{"id":633834,"date":"2025-10-07T16:53:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T20:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633834"},"modified":"2026-04-02T18:03:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T22:03:54","slug":"wellbutrin-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wellbutrin-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"Wellbutrin generic availability, cost, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wellbutrin<\/span><\/a> is a type of <\/span>antidepressant<\/span> known as a <\/span>norepinephrine<\/span>–<\/span>dopamine<\/span> reuptake inhibitor<\/span> (NDRIs) that is <\/span>approved<\/span> to treat <\/span>mental health<\/span> conditions like <\/span>major depressive disorder<\/span> (<\/span>MDD<\/span>) and <\/span>seasonal affective disorder<\/span> (SAD). It is available as a 12-hour <\/span>sustained-release<\/span> formulation<\/span> (<\/span>Wellbutrin SR<\/span>) and a 24-hour <\/span>extended-release<\/span> formulation<\/span> (<\/span>Wellbutrin XL<\/span>). The active ingredient bupropion is also sold as Zyban, which is approved to help with smoking cessation. Generic Wellbutrin XL has been available in the U.S. since 2006, but generic forms of the immediate-release and sustained-release formulations became available even earlier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Save up to 80% on Wellbutrin with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tWellbutrin 150 mg (60 Tablets)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$6.20\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$6.20\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Wellbutrin prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Wellbutrin generic availability<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Generic name<\/b><\/td>\nBupropion<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FDA approval date of generic version<\/b><\/td>\nDecember 22, 2004 (generic Wellbutrin SR)<\/span><\/p>\n

December 18, 2006 (generic Wellbutrin XL)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is there a generic for Wellbutrin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, there are generic versions of Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin\u2019s generic name is<\/span> bupropion<\/span><\/a>, and the <\/span>FDA approved<\/span><\/a> it for use in the early 2000s<\/span>. Generic versions of medications are generally cheaper and are<\/span> more likely to be covered by your health insurance<\/span><\/a>. This means that generic Wellbutrin may be more available and accessible to many people.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the differences between generic vs. brand-name Wellbutrin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Generic Wellbutrin<\/span><\/a> is available in immediate-release (IR), sustained-release (SR), and extended-release (XL) forms. Brand-name Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL are available in SR and XL forms, while the original brand-name immediate-release Wellbutrin has been discontinued.<\/span><\/p>\n

But while some inactive ingredients may differ between generic Wellbutrin and <\/span>brand-name<\/span> Wellbutrin, both medications contain the same active ingredient. \u201cThe <\/span>FDA<\/span> requires generics to be bioequivalent, meaning they must deliver the same amount of medication into the bloodstream in a similar time frame,\u201d explains Caitlyn McClure, DSW, vice president of clinical services at <\/span>Northern Illinois Recovery<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the medications should work the same way, some people notice differences, especially in <\/span>side effects<\/span>. \u201cSome patients report differences when switching, which may be due to inactive ingredients, absorption rates, or individual sensitivity,\u201d Dr. McClure says. \u201cThese differences can affect <\/span>side effects<\/span> or how well the medication feels like it is working.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2012, the <\/span>FDA<\/span> removed one generic Wellbutrin product, <\/span>Budeprion<\/span> XL 300 mg tablets, manufactured by Impax<\/span><\/a>, from the market. It was found that this generic version was not therapeutically equivalent to Wellbutrin. Since then, various studies, including a 2019 randomized <\/span>clinical trial<\/span> published in<\/span> Clinical Pharmacology & <\/span><\/i><\/a>Therapeutics, have shown that the current generic Wellbutrin medications on the market are comparable to <\/span>brand-name<\/span> Wellbutrin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are multiple randomized, double-blind crossover studies showing that generic <\/span>bupropion XL<\/span> 300 mg <\/span>formulations<\/span> are bioequivalent to the brand product,\u201d explains Brian Zachariah, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist with<\/span> Mindpath Health<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThese studies also found no clinically meaningful differences in efficacy or <\/span>side effect<\/span> profiles between generic and brand <\/span>formulations<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How much does generic Wellbutrin cost?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Generic Wellbutrin tends to be much more affordable than <\/span>brand-name<\/span> Wellbutrin. For a 30-day supply of brand-name Wellbutrin 300 mg tablets, the retail cost can average over $3,000. In contrast, purchasing the generic version with a SingleCare discount card could mean paying around $15, depending on the pharmacy and location.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Brand vs. generic Wellbutrin prices<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td>\nBrand-name<\/b> Wellbutrin\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nWellbutrin generic (<\/b>bupropion<\/b>)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average cost without insurance<\/span><\/td>\n$3,768 for 30, 300 mg tablets of <\/span>Wellbutrin XL<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n$138 for 30, 150 mg tablets of <\/span>bupropion<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare\u2019s lowest price<\/span><\/td>\n$3,116 for 30, 150mg tablets of Wellbutrin XL at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\n$7 for 30, 150 mg of <\/span>bupropion at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free coupons<\/span><\/td>\nWellbutrin XL coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nWellbutrin generic coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Mar. 24, 2026. The listed price, without insurance, refers to the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.<\/span><\/i><\/small><\/p>\n

What are the off-label uses for Wellbutrin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Wellbutrin is officially approved to treat depression in adults and <\/span>seasonal affective disorder<\/span>. But it\u2019s also often used<\/span> off-label<\/span><\/a> for other conditions. \u201cOff-label, both brand and generic <\/span>bupropion<\/span>, are sometimes used for <\/span>ADHD<\/span>, <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span>, weight management, and to counter sexual <\/span>side effects<\/span> from other <\/span>antidepressants<\/span>,\u201d Dr. McClure says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Wellbutrin covered by insurance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most health insurance plans cover generic Wellbutrin. Because it’s an established generic medication, it\u2019s usually on a lower formulary tier (Tier 1 or Tier 2), which means lower copays for most patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brand-name Wellbutrin, on the other hand, is more often on a higher formulary tier or may require prior authorization before your insurance will cover it. Coverage varies by plan, so it’s best to check with your insurance provider or pharmacist before filling a prescription.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you get Wellbutrin covered by insurance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

If your insurance plan covers generic Wellbutrin, you can typically fill your prescription at any in-network pharmacy and pay your standard generic copay. If you or your healthcare provider prefers brand-name Wellbutrin for medical reasons, your provider may need to submit a prior authorization request to your insurance company explaining why the brand name is medically necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If insurance does not cover the cost of your prescription, or if you are uninsured, a <\/span>SingleCare discount card<\/span><\/a> may help lower the price of both generic and brand-name Wellbutrin at participating pharmacies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generic alternatives to Wellbutrin<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are several Wellbutrin alternatives your healthcare provider may prescribe if bupropion isn’t right for you. Many of these alternatives have generic versions available, which may be more accessible. Common <\/span>alternatives to Wellbutrin<\/span><\/a> with generic forms include:<\/span><\/p>\n