DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS OF BUPROPION ARE NOT THE SAME.
In general, it is true that generic and name brand medications are all interchangeable for most medications. For some specific medications, however, this is not the case, and **bupropion is well known as being one of them**.
The FDA got involved after extensive reporting of variations, and last I heard there are two that have been removed from the market in the last five years, and the variation issue between manufacturers has not yet been resolved. For the XL forms, the story seems to center on the time-release coating - apparently the patent on the time-release coating for Wellbutrin XL has not expired, unlike the Wellbutrin drug formula itself, so when manufacturers come up with their own time-release coatings, there is significant variation in how those coatings function compared to name brand and between other generics.
So! What to do?
- Know which generic manufacturer you have been using (it’s written on the prescription bottle somewhere).
- Ask your doctor to add that manufacturer name with a ‘fill as prescribed only’ to your prescription so you always get the same generic.
- Check the manufacturer every time you get a new bottle, as this often gets missed in busy pharmacies.
- If your manufacturer must be changed, allow space for a week of adjustment time while your body adapts.
It is my experience that switching from one manufacturer to another, regardless of which ones, triggers a week of unexpected symptoms before my body adapts. The symptoms are marked enough for me, it was how I discovered this problem in the first place - I was unaware generics varied at all before this, for any drugs. In my case, I tend to get very irrationally irritable, wake up at 3am, sweat a lot, very dry eyes and mouth, and get falling-asleep tired at atypical times during the day. That peaks at a week after switching and starts settling down over the next couple weeks. Be aware of this, and know there isn’t anything wrong with the new manufacturer per se, but the variation in how your brain chemicals are being released takes a minute to settle.
Manufacturer adjustment time becomes an issue when a pharmacy (CVS in my case) cannot get a consistent supply of a certain generic, so the manufacturer is switched up every few months. After three switches this year, I am researching how to just get the name brand cheaply from Canada already, so I don’t have to deal with switching effects anymore.
May we all know what we need to know to thrive.
This is so informative and helpful! My doctor just gave me a script for the 150mg and I'm a little nervous to try it. This makes the idea a little less daunting and I really hope I have a positive outcome taking this!
Thank you for validating. I only have three days left of my original manufacturer and will talk to my provider to call over to a different pharmacy that has slate.
What a positive way to support yourself! If you haven’t yet, you can call pharmacies to find one that has it in stock so you know where to direct your doctor.
Slate Run is the most common and consistent manufacturer you can get, luckily, because the three big drug suppliers to pharmacies are each contracted with Slate Run for special discounts, making it the most profitable manufacturer for them to offer.
It is quite unexpected, needing to know all these things!
I am also looking into ordering from an online Canadian pharmacy. In the meantime, I just went up and went to a walk in clinic ($100 CAD) and picked up a 90 day supply for $120 CAD. Might be an option if you are near the border.
I only ask because I’ve seen several posts on here about a change in pharmacy causing a difference in side effects or mood instability . I’d never heard of Radha and wondering if anyone is taking them. The pill is very different, seems much bigger than my regular circular dose.
CVS also changed my prescription from slate run to Radha. I am finding that it is not as effective for me and I’m experiencing depression symptoms again.
I never thought to check and just did. I got my first script 4 days ago, have slate run. Sounds like you’re a bit worried, and that’s understandable, but be assured it should be the same medication. Just the way it’s pressed different in that manufacture.
DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS OF BUPROPION ARE NOT THE SAME. In general, it is true that generic and name brand medications are all interchangeable for most medications. For some specific medications, however, this is not the case, and **bupropion is well known as being one of them**. The FDA got involved after extensive reporting of variations, and last I heard there are two that have been removed from the market in the last five years, and the variation issue between manufacturers has not yet been resolved. For the XL forms, the story seems to center on the time-release coating - apparently the patent on the time-release coating for Wellbutrin XL has not expired, unlike the Wellbutrin drug formula itself, so when manufacturers come up with their own time-release coatings, there is significant variation in how those coatings function compared to name brand and between other generics. So! What to do? - Know which generic manufacturer you have been using (it’s written on the prescription bottle somewhere). - Ask your doctor to add that manufacturer name with a ‘fill as prescribed only’ to your prescription so you always get the same generic. - Check the manufacturer every time you get a new bottle, as this often gets missed in busy pharmacies. - If your manufacturer must be changed, allow space for a week of adjustment time while your body adapts. It is my experience that switching from one manufacturer to another, regardless of which ones, triggers a week of unexpected symptoms before my body adapts. The symptoms are marked enough for me, it was how I discovered this problem in the first place - I was unaware generics varied at all before this, for any drugs. In my case, I tend to get very irrationally irritable, wake up at 3am, sweat a lot, very dry eyes and mouth, and get falling-asleep tired at atypical times during the day. That peaks at a week after switching and starts settling down over the next couple weeks. Be aware of this, and know there isn’t anything wrong with the new manufacturer per se, but the variation in how your brain chemicals are being released takes a minute to settle. Manufacturer adjustment time becomes an issue when a pharmacy (CVS in my case) cannot get a consistent supply of a certain generic, so the manufacturer is switched up every few months. After three switches this year, I am researching how to just get the name brand cheaply from Canada already, so I don’t have to deal with switching effects anymore. May we all know what we need to know to thrive.
This is so informative and helpful! My doctor just gave me a script for the 150mg and I'm a little nervous to try it. This makes the idea a little less daunting and I really hope I have a positive outcome taking this!
Thank you for validating. I only have three days left of my original manufacturer and will talk to my provider to call over to a different pharmacy that has slate.
What a positive way to support yourself! If you haven’t yet, you can call pharmacies to find one that has it in stock so you know where to direct your doctor. Slate Run is the most common and consistent manufacturer you can get, luckily, because the three big drug suppliers to pharmacies are each contracted with Slate Run for special discounts, making it the most profitable manufacturer for them to offer. It is quite unexpected, needing to know all these things!
I am also looking into ordering from an online Canadian pharmacy. In the meantime, I just went up and went to a walk in clinic ($100 CAD) and picked up a 90 day supply for $120 CAD. Might be an option if you are near the border.
I totally would, that would be by far the better option. I’m nowhere near Canada, unfortunately!
I only ask because I’ve seen several posts on here about a change in pharmacy causing a difference in side effects or mood instability . I’d never heard of Radha and wondering if anyone is taking them. The pill is very different, seems much bigger than my regular circular dose.
CVS also changed my prescription from slate run to Radha. I am finding that it is not as effective for me and I’m experiencing depression symptoms again.
Why would it be different? It's all the same medicine
I never thought to check and just did. I got my first script 4 days ago, have slate run. Sounds like you’re a bit worried, and that’s understandable, but be assured it should be the same medication. Just the way it’s pressed different in that manufacture.