Cuttlefish Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 I've been prescribed Wellbutrin XL three times now. Each time I've been prescribed it, I've loved its side effect profile (basically no noticeable side effects for me). It's like having a free antidepressant. However, it might as well be cardboard, with how effective it is for me. I'm now at 450mg, and it helps a little, but not enough to really be a life saver. Many times on these boards (as well as on Crazymeds, and various other sites), there have been many boos to go around for the Teva generic of Wellbutrin XL, which is what I've received every time I've been prescribed Wellbutrin. From what I have researched though, the generic versions of Wellbutrin SR look better in comparison in terms of reviews. I like this drug. I can't say that about many drugs these days. Before I give up on Wellbutrin completely, I'd like to test out Wellbutrin SR. The only difference between SR and XL to me is that SR is designed to be taken twice a day, which I do anyways with my XL pills. Does anyone have experience with Wellbutrin SR? Perhaps you have tried Wellbutrin XL too, and you can compare your experiences of each for me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidydog13 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 I've been prescribed Wellbutrin XL three times now. Each time I've been prescribed it, I've loved its side effect profile (basically no noticeable side effects for me). It's like having a free antidepressant. However, it might as well be cardboard, with how effective it is for me. I'm now at 450mg, and it helps a little, but not enough to really be a life saver. Many times on these boards (as well as on Crazymeds, and various other sites), there have been many boos to go around for the Teva generic of Wellbutrin XL, which is what I've received every time I've been prescribed Wellbutrin. From what I have researched though, the generic versions of Wellbutrin SR look better in comparison in terms of reviews. I like this drug. I can't say that about many drugs these days. Before I give up on Wellbutrin completely, I'd like to test out Wellbutrin SR. The only difference between SR and XL to me is that SR is designed to be taken twice a day, which I do anyways with my XL pills. Does anyone have experience with Wellbutrin SR? Perhaps you have tried Wellbutrin XL too, and you can compare your experiences of each for me? I can tell you with complete conviction that any of the generic versions of any dosage of Wellbutrin do not work for me AT ALL. I've take both Watson Pharma and Teva. Within a week or two of taking the generic, I'm a blubbering heap. I pay the extra amount because my insurance refuses to acknowledge that it won't work for me. I even had to change pharmacies because they refused to order a brand name drug for one customer. I'm currently taking 300 mg XL and aside from a recent possibly hormonal downswing it works for me. My only issue with the SR was that the second pill which I took around 3-4 PM interrupted my sleep cycle. I could not fall asleep. I took 200 mg SR once a day for prolly the last 5 years with no problems until recent events forced me to increase the dosage. Try the brand name before you give it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayteana Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 From what I have researched though, the generic versions of Wellbutrin SR look better in comparison in terms of reviews. I take the generic SR by Sandoz. No complaints. The only difference between SR and XL to me is that SR is designed to be taken twice a day, which I do anyways with my XL pills. Why are you taking Wellbutrin XL twice a day? ~ May Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuttlefish Posted October 7, 2009 Author Share Posted October 7, 2009 From what I have researched though, the generic versions of Wellbutrin SR look better in comparison in terms of reviews. I take the generic SR by Sandoz. No complaints. The only difference between SR and XL to me is that SR is designed to be taken twice a day, which I do anyways with my XL pills. Why are you taking Wellbutrin XL twice a day? ~ May I take 6 75mg pills, so 6x75=450mg. My doctor's orders were to take 3 pills in the morning, and 3 pills in the evening. Apparently taking them all at once makes anxiety (the only side effect I can have on Wellbutrin) more apparent. It also is the highest chance of me having a seizure (taking those 6 pills at once), though the odds of that happening are virtually nil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfred Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Why are you taking Wellbutrin XL twice a day? ~ May The Prescribing Information indicates not to take more than 300 mgs XL at one time, so folks on 450 mgs take a 300 mg (or 2 150 mgs pills) and 150 mg pill at different times. nf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ophelia Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Since you are already at the point of taking your wellbutrin xl 2 times a day, whereas most people only take it once (for example, I take 300mgs in the morning), maybe trying the SR wouldn't be so horrible. I mean, you are used to taking it twice a day and the fact that the SR is meant to be taken multiple times a day might actually help in the way of your anxiety (with the XL, you are playing with extended releases and all that fun stuff). Talk to your doctor and see what he/she thinks. It is at least worth *asking* about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuttlefish Posted October 7, 2009 Author Share Posted October 7, 2009 From further research, mostly from Crazymeds (that Jerod knows his stuff), and links, *the* company to avoid when looking for generic Wellbutrin is Teva, and in this case, the product to avoid is their Budeprion SR. What I'm looking for is Bupropion SR, made by the likes of Sandoz and Watson. In the case of generic Wellbutrin XL, the only manufacturer I could find was, you guessed it, Teva. It is marketed as Budeprion XL. As it is the only manufacturer (that I can find) of generic Wellbutrin XL, you either get stuck with Budeprion XL, which has a rather low satisfaction rate, or fork over the goods for brand name Wellbutrin XL, which is expensive. To finish this off, the reason (as I understand) that generic Wellbutrin SR has higher satisfaction rates than generic Wellbutrin XL is because there are other companies besides Teva offering acceptable alternatives in the generic Wellbutrin SR market that are not Budeprion SR, whereas in the generic Wellbutrin XL market, the only generic option is Budeprion XL, and there is no competition. Phew. So to give Wellbutrin a fair shot, I really should try my best to get Bupropion SR, and avoid the Teva generic. Mayteana has the right idea with her Wellbutrin SR coming from Sandoz . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maceo Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Well I've only taken Wellbutrin SR made by GSK (so the brand name version). It did help a lot with my energy, motivation and organization. It did make me anxious and affect my sleep badly, but it was worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxweed Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 I've been trying to take Wellbutrin SR. I had that nasty reaction thing 10 days or so ago. It is the 150mg twice a day from Sandoz. I liked this one too. Energy and I wasn't hungry. Which is amazing. I've been hungry all my life. So I hope you give it another go. And it works. I'm doing the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonum Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Hi again, I was taking 450mg Wellbutrin XL all at once in the morning. I was manic and sometimes delusional due to this dosage.. I know now that the doctor was overdosing me! 300mg is max? Some neighbors called the police. I was put on a police hold. I wasn't even under arrest. I went to the Johnson unit in Eugene. I broke down their security door which they called criminal mischief. The maximum penalty for C.M. is five years. My attorney said I should Plead guilty except for insanity. He said I might do three months? I did the five years. Now I'm paying for other similar situations. I do believe that Wellbutrin is a good drug when taken appropriately. Sincerely, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam_I_Am Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 That's funny, I just started the SR today. I have been taking Wellbutrin XL150mg since May to combat the sexual side effects of Zoloft... However, the sexual benefits of the WB has gone away, so it's no longer worth putting up with the increased anxiety/insomnia from it, so the Dr is "tapering" me using the SR, 100mg. So far it's okay, but it is only the first day-- less side effects than the XL but it could be because it is a lower dosage. I took the SR as a teen, and it was the only AD I ever stuck with for more than a month back then because I had the least side effects from it (i.e. none). I wish I could take Wellbutrin as my sole antidepressant now, I certainly tried, but since I tend toward anxious depression, it's almost counterproductive. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 There are XL generics that are non-Teva. Ask your friendly local pharmacist. The docs 'round here write "non-Teva generic" on the Wellbutrin XL prescriptions (although they mainly just write SR.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagger23 Posted May 29, 2017 Share Posted May 29, 2017 The Wellbutrin XL gave me severe constipation and headaches, but the SR is working well. I have only been on it for 2 weeks and I notice a improvement in my moods, daily sleepiness and it has NOT decreased my sex drive. Prozac worked well for me also, but it just killed the sex drive and at my age that wasn't acceptable. I feel myself eating less and hopefully it may lead to a few pounds weight loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browri Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 the Aplenzin brand in my opinion is a much better formulation of the XL bupropion. Made me less jittery and it lasted all day. the bupropion XL generic made me feel super amped in the morning and it pooped out leaving me exhausted in the afternoon. I was on the Teva generic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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