Dear Pharmacist,My pharmacist told me that my antidepressant, Wellbutrin, is the same medicine that my husband takes to stop smoking. Is this true?
M.M., Jacksonville, Florida
Answer: Yes. It’s a surprise to most people when they hear this. But there are a many drugs that are cleverly marketed to different populations and sold under different trade names. This is done because a particular substance could have various beneficial effects on the body. In your case, the active ingredient in Wellbutrin is the same compound in Zyban, a popular prescription remedy used to stop smoking. Dosing is similar with these two drugs and pricing is too…about $120 per month. Interestingly, insurance companies don’t mind paying for Wellbutrin, but don’t hold your breath with Zyban. Almost all insurance companies make you pay for that yourself.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
