08/27/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/27/2024 11:35
Key takeaways:
Wellbutrin XL (bupropion XL) is a commonly prescribed, FDA-approved oral medication that treats depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Wellbutrin XL (bupropion XL) is the extended-release version of this medication. But there are other forms, as well, such as a sustained-release version called Wellbutrin SR. The immediate-release form of brand-name Wellbutrin has been discontinued, but it's available as generic bupropion.
Brand-name Wellbutrin XL can be costly. Without insurance, a 30-day supply of brand-name Wellbutrin XL at a typical dose - one 300 mg tablet per day - can be $2546.57, even with a GoodRx coupon. The price you pay depends on your dose and how often you take the medication, as well as factors such as your location, pharmacy, and insurance coverage.
A GoodRx coupon may help you save on Wellbutrin XL. You can deeply cut the price by taking the generic version, bupropion XL.
Antidepressants are common medications taken by about 13% of U.S. adults. One notable antidepressant is Wellbutrin XL, the well-known brand name of bupropion extended-release. It is used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Here, we'll cover basic information about Wellbutrin XL, including how much it costs without insurance and ways to save.
Immediate-release bupropion was FDA-approved in 1985, and a sustained-release (SR) formulation was introduced a decade later. The extended-release formulation, Wellbutrin XL, was approved in 2003.
How does Wellbutrin XL work? These tablets boost dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Wellbutrin XL can have side effects. This medication can cause tremors, agitation, and dry mouth, as well as nausea and vomiting, headache, and sleeping problems.
Wellbutrin XL is less likely to cause ED. Wellbutrin XL is a first-choice option if you experienced erectile dysfunction (ED) from another antidepressant.
Notably, Wellbutrin products are less likely to cause certain side effects, such as weight gain and sexual problems, when compared with other antidepressants.
Brand name |
Wellbutrin XL |
Generic name |
Bupropion XL |
Typical dosages |
150 mg, 300 mg tablets |
Other forms |
1. Bupropion SR, which is also available as Wellbutrin SR |
Uses |
Depression, SAD |
How it works |
Boosts the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine |
Benefits |
Less likely than other antidepressants to cause weight gain, sexual side effects, and sleepiness |
Possible side effects |
Dry mouth, headache, and trouble sleeping |
Bupropion is also the active ingredient in Zyban, which is used to help people quit smoking. Brand-name Zyban is no longer available.
Health insurance typically covers mental health treatments - including the generic versions of antidepressants - though coverage varies. This means that generic Wellbutrin XL (called bupropion XL) is likely to be covered. Check your plan's summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) and formulary to determine whether generic Wellbutrin XL is covered.
If you have Medicare Part D, these prescription drug plans are required to cover nearly all antidepressants. Generic Wellbutrin XL is typically covered by all Medicare Part D plans, though most have quantity limits, which means there's only so much medication you can fill at one time.
If your prescription is for brand-name Wellbutrin XL, it's likely that it won't be covered by your insurance. Here are a few options if Wellbutrin XL is not covered by your insurance:
Talk to your prescriber about alternatives, including generic bupropion XL.
Ask for an exception from your prescription plan, though you may be required to do step therapy, which is a type of prior authorization.
File an appeal with your health plan.
Reconsider your prescription plan during your next open enrollment period if neither Wellbutrin XL nor bupropion XL is covered.
If you have no health insurance, the retail price of Wellbutrin XL depends on the following factors:
Dosage
Fill amount - 90-day supply versus 30-day supply
Geographic location
Specific pharmacy
The chart below contains recent GoodRx prices for 30-day supplies of Wellbutrin XL.
Generic medications typically cost less than their brand-name counterparts. As mentioned, the generic alternative to Wellbutrin XL is bupropion XL, which is available in the same forms and dosages as the brand name.
The chart below contains recent GoodRx prices for 30-day supplies of different bupropion XL doses.
If you need to take brand-name Wellbutrin XL, there are ways to save if you don't have insurance.
With a GoodRx coupon, you may pay a lower price for your prescription.
Here's how to get a coupon:
Visit www.goodrx.com or install the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type "Wellbutrin XL" in the search field. Be sure to select "Wellbutrin XL (brand name)" in the drop-down menu.
Choose the correct dosage and quantity, and make sure your location is correct.
Click on "Search prices" to find costs at pharmacies near you.
Select the pharmacy where you want your prescription filled to receive a coupon.
Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you pick up your Wellbutrin XL prescription.
Ask your prescriber to write your prescription for a 90-day supply of Wellbutrin XL instead of a 30-day supply so that you'll be able to compare costs. This can lower your medication costs and reduce your trips to the pharmacy, which saves money and time. If your insurance covers Wellbutrin XL, ask if there are discounts for using your plan's mail-order pharmacy.
GoodRx can help you easily compare costs to find the best Wellbutrin XL price in your area.
Your doctor isn't obligated to consider prices when prescribing your medications. If you are concerned about cost, let your prescriber know. You might be able to find another medication that adequately treats your condition and fits your budget.
If you have a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can save on your Wellbutrin XL prescription. That's because paying for the medication with your HSA or FSA funds reduces your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.
Because this medication can cause trouble sleeping, pharmacists recommend taking Wellbutrin XL in the morning. You may also want to take your dose with food to prevent nausea, which is a common side effect. Generally, you can take Wellbutrin XL at the same time as other medications, but check with your pharmacist to make sure. And if you miss a dose, just skip it and resume your regular schedule with the next tablet.
It's normal for antidepressants to take a month or two to have their full effect. If it's been a month or longer and you haven't seen any improvement, consider talking to your prescriber about increasing your dose or switching you to another medication. You also may benefit from adding another antidepressant to your medication regimen or including group therapy in your treatment plan.
You may have side effects such as dry mouth, tremors, headache, seizure, nausea, and vomiting, as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The good news is that Wellbutrin XL is less likely to cause sexual side effects - such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and loss of interest in sex - than other commonly prescribed antidepressants.
If you don't have health insurance or don't use your plan, a 30-day supply of Wellbutrin XL (bupropion XL) at a typical dose of one 300 mg tablet daily can cost $2546.57 - even with a GoodRx coupon. The amount you pay depends on your dose, as well as your location, pharmacy, and insurance coverage. You may find lower prices for Wellbutrin XL by using a GoodRx coupon or getting a 90-day supply. Another option is to talk to your prescriber about a lower-priced alternative medication, such as generic Wellbutrin XL, that can adequately treat your condition.
Biovail Corporation. (2003). Wellbutrin XL (bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets) [package insert].
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Your guide to Medicare drug coverage. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). Appealing a health plan decision.
Huecker, M. R., et al. (2023). Bupropion. StatPearls.
National Center for Health Statistics. (2020). Antidepressant use among adults: United States, 2015-2018. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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