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309783 tn?1271958229

is Viepax the same as Effexor?

I usually take Effexor (venlafaxine) tablets. When i picked up my prescription last time I was given Viepax instead of Effexor. Presumably these are a cheaper generic version but are the ingredients identical?
Eloise.
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309783 tn?1271958229
I'm really tiny (40kg) so don't know if that makes a difference. 37.5mg of venlafaxine twice a day is enough, I reduced from 75mg twice daily. If I am particularly anxious I take Diazepam (Valium) but again 2mg or 5mg is enough. I used to take Zopiclone to sleep at night but it totally knocked me out.
Eloise.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh, if 75Mgs did the trick for your depression then you will be fine.
My dosage of Effexor XR (when I was on it) was 350Mgs a day and even then I had to augment that with another drug just to put a dent in my Refractory depression.

You have plenty of room to work with on your dosage. I would kill to be as responsive to antidepressants as you are. I hate having to take such high dosages.
Helpful - 0
309783 tn?1271958229
Thanks. I live in the UK so all prescriptions cost the same standard amount. The GP writes the drug name (ie Venlafaxine) on the prescription but the pharmacy can then dispense any brand name, you can't ask for a certain brand or generic. I have always been given Effexor in the past because it was still under patent. I thought Viepax must be fairly new as I couldn't find much info about it.
I have not taken Venlafaxine continuously for long enough for it to become less effective. I take 75mg a day but have fortunately been able to stop this drug in the past with only minor discontinuation symptoms (I know this is a problem for many people who experience severe withdrawal symptoms but mine only lasted a week).
Eloise.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Viepax is simply a new generic version of Effexor XR (Extended Release)
The active ingredient is Venlafaxine. (Same as in Effexor XR)

The patent on Effexor XR ran out about 8 months ago and now other pharm companies can make generic extended release Effexor.

In the last 7 years Effexor XR has made Weith Pharm company 3.5 Billion dollars per year. That Billion not Million. Now you can see why other pharm companies are so eager to get their generic version to market.

For 5 of those 7 years Weiths Effexor XR was the top selling antidepressant drug in the world. There is a reason for this. That is simply because Effexor often works when SSRI's fail to offer relief.

Effexor is very effective above 150Mgs a day, problem with it is the fact that it tends to poop out in just a couple years. (poop out as in stops working)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would give your pharmacy a quick call and find out!  They never give you a generic unless you request it.
Helpful - 0
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