Medication: Generic Brands vs. Actual Brands

I have been on effexor XR for a few years now with great results. About 4 or 5 months ago (or whenever it became available) I switched to the generic version as it costs less.

For about the past month I have been extremely tired, unmotivated, feeling the depression creeping back in.

Has anyone else tried the "real" vs. the generic and has anyone else noticed any differences between the two? Could this be a drug quality issue or would I have noticed the difference a lot sooner?

Anyone else tried both and anyone else notice any differences or is this something else?

I am not familiar with the difference between 'generic' and 'actual' brands. Why aren't they they same thing?

Not sure. Kind of like Real Coca Cola and Generic Brand. I've recently heard that some people do react differently to real vs. generic from my doctor.

Weird, eh?

... ...but, that's Coca Cola. This is medication. I don't see how medication can be anything but one thing: a product that is heavily regulated and follows strict procedures when being produced, irrespective of what label is on the box.

Maybe it is different there than it is here. I'm sorry, I really am unabe to answer your question.

I don't think there is a difference between generic vs. brand name(patent well known kind). Is the dosage the same? Has anything changed w/dosage or starting and stopping the med?

This question of Generic Vs. Brand name (effects of potency is a very good question indeed). Maybe the website of the med you are taking could shed some light for you. I'd surf the google search site.


Good luck, (I hope I helped some)?

Survivor101

Lunawolf,

Effexor is the registered trademark name under which Wyeth Pharmaceuticals markets the drug compound Venlafaxine. When a pharmaceutical company obtains a patent for a drug, they are given 17 years (now 20) which they can exclusively sell the drug under their trademark or proprietary brand. After that, other pharmaceutical companies can begin to produce the same product as a generic drug.

The generic version of Effexor became available in the US in August of 2006, however the generic version of Effexor XR (or timed released) will not become available until 2010 because it was patented after the original version.

Your doctor may prefer that you take the XR version since it has seems to be better tolerated than the original formulation.

Both proprietary and generic drug manufacturers are monitored by the FDA, but since many pharmaceutical companies use overseas production facilities, it is becoming more difficult for the FDA to monitor their oversight responsibilities.

Best,

N.

Actually same things happen to me with xanax generic,
I felt the difference too, you are right,
generic brands comes from ...who knows...?
quality,chemicals etc. I am sure they are diff.
and better is change it actual brand again for a while and see the difference
and tell us about it.
good luck.