Generic vs Brand Name

luvlife · Post by **luvlife** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:53 pm

Has anyone found a significant difference by taking brand name prescriptions compared to the generic form? By brother cannot take any type of generic meds - neither could my mother and also my aunt. The generic Zoloft side effects have been very annoying to say the least... quivery stomach, shakiness, lump in throat, general anxiety. So I went to dr. and she said it was worth a try since it "runs in the family". I received them today from Caremark, so will try the first one tomorrow. I am on 100 mg per day in the a.m. I'm anxious to see if that will help. Any input on this subject??
Judy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:02 am

Yes, I do believe that there is a significant difference between generic and brand drugs. My Mom was on a blood pressure medication for over 20 years and a generic was created and of course she had to switch over. Whatever was in it interracted with other medication and she had bad hives. Of course they say there is no difference but there is.

I have had that experience with birth control pills. They switched mine to generic after being on the brand for 2 years. I was miserable for the whole months with cramps and everything else.

I am on Lexapro and my Dr said that they should be making a generic within a year and she makes sure she puts on the prescription "brand name only". Once I start a medication I don't want to switch. It affects me.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:39 am

I believe there is a difference between the generic and brand name. Of course, the insurance companies say there isn't just to save a buck but we who have to take them know that there is. I was on generic Paxil and it made me shaky and I had trembling and anxiety in the morning. After I took it I would get a headache and a general uneasiness feeling. I switched to PaxilCR, which has no generic. It costs a lot but is worth it because I feel so much better. I do not want to go back on the generic and hope if one comes out that my insurance will pay for me to stay on the name brand.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:56 am

I absoloutely believe there is a difference. Especially with the manufactures of medication. Unfortunately I use a generic xanax. But one generic from a pharmacy was WEAK....I thought I was getting worse. So my physician said, "Lets change pharmacys to a larger chain that recieves a higher quality generic." We did and I noticed an immediate difference. Although I do prefer name brand versus generic but something for me at times is better than nothing.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:18 am

I've never been on the brand name xanax but have noticed if the pills are more than a few months old they tend to be weaker even though they claim to be good for a year. And normally if I take one I NEED it to work since I only take about one every 10 days when I am having a bad attack I can't fight off.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:15 am

I've notice that most of the generic medications I take work as well as their brand name counterparts. The one exception is Paxil. I'm usually happy to switch over to a generic due to a lower co-pay. However, I started noticing significant symptoms after 3 days on the generic Paroxetine. I switched back to the brand name and was better after a few days. This was a few years ago when the generic version of Paxil first came out. My doctor also noticed this happening to some of his patients. I guess it depends on the person. People tolerate meds differently sometimes.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:20 pm

Just an update on my brand name Zoloft...the jittery, quivery stomach has subsided and I seem to think that maybe I'm on to something here. Have been on the brand name only two days - but can sure tell a difference. Will wait a few weeks and let you know how I am handling it. Thanks to all of you for your input, it really helps to hear from others that are having the same problems. Blessings to all, Judy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 01, 2008 7:43 pm

Hi,
I take generic paxil as well as effexor.
I am going to take the advice from you all and make the switch back. Things have been really rough lately and maybe this could help...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 17, 2008 5:52 pm

Hi Friends - well, it has been 2 weeks since I started the 'Brand Name' Zoloft and I can't begin to tell you how much better I am doing. I have more motavation and am able to relax. I wanted to give the meds some time to work...I will not be going back to generic. If you are having a problem, talk with your physician, it's worth a try. Blessings to all, Judy

<span class="ev_code_RED">"Life is not waiting for the storm to pass ~ it's learning to dance in the rain."</span>

<span class="ev_code_RED">"Life is not waiting for the storm to pass ~ it's learning to dance in the rain."</span>

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun May 18, 2008 6:41 am

im also on brand zoloft .. tried generic for one month def can tell the brand from generic..
rose