1. < Depression & Anxiety

What if the generic antidepressant causes me relapse?

Posted by aliali @aliali, Apr 4, 2019

I am taking Cipralex (20 mg) to fight depression. The brand name I am taking is no longer MANUFACTURED but I can find it in pharmacies nearby. The hospital offered me another generic FOR FREE, but I felt sick when I took it just one time! I then purchased the brand name which costed me a lot. The physician said the symptoms of new generic will disappear within ten days or so. BUT I REALLY DOUBT AND FEEL AFRAID TO GIVE IT A TRY! I do not want to experience a tough relapse anymore! What can you tell me about it? What should I do? The brand name is about to be out of stock, while the generic causes me to feel overwhelming depression. The generic is for free, while the brand name is to be purchased.Did you ever try to change from a brand name to a generic? How was your experience?

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Sheri Donaldson | @sheridonaldson | Apr 4, 2019

I would be apprehensive too! Is there any chance the physician can prescribe another medication? I have only had trouble with a generic med once and was switched to a different generic med. This worked for me.

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aliali | @aliali | Apr 4, 2019

I actually do not feel the desire to change the medication; I do not feel any side effects after taking Cipralex and it is elevating my mood. This is perfect: effective and without side effects. I took in the past Brintlex which I cannot afford its side effects; I should have taken it at bedtime just to avoid the side effects . I badly need help; has anyone faced such a situation?

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1 reply
aliali | @aliali | Apr 4, 2019

The physician said just take the generic and the relapse symptoms will be gone within 10 days; I doubt his diligence, and also do not want to experience a relapse; you know that health is gained over years, and gone within a moment. How does it feel if you do your best to ease depression symptoms over MONTHS and then what you built is easily destroyed with a single pill?! I faced that situation; it is overwhelming and a nightmare. I really wish to hear the experience of each and everyone in the community who changed from brand name to generic! And his advice for sure!

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Apr 4, 2019
In reply to @aliali "I actually do not feel the desire to change the medication; I do not feel any..." + (show)
@aliali

I actually do not feel the desire to change the medication; I do not feel any side effects after taking Cipralex and it is elevating my mood. This is perfect: effective and without side effects. I took in the past Brintlex which I cannot afford its side effects; I should have taken it at bedtime just to avoid the side effects . I badly need help; has anyone faced such a situation?

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@aliali Good for you If it works for you stick with it

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 5, 2019
In reply to @aliali "The physician said just take the generic and the relapse symptoms will be gone within 10..." + (show)
@aliali

The physician said just take the generic and the relapse symptoms will be gone within 10 days; I doubt his diligence, and also do not want to experience a relapse; you know that health is gained over years, and gone within a moment. How does it feel if you do your best to ease depression symptoms over MONTHS and then what you built is easily destroyed with a single pill?! I faced that situation; it is overwhelming and a nightmare. I really wish to hear the experience of each and everyone in the community who changed from brand name to generic! And his advice for sure!

Jump to this post

@aliali- Will your insurance pay for the brand name?

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1 reply
aliali | @aliali | Apr 5, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@aliali- Will your insurance pay for the brand name?" + (show)
@merpreb

@aliali- Will your insurance pay for the brand name?

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Nope! But it is not a big deal; the main obstacle is that the brand name is about to be out of stock because the company is no longer manufacturing these pills. And thus I have to switch to a generic which is likely to cause me a relapse as it did before!

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1 reply
falon | @falon | Apr 5, 2019
In reply to @aliali "Nope! But it is not a big deal; the main obstacle is that the brand name..." + (show)
@aliali

Nope! But it is not a big deal; the main obstacle is that the brand name is about to be out of stock because the company is no longer manufacturing these pills. And thus I have to switch to a generic which is likely to cause me a relapse as it did before!

Jump to this post

@aliali There are many different "generic" brands of this medication. Maybe try a different "generic" brand of your medication. They all react differently for different people.

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aliali | @aliali | Apr 5, 2019

I forgot to tell something which may be important in my case. I am taking a generic Cipralex (manufactured in KSA) and may switch to other generic Cipralex (manufactured in KSA by other pharmacy). The interesting here is I can switch to the brand name Cipralex itself i.e. switch from generic to brand name. Why to move to the expensive brand name? Because the generic is no longer manufactured and I am seeking alternative . In such a case, am I likely to experience relapse? Can you help me with that?

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