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Key takeaways
Wellbutrin has a widely available generic version (bupropion HCl) that is typically less expensive than the brand name and is more likely to be covered by health insurance.
Both Wellbutrin and generic Wellbutrin have the same active ingredients and work similarly. There are differences in inactive ingredients.
Most people find that both versions of Wellbutrin work as effectively for them and have similar side effects.
Wellbutrin is a type of antidepressant known as a norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor(NDRIs). It works by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain. Wellbutrin is available as a 12-hour sustained-release formulation (Wellbutrin SR) or a 24-hour extended-release formulation (Wellbutrin XL). It’s FDA-approved to treat mental health conditions like major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The active ingredient is sold under a different brand name, Zyban, which is approved to help with smoking cessation or quitting smoking.
Some people are interested in taking a generic version of Wellbutrin, usually because it costs less or is more likely to be covered by insurance. If you are considering generic Wellbutrin, you are probably wondering what the difference is in cost, effectiveness, and side effects.
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Is there a generic for Wellbutrin?
Yes, there is a generic for Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin’s generic name is bupropion HCl, and the FDA approved it for use in 2006. Generic versions of medications are generally cheaper and are more likely to be covered by your health insurance. This means that generic Wellbutrin may be more available and accessible to many people.
What are the differences between brand-name and generic Wellbutrin?
One main difference between brand-name Wellbutrin and generic Wellbutrin is that only the generic version offers an “immediate release” version. Both generic and brand-name Wellbutrin offer sustained-release tablets and extended-release formulations. The medications may also look different in appearance and color, and may have different inactive ingredients.
But while some inactive ingredients may differ between generic Wellbutrin and brand-name Wellbutrin, both medications contain the same active ingredient. “The FDA requires generics to be bioequivalent, meaning they must deliver the same amount of medication into the bloodstream in a similar time frame,” explains Caitlyn McClure, DSW, vice president of clinical services at Northern Illinois Recovery.
Still, while the medications should work the same way, some people notice dissimilarities, including in the side effects of bupropion. “Some patients report differences when switching, which may be due to inactive ingredients, absorption rates, or individual sensitivity,” Dr. McClure says. “These differences can affect side effects or how well the medication feels like it is working.”
In 2012, the FDA removed a type of generic Wellbutrin—Budeprion XL 300 mg tablets, manufactured by Impax—from the market because it was found that this generic version was not therapeutically equivalent to Wellbutrin. Since then, various studies, including a 2019 randomized clinical trial published in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutic, have been conducted showing that the current generic Wellbutrin medications on the market are comparable to brand-name Wellbutrin.
“There are multiple randomized, double-blind crossover studies showing that generic bupropion XL 300 mg formulations are bioequivalent to the brand product,” explains Brian Zachariah, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist with Mindpath Health. “These studies also found no clinically meaningful differences in efficacy or side effect profiles between generic and brand formulations.”
| Wellbutrin (bupropion) drug info | |
|---|---|
| Uses | Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults, and seasonal affective disorder |
| Standard dosage | 150-450mg |
| Common side effects | Agitation, headache, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, or weight loss |
| Contraindications | History of seizure disorder; eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia; abrupt discontinuation of excessive alcohol use or CNS depressants like benzodiazepines or barbiturates; concurrent use of some medications |
| Other considerations | Serious side effects are possible, including suicidal thoughts, allergic reactions like hives, irregular heartbeat, hypertension, blurred vision, angle-closure glaucoma, and risk of seizures. Ask your healthcare provider about possible drug interactions and whether the medication is safe for pregnancy or breastfeeding. |
How much is generic Wellbutrin?
Generic Wellbutrin tends to be much more affordable than brand-name Wellbutrin. Here’s what to know about generic vs. brand-name Wellbutrin.
| Brand vs. generic Wellbutrin prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brand-name Wellbutrin | Wellbutrin generic (bupropion) | |
| Average cost without insurance | $3,587.17 for 30, 300mg tablets of Wellbutrin XL (extended release tablets) | $142.04 for 30, 150mg tablets of bupropion |
| SingleCare’s lowest price | $15.00 for 30, 150mg tablets of bupropion HCl ER | $15.00 for 30, 150mg of bupropion HCl ER |
| Free coupons | Wellbutrin coupons | Wellbutrin generic coupons |
What are the off-label uses for Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin is officially approved to treat depression in adults and seasonal affective disorder.. But it’s also often used off-label for other conditions. “Off-label, both brand and generic bupropion, are sometimes used for ADHD, bipolar disorder, weight management, and to counter sexual side effects from other antidepressants,” Dr. McClure says.
How to switch from Wellbutrin to bupropion
It’s usually simple and easy to switch from Wellbutrin to generic Wellbutrin. “Switching from brand to generic usually does not require tapering because the active drug is the same,” Dr. McClure explains. What matters most is that you stay consistent with whatever formulation you’ve been taking, whether an immediate-release, sustained-release (SR), or extended-release (XL) dosage, according to Dr. McClure.
It’s also important not to miss doses as you switch from one version of Wellbutrin to another. “If doses are missed, some people can experience withdrawal-like symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, or sleep changes,” Dr. McClure describes. These symptoms are not life-threatening, according to Dr. McClure, but they can be uncomfortable, which is why you should not miss a dose of bupropion when switching.
Although most prescribers will have no problem switching you from brand-name Wellbutrin to generic Wellbutrin, there are times when the brand name may be preferred. “For example, if a patient has tried multiple generics and experienced inconsistent results or significant side effects, a provider may request the brand to ensure stable delivery,” Dr. McClure says. While this is not a common scenario, it can happen, “especially in patients with a history of sensitivity to medication changes,” Dr. McClure shares.
Above all, if you have continued questions about switching to Wellbutrin generic from brand-name Wellbutrin, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek medical advice from a healthcare professional or pharmacist.
- Update: bupropion hydrochloride extended-release 300 mg bioequivalence studies, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2014)
- Bioequivalance and therapeutic equivalence of generic and brand bupropion in adults with major depression: A randomized clinical trial, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutic (2019)
- Bupropion, StatsPearls (2024)