It looks like I'm out of luck in obtaining my Wellbutrin XL. I had been taking it for about two years, and it was working great. But then I changed jobs and I work through a temp agency (my new employer as a contractor), and they only cover generic drugs (meaning generic Wellbutrin, NOT Wellbutrin XL).

I was off my prescription for several months, doing fine, then I had a terrible depression incident, which I hope never happens again. I saw the need to get back on my meds, and I tried the generic version. I immediately had an adverse reaction, feeling like someone had beat me up with a baseball bat my neck and back hurt so bad. So now I know I have to have the name brand, not the generic.

I contacted the manufacturer for possible assistance, and they told me that Wellbutrin had been bought out by another company, and I would need to contact them. So I contacted them and they said unless I was already part of the original maker's assistance program, I was ineligible. I contacted the other assistance programs (such as the Partnership For Prescription Assistance and others), and so far they all disqualify me because I have "prescription coverage" - even though it DOES NOT cover the medicine I need. Sorry - thems the rules, they say.

I even contacted my employer, asking if it was possible to unenroll myself so that I might qualify for these programs, but they said I can't unless I want to eliminate my medical coverage as well. That's not an option, so I'm screwed.

If anyone knows any way around this, it would be appreciated.

Hi tricon7,

I'm in the same situation too. My insurance company does not cover brand Wellbutrin XL either and my local Walgreens only carries Teva Bupropion XL, which everyone says is horrible. After reading about all the bad side effects for the generic version, I decided to pay out of pocket for brand. I'm only on my 2nd day but I definitely can't afford to pay full price for very long.

I am very adamant about staying on brand Wellbutrin XL so I'm looking to order my meds through online pharmacies. I found a few in Canada that will sell a 3 month supply for less than what I just paid for my 1 month supply.

If you can provide an online pharmacy web address, that would be great. Anything to be able to afford it.

Thanks.

Try Bupropion. That's exactly the same at Wellbutrin XL, but then in the generic form. I did when I was on it and did not have any negative SEs.
Good Luck
Lupercus

Lupercus,

Bupropion IS the generic name of Wellbutrin XL...your fortunate not to have any side effects. Unfortuantely many of us do, making the brand the only solution if we want to stay on it.

Already tried the generic. I had bad side effects, proving thta it's not exactly the same drug.

However, I did discover that there are some reputable Canadian online-pharmacies where one can order Wellbutrin XL for an insanely cheap price. Something like a 90-day supply at 150 mg for less than a hundred dollars.

FYI, as long as one is using the prescription drug (and one must have a prescription) for personal use and it's not a controlled substance, the FDA in the U.S. is usually good with it, despite the "regulations" frowning on bringing it over the border.

This post has been edited by tricon7: May 26 2009, 12:24 AM

I'm not sure where you are located (city, state), but here in Phoenix Arizona we have a grocery store chain called "Fry's". I have no insurance and just started 150mg of WB XL. I was given a 30 day supply that actually came in the manufactueres bottle, foil sealed and everything. Im not sure if this is the norm, or if that particular brand comes in 30 pill bottles or what. But anyhow, I paid $14 WITHOUT insurance for the 30 day supply. If you are interested in the brand I will get the info for you when I get home. Hope that helps!

Walmart has the generic Wellbutrin 150mg SR tabs, 60-count/30-day supply, for $27 a month. If you take 150mg/day, your cost will be $13.50/month.

If you were on brand Wellbutrin and switching to a generic, you'll likely be going through some "Startup" side-effects all over again, which is counter-intuitive to someone who has been on Wellbutrin for ages. Many people experience some side-effects from changing med manufacturers, even when the active ingredient is exactly the same. Manufacturer's use different fillers/binders and release mechanisms, which is probably what accounts for the differing experiences on generics. Some people may have an allergy to a binder one generic manufacturer uses, but is perfectly fine with a generic from a different manufacturer.

If Wellbutrin works for you, it's worth giving the cheaper generic a try, but give it a few weeks before deciding the generic doesn't work for you - that should be enough time to let your body fully adjust to the new chemistry and release mechanism of that generic pill.

Did you ever think of maybe requesting the Watson generic? I hear they are much less side effect ridden than the Teva..

I know what you mean about the generic. The generic wellbutrin was the worst drug I've ever taken. Almost commited suicide with it.

In my opinion, you could subsitute deprenyl(selegiline) for the wellbutrin. They both affect the dopamine concentrations in the brain in similar ways. THe pill form deprenyl is much cheap than wellbutrin.
I know someone who pays a little over 200$ every 3 months for a prescribed 90 day supply of wellbutrin sr on the net. That may be too expense though also maybe. Or you could send your script to a canadian pharmacy.

This post has been edited by PetersKeys: Jun 19 2009, 04:49 PM