Lexapro Versus Generic Escitalopram
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I don't normally visit these forums but I was interested in experience generic escitalopram versus Lexapro. I find the generic works better than without anything but am thinking of trying Lexapro to see if it works better - I first started with lexapro a couple of years back so I just don't remember. I am concerned there are so many comments about generic escitalopram having bad side effects - given they both have the same chemistry, it does not make sense to me

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REPORT

There can be differences between a name brand medication, and its generic counterparts. Under the Hatch-Waxman Act of 1984, in an attempt to bring cheaper medications to market faster, a generic is permitted to differ in the amount of the active ingredient by as much as plus, or minus 20%. The FDA considers this to be an acceptable amount that isn't therapeutically significant.

However, some people do experience problems, especially if they are very sensitive to any changes/fluctuations in medications. For example, if you were taking a name brand medication at the 100mg dosage, and suddenly switch to a generic, the generic 100mg may actually only be providing you with 80mgs of the active ingredient.

Generic manufacturers are also not require to measure against each other, only against the name brand, so some people might also experience problems when switching from one generic to another, since they may suddenly be taking a higher, or lower dose.

Ref: FDA Hatch-Waxman Information

Additionally, the precise chemical formulation doesn't have to be 100% identical, either. They only have to prove that the active ingredient is biologically equivalent, which means that it must work in the body in the same manner as the original substance in the name brand.

While many people don't experience problems, there are always some that do.

And, while many companies have strict manufacturing standards to minimize causing people any possible problems, this is not true of all of them.

Thus, what I"m saying is that yes, you may experience different effects, and efficacy, if you switch from a generic to a name brand, from a name brand to a generic, or from one generic to another.

The FDA lists the typical side effects of Lexapro as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, mood changes, and weight changes.

Ref: Lexapro Information

watford, have you tried a discount card to see if one might help make it cheaper for you?

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I'm experiencing anxiety, depression and weakness from the escitolapram. I had to start taking it because my insurance doesn't cover the Lexapro. I thought it was my diet or some disease creating such apathy and weakness. Thanks to this forum I'm thinking it's just that I got off of the Lexapro. Now I can look into that possibility.

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I had been taken the generic lexapro and it just didn't work. My depression came back, I was having suicidal thoughts, my anxiety returned and was becoming very OCD again. Even though the generic brand is free, I have decided to take the brand name Lexapro. I am feeling much better now, even though I have to pay $183.00 for it. If it keeps me from depression and keeps me from being suicidal, It's worth it. It's a matter if life and death. I have been on the name brand Lexapro 9 years prior to the lousy generic and didn't have these stupid thoughts or anxiety. All of your feedback of how lousy the generic is has been confirmation that I made the right choice by switching to the name brand.

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