know that with most of these drugs, the side effects tend to subside after a first few weeks.

And they did. After four weeks or so of being on the medication, I noticed I felt completely normal--a feeling I had not experienced in years. I felt as if my emotions had been neutralized (but not flat-lined)-- I could think clearly, calmly, and rationally, without the racing thoughts and deep sadness and despair I used to feel. After about three months of being on the meds, I noticed a gradual decline in this normality, and eventually I started getting very depressed and started drinking again.

Shortly afterward, my anxiety also started up again, which I'm sure is largely attributed to the drinking. Also, once I started drinking heavily while on the drug, during the times I had been drinking, I would be happy and euphoric and really chatty for five minutes and then totally mean and raging the next--it was totally uncontrollable. So don't drink while on the drug.

I would I did this for four weeks until I was almost as low as I was before I started taking the meds. I forced myself to stop drinking for a few weeks to see if that helped, and it marginally did, but not completely. So I called my Dr., who bumped me up to 300 mg and also prescribed Lexapro (which I'm not taking because I'm scared of the weight gain and sexual side effects).

So wow--I took the 300 mgs last night for the first time (wanted to be at home in case I had a bad reaction), and I instantly felt way too numb. I couldn't even get off of the couch, although I was alert and able to send emails, texts, and focus on television programs (but disturbingly too much). For about 2 hours, my skin was itchy again. I also didn't sleep well and had weird dreams.

HOWEVER, today, only 16 hours later, I feel like a brand new person. ALL of the depression and anxiety symptoms that had returned are totally gone. Occasionally I'll start to feel the beginnings of anxiety but they disappear almost as soon as they start rising up. Needless to say, I'm also in a great mood.

The caveat is that my heart feels like it's racing and beating out of my chest and my blood pressure was slightly elevated this morning when I went in to my allergist for a sinus infection (138/88). I'm only 31, and my blood pressure has always been low. I'm hoping this will go down in a few weeks like the other side effects did when I first started taking them. Has anyone else had this experience when switching from 150 to 300mg?

I feel this drug has been a godsend for me. Not only has it completely changed day to day outlook on life, but has helped me stop drinking in the same way that it has helped others stop smoking--I don't need or want to drink, even socially. It's very odd. It's also one of the reason I noticed the 150 mg had stopped working, because I had gradually started craving alcohol and nicotine again. Anyways, I'm rambling. Good luck to all--if you can get past the first 3-4 weeks of symptoms, you may be able to change your life!