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Problems with substitution of generic or another brand of a drug


solida

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Yes, some people are sensitive to the differences between name brand and generic or even between different generic brands.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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After reading more personal experiences on here - online - and becoming way more informed than before, I am disgusted, angry, fearful and generally at unrest watching psuedoscience hard at work  putting people into chemical straightjackets. 

I see you are new. 

This is something most of us have come to know sooner or later sadly all the emotions that come with the knowing hamper you healing... so if you can please try to step back from this just now and focus on your healing.  I know that is a tall order when in withdrawal but it is paramount that you heal that is more important than the truth right now... the truth will still be here when you well it has been here for years and is not going anywhere. 

I wish you peace 

peace is the state in which our bodies heal best....

peace.

 

Yes I am new to this board but not new to coming off vi tapering from SSRIs - unfortunately.

 

Unable to find work despite college degree and a return for a tech degree - I cannot afford brand - hence the need to switch to generic. I was just turned down for assistance due to skewed incorrect presumption about income.Had to draw the last of my IRA to survive - and it wasnt much - but with a astounding tax penalty that did more harm than good. 

 

I am not in withdrawal right now. Its not a return of my depressive state. It is pure unadulterated disgust with the lies I was sold and an RX now dependent on. The day I have to choose over eating food and dependence on an RX that never did anything to help and costs more than I spend on gas in a month is outrageous. 

 

There is no reason a generic should provide less quality though the discontinuation syndrome is very very real when I have taken it. I had anticipatory anxiety in the switch presuming the medicine potency was the same. I was told there is no difference by the pharmacist as well as a second MD I went to. Considering the unfavorable scenarios people go through in DS, the disparity is something that can cost someone their mental well being and possibly their life. 

 

Your not alone in your outrage! 

Effexor is expensive my drug coverage would not longer cover E when the generic came to market so I too paid out of pocket for it.  I was left with a few hundred dollars worth of meds when I quit not to mention a few other bottles of varying doses when I tried to go back on... all went in the garbage eventually. I know I should have taken them back to the drug store but I didn't.  I was in an angry mood and went through all the old pills in my possession and toss them all.  I thought I should keep the bottles so I have dates and did that ...but all the pills were bagged and tossed.  

I wonder how many millions of dollars in pills have ended up in the landfill. 

 

I am sure this does not make you any happier know people are throwing away drugs you need... it is stupid but laws mean people can't pass you off their old drugs or I would have easily... so would others I am sure. When I think how poor I am now and how I have not worked in years ...all the money I wasted on Effexor just pisses me off even more. 

 

Nope you not alone in your outrage I just can't keep the intensity year after year it waxes and wains.. bet is the same for other long timers.  

I wish you peace....

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 4 weeks later...

 

 

 

After reading more personal experiences on here - online - and becoming way more informed than before, I am disgusted, angry, fearful and generally at unrest watching psuedoscience hard at work  putting people into chemical straightjackets. 

I see you are new. 

This is something most of us have come to know sooner or later sadly all the emotions that come with the knowing hamper you healing... so if you can please try to step back from this just now and focus on your healing.  I know that is a tall order when in withdrawal but it is paramount that you heal that is more important than the truth right now... the truth will still be here when you well it has been here for years and is not going anywhere. 

I wish you peace 

peace is the state in which our bodies heal best....

peace.

 

Yes I am new to this board but not new to coming off vi tapering from SSRIs - unfortunately.

 

Unable to find work despite college degree and a return for a tech degree - I cannot afford brand - hence the need to switch to generic. I was just turned down for assistance due to skewed incorrect presumption about income.Had to draw the last of my IRA to survive - and it wasnt much - but with a astounding tax penalty that did more harm than good. 

 

I am not in withdrawal right now. Its not a return of my depressive state. It is pure unadulterated disgust with the lies I was sold and an RX now dependent on. The day I have to choose over eating food and dependence on an RX that never did anything to help and costs more than I spend on gas in a month is outrageous. 

 

There is no reason a generic should provide less quality though the discontinuation syndrome is very very real when I have taken it. I had anticipatory anxiety in the switch presuming the medicine potency was the same. I was told there is no difference by the pharmacist as well as a second MD I went to. Considering the unfavorable scenarios people go through in DS, the disparity is something that can cost someone their mental well being and possibly their life. 

 

I don't care what they say is in the drug or how they are suppose to be the same the meltdown I had was not because I had anxiety about the drug switch as I did not notice it had been changed till after the damage was done.  

I no longer have a problem going against the norm or what they tell me as I know what I know and generics do not act the same inside my body as the brain name no matter what crap they are trying to sell... I am not buying.

 

Totally agree!

I'M A WEANER!  :D 
atavan PRN ,Paxil approx 20 yrs ago for major depression
Switched to Klonopin PRN through to current
Paxil wore out
Changed to Effexor 
Depakote added
enormous weight gain - flat affect - led to depression - dropped depakote
Dropped Effexor, changed to Paxil 
PDoc added mixed salts amphetamines for ADHD - took for 2 yrs - was ok at first but had to cut as symptoms too intense -  then the crash was too much. STOPPED
Vyvanse started in 2013 (APRIL) - more smooth than IR amphetamine tabs---Have not used vyvanse daily in full amt since May 2013 

Paxil CT withdrawal 10/2012  :wacko:  Klonopin CT WD

Switched Klonopin to Xanax prn  - too strong

WD CT from XANAX after taking for a while - it was awful but can be done if you hold on!

Back to Klonopin PRN - working very hard to avoid taking it at all. 

Effexor 37.5 started 02/2013, 75mg by 03/2013, 150mg by 05/2012 (approx)  :blush:

Effexor 150mg 3/10/2014 Microtaper -3beads  :unsure:

3/11/2014-4beads ,3/12/14 - 5, 3/13/14 -6, 3/15/14 - 7, 3/18 - 8, 3/22 - 10, 3/24 - 12, 4/6 - 13, 4/7 - 14, 4/11 - 16 - on 4/19 ran out of brand took generic. Bad move. Back on brand on 4/20 and updosed 2 beads. 5/1 - 15, 5/6 - 16, 5/9 -17, 55/10 -17, 5/15 -18, 5/21 -19, 5/24 -20, 6/3 - 21, 6/6 -23, 6/13 -24,6/19- 25, 6/21 -26, 6/25 -27

6/28 -28, 6/29 -30, 7/3 -34, 7/8 -35, 7/17 -36, 7/30 -41,7/31 -42, 8/2 -43, 8/3 -44, 8/5 -45, 8/14 -48, 8/26-50, 9/24 -53, 10/24 -55, 12/1 -57, (lost the tally sheet, thus taper info for some of it), 4/19-63, 4/26-64, 4/30-65 Switched to wt reduction - now @ -.068, 7/14 -.070, August 2015 -.074, between Sept & October 10 -.077, Nov. -.078(feeling great), -.090 as of 1/10/16, down to  -.101 since January 2016 (it is now 6/24/16), -.105 as of 8/13/16
 
 

Ladies, please don't underestimate the possibility of perimenopause. The symptoms can be similar to, may intensify & in some cases mimic protracted w/d from ssri's & benzo's. 

 

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After reading more personal experiences on here - online - and becoming way more informed than before, I am disgusted, angry, fearful and generally at unrest watching psuedoscience hard at work  putting people into chemical straightjackets. 

I see you are new. 

This is something most of us have come to know sooner or later sadly all the emotions that come with the knowing hamper you healing... so if you can please try to step back from this just now and focus on your healing.  I know that is a tall order when in withdrawal but it is paramount that you heal that is more important than the truth right now... the truth will still be here when you well it has been here for years and is not going anywhere. 

I wish you peace 

peace is the state in which our bodies heal best....

peace.

 

Yes I am new to this board but not new to coming off vi tapering from SSRIs - unfortunately.

 

Unable to find work despite college degree and a return for a tech degree - I cannot afford brand - hence the need to switch to generic. I was just turned down for assistance due to skewed incorrect presumption about income.Had to draw the last of my IRA to survive - and it wasnt much - but with a astounding tax penalty that did more harm than good. 

 

I am not in withdrawal right now. Its not a return of my depressive state. It is pure unadulterated disgust with the lies I was sold and an RX now dependent on. The day I have to choose over eating food and dependence on an RX that never did anything to help and costs more than I spend on gas in a month is outrageous. 

 

There is no reason a generic should provide less quality though the discontinuation syndrome is very very real when I have taken it. I had anticipatory anxiety in the switch presuming the medicine potency was the same. I was told there is no difference by the pharmacist as well as a second MD I went to. Considering the unfavorable scenarios people go through in DS, the disparity is something that can cost someone their mental well being and possibly their life. 

 

Your not alone in your outrage! 

Effexor is expensive my drug coverage would not longer cover E when the generic came to market so I too paid out of pocket for it.  I was left with a few hundred dollars worth of meds when I quit not to mention a few other bottles of varying doses when I tried to go back on... all went in the garbage eventually. I know I should have taken them back to the drug store but I didn't.  I was in an angry mood and went through all the old pills in my possession and toss them all.  I thought I should keep the bottles so I have dates and did that ...but all the pills were bagged and tossed.  

I wonder how many millions of dollars in pills have ended up in the landfill. 

 

I am sure this does not make you any happier know people are throwing away drugs you need... it is stupid but laws mean people can't pass you off their old drugs or I would have easily... so would others I am sure. When I think how poor I am now and how I have not worked in years ...all the money I wasted on Effexor just pisses me off even more. 

 

Nope you not alone in your outrage I just can't keep the intensity year after year it waxes and wains.. bet is the same for other long timers.  

I wish you peace....

 

OMG since the RX company refuses to pay this yr based on my tax return (which is a joke) the cost has about buried me in more debt.

 

I have been able to get a 6mos script and have Walgreen pharmacy fill 5 at a time. This way I won't end up with extras when I get off Satan's vitamin (Effexor). 

 

I appreciate your input. Thank you!

I'M A WEANER!  :D 
atavan PRN ,Paxil approx 20 yrs ago for major depression
Switched to Klonopin PRN through to current
Paxil wore out
Changed to Effexor 
Depakote added
enormous weight gain - flat affect - led to depression - dropped depakote
Dropped Effexor, changed to Paxil 
PDoc added mixed salts amphetamines for ADHD - took for 2 yrs - was ok at first but had to cut as symptoms too intense -  then the crash was too much. STOPPED
Vyvanse started in 2013 (APRIL) - more smooth than IR amphetamine tabs---Have not used vyvanse daily in full amt since May 2013 

Paxil CT withdrawal 10/2012  :wacko:  Klonopin CT WD

Switched Klonopin to Xanax prn  - too strong

WD CT from XANAX after taking for a while - it was awful but can be done if you hold on!

Back to Klonopin PRN - working very hard to avoid taking it at all. 

Effexor 37.5 started 02/2013, 75mg by 03/2013, 150mg by 05/2012 (approx)  :blush:

Effexor 150mg 3/10/2014 Microtaper -3beads  :unsure:

3/11/2014-4beads ,3/12/14 - 5, 3/13/14 -6, 3/15/14 - 7, 3/18 - 8, 3/22 - 10, 3/24 - 12, 4/6 - 13, 4/7 - 14, 4/11 - 16 - on 4/19 ran out of brand took generic. Bad move. Back on brand on 4/20 and updosed 2 beads. 5/1 - 15, 5/6 - 16, 5/9 -17, 55/10 -17, 5/15 -18, 5/21 -19, 5/24 -20, 6/3 - 21, 6/6 -23, 6/13 -24,6/19- 25, 6/21 -26, 6/25 -27

6/28 -28, 6/29 -30, 7/3 -34, 7/8 -35, 7/17 -36, 7/30 -41,7/31 -42, 8/2 -43, 8/3 -44, 8/5 -45, 8/14 -48, 8/26-50, 9/24 -53, 10/24 -55, 12/1 -57, (lost the tally sheet, thus taper info for some of it), 4/19-63, 4/26-64, 4/30-65 Switched to wt reduction - now @ -.068, 7/14 -.070, August 2015 -.074, between Sept & October 10 -.077, Nov. -.078(feeling great), -.090 as of 1/10/16, down to  -.101 since January 2016 (it is now 6/24/16), -.105 as of 8/13/16
 
 

Ladies, please don't underestimate the possibility of perimenopause. The symptoms can be similar to, may intensify & in some cases mimic protracted w/d from ssri's & benzo's. 

 

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I can't say I noticed any major difference between effexor XR and the generic until I started bead counting to try to taper off. There seemed to be a wide discrepancy with the size of the beads. The effexor beads seemed much bigger so if I was removing 100 beads from an effexor XR capsule then trying to remove 100 beads from a generic was never going to be the same. This led to some unpleasant side effects so now I insist on effexor only.

Harmonica

Thanks for your reply.

 

I have yet to get a scale so now I count beads that appear relatively uniform in size. I tend to pick the biggest ones. 

Your observations re gen and brand bead size is interesting. 

 

Thanks!

I'M A WEANER!  :D 
atavan PRN ,Paxil approx 20 yrs ago for major depression
Switched to Klonopin PRN through to current
Paxil wore out
Changed to Effexor 
Depakote added
enormous weight gain - flat affect - led to depression - dropped depakote
Dropped Effexor, changed to Paxil 
PDoc added mixed salts amphetamines for ADHD - took for 2 yrs - was ok at first but had to cut as symptoms too intense -  then the crash was too much. STOPPED
Vyvanse started in 2013 (APRIL) - more smooth than IR amphetamine tabs---Have not used vyvanse daily in full amt since May 2013 

Paxil CT withdrawal 10/2012  :wacko:  Klonopin CT WD

Switched Klonopin to Xanax prn  - too strong

WD CT from XANAX after taking for a while - it was awful but can be done if you hold on!

Back to Klonopin PRN - working very hard to avoid taking it at all. 

Effexor 37.5 started 02/2013, 75mg by 03/2013, 150mg by 05/2012 (approx)  :blush:

Effexor 150mg 3/10/2014 Microtaper -3beads  :unsure:

3/11/2014-4beads ,3/12/14 - 5, 3/13/14 -6, 3/15/14 - 7, 3/18 - 8, 3/22 - 10, 3/24 - 12, 4/6 - 13, 4/7 - 14, 4/11 - 16 - on 4/19 ran out of brand took generic. Bad move. Back on brand on 4/20 and updosed 2 beads. 5/1 - 15, 5/6 - 16, 5/9 -17, 55/10 -17, 5/15 -18, 5/21 -19, 5/24 -20, 6/3 - 21, 6/6 -23, 6/13 -24,6/19- 25, 6/21 -26, 6/25 -27

6/28 -28, 6/29 -30, 7/3 -34, 7/8 -35, 7/17 -36, 7/30 -41,7/31 -42, 8/2 -43, 8/3 -44, 8/5 -45, 8/14 -48, 8/26-50, 9/24 -53, 10/24 -55, 12/1 -57, (lost the tally sheet, thus taper info for some of it), 4/19-63, 4/26-64, 4/30-65 Switched to wt reduction - now @ -.068, 7/14 -.070, August 2015 -.074, between Sept & October 10 -.077, Nov. -.078(feeling great), -.090 as of 1/10/16, down to  -.101 since January 2016 (it is now 6/24/16), -.105 as of 8/13/16
 
 

Ladies, please don't underestimate the possibility of perimenopause. The symptoms can be similar to, may intensify & in some cases mimic protracted w/d from ssri's & benzo's. 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

My husband was placed on Effexor in 2006 for anxiety.   He’s been on generic version I guess since it became available—I’m not sure.  I don’t know if he had any side-effects going from the brand name to the generic, and it’s been too long for him to remember.  Due to “Effexor” causing him so many problems, he’s been weaning off it for the past year—he was on 150 mg and is now hanging out at the 37.5 mg pill level (we dropped him 5% each 3-4 weeks with a few longer stays whenever he felt increased “emotional” sensitivity, etc.).

 
Anyway, at his last refill, the pharmacy gave him the script broken into 2 bottles—one was his usual Teva generic and the other was Greenstone (which is “real” Effexor).  He’s about to start on the real Effexor, and I’m worried this might cause added problems in his withdrawal, side-effect process.  Any thoughts?  I just hate seeing him change “brands” during withdrawal from one, especially since I read something about someone going from generic back to brand and experiencing anxiety, etc.  Hubby cannot afford to get messed up with his new, highly visible job he just started on a few months ago.  
 
One thing I can do is fill our own capsules.  As I was researching here for info, I realized I had TONS of little beads (Teva brand) in a container from this weaning process.  I could get some empty capsules and fill them.  Then I need to know if the capsules themselves being different could cause problems (different dissolve rates).  Any ideas?
 
Thanks so much!
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I can share some of my experience with shifting between the brand and generic although its for lexapro. I started with brand name on 2.5 mg for headache for years, when insurance changed it to generic, I had to increase the dose over the time to 10mg to help with the anxiety. Been on generic for 1 and half year, the killing jaw pain made me decided to tapering. I tapered from 10 to 2.5 in 3 months then could not going down further because the worsened jaw pain and panic attack. I stated there for another 4 months until I read the generic can cause jaw problems then I switched back to name brand. All kinds of withdral problems started in like 2 months after the shift so I had to increase the dose again to 3.7 then 4.5. One good thing is the jaw pain was gone after 7 months post shifting. In the last month I started tapering again from 4.5 to 3.8 now. I am scared to find the jaw pain came back yesterday. So in summary, the 2 shifts caused lots of problems and I suffered so much with various and severe symptoms also ended with much worse condition now. My feeling is shifting can trigger more damage and make your brain more sensitive. If the shift is for the consideration of cost, I would not suggest shift. Drug equivalence defined by industry or FDA is based on the potency of the active ingredients, but our problem now is Ssri induced problems not even the efficacy of the drug. Any tiny difference can mess up more of the brain then lead to unpredictable situation. Just my thoughts.

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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  • Administrator

Tabby, your prescription was filled with two generic types of Effexor, from different manufacturers.

 

As LexAnger indicated, if your husband is sensitive, the changes in generic brands might cause him problems. Many people are not that sensitive, however.

 

To avoid the risk, you should make sure the prescription is always filled with the same brand, whether generic or name brand.

 

Are the beads you saved all from the same manufacturer and same dosage of generic Effexor? If they're beads from different dosages, such as some from 150mg capsules and some from 37.5mg capsules, it's unlikely you can make up consistent 37.5mg capsules from them, there can be bead variation between dosages.

 

(If they're all from 37.5mg Teva capsules, you might be able to make up 37.5mg capsules from them if you have a digital scale. First, you need to empty a few intact 37.5mg Teva capsules to get the average weight of the beads in each capsule, then you need to weigh the loose beads you have to approximate that.)

 

Please start a topic in the Introductions forum for your husband so we can go into more detail about his particular taper. The topics in the Tapering forum are for more general information.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Thanks for the replies!  

 

I've called our pharmacy to see if they can specifically get the Teva brand of venlafaxine for us, and they're to call me back.  Otherwise, I will call around and see if any others have it.  

 

You all are right--if his brain is used to the Teva brand, and we're "successfully" coming down off of it, we don't need to go changing something else in the mix that might make things worse.  He's already feeling "iffy" enough to need to hold at this dosage awhile, I don't want him having to feel even more iffy because of a manufacturer change.  

 

The thing about our excess beads, though--I haven't kept them separate between doses.  They all look EXACTLY the same.  It makes sense to me that the manufacturer would make the bulk compound, venlafaxine, and then "dose" it out in the capsules.  To do it differently doesn't seem to make financial sense for them, but I'll do some digging around to see if I can find any more info.  

 

His psych. says she'll do whatever we want (prescribe whatever dose, etc.), but she doesn't think he'll ever be able to get off it!   We intend to show her!  I think his health depends on it.  

 

Thanks again!

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  • Administrator

Tabby, please don't assume those beads are all the same.

 

Please start a topic for your husband in the Introductions forum, that's where we discuss individual tapering situations.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Good news is, our pharmacy was able to get his current "brand" of venlafaxine.  They are even able to fill it before his current pills are finished (because almost half were the other brand).  

 

Thanks everyone.  

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  • Administrator

Good to hear. Please let us know how he's doing in an Introductions topic.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I have been on Zoloft for almost 14 years (on and off a few times. used to be on this forum all the time until I realized I have to get off the benzo 1s then work on getting off the AD

 

question is I have been taking sertraline from Auborino?sp?  for a year now and just got new script from Camber. I hae no idea what pharmaceutical company I was taking prior to that, never paid any attention.

 

but being in w/d from valium I am super sensitive. was just wondering who has opinions on which generic sertraline is best

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • Administrator

I don't believe there is any information about what generic sertraline is best. If your system is accustomed to a drug from a particular manufacturer, AND you are one of those people sensitive to differences among manufacturers, ANY switch in manufacturers may cause problems.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 5 months later...

Hi everyone. Quick question here. If someones antidepressant was changed form brand name to generic, if they were going to notice anything would it normally be in the first little while? as in the first few days??

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It could be at any time while they are taking it and not everyone notices any change at all.

 

Would you like to start a topic about yourself in our Introductions forum and tell us about yourself:

Please start a topic about yourself in this forum

Post #5 is very helpful.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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Hi Sunshine,

 

Most people don't have a problem going from brand name to generic. However, many people do and there is research that shows that some people have a negative reaction to being switched. At I've heard of instances where people have to slightly increase their dose of the generic to equal that of the brand name.

 

A number of years ago I was on brand name Zoloft and was switched to generic due to medical insurance issues and I noticed a difference like 6 weeks later. I felt like I had tapered the Zoloft.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sunflower

1998-2010. Zoloft 100 mgs.

3/2010. Switched to generic Z and began not to feel well.

7/2010. Estrogen patch added which caused severe depression.

8/2010 to 10/2010. Zoloft increased from 100 mgs to 200 mgs., Klonopin .25 mgs in am; .50 mgs pm; Remeron

.25 mgs. added by new doc

1/2011. Began tapering K; last dose of K 7/2011.

11/2011 Began Remeron taper; last dose of R 1/2012 (Tapered K & R by dry cutting)

1/2013 Began tapering Z from 200 mgs to 100 mgs by dry cutting

3/2013. Experiencing wd sx...took break

9/2013. Down to 150 mgs.

2/2014 - Present. 100 mgs Z

1-21-15. Began dry cutting 100 mgs.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Administrator

People are sometimes even sensitive to the differences between generic brands.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 3 weeks later...

So what did you do you then sunflower..?

 

Dunno if I'm reacting to this new brand and I cannot get hold of the brand I normally have...this brand is the only type I've found that will make a suspension..I had a window the day of changing the brand (after reacting to liquid sertraline) and an immediate uplift in mood after taking it but the day after and since things have been really bad..could I be reacting to this even although I had an immediate uplift in mood the first day?

2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare!

 

On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect.

 

Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan.

 

 

Nightmare that could have been avoided!

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  • 9 months later...

Hello, I am new to this forum. I hope this is the right place to start this thread. Is it dangerous to switch between generics...spefically mirtazapine? (from Teva to Aurobindo)

I'm going to try to get my pharmacy to keep it the same but I don't know if they will.

I've had trouble with switching clobazepam (teva to actavis).

Holmaster5000

.5mg clonazepam 3x daily

15mg mirtazapine

About to taper clonazepam

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  • 7 months later...

I realize this topic is old but it is relevant to a situation I think is happening to me.  The brand of Klonopin I am taking was changed from one generic to another and am noticing a difference.  Has anyone had a problem initially with a generic but then gotten used to it?  I called all of the pharmacies in the area and no one carries the generic I was on previously.

-1/06 - 3/07 Cymbalta. Fast taper (essentially CT); withdrawal symptoms after 4 mos (didn't realize was WD)

-10/07: 100 mg Zoloft; 1 mg Klonopin - tapered off Klonopin after 4 mos. Several unsuccessful slow tapers of Zoloft; went up and down in dose a lot

-Spring 2013 back on 1 mg Klonopin to counter WD symptoms; switched over 5-6 mos from Zoloft to 35 mg citalopram
-Two attempts at slow tapering citalopram, always increased dose due to WD; also increased Klonopin to 1.25 mg in 2014, then to 1.5 mg in 2015

-8/17-9/17: After holding one year at 20 mg, feeling withdrawal symptoms due to stress - slowly increased to 25 mg. No change in symptoms after 6 months (? tolerance ?)  - decided to start citalopram taper February 2018 (still on Klonopin 1.5 mg).

Supplements: fish oil; magnesium; vitamin D3; curcumin

Citalopram taper:  2/2018 - 12/2019: 25 mg - 11.03 mg I 2020: 10.89 mg - 7.9 mg I 2021: 7.8 mg - 5.26 mg I 2022: 5.2 mg - 3.36 mg I 2023: 3.3 mg - 1.47 mg 2024: 1/5/24: 1.44 mg; 1/19/24: 1.40 mg; 1/26/24: 1.37 mg; 2/2/24: 1.34 mg; 2/9/24: 1.31 mg; 2/23/24: 1.28 mg; 3/1/24: 1.25 mg; 3/8/24: 1.22 mg; 3/15/24: 1.19 mg

 

 

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I did.  I initially had increased difficulties on generic Lexapro........stayed on it..........  So I guess you could say I got used to it.  It wasn't too long after that switch over by the pharmacy and insurance company that I really began getting off of it completely.  The irony.

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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  • 1 month later...

I've went from Dr Reddy's to Aurobindo to Fannin brands of Sertraline and I'm wondering if you guys notice any difference in yourselves after a change of generic? I'm merely seeking consistency but My current Pharmacy says it's not always possible to supply the same manufacturer. I don't think they grasp how important it is in the tapering process.

May 2007 - October 2007 Citalopram 20 mg od. 1st Antidepressant ever taken. No problem with fast taper and no withdrawal effects. No antidepressants for over 5 years.

 

January 2013 started Citalopram 20mg.

March 2014 Switched to Sertraline 50 mg od.

23rd June 2016 started taper 45mg

23.07.16 40.5mg 23.08.16 36.45mg 27.09.16 34.65mg 24.10.16 32.90mg 28.11.16 31.26mg 04.01.17 32mg 25.02.17 31mg 22.03.17 30mg 14.04.17 29mg 09.05.17 28mg 07.06.17 27mg 08.06.17 26mg 13.07.17 25mg 07.08.17 24mg 24.08.17 23mg 13.09.17 22mg 12.10.17 21mg 10.11.17 20mg 04.12.17 19mg 01.01.18 17mg 25.01.18 15mg 22.02.18 13.5mg 25.03.18 12.15mg 

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This happened to me before with Trazodone. I didn't realize I had gotten a bottle with a new manufacturer. I was taking it for several days and was feeling nausea with other symptoms. Once I checked the bottle, I realized what happened. I called around to different pharmacies until I found that Target pharmacy had my brand and filled it there. Now I have my doctor write my script that says "XXX (name of manufacturer) only". Others have noticed a change in manufacturer in their meds is a problem. You may not. I told my doctor about this and he said each company uses different fillers, etc.

 

Marie

10/13--10/14 Ambien. Started tapering 1/14  Jumped 10/14.  Done.                                                                              

3/14        7.5 Remeron  still taking this.                              

2/14         75 Trazodone   -    Tapered by dry cutting all the way down.

1/16        4 mg Trazodone  -  Jumped. Bad mistake. Got hit with late withdrawal 6 weeks later. Reinstated.

4/16        Reinstated 1 mg, updose to 2 mg Trazodone

2/19        .04 Trazodone. Walked off.  Done.

10/3/19  Started 7.5 Mirtazapine taper cut to .073 gram weight, pill weighs .076

4/5/20    New Mirtazapine Taper - Compound Liquid 7.35 mg April '20, 7.25 mg May, 7.05 mg June, 6.99 mg June, 6.78 mg July, 6.57 mg Aug, Sept 6.35 mg, Sept 6.24 mg, Sept 6.21 mg, Oct 5.99 mg, Oct 5.90 mg, Oct 5.70 mg.

1/11/21 6.05 mg Messed up taper due to syringe change. Must remember the 1 ml syringe contains 1.5mg! 1/16/21 5.99 mg

2/21 5.75 mg, 3/21 5.6 mg, 4/7 5.45, 4/14 5.30, 5/12 5.15, 5/25/21 4.99 mg, 6/29 4.87 mg, 7/14/21 4.74 mg, 8/5 4.62 mg 8/17 4.5 mg, 8/30 4.38 mg,9/16 4.26 mg,10/9 4.14 mg, 10/23 4.05 mg, 11/6 3.96 mg,11/17 3.87mg.***Jan 22 Liquid was changed/couldn't tolerate***Changed back to pills. Feb 22/3.9 mg, 2/17/22 3.8 mg, 3/23 3.7 mg, 4/7 3.6 mg, 5/10 3.5mg,6/10/22 3.4 mg, 7/4 3.3 mg, 7/25 3.2 mg, 8/20/22 3.1 mg, 9/15 3 mg, 10/8/22 2.9 mg., 12/15 2.8 mg, 1/6/23 2.7 mg, 2/16/23 2.6 mg, 3/9 2.5 mg, 4/4 2.4 mg, 4/29/23 2.3 mg, 5/26 2.2 mg, 6/22/23 2.1 mg, 10/14 2 mg, 11/12 1.9 mg, 11/28 1.8 mg , 12/14/23 1.7, 12/31/23 1.6 mg, 1/20 1.5 mg, 2/6/24 1.4 mg, 2/12 updose 1.5 mg. Taking multi-vitamin, vit. D, cholestoff, psyllium husk, and fish oil.

 

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Since returning to the UK, I have been given several different brands of Cipralex.

 

The most recent brand are "film coated" which once again makes them difficult to cut.

 

The different brands probably have affected me, and I would have to refer back to my symptom log to determine exactly how.

Dose History: 19 Feb 2014 - Escitalopram 10mg daily June 2015 - Started taper, 5mg every other day July 2015 - 5mg every 2 days August 2015 - 5mg every 3 days September 2015 - 5mg every 4 days Sept 14th - Completed tapering, but at 7 weeks "drug free" I suffered serious WD symptoms as a consequence of "incorrect" tapering. Nov 25 2015 - Re-instated Cipralex @ 2.5mg daily. WD symptoms faded. Held at this dose and experienced "windows and waves". 12 Oct 2017 Reduced dose to 1.25mg. 13 Mar 2018 Reduced dose to 0.625mg (approx.). 16 April 2018 0mg. Windows and waves triggered by stress (IBS/reflux, headaches, sinus issues) Aug 2019 Mirena coil fitted 6 Jan 2020 MAJOR Wave hit 19 months following last dose (protracted WD).  Symptoms listed below Mar 2020 Mirena coil removal.

Therapy: Nov 15th 2016 Re-started therapy Jan 19th 2017 Started CBT Dec 2017 Started listening to Hypnotherapy CD (self-esteem). Nov 2019 Started couples therapy.

Supplements: "Bioglan" Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora 10 billion CFU, live Bacteria, Probiotic, suitable for Vegetarians, with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum"Pukka" Vitalise a unique blend of 30 energising botanicals.

Diet: 16 April 2018 Detox cleanse / anti-candida for 90 days. Jan 2020 Started "small plate" diet (i.e child size portions).

Exercise: Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, Elliptical/upper body workout, walking.

Medical Test Results: 4 Jan 2017 Homeopathic Treatment starts 24 Feb 2017 Started weight loss program 24 Mar 2017 Naturopathic Treatment + anti-Candida diet started due to suspected Candida Related Complex (CRC). DETOXED for 7 weeks to "re-set" gut. April 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Comprehensive Stool Analysis NEGATIVE; Full Blood Count (Normal) / Blood Cholesterol: 5.6 (Borderline) / Blood Sugar (Normal) / 28 Jun 2017 FSH 8.2 / 14 Nov 2017 FSH 17.7 Dec 2017 Blood Cholesterol: 3.9 (Normal) / Kidney Function (Normal) / Blood Sugar (Normal). December 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Food panel allergy (bloodwork) analysis - a few "VERY LOW/VL" allergens; Mar 2018 "Genova Diagnostics" SIBO urine analysis: High Level of Yeast/fungal markers found in small intestine but NO SIBO.  April 2018 Thyroid (Normal) / Full Blood Count (Normal) / FSH (Normal). 16 April 2018 Started anti-Candida diet - 3 month protocol.   25 March 2020 All test results "Normal". CRP" 5 mg/L (normal range to 0-5 mg/L).

Symptoms:  Flu-like symptoms, anxiety, anhedonia, sinus headaches right-side (severe), IBS issues/reflux (severe)**, tinnitus, fatigue, inner tremor, nausea, chills/hot flushes, pounding heart, muscular issues including stiff left hip flexor, intense anger, PSSD (ongoing).  **Histhamine intolerance (suspected).

Major Life Events: 

Re-located to UK from Canada: Jan 2016

My father died: 5:05pm, Monday 5 Feb 2018 Last Lexapro dose: 16 April 2018 (its now been over a year since I quit ADs)  Moved house: Friday 23rd February 2018  "Divorced" toxic Mother: Monday 26 March 2018 Starting working again: 19 November 2018  Diagnosed with: 5th August 2021 PTSD/C-PTSD Diagnosed with: March 2022 Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful bladder syndrome

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  • 2 months later...

I so wish I had found this topic before I changed from one generic to another a few weeks ago. 

 

For 17 days I took a different generic brand from the Pharmacist and thought nothing of it. At first things were fine and I did feel a little nauseos and headachey but nothing serious. Over the days different WD symptoms began to rear their ugly head and suddenly the penny dropped that it might be the drugs.

 

The symptoms I am now facing are:

 

Nausea

No appetite

Giddiness

Heart Palpitations

Fatigue

Cortisol Spikes

Low mood

Anxiety

Muscle twitching in legs

 

So this is almost like when WD first hit but not quite so bad thank goodness.

 

I have been tapering very successfully  and did my last drop weeks ago so I cannot think of any other reason why this should suddenly happen. I have always been sensitive to any meds.

 

I have managed to get my usual generic now and have been taking it for 5 days. Can't see any improvement so far but guess my CNS has had a shock and I will have to use all my skills to get through this and get back to where I was.

15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM.  MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct  temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT.  JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month.  28.5 mgs 
FEB  Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs .  JUNE 24 mgs .  JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to  22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed.  13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize  1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at  50 mgs at night.  Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and  Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. 

XANAX  Jan 27  - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover.   Feb 14 2019  Updosed Xanax by .0625  Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily.  Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. 

Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM  20mg  taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE  .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm.  XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night.  LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight.  SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm.   7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm.  2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19  .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg  x 2. 23.1.20  .23 mg x 2.  20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20  .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2.  18.6.20 .11mg  x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2.  2.12.20 .06 mg x 2.  8.1.21 .05 mg x 2.  4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2.  7.4.21  .02 mg x 2.  9.5.21 .01 mg x 2.  21.6.21 .01 mg x 1.  11.8.21 ZERO!

 

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  • 11 months later...

Hello, 

I previously thought SSRI pills were standardised across different manufacturers. I.e. that 100mg sertraline looks and weighs exactly the same from 2 different manufacturers. 

I recently got a new prescription and found that 50mg sertraline weighs about 8% different from 2 different manufacturers. From one, pills are 0.150g, from the other, 0.160g. I had previous never checked the total weight, because I'd always been breaking them in half and crumbling them down to the appropriate weight. I'm very glad I checked before starting to use them.

This has big implications when it comes to tapering, because an equal weight of the pill contains a different amount of SSRI. 

This leads me to a question I'm wondering if anyone knows...

Are all SSRI pills all homogenous?

(That is, is the active ingredient always evenly distributed with the filler ingredients? So that breaking off any particular part always contains the same % active ingredient as the % volume of the total pill. E.g. breaking off 50% of the pill always contains 50% of the total active ingredient?)

  • 2008: Started Citalopram 30mg
  • Sept 2014: Tapered down Citalopram over 6 months and discontinued Feb 2015
  • Severe withdrawals peaked in July/Aug 2015. Totally housebound.
  • Sept 2015: Sertraline started @ 100mg on GP advice.
  • Oct to Dec 2015: Reduced to Sertraline 50mg due to side effects. 
  • Jan 2016 to March 2017: Tapered Sertraline to 2mg @ 10% per month. 
  • Severe withdrawals peaked again June 2017. Totally housebound. 
  • Diazepam: July 2017 5mg // Aug 2017 2.5mg // Sept 2017 1mg // 12th Dec 2017 0.85mg 
  • Sertraline Reinstatement: 23 Oct 2017 5mg // 15 Nov 2017 10mg // 23 Nov 2017 15mg 
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  • Moderator

Hi James-- this question comes up quite frequently. Yes, the pills are homogeneous. The only part that doesn't have active ingredient is the XR coating, which, if the pill has one, is a very tiny percentage of the tablet.  Because of this it is better to crush the tablet into a fine powder instead of breaking pieces off.  However, the ratio of coating to tablet is so small it won't make any difference in the dose amount.

 

If you're going to be getting pills that are different each time then it would be a good idea to calculate your dose using the active ingredient/ pill weight ratio as a basis instead of using a straight percentage reduction. The AI/PW ratio is determined by dividing the active ingredient concentration (the strength listed on the bottle) by the average pill weight. So using the numbers you gave above:

 

Pill one  is;  50mgai / 150mgpw = 0.33mgai per 1mgpw

Pill two is;  50mgai / 160mgpw =  0.31mgai per 1mgpw

 

Using these ratios you would determine the mgpw of your dose by dividing your target dose by 0.33 or 0.31 depending on which pill you're using.  So if you wanted to take a dose of 18mgai it would be 18/0.31 = 58mgpw for pill two or 18/0.33 = 55mgpw for pill one.

 

When it comes down too it though, there is only a 2/100 mgai difference between the two pills.  Even at a full dose this isn't enough to make a difference for most people and at the lower doses the amount is so small you couldn't even manipulate the powder to make corrections.  Unless you are showing an extreme sensitivity to the drugs I don't think the extra book keeping and calculations would be worth the bother.

 

I hope that helps.

 

Brassmonkey

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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  • Administrator

Different brands sell different tablet weights. Even within the same brand, there is no consistency from dosage to dosage; within dosages, tablets or capsules will be close in weight.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 1 month later...

Yesterday I got another prescription for sertraline. The pill was another brand I had to not used before. Colour was different. Pill weight was much different. (I worked out to take the same mg active ingredient of course)

 

Asssumed it was normal when I took it, but now I feel like I've taken a significant updose or cut. I read that the amount of active ingredient entering the blood stream from different generics is not tightly regulated. I've seen some figures that it only must be within "80 to 125%" of the leading brand.

 

http://articles.latimes.com/2007/dec/17/news/OE-WAX17/2

 

https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/generic-antidepressants-what-you-need-to-know_

 

Feeling a bit desperate because I can't get another script for 2 days. Not sure whether to keep taking it or what.

 

I didn't know this even happened :(. Any advice ?

  • 2008: Started Citalopram 30mg
  • Sept 2014: Tapered down Citalopram over 6 months and discontinued Feb 2015
  • Severe withdrawals peaked in July/Aug 2015. Totally housebound.
  • Sept 2015: Sertraline started @ 100mg on GP advice.
  • Oct to Dec 2015: Reduced to Sertraline 50mg due to side effects. 
  • Jan 2016 to March 2017: Tapered Sertraline to 2mg @ 10% per month. 
  • Severe withdrawals peaked again June 2017. Totally housebound. 
  • Diazepam: July 2017 5mg // Aug 2017 2.5mg // Sept 2017 1mg // 12th Dec 2017 0.85mg 
  • Sertraline Reinstatement: 23 Oct 2017 5mg // 15 Nov 2017 10mg // 23 Nov 2017 15mg 
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  • 4 months later...

I’ve had the same experience with generic Paxil. It simply doesn’t work for me. There’s no way it’s identical to the brand name drug!

Long history with many psych drugs beginning in 1987. Went through two too-fast Paxil withdrawals in the past. Ended up in ER both times. I successfully got off Wellbutrin, and (occasional only) Seroquel, Concerta, and Klonopin over six months. Current supplements: multivitamin, probiotic, D3, magnesium, CBD. Current drugs: Ranitidine 300 mg. for acid reflux, Paxil (tapering off).

 

Paxil Taper History, 2018/2019

Jan.1: 60 mg. May 1: 55 mg. May 13: 50 mg. June 3: 47.5 mg. June 14: 45 mg. June 21: 42.5 mg. July 5: 40 mg. Switched to figuring by weight. 40 mg. = .704 July 22: .686. July 29: .669. August 5: .652. August 12: .635. September 2: 30 mg. October 2: 25 mg. November 2: 22 mg. December 1: 20 mg. January 6: 18 mg. Now using a digital scale and an emery board to taper. January 16: I decided to go back on the drugs after a year of tapering. I’m more depressed than ever, and do not believe it’s withdrawal. Thank you, everyone, for your support, advice, and kindness. Centime.

 

 

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The only thing a brand name tablet and a generic tablet have to have in common is the dose weight of the active ingredient.  All of the fillers and time release materials are up to the individual manufacturer.  The size and shape of the tablet is sometimes dictated by the local regulatory agency as every different tablet must be identifiable from every other type of tablet via size, shape or identifying markings. These differences can cause the tablet to react differently between people because they can affect the absorption rate of the medication.  Because of the difference in the fillers etc, some generics will cause problems for some people while others won't.  It's a trial and error thing to find out which will work and which will not, but experimenting can be painful.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Change of the manufacturer
  • 2 months later...
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14 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

Oh Nick were do I start? 

 

The cross tapering plan that you have worked out is quite good and I would suggest that you use it when changing between different brands of the medication.  Over the years we have found that some people have problems switching between brand name and generic or between two different generic manufacturers and a cross taper makes the transition much smoother.  There are small differences in the fillers used by different manufacturers that cause some people to react differently to them.  It is not because there are different strengths of medication in the tablets. A 20mg tablet is a 20mg tablet no matter who is making it.  Unless you get a hold of some counterfeit drugs and then who knows what you're actually getting. 

 

What you are referring to above is called "the 80% - 125% Bioequivalence Rule".  It has nothing to do with the actual dose strength of the medication. But rather is a statistical analysis of the bioavailibility of a generic compared to the brand name. Once you work your way through the analysis (I'm not even going to try) it comes down to the fact that there may be up to a 3.5% variation in dose strength between a generic and a brand name or even between different batches of the brand name.  This appears to be accepted as a standard manufacturing fluctuation for the industry.

 

There really is no way around it, we are going to be faced with small variations in the strength of our doses no matter what we do.  This is why we recommend cross tapering between brands, between delivery methods and if you really wanted to get OCD about it, each time a person picks up a new batch of pills.  In the end it comes down to the fact that we just can't control things to the minute degree that some people would like and have to push through as best as we can.

 

I'm very glad you asked about this, and hope this helps put your mind at ease.  Yes, it would be a good idea to do a cross taper to switch over.  But don't let the mathematics, analysis and advanced chemistry of comparing brand names and generics freak you out.

 

Brassmonkey

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi everyone....so I have read the troubles people have had when getting their meds from a different manufacturer.  Well, now I am in that boat.

 

I went to pick up my Diazepam prescription over the weekend and was told that the pill might look slightly different because it is a different manufacturer.  I thought, uh oh....and I told them I wanted the same manufacturer.  They said they don't have that one available anymore, and so this was my only option.  So I hoped for the best.

 

So last night I took the new pill (Teva instead of Mylan)....and knew instantly it was different because although it looked nearly the same, is was a much harder pill that my old brand when I split it... and within about 20 minutes I started getting really dizzy.  Felt out of sorts, headache, racing heartbeat, "manicky".  So I knew this wasn't going to work. 

 

I called the pharmacy today and asked them if they could order my old brand, and was told that they couldn't, that they can only get what the warehouse has available, and that this is it.

 

I have called literally every pharmacy in town and it is basically the same story.  They are telling me that the Mylan brand is on backorder and Teva is all that's available in the 2 mg pill.  That means either they could be waiting days to months, or they might not be making it anymore, or that maybe Teva bought out Mylan.

 

So what in the heck do I do?  I cannot continue taking this new manufacturer.  There was one pharmacy that thought they could get the Mylan in the 5mg tablets, but that would make splitting a little trickier, but that is ok.  Is there an easier way to find a pharmacy that has the kind of manufacturer/pill that is needed?  Do I try and go with the 5mg?  Do you think that will work?

 

Thanks for your help!!!  Getting desperate because I am OUT of my old ones, but I do have a few 5 mg Mylan pills from earlier in my taper that I am hoping to use until this is figured out.

History of Wellbutrin, Neurontin, Buspar, Paxil and others in 1990's - teenage years

Xanax .5 mg as needed 2010-2015

One injection of Haldol in ER 10/9/2015 - dystonic reaction (ongoing issues)

One 50 mg pill Zoloft 10/31/15 adverse reaction/s that are ongoing

Xanax .125 mg every 3 hours as needed, .25 mg at bedtime 1/8/16-1/21/16Xanax .25 mg every 3 hours (1.25 mg/day) 1/22/16 - 2/9/16Xanax .25 mg/5 times a day (1.25 mg/day) starting 2/10/16, then tried 6 times/day (2x.25, 4x.1875)Xanax .25 mg/6 times a day (1.5 mg/day) starting 2/19/16

Tapering off of Xanax, switching to Diazepam, starting June 29, 2016, then starting taper soon there after

Completed Xanax taper early Sept 2016, crossover to 20 mg/day Diazepam

Currently at 2 mg Diazepam/day = 1 mg bedtime, 1 mg morning

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This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • Altostrata changed the title to Generic vs brand? Change in drug manufacturer? Help!
35 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

Thank you Alto... Unfortunately she said all they have at this time is the teva brand as well, but that it can change day to day. 

 

My pdoc gave me a new prescription for the 5mg Mylan, but will be harder to cut accurately. And... Pharmacy says they're running low on that one too and teva might take its place. 😔

History of Wellbutrin, Neurontin, Buspar, Paxil and others in 1990's - teenage years

Xanax .5 mg as needed 2010-2015

One injection of Haldol in ER 10/9/2015 - dystonic reaction (ongoing issues)

One 50 mg pill Zoloft 10/31/15 adverse reaction/s that are ongoing

Xanax .125 mg every 3 hours as needed, .25 mg at bedtime 1/8/16-1/21/16Xanax .25 mg every 3 hours (1.25 mg/day) 1/22/16 - 2/9/16Xanax .25 mg/5 times a day (1.25 mg/day) starting 2/10/16, then tried 6 times/day (2x.25, 4x.1875)Xanax .25 mg/6 times a day (1.5 mg/day) starting 2/19/16

Tapering off of Xanax, switching to Diazepam, starting June 29, 2016, then starting taper soon there after

Completed Xanax taper early Sept 2016, crossover to 20 mg/day Diazepam

Currently at 2 mg Diazepam/day = 1 mg bedtime, 1 mg morning

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