Thank you so much for replying to my query. I am glad it was not all in my head. I really do seem to feel better on Effexor than the generic.
I am lucky living in UK that my meds are free as I am over 60. I have had depression long enough to know my own body, as you said.
The vast majority of people do just fine on generic medications, but some people seem to have problems with the generics. Those people just find them to be less effective, which is what it sounds like happened to you.
I have heard that Effexor is one of those meds that people more commonly have issues with the generic version.
All that matters is that you seem to be back on the right track. Any time you have an issue with medications, you just have to remain persistant with your doctor. Doctors are reluctant to prescribe only the brand name of meds some times, because most people DO tolerate the generics just fine, but you know your body better than anyone, so you did the right thing by insisting the doc change your Rx to the brand name Effexor.
Glad you are feeling better!
It may all be in my (depressed) head, but I am now feeling better on Effexor, and not the generic.
So glad you agree. My doctor was loathe to change me back to Effexor, but I insisted. I shall make sure I stay on it now. Your doctor is more understanding.
I did see another doctor once who asked why I was on the generic, as little difference in the cost, and he understood and put me back on Effexor. I wish pharmasist did not replace with generic. I will check every time I go to chemist.
Glad we agree and you are feeling better
switching to a generic is definatly not good. I had even upped the dose then the doc asked because I was starting manic moods and my depression was way down. She said did you by chance change to the generic apparently quite a few patients and other docs have been noticing. back on name brand of Effexor better no more thoughts of cutting, death, impulses panics. they are definately not the same. your daughter is correct, the fillers and the other 20 percent of the active ingredients that are in Effexor are what helps it deliver the right aount over the right amount of time.
Yes, I spoke to my doctor yesterday, who, as I suspected, told me the generic form of Effexor was exactly the same. I persisted and he has put me back on Effexor.
My daughter is a drugs rep and she told me one of the generic drugs of the drug she sells to hospitals, had a salt missing, and consultants had concerns about it.
Yes the follow up process might be different in the UK but the potential cause could be the same. You could discuss this with your doctor or psychiatrist.
Yes I had this concern recently with one of my medications although it wasn't an anti-depressent but I have had this reaction to some mood stabilizers (although not others). I had to try the generic first before my health care coverage provider would provide coverage for the brand. Most people react the same to generic medications and they are supposed to be chemically the same as the brand but sometimes concerns can occur. There has been follow up as regards quality assurance by the FDA. If you don't react to a generic the way you did to a brand medication discuss this with your doctor or psychiatrist so they can document the concern so that you can receive coverage for the brand as generics are generally covered first within a health care provider's formulary. You can go to the website of your health care provider for more information as well.