Is This A Fluoxetine Pill? (Page 3)

A109 20 mg dark blue oval capsule

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Both my doctor and pharmacist are taking this seriously and have confirmed that it can be the INactive ingredients that are different and can cause problems. I know from now on my doc will write "do not fill with Northstar" on the script.

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I have been taking fluoxetine for MANY years and my Walmart pharmacy recently switched to Northstar. I noticed a difference after a couple of weeks with my depression symptoms returning. Walmart said they can't get Teva anymore but Rite Aid apparently can so I am switching to them.

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I have been taking Fluoxetine 40 mg. by Par Pharm, which I got at CVS. Recently I switched to one manufactured by Ranbaxy Ph and seem to be feeling better. I found this post because I was curious if the capsules were actually the same. The Ranbaxy capsule (green & orange) is also smaller than the Par Pharm (white & blue) and is easier to swallow and I have less medication reflux.

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Oh yes, the Ranbaxy Ph capsule is from Target.

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I called the WalMart later that day after I posted on here - they had gotten the TEVA in and filled the script with them within an hour for me. I am in Maryland; hope my Walmart can continue to get this brand because I really like the people at that pharmacy!

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I was taking Sandoz brand 20 mg capsules and they worked PERFECTLY for all of my symptoms. Unfortunately since a recall over a year ago, Sandoz has become impossible to find. I used to fill at Target, when they ran out they switched me to Northstar. After one month of Northstar I noticed a sharp decline in my overall psychological health, most particularly a relapse of depression. I found Walgreens had a few capsules of Sandoz left in stock and switched to them and took what they had of Sandoz. Once those ran out they put me on Aurabindo. There is a significant difference in this manufacturer for me as well. Relapse of depression and in addition extreme aggravation of OCD symptoms. Since I can no longer find Sandoz I suppose the next step is to try TEVA which is carried by Walgreens.

I have tried contacting Sandoz directly to find out when or if I can expect their Fluoxetine to be released again but so far I have received no response.

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I hope you can get the TEVA. It is unbelievable to me that the FDA is apparently aware of this but has done nothing about it. I do not have evidence, but it has been mentioned in this thread that they are aware. I turned into a "basket case" when I had to take the Northstar brand, and I had to pay for it, since it was not covered by my medical assistance program. No wonder it wasn't covered! How this can be allowed to continue I have no idea...if I had been working, I surely would have lost my job due to my emotional instability or need to take too much leave.

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Also, tell your doctor and ask him/her to write "do not fill with Northstar" on the script. Then your pharmacy will let you know if they can or not and you can try to find it elsewhere just by calling around...or your insurance company may be able to locate it for you...they won't want to pay for something that is not working.

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Celeste, I don't have insurance so I'm out of pocket for generics - hence why I don't get brand name!

I have a great pharmacist though who has recorded on my file along with my medication allergies that I should never be given the Northstar. I always check when I pick up too to make sure it's not those evil dark blue capsules!

If anyone knows of a chain pharmacy that still has Sandoz I'd love to know.

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I only have minimal insurance through the state - kind of medical assistance, I don't get brand names either...TEVA is another manufacturer, not brand...sounds like your pharmacist is doing what my doc said he would do, by writing "do not fill with Northstar." For "mental health" scripts I have to pay $2.50, for other meds it's zero. The $10 I paid for those stupid Northstar pills was the Walmart discount price, since my "insurance" would not cover that brand." So I paid out-of-pocket for something that made me worse! At least they filled it at their discount price.

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Desperately Seeking Sandoz,

If you are absolutely unable to get Sandoz (also my manufacturer of choice), I've found Teva to be very comparable to Sandoz for one month when I had no other alternatives. However, I have some good news for you. My doctor wrote for 'No substitution, Sandoz pharm medically necessarily' and my local Rite Aid special orders that mfg for me. There is no shortage anymore of Sandoz (as I've said earlier in this thread, I work in pharmacy), and Sandoz doesn't really cost the pharmacies any more or less than other generics, with the exception of Northstar and Qualitest (I don't even know if Qualitest makes a generic fluoxetine, but that is why so many pharmacies are switching to these two manufacturers).

Also, as an update, the FDA has FINALLY started to raise their standards for generic medications. A lot of manufacturers are being pulled off the market for their quality not being up to par (I'm not talking exclusively about fluoxetine here, but I could look into that). But for a lot of drugs, many manufacturers are having their versions pulled off the market because they don't work as well as they should when compared to brand-name versions. It's about time, I say

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Apparently I'm not done lol.

If you do not have insurance, check with your local Walgreens to see if they can special order the Sandoz manufacturer for you. The reason I'm suggesting Walgreens is because they have a Prescription Savings Club which cost $20 for an individual per year and then you can pay $10 per month for your fluoxetine RX or $20 for a 3-month supply (or that was the pricing as of when I last checked, probably four months ago). Something to consider...

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Jane, you are AMAZING. I thought I had called every pharmacy in town and apparently neglected Riteaid. I just called and they special ordered it for me and it will be in tomorrow! You may very well have just saved my life. I owe you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I just have to call in tomorrow to make sure it came in.

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My Walgreens said they could not special order it for me for whatever reason, but Rite Aid said they would and it would be $10 a month max because I take twice daily.

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I am SO happy for you. I'm so glad I was able to help. It took a few days when I started taking Sandoz again to get the full effect but I am so glad to be back on that manufacturer. Just stick it out for a few days and you should be good. Keep me posted on how everything works out :)

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I am a physician living on SSD due to Major Depressive Disorder. I've dealt with MDD for decades. I didn't think anything of it when my generic fluoxetine was changed from RanBaxy to NorthStar manufacturer about one week ago. Then past 4 days, I've felt like a have a mild case of the flu, my brain is "mash potatoes", and I have severe psychomotor retardation. (It takes me forever to do the stupidest little things, e.g., wash dishes, take a shower, etc.), and crampy constipation. Just yesterday did I put it together that it was my fluoxetine. Then I find this site on the internet!! Thanks for all of your input!

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Linda,

Let me know if you need any help in finding a certain manufacturer. Between personal experiences and working in pharmacy at an insurance company, I can tell you pretty much what every pharmacy stocks and which stores might be more accommodating in ordering a specific mfg.

Once you switch off of Northstar, you should start to feel more 'normal' in four days or so, and much better in a week or two.

As an update, I'm taking the Par mfg of fluoxetine now. I don't feel it's quite as effective as Sandoz or Teva were for me. I'm going to discuss with my psychiatrist what changes I should make.

I hope all of you are doing well

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MY PROZAC IS PLIVA,INC NEVER HEARD OF IT. I HAVE USED MYLAN ONE FROM INDIA I WOULD NOT TAKE IT. ALSO WITH MY XANAX GOT A DARK BLUE ONE UNUSUAL IT WAS FROM INDIA. PURPAC MADE ME SICK. I DON,T LIKE THE PILLS I TAKE COMING FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES SCAREY TO ME. NEVER HEARD OF NORTHSTAR. ALL THESE PILLS SO MANY MANUFACTURES YOU DON,T KNOW WHAT YOUR GETTING ANY MORE.

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My pharmacy filled my last prescription with the Northstar A-106 brand. It did nothing to improve my anxiety but instead made me feel like I had jumping beans in the legs. I was so hyper I couldn't get still to sleep. I also couldn't sleep due to the horrible heartburn and reflux. The first few nights, I was awake trying everything from hot tea, to drinking a bottle of maalox. Even after stopping this new brand, the symptons continued for about a week. I returned this medication back to the pharmacy and they ordered the brand I had been taking prior to this brand (Northstar -A106) .

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Jane,
I am currently taking Aurobindo's version of fluoxetine. It seems to be prety ineffective. I'm looking for TEVA, but am having a hard tome finding it. Any suggestions? Thanks

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