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Posted 8/11/2009 7:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hello

I am new here - I usually post on another forum for my daughter's illness but today I ventured over here to talk about an experience I recently had with generic Wellbutrin XL.  I can only use generics due to my crappy insurance.  Lately I have not been able to find the same manufacturer (Anchen) and was switched to one by Teva.  Within 2 weeks I fell lower than I have felt in many years. I had horrible side effects that I never had with the first brand I was on.  Thankfully I came upon an article in SELF magazine about a similar story (the issue with Beyonce on the cover) and could not believe that so many other people have complained about the Teva Wellbutrin and it is still allowed to be on the market. 

 Please be aware of the generic meds you are taking and if you have to switch to a new one, make note of any changes you are feeling.  No matter what any pharmacist or Dr says, all generics are NOT the same as brand.  I just don't want the same thing to happen to someone else and heaven forbid they plummet into a severe depression and think meds won't work for them. We all react differently to medications and if YOU don't feel right with one, listen to your gut and find out what could be going on.  Not all generics are created equal so pay attention to who your medicine is made by and take note if one makes you feel better/worse than another. 

Posted 8/11/2009 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
hmmm. in australia we definately do not have this problem. generics are strictly regulated. maybe it is a side effect from a different control ingredient? hey i do not know, just thought it maybe something else. i do not know how the system is regulated where you are, am sorry that it made you unwell. hoping you feel better soon. jamie.

dx, mdd, severe borderline personality disorder.

Posted 8/11/2009 11:46 AM (GMT 0)

jamiee said...
hmmm. in australia we definately do not have this problem. generics are strictly regulated.

Im in the same boat as Jamie- here in Australia the generics are identical in every way to the 'branded' meds. There is no chemical difference whatsoever. Im not sure what other countries policies are on that. I just wanted you to know that we are here to listen and help, but being an Aussie, we just dont have this problem. Have you spoken to your doctor or pharmacist about this? I hope you get the answers you want, im sure the American members may have a better understanding of the system. All the best- sorry I couldnt help,

Maz XX

Posted 8/11/2009 1:58 PM (GMT 0)

Hello MustLoveDogs,

I agree with you that some of the meds work better then others when comparing generic to brand name medications.

As far as how they compare in quality, here’s the scoop: The active ingredients — the things that make the brand-name drug work in the first place — are also found in the generic version. What might be different are the generic drug’s inactive ingredients — things that might affect how quickly a drug is released, the size and shape of the pill — there could be variation there.

There has been some anecdotal evidence suggesting some types of drugs may react significantly differently between the generic and brand. However, according to the FDA, they all undergo and meet the same strict regulations for safety and efficacy. Still, some docs may not want to risk even the small chance that a generic will react differently from the brand, so you need to have that conversation with your doctor to figure out what’s best for you.

I was on generic Welbutrin last winter and reacted poorly to this medication.  So I stopped the med.  I have since done some research and have found that many people swear by the Brand name so I have decided to give it a go and yes I am paying more for the med but if it will help then it is worth giving up something else to pay for the medication.

I also take other meds that are generic and have not had a problem with them.

I hope this helps you in some small way.

Hugs to you,

Kitt

Posted 8/11/2009 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
The problem with the generic medication I was speaking of was it was found to release key ingredients much more quickly than the brand. Instead of releasing over a 24 hour period, it was "dumping" within 4 hours. That is the reason I had more side effects.  Binding ingredients are not required by law to be the same and we all react differently to different binders.

FDA and some pharmacists will tell you that all generics are the same and the same as brand but it is NOT true.

I take many other generic meds and have NO problems with them!  My insurance doesn't even cover brand names so I need to rely on generics which most of the time work just fine. 

Posted 8/11/2009 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
So far I have no problem with generic meds...........I can't afford the name brand even tho i have help paying for them.............
Posted 8/11/2009 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
MustLoveDogs

You are right in your statement but I think we both said the same thing.


"things that might affect how quickly a drug is released" = Instead of releasing over a 24 hour period, it was "dumping" .

I agree with you.

Kitt

 

Posted 8/11/2009 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
I know what you are saying about generics--they use different fillers and everyone will react differently to those. I was recently on 200mg of the generic for Zoloft, and the manufacture changed about 4 months ago. Didn't realize the downward spiral until I was being called into my manager's office more frequently due to behavior problems. My psychiatrist put me on the generic for Prozac and doing better. Couldn't guarantee the same manufacture for the Zoloft at another pharmacy, so stayed within the same family of meds. Good information to pass along!
Posted 8/12/2009 5:30 AM (GMT 0)
well, from this i have learn't a lot. with loving compassion. jamie
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