Posted by Cam W. on February 27, 2001, at 19:21:41
In reply to The Dyes in Wellbutrin - CAM, posted by Katz on February 27, 2001, at 17:42:00
Kathy - I have heard of people having problems with allergies to Wellbutrin SR, but there is really no way around removing the dye this as the coating is what makes the Wellbutrin SR extended release. I am not sure that you can wash the dye off and maintain an intact pill.
The dyes are not toxic and in a vast majority of cases are not allergenic. A very few people are allergic to the dye, but I have personally only heard of one person who has had an allergic reaction to Wellbutrin (I am sure there are many more). Whether this person was allergic to the dye, the filler, or to Wellbutrin itself, I cannot be certain.
The dyes used in Wellbutrin SR are: in the 100mg strength - edible black ink and FD&C Blue No.1 Lake; and in the 150mg - edible black ink, FD&C Blue No.2 Lake, and FD&C Red No.40 Lake. All of these dyes have a low level of allergenicity and are definitely non-toxic. I have been out of school too long to be able to decifer the codes for these dyes, but I do know that Glaxo-Wellcome would not be allowed to use anything toxic in their coloring.
As for the generics, the same rules apply. They too are not allowed to use toxic dyes in the production of their drugs. The FDA and Health Canada would not allow it. Sometimes some of the smaller generic companies will save money and use tartrazine (which many people have allergies to) but these are few and getting fewer every year.
Hope this helps - Cam
> Cam,
>
> I am troubled by the heavy use of dyes in Wellbutrin. Are they toxic? Is it possible to remove the dye?
> I don't know why they have to dye the damn things anyway? Why can't they just use different shapes to indicate differing dosages? Are the generics equally as problematic regarding this issue?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Kathy
poster:Cam W.
thread:55023
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010221/msgs/55034.html