Q. Three times I have been forced by my insurance company to switch from Wellbutrin XL to generic bupropion. Each time depression reared its ugly, gloomy head and darkness descended again. Wellbutrin XL works but the generic is a disaster for me.
Where is the accountability? Generic drug makers should refund the money we waste on ineffective products.
A. Hundreds of others have reported similar problems with generic bupropion. Not only have they experienced a return of their depression, they have also reported side effects such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and insomnia.
Despite the FDA’s claim that there are no problems with the generic antidepressant bupropion, there are substantial variations in resulting blood levels between the brand name and some generic formulations. We discovered that the FDA never required testing of one 300 mg long-acting formulation it approved. Dozens of other generic drugs may also pose problems.
We describe this controversy in great detail and offer practical tips on using generic drugs safely in our book, Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them. It is available in bookstores, libraries and online (PeoplesPharmacy.com).
The People's Perspective on Medicine