Generic AB's versus brand AB's- expeiences anyone?

[Beetle]

HI There

My antidepresssant went generic this week.But I stick to the brand name since I am over the moon that it works and won't switch to another company just because of the price.I am happy with the drug i take and terified that i might feel worse if i switch to generic! Apparently generic drugs are not exactly the same then the brand name drugs.

Has anyone expereince with that? has anyone switched from a brand name drug to a generic drug and felt differnt?

I am really looking forward to your answers

beelte

[Jo3]

Good point Beetle!!

I'm not sure.  Even though I work in pharmacy and our job is to convert customers to generics (which is cheaper for the customer) and they say the meds are exactly the same but I'm not sure.  I know some people will come in and will protest that they only want the brand name and no generics and that's their choice, which is fine.

I am taking a generic anti-depressant and haven't really tried the brand name ones.  I guess if you're happy with what you're taking then I say stick with it, no point changing just for the price.  If your body agrees then stay.

It would be interesting to know if others are taking generics and have felt different.

Jo

[Beetle]

HI Jo

thans for your reply 🙂 im so glad my body agrees with the drug. My med is quite new and there was only the brandname available. Now it came out generic and the pharmacy lady asked me if i want the generic one. Thats how i I developed the question 🙂

would be interesting if anyone has switched from a brand name to a generic and has experienced a differnce in med action?

Beetle

[geoff]

dear Beetle, as work cover pay for my antidepressant the cost means nothing to me, but my pharmacist has decided to put me on the generic brand, which has made no difference to how I feel, although my doctor had to increase the dosage, and I'm not sure whether this is from the generic brand or not.

As long as it works for me I don't really care. Geoff.

[Neil_1]

Hi all  

Good question … and I’ve taken the Brand Name, but have also had the choice for the generic chemist’s brand, which I now go for, cause price is a factor. 

The generic brand as far as I can tell still does what the other one did … although having said that, I’m so effed up at the moment, that maybe it’s not working after all.  

However, if it was really not working with generic, then I’d have to bite the bullet and go with the Brand Name … I mean we’re on these things for a darn good reason … we may as well get the full use/service out of ‘em, hey!  

Catch ya’  

Neil  

[Scott_Depression]

Hi Beetle

I had a pretty awful experience of trying a generic medicine – terrible headaches and blurred vision – the sort of symptoms I’ve had in the past if I’ve waited too long in the day before taking my meds.

Mentioned it to my psychiatrist and he told me that generic medicines were meant to be biologically identical to the name brand.

Physically, the generic capsules were at a guess about 50% bigger.  Inside the capsules the granules of the medication were much bigger that the brand name granules.

Not sure whether these were the factors that contributed to my bad reaction, but I’m sticking to the brand name.  I’ve tried a few medications and believe if you’re having a good run with minimal side effects, try not to change meds, even if they claim to be the same.

Hope this is useful to you

Scott

[Beetle]

HI Scott

Thanks for sharing.

 yeah I decided to stick to the brand name. I guess its like the coles and whoolies home brand chocolate: They May have same ingredients than the other chocolate but still slightly different and don't taste the same!

 I feel great on my brand drugs and wont take the risk to swap them at the mo.But the pharmacy keeps asking if I want the generic. I think if I would experience the same you did It could seriously affect my work and/or I fall back into my black hole.

have a nice day and take care 🙂

Beetle

[Scott_Depression]

No worries Beetle

When it comes to this stuff, I tend to err on the side of being conservative.  Maybe if the price difference is significant and money is tight, I'd perhaps try another generic brand.

Having said all of this, looks like many have had a fine experience on generic meds - might work for you too.

Glad it may have been helpful to you

Take care

Scott

[JessF]

I have never had any issues with brand name vs generic with medication, but I don't doubt that this happens for other people. Theres a big amount of placebo effect coming into play (look it up and have a read about it, its really intersting), if you think its not going to work as well then potentially it may not. So stick with what works best for you I think is safest.

[Suet suet]

I was trying to find some info about genetic Vs brand name medication. So after reading all the posts from this thread, it seems there is still no conclusion if the two actually work the same!? It all comes to personal experience. It’s puzzling me now as i am about to start a new antidepressant and I will shop at the chemist! Price is 50% different.

Hmmmm....