US says Teva antidepressant is ineffective

Teva Pharmaceuticals has stopped shipping its generic version of a popular antidepressant off the market after a US government analysis showed the pill does not work properly. The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday it asked Teva to withdraw Budeprion XL 300 after new testing showed the drug releases its key ingredient faster than the original drug Wellbutrin XL 300, made by GlaxoSmithKline.

A spokeswoman for Teva said, "Upon receiving the communication from the FDA, Teva has immediately ceased shipment of Impax's 300 mg Budeprion XL. This update to the FDA’s guidance affects the bioequivalence rating of the product and does not reflect any safety issue." (AP)