The People's Pharmacy® with Joe and Terry Graedon

I had been taking Wellbutrin XL 300 for about two years and it was working great.Suddenly my insurance company said I could only get it in the generic form. Well this is when everything turned into a nightmare. My life felt like it was spinning out of control. I spent many days sitting and crying, depressed to the point that I didnt want to do anything. Despite my doctors orders that I was to remain on the 300 XL, the insurance company changed it to Bupropion 150 twice a day. I'm still wondering how they can just ignore the orders of my doctor.I would love to be able to buy the Wellbutrin at name brand but it is out of my economical reach with out the insurance coverage.

I have been taking Ambien 10mg for several years on a nightly basis because after a day/night sleep study it was shown that I am unable to sleep for more than an hour or so at a time. Tonight is the first night I took the generic Zolpidem 10mg. I didn't think much about it, expecting the results to be at the very least SIMILAR to Ambien 10mg. In the past two hours (between 11:00 pm bedtime and 1:00 am)I have dozed off and woken up four times, had two nightmares as well as an hallucination, and have lain awake in bed, twice, with my whole body shaking. Now I am wide awake and am unable to return to sleep. So what do I do now??? This is horrible, it's like it was when I couldn't sleep at all, before I started taking any medication. I can't take anything else at the moment because I'm quite obviously already spaced out to a certain degree. I'll be calling my doctor tomorrow so he can make my prescription non-generic allowable.

I was taking Budeprion 300 and had serious complications. Within one month of my medication switching to the generic I had a complete nervous breakdown due to the fact that my depression medication was not working. It turns out this medication is not the same as wellbutrin 300 which I was supposed to be on and as a result it was if I was taking nothing. This can not be allowed to continue. I filed a formal complaint also with the FDA.

I just had a nightmare experience switching from brand name Wellbutrin 300 mg to the generic "wellbutrin" called Budeprion 300mg. I wanted to add my voice to a long list of others.

I have no history of suicidality, but a day after switching to the generic, I went into a week of steadily rising panic. Then I hit rock bottom this last Saturday. Like some demon took over my body. I wanted to die, felt like someone was holding me by the throat and pressing me against the wall. I was psychotic, self-loathing way WAY beyond anything I have ever experienced.

I made it through the worst of it, called a suicide hotline, took two Ativan, and didn't take any more of the budeprion. The next day I felt much better and today I'm back to my normal self.

The pharmacists and the drug companies are adamant that the generics are THE SAME. This is, I believe, wrong, and dangerously so.

My problem has been with budeprion, which is the generic for Wellbutrin. I have been taking Wellbutrin XL (300 mg) for a while and it has worked wonders for me; recently, however, my insurance provider substituted budeprion for the Wellbutrin XL and my experience has been awful.

Soon after starting the budeprion I started having feelings of despair, hopelessness, disorganized thinking and anxiety, falling into a depression. I have had physical problems as well: migraines of prolonged duration and greater intensity, sleep disturbances, night sweats, rapid weight gain, low energy and abrupt and painful changes in my menstrual cycle.

All of these changes coincide with my taking budeprion instead of Wellbutrin XL. I have just resumed taking Wellbutrin XL (300 mg) and I am already feeling better and thinking more clearly. My experience with budeprion has been horrendous, and I will never take it again. It is my sincere hope that this generic drug will be taken off the market immediately.

I had been taking Zoloft for about 2 years with good results. Our prescription plan switch me to the generic last year. After 90 days on the generic - I feel depressed and lethargic. Sometimes I even want to take a higher dose. This last winter was awful. I am gaining weight also. I am going to ask my doctor to resume the name brand of ZOloft.

A local doctor prescribed Toprol XL (25 mg 2xday) several years ago. All went well. Last week my pharmacist refilled my prescription with generic "metroprolol succinate" -- per BCBS senior Plan B. Two days later BP shot sky high - 190/100. Found leftover pill of brand Toprol XL. Hour later, 140/90, high but okay. THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS NEW GENERIC FOR TOPROL XL. This has never happened before.

My experience with the generic Valium was so horrible that I hate to send any info about it. It was Diezepam 5mg tablets. After what happened to me, I didn't think anyone would be interested in trying that particular medication in any generic form. I would never do it again, it robbed me of three months of my life, and that is a price too high to pay for generic. I only wish the pharmacies would listen to a patient with a severe problem like mine and not "force" them to try generic before they will give us the price break.

Some day there will be a death caused by forcing generic meds on people and I hope it ends up in a big law suit. Generic meds have no place in the medical field. They are not what they claim to be and never will be. As you can see I am still very upset over this and I am still having a bad night now and then and wonder if I will ever be back to normal.

My Restless Leg problem is very severe and should be looked at very closely before doing something stupid like making me take generic meds for it. Thanks for listening, I only hope you understand and try to picture yourself going through what I went through. It was pure "hell".

I thought that the generic Wellbutrin (Bupropion) 75 mg BID I take for bipolar had stopped working after my last prescription. I was sinking back into depression and raising the dose didn't help. I felt better after stopping the drug. Several people had reported problems with the generic Wellbutrin XL, and I suspect the same has occurred for the non-XL generic. Is the FDA paying attention to making certain that generics indeed have the same active ingredients as the brand name drug? If not, then why not?

My high blood pressure Rx cost $4 per month at Walmart
and three times that through
our insurance plan - so I went to Walmart and was sold
Mylan generic for Lisonopril
10mg/12.5 mg. I gained 4 lbs
and had dreadful headaches. I switched back to the company generic Lisonopril
and no more headaches.

I have had problems with 2 generics. The first time was when I was on synthroid. I have very difficult to control hypothyroidism as my body seems to absorb the medication erratically. I was sent to a specialist who continued to adjust the dose and was finally able to regulate me to within somewhat acceptable levels on synthroid. My insurance company then decided I needed to be put on the generic. After 3 months, my numbers looked like I wasn't taking any medication-my hair had started to fall out again, my features had become puffy looking again and I felt terrible. I switched to Armour thyroid-no substitutions and I pay out of pocket and I am healthy again.

The second time was this year when generic Wellbutrin came out and my pharmacist changed me as required by insurance. I have been taking 300 XL for years and have been fine. Within 3 days of taking the generic, I was a wreck. It felt like the medication was being released erratically and I was experiencing "rushes". It was a very unnerving, scary, feeling. I discontinued it and called the doctor, who called the pharmacy and requested no substitutions-of course I pay a premium for this. I do not think that insurers should have to pay higher co pays for "name brand" drugs when generics do not work.

I took Allegra for allergies for years then it was changed to a generic drug. I took it at bedtime just like I did Allegra. The large tablets were almost 2 x's the size of Allegra and tasted like Formaldehyde smells! As I slept it started coming up into my throat and I'd wake up coughing. It awoke me from a deep sleep every night PLUS they didn't work! I'm now on Zyrtec and dread the day it too will become a GENERIC drug.

My problem was with a generic form of Wellbutrin. I just felt as if the drug was no longer working at all. My doctor believed me and requested the name brand and I was OK.

It was suggested by my therapist that I try Wellbutrin XL for depression and anxiety. So my Dr. gave me a two week supply of the 150mg tablets. I increased my dose to 300mg after the first week. I couldn't believe how great I felt, it was awesome. Then my samples ran out and I picked up the prescription and it was only $10. Awesome! When I got home and opened the bottle I saw these big yellow horse pills and the name on the bottle was 'budeprion.' So I called the pharmacy and my Dr. to make sure I had the right medicine and they said yes, its just the generic version. I took it for 4 days and I was a wreck. I was more depressed and anxious then before. At times I felt like a wired drunk guy. I was also sweating alot. So after some research, I called my Dr. and demanded to be put back on the brand name. This time my perscription cost is $40 because Wellbutrin XL is a Tier 2 drug. Anyways, I started back on the brand name today and I feel 100% better. I don't care how expensive it is, I'm not going back to the generic version.

Only the name brand Syntroid works for me; and a lot of my friends that take thyroid medication can only use the name brand like myself. The generic brands are like placebos...they don't work. Why can't a generic drug company step up and get the formula right? I'm all about saving money, but generic drugs that don't is just stupid.

I was switched from Wellbutrin XL to the generic about 4 months ago. I have tried to ween off of all depression meds before and it only takes a few months and it returns. The generic is no longer working at all. I have a hard time getting off the couch and motivating myself to do the simplest of things. I just called the pharmacy and I have to wait another 2 weeks to switch back.

I had been taking Zoloft for almost 7 years and felt great. I was switched to a generic zoloft 6 weeks ago and I totally went down hill. I struggle to sleep, wake up in a panic state- I had 3 panic episodes just last evening. I went to my doc today and demanded to go back on real Zoloft.

I started off on generic Wellbutrin which brought on episodes of projectile vomiting that came with about 10 seconds warning.

Turns out my Medicare HMO covers Wellbutrin XL brand name. I changed to the brand name and had no more vomiting

I was just browsing the internet for information on the differences between WellbutrinXL and the generic, and I was relieved to find all of these comments that back up the way I have felt in the past month of taking the generic. I found extreme differences in mood, particularly anxiety (the reason I was put on the medication) that had not been present before switching. I experienced very bad headaches and changes in my menstrual cycle despite the fact that I am on oral contraceptives. I also found that the medication made me far more hungry (though, I suppose that could be attributed to the change in menstrual cycle). In general, I just felt depressed in a way that I had not felt since taking the name-brand medication for nearly 8 months. I am relieved to find others experiencing similar things, as I was becoming nervous that the medication was no longer "working". As for requesting the name brand, I just asked my pharmacist directly, they can check for you immediately if your insurance will cover it. As mine did, I plan on requesting only name brand.

My experience with Budeprion XL was terrible. I had been taking Wellbutrin with which I experienced no problems.. Budeprion wrecked my normally happy self. It had me wanting to cry at work--not like me at all! Worse yet, I couldn't sleep. I realize not sleeping is a side effect of Wellbutrin, but I never had problems with it. After 3 days I quit and am fine.

I've taken Zoloft for about ten years and credit it with saving my life. Last refill was a generic which, I assumed was the same. As the weeks rolled on, I became aware of all the pre-Zoloft symptoms recurring. Since I was faithfully taking the generic, I thought I must really going insane. A People's Pharmacy column on the subject of others' generic problems sent me to a pharmacist. She agreed, saying that she has had several complaints about the problem.

I have suffered from mood disorder and severe depression for fifteen years. I have tried thirty different types of psychotropic medications during that did not improve my quality of life. I began taking Wellbutrin in 2001 and I was finally able to have control over my mood and lessened my depression. About 2003 I began to recover completely. I maintained the Wellbutrin at a low dose for the past several years and have been very happy with the results. This past September I was told that my insurance company had changed their formulary and that the now available generic Budeprion was the only drug that they would cover. After two months I felt like something was terribly wrong. My depression came back with a vengeance. I also experienced stomach aches, headaches and vomiting and became very sleepy. In January I began to feel suicidal and severely depressed. My physician appealed the insurance company for a third time and was still denied. I have purchased brand-name Wellbutrin from other sources and have been back on it for three months.I feel much better with energy and drive to live my life. My depression has gone back into remission and my job, my personal and family life are much improved. Wellbutrin is a medicine that keeps me alive and even though I have to spend a lot of money and actually break the law to obtain it-I will continue to do that so that I do not become suicidal again. I pray for the day when psychotropic medications and mental health issues are given the same fairness as physical health problems.

I also take 150 mg of Wellbutrin XL. I have twice been on the generic form and I get very depressed on it. It has very little therapeutic value. I have to pay the difference between Wellbutrin and the generic, and runs me about $45 per month, but it is worth it. I am another person who is very sensitive to any medication, and I take 1/2 a dose of Wellbutrin and 1/2 dose of Effexor (which I squeeze a few of the little particles out of the capsule), but that handles my depression. I also can only tolerate 2/3 of a Norvasc tablet. I sure hope someone takes notice of the Wellbutrin generic problem.

I was prescribed the generic version of Darvocet-Propoxyphene- for pain after a root canal. I felt like I had taken absolutely nothing. No pain relief, no expected drowsiness- nothing. I'm very sensitive to most medications, and I was very surprised not to feel any effects of the medication at all.

I have been on Zoloft for 6 years. I too say it saved my life. Two mths. ago I was switched to generic. It was awful, all symptoms reappered and i was in a constant state of panic. I have panic disorder and severe depression
I have been back on name brand for three days and wish that the generic would be taken off market. It has caused me to be in a terrible state for one mth.

I've been on Wellbutrin XL 300 mg for a year to treat symptoms of fibromyalgia (depression, fatigue, muscle pain.) The Wellbutrin worked well and I felt better than I had in years.

Last month my pharmacy dispensed Budeprion XL, the generic drug, instead of Wellbutrin. In less than 30 days of being on this generic, my fibromyalgia symptoms have worsened noticeably, I'm very fatigued, and I've gained ten pounds (even though my diet and exercise programs haven't changed.) Honestly, it feels like I'm not taking any medication at all right now. Budeprion XL simply isn't effective.

My insurance covers Wellbutrin (at a higher co-pay), but obviously is pushing pharmacies to dispense the generics whenever possible. That's fine if the generic is effective, but in my case it simply doesn't work. I've asked my pharmacist what I need to do to get back on the name brand Wellbutrin and am waiting for his return call.

I was so pleased when I found out that Wellbutrin XL was now available in a generic. I have never believed anyone's allegations that a brand name was inferior to the generic...until now.

When I first made the change, I suffered dyspepsia, for which there seemed to be no cause. I have progressively become more depressed. I'm nervous and irritable. If I get more than 3 hours of sleep, I've had a really good night. If anything in my life goes badly, it takes me weeks to stop obcessing about it. They should call the generic Hellbutrin.

Unfortunately, my insurance company provides a three month supply, and I can't afford to replace the bad stuff with the brand name without insurance assistance.

I asked my pharmacy to supply me with information about the drug they supplied. They told me it was produced by Teva, but were unable to supply lot number or other information because they threw away the bottles the pills came in and repackaged them in their own container. Is this good practice? How on earth would they be able to identify products if there were ever a recall? Should I discuss this with the manager of the pharmacy?

I have been taking generic Zoloft 50 mgs for the last 10 years. In November of 2006, my insurance company said i had to take the generic. I absolutely hate it. I am tired all of the time. It tastes awful and dissolves in my mouth before i can even swallow the pill. Tonight I am upping it to 100 mg to see if it will work any better. I am also anxious about everything. I just want to lay in bed and close the world out.

I have been on Wellbrutin for quite a while. I tried the XL which gave me more energy & the depression lifted. Then the generic came along. I questioned it but I tried it. It did not work the same!
Budeprion XL 300mg tablet should be taken off the market. I suffered with depression, stomach aches such that I thought I was having a gallbladder attack.
I went back to the Wellbrutin & have been back to normal. It excelerated my Gurd reflex so much I had problems for 6 weeks afterwards! It doesn't look the same nor does it work the same. I think it is wrong for pharmacy to request you to change just because the generic just came on the market. My prescription said Welbrutin XL & had to get another script DAS.

I had been taking Ambien for a number of years with no side effects. When given the generic form of Ambien, I woke up an hour or 2 later, with horrible nightmares, was so dizzy that I had trouble walking, and had horrible diarrhea and urge to urinate. I took the generic form for several days before putting the side effects together with the generic form of Ambien. I only took the generic form for 5 days, I then returned the pills to the pharmacy, and got the brand name of Ambien. The symptoms were alleviated immediately. I did report the occurance to the pharmacy and the FDA.

I have taken Ambien and now that the generic is out, I've been trying it. It just doesn't work like the brand name. I usually only need to take 1/2 of a 10mg and I'm tired and can get a full nights sleep; not so with the generic brand.

The pharmacy substituted generic amplodipine for Norvasc...I wasn't expecting anything different, but I feel tired, queasy and my blood pressure is up. I called the pharmacy and they say that it is identical to Norvasc. What's up?

I started up on Wellbutrin for the second time. On 150mg, no problems. When I went up to 300mgs, the pharmacy gave me budeprion instead of brand. I steadily deteriorated into a suicidal crisis. I had never been suicidal before! My therapist (coincidentally) gave me a new prescription for brand and within a week, I was better. I have no doubt it was the budeprion.

I have been taking Wellbutrin XL 300mg for a couple of years and felt really good. I was happy and energetic. About 3 or 4 months ago I was given the generic budeprion XL. My depression came on full force and then some. I was crying, feeling hopeless and discouraged. My appetite was insatiable and I put on 10 lbs quickly. I have my own business - which I love and I was finding it hard to even carry on with that. I found that I was sitting and watching TV instead of enjoying life. I visited my doctor and he was surprised that I was taking a generic and he promptly gave me a script for Wellbutrin XL. Since this was in the last day or two I cannot say if the Wellbutrin will put me back on track but I have a sneaking suspicion that I am going to find a major difference.

Since starting Generic Wellbutrin XL, Budeprion XL, several months ago I have noticed a change in the way I feel. Many of the symptoms of depression have returned. Symptoms that I have not felt in a very long time. I don't care about anything. I am functioning at a basic level to just get through the day. I don't experience joy. I don't want to get off of my couch. I don't care that my normally spotless house is beginning to look like a pigstye. I go through all of the logical arguments with myself to try and get motivated but none of the behaviour techniques I've learned in therapy over the years have helped. After hearing of problems with Budeprion XL I have contacted my doctor so we can change my meds around to find some kind of relief if my insurer won't let me go back to the name brand. I hope the FDA pulls this stuff off of the market before it causes someone to committ suicide.

After some devastating life events last year my husband and I were put on Wellbutrin to help us come through it and it was very effective. Not long ago we were switched from Wellbutrin XL to the generic. We both inexplicably gained weight, he got night sweats, I'm experiencing insomnia, and we are both more anxious and depressed. I'm sorry others have had to go through this, but glad to know it isn't all in my head as my Dr. seems to think. The generic costs $10 for 30 at Walgreens and I was told it would be $110 for Wellbutrin. Who can do that?? The generic is ineffective and could cost someone their life. Is anyone out there listening to what people are saying?

I was taking Wellbutrin XL 300 for about 8 months and felt very good. about 45 days or so ago i was switched to the generic Bupropion by the Pharmacy. i had noticed that my depression had come back and i was having daily headaches constant up and down feelings, feeling hopeless and lethargic, drowsey, stomach and digestive problems, as well as some other side effects, and did not care much about anything. i called my doctor this past Monday to explain it to him and he wrote a new prescription for the name brand Wellbutrin XL 300. I started on it on Tuesday and have been feeling better since, not all of the way back, but much better. I don't think that the generic is released in the same way and I hope I don't ever have to take it again. Until I searched the internet over this past weekend, I did not even think it could be the generic Bupropion may be causing the problems.

I have to echo the complaints others have had with the Budeprion XL. Wellbutrin XL has worked for me for a couple of years, and about three months ago I switched to the generic. I didn't notice a difference at first, but gradually my depression returned to its former heights (or depths, really). This morning I had my regular med check-in with my doctor, and he told me that about 75% of his patients who've switched to the generic have suffered increased depression. I just picked up some Wellbutrin, and I hope to see some improvement over the next couple of weeks.

My doctor prescribed Ambien and my pharm. gave me zolpidem tartrate. I have been up every two hours then just gave up and got up at 4a.m. I should have been given the drug I ordered.
The same thing happened with Percocet. I got endocet. It does not work.

I've been on Wellbutrin and Wellbutrin XL (300 mg)for several years. It has really helped my ADD and made life much easier. After hearing about the generic for Wellbutrin XL being available, I asked my doctor to switch my prescription to save money. I've been on the generic for about a month. I haven't noticed much difference (gained some weight, some trouble sleeping), but my wife has noticed that my ADD symptoms have gotten worse. I'm less attentive, more forgetful and more anxious. I'll be switching back to the brand-name now that I am aware of the generic's short-comings. Who woulda' thunk?

I was amazed at all of the comments concerning the generic form of Wellbutrin. My doctor prescribed it for me about a year ago to help quit smoking. The first few days were fine, and then I started to notice that I couldn't sleep. After about two weeks I became only what I can classify as insane. I was up at 2 a.m. talking to a man in my living room who wasn't there. My husband came into the room and said I never even looked in his direction. He then picked me up and put me in a tub of cold water. Only after he did this, did I snap to. Needless to say, I immediately quit taking the medicine! I have no history of any form of mental problems and can not understand why a drug like this would even be put on the market!

I recently switched from Cymbalta to budeprion (I was using the Cymbalta for depression and chronic pain) and am experiencing extreme anger, agitation and am on a emotional roller coaster with suicidal thoughts. I was doing well on the Cymbalta but had some weight gain from it and wanted to change. I came online to research budeprion and found many people experiencing the same problems with this generic form of Wellbutrin as I am. I am stopping the budeprion today!
I have an appointment with my doctor in a week and will discuss the problems with this drug with her then.

I had been on Wellbutrin XL for a couple of years & doing very well. When my mail-order prescription plan substituted the new generic I noticed a difference after just a few days. My depression has steadily been getting worse & I will try to budget enough from now on to pay for the real thing. The generic simply does not work. I was quoted $250.00 for a 3 month supply of Wellbutrin XL 300mg.

I have been on Ambien for many years for insomnia related to fibromyalgia. About 2 weeks ago, my pharmacy changed it to the generic zolpidem. I have been having a lot of trouble sleeping and thus more pain with the fibromyalgia. Called the pharmacy and they said they couldn't do anything and to call the doctor to get it written as "dispense as written". The doctor's office said I should call the pharmacy. What a run around. What can a person do?

I'd been taking TEVA nefazodone for quite a while without problems, but then one refill I got seemed to cause heart palpitations. The palpitations started the day I got this refill, and stopped within a couple of days after I stopped it.

I'd told all the doctors that the palpitations started with the refill, but only one of them suggested I go off the medication to see if that was the cause. This after about 3 weeks of trying to diagnose the cause, a Holter Monitor, and a trip to the emergency room. The cardiologist confirmed these were Frequent Premature Ventricular Contractions (several per minute, continuously).

I submitted two reports to FDA's MedWatch, but I've not heard back from them. At the recommendation of Marvin Shepherd, safedrugs.org, I contacted TEVA. They were not convinced it was a quality problem, nor did they seem inclined to do any internal testing or testing of the remainder of my prescription. I sent the remainder of the prescription to the People's Pharmacy for testing. I'm anxious to hear the results.

i was just switched to generic zoloft today i notice a big difference i am jittery and feel high and dizzy and just panicy...... i am going to the pharmacy tomorrow, i refuse to take any more of this stuff by mylan.

I RECENTLY WAS GIVEN A REFIL FOR MY AMBIEN AND FOUND IT WAS THE GENERIC VERSION ZOLPIDEM (teva) I HAD BEEN ON AMBIEN FOR NEARLY 7 YEARS NOW, AND WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO SLEEP, OFTEN ON JUST HALF A DOSE OF THE 10 MG, HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN ON THE GENERIC OVER A WEEK, AND HAVE NOT SLEPT YET. I AM TIRED ALL DAY, FEEL SOMETIMES OUTSIDE OF MYSELF, AND HAVE BEEN VERY UNCONFORTABLE AND TIRED. THERE IS NO WAY I AM ABLE TO BELEIVE THIS IS THE EXACT SAME MEDICATION.

I had been taking Wellbutrin XL 300 for several years. I was astonished when I got my refill and the pharmacy and insurance company took it upon themselves to give me the generic Budeprion XL 300mg(TEVA), thus overriding my doctors written prescription. I have been taking the generic Budeprion for almost a month now and have notices a big difference. My symptoms are coming back fast. I'm always sleepy, I gained weight, I am very irritable, cranky and just don't feel like doing anything anymore. I contacted my insurance company mail order pharmacy and had my doctor call in a prescription for the brand name Wellbutrin. Unfortunately, I was informed by the insurance company that it is going to cost me $275 for a three month supply because not only do I have to pay my copay, but they add in the price difference between the brand and generic. I was floored!! Needless to say, as much as I would like to pay out that money, I just can't afford it. I had tried quite a few anti-depressants before Wellbutrin and they all made me sick to my stomach. And it never subsided over time (like I was told it would). The last one (Lexapro) made me have horrible headaches and severe vomiting. Who wants to have that???
I have made an appointment with my doctor to discuss other options because I can't afford the brand, but the generic doesn't work. I don't know what else to do. It's also good to know that I'm not the only one that thinks this generic is a bust. I have tried other generics and never had a problem, so I wanted to give the generic Wellbutrin a shot. What a waste of time and money (thank goodness it was only $10)!!! It definitely needs to be pulled off the market!!

It's strangely a relief to read all these comments. I had been taking Wellbutrin XL for about a year, very successfully. Then in February, the pharmacy filled it as Budeprion XL. I am on a high deductible health plan so even this generic is $122.74 PER MONTH.

I've been taking it for several months now, and things have just been going steadily downhill. I didn't want to recognize that the symptoms of depression are back, but I just couldn't understand why I am so unhappy. I even started crying in a bagel store when a senior citizen cut in front of me in line! Ridiculous. I slowly came to the realization that perhaps my faith in generics is misplaced, and maybe the symptoms really are back because the Budeprion isn't working.

After a few google searches, I found this site (and a healthboards message board) and I just started bawling in relief -- it's not all in my head, and it's not my fault. The drug really isn't working the way it's supposed to.

Now I have a 60 day supply of Budeprion (cost $244) that I guess has to be trashed, and I need to come up with more money for Wellbutrin and perhaps another doctor consultation ($250).

It's only money, and I HAVE to go back to Wellbutrin. This morning I had the thought that if a car hit me while I was riding my bike at least I wouldn't have to go through life anymore :(

I have been taking Wellbutrin for 3 years. It has been great. This month the pharmacy switched me to the generic and I feel like I'm developing gastric ulcers. I didn't make the connection until tonight when my stomach was fine until I took the generic wellbutrin. I will never take it again. The pain is so severe I thought I would have to go to emergency . This stuff should be taken off the market TODAY.

I have been taking questran one scoop daily, i was to cholestyram my I.B.S went wild i called my Dr. He said it was the same thing. I tried to call mfg. Sandoz they are not listed in princeton, NJ to tell the co. my problem. I had to get my Dr. To write me a new Rx. for brand name only.

I've been on antidepressants for approx. 13 years now and have tried (all with little/no success): Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa. Prozac=NO SEX, Zoloft=DRYMOUTH, Celexa=HORRID HEADACHES.

I am treated for a combination of clinical depression and ADHD, so I finally got a good doctor who decided to put me on Wellbutrin 300mg XL which has been like a gift from the heavens. I now have my life back and in control and can function as a productive member of society once again.

WARNING: My stupid pharmacy/insurance co. refilled my RX with generic Buprion in March 2007 and when I started taking it, thinking nothing of it until ALL OF MY SYMPTOMS RETURNED WITHIN A FEW DAYS!! It was like night and day - the Buprion is supposed to be the exact same formulation, but I was so severely dysfucntional and depressed that my relationship with my husband crashed and burned, nearly ruining my marriage, since we both had no idea what the hell was going on. I put up with the nightmarish experiment for a month before I pleaded with my doctor to be put back on the pure form instead of the generic. I have been back on the good stuff now for about three months and everything is completely stable and normal once again.

Good news: REAL Wellbutrin really does work!

Bad news: I'll likely be on it for life and many more people will likely suffer as I did with the effects of a poorly-manufactured facsimile as more pharmacies randomly substitute without warning. I'd like BethG to please post a link or other information to the place where people can log formal complaints with the FDA so we can all be heard and eventually force the FDA's hand to take action.

I was switched to the generic (Buderion made by Teva) for Wellbutrin XL 300mg in March. After a few weeks I began to notice that it did not seem to be working as well as the Wellbutrin from the manufacturer. My daughter said to me one day "Mom did they change your medication?". I told her just from the orignal to a generic. I finally called my doctor and he said he would put me back on the brand name. I just started today with it but feel that I will be doing better within a week or two.I only wished I had called earlier.

I had a bad experience with Budeprion XL, the generic for Wellbutrin XL. I've been taking 300mg of the Wellbutrin XL for 3 years, and decided to switch to the generic to save money. My doctor advised against it. He was right, I was wrong. The generic's time release isn't steady. It peaks early and then stops working. After two weeks it stopped working completely. I missed 4 days of work laying on the couch, depressed with no energy. I'm saving the rest of the prescription in case of a lawsuit. It was manufactured by Teva.

I was doing great on Wellbutrin Xl until one day the pharmacist gave me another prescription. I immediately checked online to see if it was the same and it was the generic kind. I didn't mind until I started noticing that i had gained weight and that terrifies me. It also makes me cry and have a lot of depression. Please don't give us Budeprion any more. I hate it and feel horrible and my self confidence has gone down. It is certainly not the same as Wellbutrin.

My insurance company puts pressure on me and on my doctor each time I get a refill of OrthoCyclen. I had been taking it for years but when I tried the generic I had all kinds of cramping and a lot of bleeding. It turned out that I had more secondary expenses than when I paid for the name brand OrthoCyclen. Since then, I (and my doctor) have insisted on the name brand OrthoCyclen. Since then I have been very skeptical about the effectiveness of generic medications.

I had an awful experience with the Ambien generic. I've been taking it for about three weeks. I woke up this morning so dizzy and nauseous that I could hardly walk. I've had bad nightmares and just couldn't seem to sleep deeply for several nights. I also have a burning sensation and itchy skin rash. My husband had to drive me to the doctor's office because we were both afraid for me to drive after this bad experience. I've never had any problem with the 'real' Ambien - one half tablet makes me sleep soundly and awake refreshed.

I was recently taking Toprol XL for a heart rate problem call SVT and was doing fine. Our drug coverage changed and the mail order drug company sent me the generic Metoprolol Succ ER tabs. About a week after starting the generic drug i was awakened at 5:00 am with a heart rate of 188. We went to emergency and they got it under control. This happened 3 times within a 4week period, and finally my husband and I told the doctor the only thing we could think of that had changed was the geneic drug. She immediately wrote a new presciption for brand name Toprol XL. Never had another problem. I understand the generic is a immediate release and is in the system for about 6 hours and that the Toprol XL is 24 hour time release. I am 54 years old without a blood pressure problem, but soem one eldely could have a real serious BP problem on this generic.

I have been on ambien 10 mg for several years. When I went to pick it up at the pharmacy, I was informed that I would be receiving the generic, which I was happy about because it was a little cheaper. I took it at my usual time, 9:00PM and I am usually asleep by 9:30. Well I was still wide awake and I mean wide awake at 2:30 in the morning. I almost felt stimulated, I maybe slept 2 hours that night but the thing I really noticed was that I could not reacall anything from the previous day, I felt like I had amnesia. It was as if I had taken a sugar pill, it did nothing for me except give me the amnesia. These generic Ambien are nothing like the real ambien. I am not going to take any more of the generic pills because they really make you feel bad, not like yourself.

I was feeling really good on Wellbutrin 300 for a couple years - then a little more than 3 months ago my insurance co sent me 90 days of the generic. It was 90 days of hell. I was sick to my stomach and vomited in the morning for no reason. I was depressed, cried a lot, and had a lot of anxiety attacks. I felt like like I had before Wellbutrin. I now have 90 days of Wellbutrin 300 and am starting to feel better, but my insurance co. will not refill unless my Dr. requests it as "medically neccessary", which I believe she will. It is such a relief to be feeling like myself again, and to know it's not "just me".

I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue and depression in 2004 and put on Wellbutrin XL. I started to feel relief almost immediately, and within months I felt like a new person. Several months ago I went to pick up my prescription and saw it was a generic, budeprion XL. I immediately called my doctor and he said it would be just the same, so I didn't think any more of it. But after about 2-3 weeks, my symptoms started coming back, and within a couple months I felt worse than I ever had. I was missing about 3 days of work per week, gained 20 lbs (but was forcing myself to exercise more to stave off depression) and had no motivation for anything. I didn't even want to leave my house. I was crying all the time and just felt like my life had no purpose. But it never occurred to me that the budeprion xl might not be working because I have taken other generics before and they were fine. Instead I spent the next six months hopping from specialist to specialist to try to figure out what was wrong. I was even told I might have breast cancer! Then about 2 weeks ago my friend, who had been taking Wellbutrin XL but stopped because she didn't need to anymore, gave me her leftover BRAND NAME WELLBUTRIN XL prescription pills (not the right thing to do, I know, but she was trying to save me money). I started taking them when my month's supply of budeprion xl ran out and--I am not kidding--withing THREE DAYS I felt like my old happy healthy self again. My appetite decreased, I had a ton of energy, and everyone was commenting on how happy I seemed. I have not missed a day of work since then either. BUDEPRION XL MUST BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET. I never had problems with generics before but from my experience and everyone else on this web site, it obviously DOES NOT WORK. Do not let your doctor give you the generic--you will feel terrible!

I just startred back on Wellbutrin XL only to find I'd been given the generic Budeprion. I was happy to get a generic, as it's nice to save money, but there's nothing nice about this. I have terrible headaches everyday. My stomach is terrible. I have chronic indigestion. I am reaping no benefits at all. I'm edgy, whereas I wasn't before. It's crazy! This crap needs to be banned!!

I have been on Zoloft for 8 years and it has changed my life for the better. Two months ago I was automatically switched to the generic version (IC Sertraline HCL.) Within two - three weeks I started feeling extremely depressed and now experience frequent panic attacks. It is as though I am not even on an antidepressant. I tried to convince myself that it was not b/c I switched to the generic version of Zoloft...but nothing in my life has changed except this prescription. After finding this site and reading others experience with generic versions of SSR's I am convinced genric Zoloft is non-effective. Thank you for all who have shared their stories...I am calling my Dr. to switch back to Zoloft.

Can I tell you all how glad I am I found this site. I am sitting in the dark, crying for no apparent reason. But, the more I cry, the better I feel..so I just keep crying. It occurred to me that I havent done this in a while. Among many other things...I'm a COMEDY WRITER for crying outloud!!!!

I JUST called CVS...at 3:35am...to have the my NON-GENERIC Wellbutrin XR filled so that I can pick it up first thing in the morning. Of course I thought the generic would be just as good...and it was only $8.00. Well, I saved $15...but I have been sitting in the dark listening to the saddest sad songs I could find for two nights in a row! I've had Mariah Carey's "Outside" on repeat for the last 20 mins. I'm clearly not sleeping anytime soon, so let me find a link to the lyrics so you can see what I'm dealing with...
http://www.lyricsdepot.com/mariah-carey/outside.html

RANDOM!

I've been on XR for at least 5 years. I tried the generic SR and that didnt work, so I dont know why I was dumb enough to thing the XR would be any different. I am, for all intensive and practical purposes...USELESS...and have been for the past three weeks. Looking back on it now...I've had a perfect "Text Book" depression since I switched medications.

My house is a wreck. One of my friends called to ask me to go out, and I told her I needed to stay in and clean a bit because I was afraid the people from DHEC were going to come put yellow caution tape around my kitchen. I told her that my house looked like I was depressed. I KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE! It looks like I came home after barely making it through the day at work, and sat in one spot until it was time to go to bed! Just about every dish, spoon, knife, fork, etc. I own is in the sink waiting to go in the dishwasher. I just couldnt be bothered with any of it.

In addition to that...I have made some really 'questionable decisions' at work lately. When I think about it now...I think that I was just being paranoid...and maybe everyone in my department WASN'T plotting against me. And...I REALLY lashed out at this chick at work (and questioned her mother's...and grandmother's parenting skills) because she was clicking her gum. Granted, she should know better...but I'm not the world police.

Taking this medication has been the closest thing I can think of to PMS. Ladies...you know how you see that commercial where the dad is dancing at his daughter's wedding...and you start crying...and you don't realize until 18 hours later...while you are crying from an episode of NCIS...that it's PMS. THAT'S what this has been like for me. I thought I was loosing it. I am guessing you might be able to tell that by the fact that I am typing at about 85WPM...and have decided not to edit the stream of thought...just so everyone could see what this PLACEBO has done to me in three small weeks!

I really think this is dangerous. I think someone somewhere should say something about this...because if tens of thousands of people just got switched to generic instead of the normal XR...I cant imagine that all of them realize that they are nervous wrecks...and this so called 'just as good medication' is the reason. It seems sooooo irresponsible that drug companies can be allowed to make these claims when they are clearly UNTRUE. Everyone on this message board is taking that same gigantic worthless yellow pill that I am taking...and we are all having the same problems! Is anyone paying attention!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE listening to music. It's the one thing that can put me in a 'better mood'. For the past three days, I've been skipping all of the remotely happy songs...because I was not in the mood for them...but I've been avoiding the sad songs...because I'm not sure I can deal with them! "When Sunny Gets Blue" is me right now. I am SOOOOO glad I found this site...and that I'm not crazy!!!
Maybe I will get to sleep before Tuesday...so by Thursday, I can have a normal day again.

I will be at the pharmacy FIRST THING in the morning to get my regular prescription.

I hope...hope and pray that this generic gets taken off the market. I could just as well have taken Flintstone Vitamins.

Thanks for listening...Best of luck to you all. SPEND THE MONEY FOR THE NON-GENERIC!!!!
Just pretend your life depended on it...Mine apparently does.

For EVERYONE who hasn't had to go through this...would everyone on this site copy and paste their complaint on the FDA's website??? It only takes a second...and it might save a life...literally. These idiots don't pay attention to ANYTHING until a few hundred thousand people die. After that, they MAY "add more stringent packaging requirements with BOLD LETTERS". At least we can say we tried. The e-mails we send will probably end up on the desk of an intern whose only there for the summer...but you never know! The drug companies will not let this drug 'go'. It is up to us to talk about it...and give it a 'bad reputation' so that everyone knows!

http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/problem.html

SK!

I also had a terrible experience with generic Wellbutrin. Back on brand for $145 at Walgreens but immediately feel better. I am going to tell my Dr, the pharmacists and anyone else I can this needs fed investigation.

I have been successfully taking Wellbutrin XL for about 5 years. Around the middle of March, my mail-order pharmacy changed my prescription to the generic bupropion hcl by IMPAX (Teva). Although I was immediately nauseated by the smell of the pill, I did not anticipate any other problems. All of the symptoms of my depression returned--sadness, hopelessness, lethargy, slow digestion and reflux, weakness, weight gain. Typical of depression, I blamed myself for the problems. When I read in the newspaper about other people having similar experiences, I immediately notified my doctor. After a complete physical, my doctor wrote another precription indicating "brand name medically necessary." I am slowly beginnning to feel better, but now, once again, I must start over on my exercise program, lose the weight I gained, and get the relux under control. In addition, I am waiting over the July 4th holiday for the results of my breast biopsy that I had on Monday. Is there a connection with the generic?

My husband experienced similar problems when he began taking the generic, and he blamed it on his job. Even when his doctor indicated "name brand medically necessary" on a new script, the online pharmacy still sent the generic. When he questioned the pharmacy about their mistake, they sent the name brand for 5 times the price of the generic, but they refused to give us a refund for the generic.

I have been taking brand name Toprol XL for quite some time without any problems. Last week, I ran out and my doctor phoned in the refil for a generic prescription. I received Metoprolol ER. I took it for 7 days - this is absolutely NOT the same. I have a blood pressure cuff wich records my last 100 readings. During about the first 12 hours after taking it, my blood pressure was way too low. During about the last 12 hours, my blood pressure was much higher than it ever was. I am on my way now to pick up a new prescription for the brand name, at an additional cost to me, of course.

I had to switch from Celexa to the generic, which did not work well. My pharmacist said to report this to my doctor, as he had heard the same complaint from other people. My doctor upped my dosage to see if that would help and for economic reasons I've stayed with the generic. I think this has slowed down my recovery.

I was not going to add my experience to the long list of those who had difficulty with the generic form of Wellbrutin XL, but my boyfriend said it was important for you to hear all of our stories. I too got switched to the generic and it was one month of hell. My world crashed and suicide began to feel inevitable. Fortunately, between my psychologist and my clinical nurse specialist, we determined that the issue may have been the generic drug. Within 3 days of returning to Wellbrutin XL, my life was returned to me. This was a VERY scary experience! I now have to pay $45/month instead of $10/month, but I really don't have a choice. I feel that this particular generic is dangerous!

I also have been on Ambien for nearly a decade. And I thought that the generic would be the same as the original. But it is not -- I have a minimum of 2 hours of sleep and then I wake up. So I am now taking 2 pills a night and still don't feel rested. I will be calling my doctor Monday AM after reading all the other comments. I was told by my doctor last month that if you get Ambien CR and crush or break it -- it works the same as the regular. For those of us who need to buy it with our health insurance, because my policy no longer allows me to buy the non-generic version.

It is a big relief to know that the cause of my recent irrational behavior and lack of energy is because of being changed to Budeprion xl! I have suffered from depression for many years and always did very well on Wellbutrin. My story is the same as so many others, my Insurance switched me to the generic and my symptoms of depression have returned with a vengeance! I have not talked to my doctor or Insurance Co. yet but will do so immediately! The generic version is NOT the same! It should all be flushed down the toilet!

I'll add my experience to the long list of generic Wellbutrin nightmares. I've never given my input on the internet, but Budeprion seriously needs to be investigated! Because of family history, and the genes I inherited from my grandmother (thanks!), I need to be on an antidepressant for life. I started with Zoloft about 5 years ago, but didn't like the sexual side effects.

My doctor switched me to Wellbutrin XL, which I've been on for about 3 years, and like everyone else, it's worked wonders. I've always taken generic medications, and they've always worked fine (mostly antibiotics). So when my pharmacy gave me Budeprion XL 3 months ago instead of Wellbutrin XL, I thought nothing of it.

Within the first week, all of my symptoms, and then some, came back. At first I passed it off as worse-than-usual PMS, but when the symptoms got worse instead of going away, I knew something was up. By the end of the month's prescription, I was extremely moody and irritable, couldn't sleep, couldn't think or communicate rationally, was gaining weight despite eating less, had absolutely no interest in my husband or children, felt completely overwhelmed by even the slightest thing, and felt like I was emotionally and mentally being sucked into a black hole. I wanted nothing more than to physically crawl into that black hole.

I had problems before starting antidepressants, but I never FELT this bad! I could hardly get myself off the couch or out of bed, and I had to force myself to eat. Whenever my family (gently) asked if I was feeling okay, or if they could help, all I could do was lock myself in the bathroom, lie down and curl up on the floor in a corner, and cry.

I had never given serious thought to suicide before taking Budeprion, even during my worst episodes as a teenager. But by the end of the month of taking this medication, suicide was starting to look like a good way to escape this nightmare. Thank God I hadn't yet got to the point where I could actually do something so selfish.

My next refill was the name brand Wellbutrin again, without my requesting it, which puzzled me, but I didn't care enough at that point to ask why. Within 2 weeks of taking the Wellbutrin again I realized I was having no more thoughts of suicide, had my appetite back, was sleeping better, thinking clearer, and just generally felt SO much better. My kids said they felt like they had their mommy back. The following month's refill was Wellbutrin again, but I forgot to ask the pharmacist why I was given the generic that one time.

Yesterday I picked up this month's refill, didn't check it until I got home, and (yikes!) it's Budeprion!! There's NO WAY I'm taking that stuff again! The pharmacy is closed today (Sunday), so I'd rather skip a couple doses and get the real thing on Monday. I don't think they'll switch it out, even though I didn't open it, so I'll probably end up paying the full price out-of-pocket. But I don't care; I need something that works, not something that exacerbates the condition!

I think this is serious and widespread enough of a problem that Budeprion should be taken off the market until the FDA figures out why it isn't working. Out of the HUNDREDS of posts I've read regarding this med, only ONE person stated that it worked for her. I feel strongly enough about this to start contacting people and get something done; I urge others to do the same. The more people who cause a commotion, the more likely it will get proper attention. The FDA needs to take a closer look at this stuff before someone pays the ultimate price because the insurance company wants to save a few bucks.

If anyone reads this before they've taken the generic for Wellbutrin, PLEASE consider the experiences of many others. Until the generic is changed to something safe and equivalent to Wellbutrin, have your doctor insist on the name brand for this prescription - no substitutions! It would be better to take nothing at all than to take something that will likely make you feel worse. This stuff is dangerous; don't risk it. For the sake of saving some money, it could cost you your life. What's your priority?

I'm reading all of these comments concerning the generic version of Wellbutrin XL and I've experienced the very same side effects: sudden weight gain, nauseau, migraines, anxiety, excessive sweating,and severe depression. This is really scary! Please pass this on to the FDA or to anyone who can get Bupropion off the market ASAP!!!

What a relief to read about the problems with generic Wellbutrin. I thought something was wrong with me. I have used Wellbutrin for a number of years with good results.

Since changing to the generic several months ago, I have noticed many of the same syptoms as others have mentioned. My sleep is disturbed, I have gained a lot of weight, and quickly. I am always hungry. I have become very irritable and short tempered - almost aggressive. I had a stressful situation to manage, and I became an emotional wreck over it - beyond what is normal and what I would have experienced before being switched to the generic. I have lost initiative at home and at work. The thought of exercising seems out of reach.

I am going to switch back to Wellbutrin asap. I'm only sorry I didn't put the pieces together before the damage was done.

Even within generic brands themselves there can be difficulties. When I was originally diagnosed with fibromyalgia, my doctor at the time prescribed Trazodone for sleep disturbance. The drug didn't work at all, so I stopped taking it.

Several years later, a different doctor re-prescribed Trazodone. I told him about the problems I'd had the first time; he urged me to give it another try. I noticed the pills were different in size, and had different markings, from the pills I'd had the first time around. This time, the pills worked great! I fell asleep quickly, stayed asleep, and woke up feeling refreshed and not lethargic and painful.

I recently switched mail order pharmacies due to a change in health insurance. The new pharmacy refilled the Trazodone with the original pills I'd had all those years ago. I've emailed them to ask about switching me back to the generic I'd been taking, which worked, as opposed to these other generic pills, which don't. I'm still waiting to hear back from them.

I'm currently reading a fascinating book, "Inside the FDA". Apparently generics aren't held to the same testing standards brand-name drugs are, which would certainly go a long way towards explaining why sometimes the brand name really is better.

One more comment about Wellbutrin--the doctor who originally prescribed the non-effective Trazodone pills had also prescribed both Wellbutrin and Neurontin for me, even though he knew I have a history of seizures and I've had multiple brain surgeries. When I told that to the doctor who eventually prescribed the effective form of Trazodone, he literally did a double take in his chair. Needless to say, I no longer take either Wellbutrin or Neurontin--I weaned myself off of both drugs after I complained to the first physician that I felt sick on the Neurontin, and his suggestion was to take *more*!

I had taken Celexa for years as well as a generic version. When I was switched to a different generic version, it did not work at all causing much distress.

I also had a horrible experience when my pharamcy switched me to the generic wellbutrin (BUDIPERON) earlier this year when it became available. I never thought twice taking about generic drugs and believed them to be true equivalents and I've never had a problem. But this BUDIPERON is NOT the same.

I had serious depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation like I've never had before. I had alot of muscular tension and strange ticks developed around my left eye.

Like i said, I never questioned generics before so it took several miserable weeks before it occured to me that it might be the BUDIPERON. I told my doctor who wasn't aware of the switch and he immediately called the pharmacy and insisted they give me the name brand. Shortly after returning to the real wellbutrin the bizzare and frightening syptoms went away.

There is no doubt in my mind that BUDIPERON was the cause of the severe worsening of my depression. It should never have been allowed on the market and shoould be banned immediately.

It seems so many people have refused to use Budeprion that the sales are taking a noticible hit.

"Wellbutrin XL. Generic product sales to Teva Pharmaceuticals were less than expected during the second quarter and are tracking well below underlying prescription trends for the primary products in this portfolio. Biovail is working with Teva Pharmaceuticals to better understand this inconsistency and resolve the situation expeditiously."

Gee, do you think the disappointng sales have anything to do with a terrible product? I hope they lose a lot of money for the hell they put so many of us through. At least word is finally getting out about this toxic mimc.

I am having the same problems with Wellbutrin XL 300 mg. I was put on it 3 years ago because my husband and all 3 children got diagnosed with a disabling illness. It was too much for me to deal with and needed help.

OMG! Wellbutrin was wonderful. Since my husband hasn't worked for 3 years (fighting Social Security - another reason for the meds) we are on Medicaid.

On the first of this year my insurance switched to generic. I had surgery on my ankle on Jan. 9 and didn't walk or do anything for 4 months. My depression came back but this time it was worse. I had weight gain, mood swings, anxiety, tired all the time, got none of my house work done, etc. I thought it was all from the surgery and being shut up for 4 months in the winter. But I have noticed that even now that it's summer and I can get out now, I haven't gotten any better. I asked my MD yesterday to up my Wellbutrin because it didn't seem to work anymore. He gave me a script for xanax and told me to try that.

I am so glad I came across this site because I thought I was going crazy. Now I am going to call my MD ASAP and try to get back on the name brand. I'm just not sure that Medicaid will pay for it. If it doesn't, I guess I will have to ask my parents to help pay for it because I can't take the generic any more. It's ruining my life and my family's life.

I have been on Wellbutrin XL300 for over 3 years with great results. My mailorder pharmacy changed me to Teva bupropion HCL XL 300mg on my last prescription. I have been on Impax (Teva) buproprion for 45 days.

Approx 30 days ago I started to experience significant depression, hopelessness, cramps in my legs and ringing in my ears. I have also had fatigue, excessive sleeping and increased appetite. Three weeks ago I experienced vaginal bleeding (I am in menopause) and my gynocologist ordered a uterine biopsy which is negative. I did a web search and have found that my symptoms can be associated with bupropion. I did not experience any of these symptoms with Wellbutrin XL 300.

As of yesterday I am back on Wellbutrin XL 300. I am mailing my prescription to my mailorder pharmacy today with my Dr.'s direction that they cannot subsitute generic. Has anyone else had any cramping, ear ringing, vaginal bleeding or other symptoms in addition to the return of depression, hopelessness, fatigue and weight gain? This site has helped validate that the issues are not "in my head". Thanks

I too am very happy to have discovered this website. I am curious as to other people having similar problems with a generic (TEVA) form of oxycodone 80mg ER.

I have had a series of back surgeries over the past 12 years with another one coming up this fall. As a result, I am in constant unbearable pain. Having been through every form of physical therapy, traction, massage, accupuncture etc...medication management is the only thing that ofers a certain degree of relief. Over the years I have been prescribed every possible medication. None offers the degree of relief that Oxycontin has. Here's where the "problem" begins.

Originally the patent held by Purdue Pharm was still in effect, thereby guaranteeing all Rx's were filled Brand name. Eventually, the patent expired whereas my insurance carrier would only cover the generic equivalent. This was fine! For about two (2) years the generic was manufactured by "watson" I am not a chemist/pharmacist but that (watson) generic was the same as brand. No diference.

Unfortunately, about four months ago I was informed by my pharmacy that a new vendor would be taking over (TEVA) and that there shouldn't be any difference...WRONG!!!... The first thing wrong was that in my 1st fill (80mg ER/120 tablets per month) many of the oblong shaped pills were broken. It clearly states on the label that at no time should one injest any tablet that is broken. It further states that it could be fatal to do so as a large amount could hit your body at o