Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 367818

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Wellbutrin SR recently gone Generic?

Posted by Snoozin on July 19, 2004, at 14:46:48

I just got my prescription filled for Wellbutrin SR, 150 mg pills, and I got a generic today for the first time. Did this drug just recently go generic? Where can I find that information?

I'm just a bit paranoid about medication mix-ups, that's all. Funny, though, my copayment for the generic was higher than for the brand named drug.

??

Susan

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR recently gone Generic?

Posted by King Vultan on July 19, 2004, at 17:07:22

In reply to Wellbutrin SR recently gone Generic?, posted by Snoozin on July 19, 2004, at 14:46:48

> I just got my prescription filled for Wellbutrin SR, 150 mg pills, and I got a generic today for the first time. Did this drug just recently go generic? Where can I find that information?
>
> I'm just a bit paranoid about medication mix-ups, that's all. Funny, though, my copayment for the generic was higher than for the brand named drug.
>
> ??
>
> Susan

Yes, there was some litigation involved between GlaxoSmithKline and a couple of the generic companies, but this finally got resolved several months ago. The 100 mg pill was the first one introduced by the generic companies, and it looks like they have now released a 150 mg pill--the generic version being called bupropion SR. The Wellbutrin XL version was only recently released by Glaxo and is their product exclusively, the impetus no doubt being a desire to hold onto some of their sales. The XL version does offer the convenience of once a day dosing, which might be of importance to some people.

As drug costing is a particular interest of mine, I wonder why your copayment for the generic would be higher than the brand name. How does your copayment scheme work, and were the drugs purchased under the same conditions, such as at the same pharmacy or both through mail order?

Todd

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR recently gone Generic?

Posted by HappyGirl on July 19, 2004, at 18:03:16

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR recently gone Generic?, posted by King Vultan on July 19, 2004, at 17:07:22

Hi:
I've been a generic form of WB SR 100 mg. since last month. In my personal experience, at the beginning of this 'generic' regimen, I felt a bit 'tight' feelings like someone trying to squeez my chest. However, after a week or so on Bupropion SR, I do feel exactly the same as brand one, WB sr 100 mg. in respect of 'effectiveness/effacacy.' Just, Color, ... I love 'pretty round green,' rather than just 'plain while round one.'
In regard to the cost/price, 'co-payment,' I just pay $20 for this while I used to pay $40 for a brand one, WB sr 100 mg.
H.G.

 

To my fellow health care cost geek. :-) » King Vultan

Posted by Snoozin on July 20, 2004, at 8:45:08

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR recently gone Generic?, posted by King Vultan on July 19, 2004, at 17:07:22

> As drug costing is a particular interest of mine, I wonder why your copayment for the generic would be higher than the brand name. How does your copayment scheme work, and were the drugs purchased under the same conditions, such as at the same pharmacy or both through mail order?
>
> Todd

<<Hiya. Since health care financing is my professional area, I actually called my benefits plan to see what the deal was. Turns out my brand named WB SR was on my pharmacy benefit manager's (PBM's) preferred list and therefore got the lower copayment. They have not review their formulary yet (I think it's reviewed every 6 months) and the generic is not on the preferred list -- hence the regular, and more expensive copay. More likely than not, they will add the generic to the preferred list and boot the brand named drug off the preferred list, since my particular PBM is not affiliated in any way with Glaxo Smith Kline.

Hope that answers your question, and thanks so much for the drug info.

Susan

 

Re: Wellbutrin SR recently gone Generic? » HappyGirl

Posted by Snoozin on July 20, 2004, at 8:46:58

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR recently gone Generic?, posted by HappyGirl on July 19, 2004, at 18:03:16

>> Just, Color, ... I love 'pretty round green,' rather than just 'plain while round one.'
> In regard to the cost/price, 'co-payment,' I just pay $20 for this while I used to pay $40 for a brand one, WB sr 100 mg.
> H.G.

<<Hmmmm, my 150mg pill is still purple, although not as pleasing a shade. :-) HOWEVER, that yicky smell of the brand named drug isn't present in this generic. I'll take odorless generic over the stinky brand named any day, as long as they work the same.

:-)

Susan

 

Generic and Color/Cosmetic?

Posted by HappyGirl on July 20, 2004, at 10:01:13

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin SR recently gone Generic? » HappyGirl, posted by Snoozin on July 20, 2004, at 8:46:58

Hi:
In regard to 'Color,' a Generic Form of 'Serzone,' 'Nefadozone' is ALSO 'plain' White Color.
I take WB sr in the morning and Nefadozone/Serzone is during later hours of the day, particularly right before the bed due to 'sedating' effect to sleep well. However, since both WB sr and Nefadozone is identically 'plan' White round pills, I need to be EXTRA careful. Otherwise, I might end up mixing-up, those 'two' meds, that must be VERY disasterous to my sleep and waking pattern. As we know, WB sr is a kind good to 'ADD'/concentration. Without WB sr 100 mg. in the morning, I may NOT be able to function well on the work I'm doing.
Then, I wonder whether the 'coloring' is 'money-spending' for those 'Generic' companies, since 'Generic' is to be 'LESS' money and economically conciousness to attract those who need meds.
In my opinion, I don't mind to spend extra $10 for color/pretty green.
H.G.


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