People’s Pharmacy: These side effects from common forms of antidepressants are concerning.

Q. I am experiencing a rapid decline in my generic Wellbutrin XL. I tried samples from popular brands and my symptoms gradually improved. The regular version definitely has problems.

But my insurance doesn’t approve the name brands. The pharmacy said my portion would be $3,100 even with the GoodRx coupon.

I am scared to go back to normal. Because of it, I suffer from panic attacks, heart palpitations, panic, and miss work. help.

A. Your experience sounds sadly familiar. In early 2007, we began hearing from patients who had switched from the brand-name antidepressant Wellbutrin XL 300 to generic bupropion. They reported recurrent depression and side effects including panic attacks, headaches, nausea, dizziness, tremors, anxiety, and insomnia.

We contacted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to alert officials about this potential generic drug problem. It wasn’t until 2012 that the agency acknowledged that some generic formulations were not actually identical to their brand names.

The FDA required a recall of some generic bupropion formulations more than a decade ago. But we are concerned that the federal government is letting its guard down. Many other readers have also complained about problems similar to yours.

Brand name Wellbutrin is very expensive in the United States. As you know, the Wellbutrin XL 300 brand from GoodRx costs about $3,000 per month.

One solution is to purchase the brand name Wellbutrin XL from a reputable Canadian online pharmacy. A three-month supply costs between $170 and $190. You can find a list at PharmacyChecker.com or in the “eGuide to Save on Drug Costs.” This online resource can be found at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com under the Health eGuides tab.

Q. On my last few trips, I developed severe nasal allergies and runny nose while on the plane. It was uncomfortable and embarrassing. Other travelers might have thought I had a bad cold or something worse.

I’m sensitive to perfume and air fresheners, and flying long distances meant there was no escape. I hope to travel again in the near future. Any suggestions for preventing these unpleasant reactions during flights are welcome.

A. You may consider the topical antihistamine azelastine (Astepro). This nasal spray helps fight allergies. An added bonus may be its antiviral activity. One study found that it may reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 or the common cold (JAMA Internal Medicine, September 2, 2025).

In their column, Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email us through our website at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. His latest book is “The Big Mistakes Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”