Q. Is there anything new on the generic version of Wellbutrin XL? My wife had done well on the brand name and then the Watson generic bupropion for several years. She was abruptly switched to Teva Budeprion last spring. Gradually, her depression returned. Within a month she was on the brink of suicide.
When I realized how severe her situation was, I ran out and purchased brand-name Wellbutrin. It took less than a week for her to return to her normal cheerful self.
I work for a pharmaceutical company and I would never have thought there could be such an issue with a generic. I reported her case to FDA’s MedWatch, but I wonder if there will be any further study of this issue.
A. The FDA and Teva have come up with a plan to compare blood levels achieved with the generic antidepressant to those with the brand-name drug. Teva intends that this study will reassure people that anecdotes like yours are unrelated to its generic product. The protocol requires volunteers with depression to stay in a clinic for at least 24 days, but travel and a stipend are provided. Anyone who is interested in participating may get more information from California Clinical Trials: 818-254-1600.
