MDD: Switching brand name & generic drugs, different manufacturers

@Isittll

I've never noticed any difference between brands, though I do always read paperwork that comes with any medication. But if you've found that one works better than another, good for you. A good pharmacist would probably be a good resource for you in understanding variations.

Jim

Does anyone else have problems when you get a different brand of antidepressants. My usual brand has been discontinued and every other brand is sending me into withdrawal. I don't understand it why are these generic pills so different when it's meant to be the same drug . I've even tried the branded one . I took one brand and with in an hour I felt like my brain was burning and felt dizzy . Could it be that other brands are to strong or some to weak . I'm on dosulepin brand name prothiadin. I keep bringing myself out of withdrawal with the few pills I have left but will run out very soon

Does anyone else have problems when you get a different brand of antidepressants. My usual brand has been discontinued and every other brand is sending me into withdrawal. I don't understand it why are these generic pills so different when it's meant to be the same drug . I've even tried the branded one . I took one brand and with in an hour I felt like my brain was burning and felt dizzy . Could it be that other brands are to strong or some to weak . I'm on dosulepin brand name prothiadin. I keep bringing myself out of withdrawal with the few pills I have left but will run out very soon

Hi, in Canada, and gov't has decided to go to non brand name for those who have help paying for drugs (Seniors mainly). I remember many many years ago a Pharmacist told me that if you have been taking the brand name drugs/meds and switch to generic you WILL notice a difference; but if only ever had a generic prescription would not notice. I also read that even if the actual "drug" in the pill is identical, the generic, or even another brand, will use different things to colour the pill, or fillers they use can be different. We had one brand of anti-diarrhea meds, switched to another branch (both no-name) and I went on Internet and checked the "actual" ingredients, and they were quite different. I wonder sometimes when a pill gives us a reaction, its not the actual medical ingredient but the dyes, fillers, etc? I told pharmacist I want brand name even if I have to pay the difference myself but they keep sending generic ??? Cheaper is not always better or even the same IMO

I now tried every other generic brand of the antidepressants and all send me into withdrawal so I asked for the brand name this also sent me into withdrawal the brand I was taking was a generic brand which has now been discontinued so now I have to go through withdrawal and I'm terrified

@emee1, I truly sympathize with you, it’s enough that we need our meds but it’s a nightmare finding the right one..I have experienced a similar problem, I had quite a time of it going on and off a number of antidepressants and they just didn’t help or the side effects were too much. I eventually went on an older antidepressant called Amitriptyline and it gave me some relief from my anxieties, it’s also a generic med..on one occasion I went to pick up my prescription and the pills looked different in shape, I was told it’s the same drug that I’m using but it’s from another company or manufacturer.. I didn’t feel concerned at first but about a week into it I noticed that I was having withdrawals.. I contacted the pharmacy and they said I was on such a low dose I shouldn’t be troubled, wrong I was very upset. I told them not to mess with my meds and I only want the one that was helping me. I found out later that this is a normal procedure for pharmacies to do, trying out different generic brands and keeping reports from the patients how the medication affected them..it really made me feel like a laboratory specimen and I can honestly say it makes me feel really bad. I understand that they need to test the drugs but they have groups that do this willingly and they are fully aware of what to expect but it’s a whole different thing when you do this to unsuspecting people. I made a huge fuss about it with the pharmacy and the doctor, I was told that this is allowed by the government, very creepy. I am still on the same drug but I made sure that they give me the same one that was doing the job, keep trying to find what works for you and try not to get defeated, life is always filled with challenges and we can’t give up the fight, good luck to you.

The symptoms were: increased heart rate, los mood, lack of energy and headache. The good thing is that such symptoms immediately disappear once consuming the previous medication again! @lisalucier

I think there is a misunderstanding here. I can tolerate generic drugs that are made by only certain drug companies, When a pharmacy switches the drug company that manufactures the same drug in a generic form I notice a very big difference. Some of the generic manufacturer drug names are not effective at all for me!

@aliali

I've become somewhat leery of medications made in such places as Saudi Arabia or India,etc., be they brand name or generic. How long have you been taking each of the medications you mentioned?

I was prescribed Myrbetriq, but Medicare switched it to a generic, then to a second generic, Oxybutinin. The generics seem to be as effective as the brand, Myrbetriq. I don't know where it is made. I'm sure that Medicare has substituted generic meds for me, other than that one, including antidepressants. I usually do as much research as I can when I start a new medication. One of the difficulties with Medicare is that they can control things such as medications and doctors and treatments. The patient pretty much takes what's offered. In my experience, the same is true of private insurance.

When I was first diagnosed with depression I tried a number of antidepressants. I had to give each one six weeks. One made me hungry all the time - I gained ten pounds. Another one made me suicidal at precisely the number of weeks the warning stated. Most of them did nothing, but when I landed on Wellbutrin, right after Effexor, I knew that I'd found the right one. I wonder - is Wellbutrin a brand name or generic? Hmmm. I'll look at the bottle when I take them tonight.

I wish you well, finding the medication that will best treat you.

Jim