Northstar Fluoxetine Problems
(Newest replies first)

Updated

So my wife recently switched to Walmart to get her Fluoxetine 20MG tabs to save money. She ended up with Northstar Rx LLC brand pills. These are blue dark/light with A106 on them. It's been 3 days now of anxiety, diarrhea, and just all out feeling bad. When we were looking up the manufacturing info I was shocked to see that Northstar is actually shipping these to be produced for them by: Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited in India.... What the hell? Is this legal? I thought the FDA has been telling us time and time again that meds from overseas are unsafe and can not be trusted... Now this LLC (which means they carry little/no liability) is being allowed to import them and sell them here in the states??? I'm really upset, especially when I read other posts online from others who are having the same issues... Where is the FDA in this?

11 Replies

Earliest Newest Votes
11

Almost all of walmart meds are shipped from India. It is how they keep their prices so cheap. And yes it is legal for them to do this and legal for then not to disclose it unless you ask.

Was this helpful? 0
10

I agree. I also had the same trouble, ill tell you they don't give a s*** about the public or anyone that is on medication. Isn't this one of the countries that we are always sending aid to? This makes me sicker than i am just thinking about it. Hell it's probably just capsules full of cow s***.

Was this helpful? 0
9

Unknown why, the USA is not required to label food or drugs. Something is wrong. Remember Bophal? I'm over 65, read recently those of us who are over 65, don't matter, have little to contribute and once we get out of control pain, etc, then they get what little $ that might be left. Wow.

Was this helpful? 0
8

Most of my husband's meds that he gets from Walgreens are from India also. What's up???

Was this helpful? 0
7

As someone who "knows"RE: FDA. You have to remember the FDA is a political office. Enough said.

Was this helpful? 2
6

I was put on Cymbalta / Fluoxetine by my GP. My original Insurance allowed me to take it and I was paying $15 per month for it. I was taking this for the purpose of pain management. Then the ACA came along and did not approve Cymbalta and I paid $240 per month and was scared to stop taking it due to the severe withdrawal symptoms associated with it. Finally, my GP told me to go check with some Canadian Pharmacies which I did and found that I could get a 6 month supply for what I was currently paying for 1. I did so for a number of years with absolutely no adverse affects - PLEASE NOTE: this fluoxetine came from INDIA!! Then O-care finally allowed the use of Fluoxetine at a more affordable price. I had my DR write an RX with O-cares mail order arm. They approved it and gave me notice of filling the order. Bear in mind I ordered this with a little more than 3 weeks supply of the drug remaining and when I got down to about 4 days left I had not received my shipment and called the Insurance line and was told they did not approve the RX!! Plus, they failed to ever give me notice of the denial via email, phone call, or anything. I had to get my DR to step in an explain why I was taking the drug and not something like Prozac!? Finally they approved on the day I had two pills left and said they would ship in about 10 days. What followed is all I can say was a withdrawal nightmare that led me to temporary Bi-polarism, severs sickness, I could only sleep an extremely restless series of nights after taking two Ambien, 2 mgs of Diazepam, muscle relaxers, etc.... and then I could only "rest" about 4-5 hrs with dreams that would challenge the most surreal SYFY movies or encounters. Then I tried to get my DR to write a temporary supply of Cymbalta to help until my order came in. Insurance refused that a until I got on the phone telling them that if they did not approve the RX I would check in to the nearest Psyche ward and be sure to run up the highest bill imaginable due to their severe negligence. The RX was waiting for me after that. Even then it took me almost 4 days to get back to some semblance of normal.

I said all that to say this: I think you got a bad batch not so much that it was from India but that it was missing the drug within that particular batch. That happens even with Big Pharma. I am getting another Rx from Canada being filled by a company in India saving me about $3400 for a six month RX. I don't trust the Pharmaceutical companies in this country at all! If you see a drug advertised on TV please know that it will be expensive, not approved by many insurance companies, and definitely not approved by any Gov't sponsored health care system for the public. Drugs that have been around and now have generic equivalents are common knowledge and reputably reproduced by most foreign pharmaceuticals. The good Canadian Drug Companies make you jump through a lot of hoops to fill Rxs, such as legitimate Dr filled RXs, accept payment only with government issued IDs, and accept only checks and money orders - no credit cards. Definitely not places with online Drs writing Rxs, or worse selling drugs just by ordering online. Again I think you got a bad batch and please give your wife my humblest apology for having to go through this nightmare. BTW I was on 60 mgs a day. I would recommend getting weaned off Cymbalta / Fluoxetine and find a drug more suitable to her needs. I have read that a former addict said it was easier kicking opioids than this.

Was this helpful? 1
5

You've misunderstood what it is that the USDA and FDA says is dangerous. They are referring to medicines taken from overseas pharmacies and medicines purchased online from overseas. Almost all of the most widely used meds are produced outside of the United States and shipped here because it is cheaper to do this. The problem with fluoxetine in some generic formulations has to do with the binders and coatings used (color and dye does not have any impact). In most cases any gelatin coatings or gelatin binders will cause severe heartburn, general fatigue and malaise, as well as stomach upset and diarrhea.

Was this helpful? 0
4

Although you may not be able to hold an overseas pharmaceutical company liable for any damages, the distributors here I believe can be held accountable.

Was this helpful? 1
3

After 2 weeks we threw the medication out and paid full price for a different (original) brand... if anything her symptoms worsened and her practicioner notified the pharmacy has she had two or three clients that were sick that month that had filled at the same Walmart around the same time. She believes there may have been a problem with the batch although we've heard no response from anyone including the FDA and Northstar both where notified.

Was this helpful? 1
2

A change in brand can cause withdrawal. It took me years of being on fluoxetine to work this out. I have since spoken with my GP and pharmacist about this and they did agree that ingredients differ slightly from each manufacturer (shouldn't be allowed). If you are sensitive to taking meds you can feel the effects. Your wifes symptoms are typical of withdrawal. I would suggest trying to stick to the same one to avoid these symptoms.

Was this helpful? 0
1

When they say that it is possible dangerous to take foreign medications, they are referring to those that are not approved for use and sale in the U.S., since they have not been tested and approved by the FDA. However, a company can use a foreign manufacturing facility, as long as they are approved and meet the same rigorous safety and efficacy standards as all other medications approved for sale here.

How is she feeling, now? Has there been any change?

The FDA lists the typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, and odd dreams.

Is she on any other medications?

Was this helpful? 0

More Discussions:

Fluoxetine 20 Mg Northstar

I have taken Prozac generic fluoxetine for two years. I rec'd new prescription from Northside. Since I started takin...

6 REPLIES
Fluoxetine sinus problems

I have been on fluoxetine for eight months. I am on 40 mg/day. I've always been prone to sinus infections, but my si...

8 REPLIES
Fluoxetine pill picture

I need to know what the pill Fluoxetine looks like 10 mg and 20 mg? Please send a picture. ## What does the pill fluoxet...

11 REPLIES
Fluoxetine 4346 40mg turquoise capsules

Where can I find this generic fluoxetine? Where I live, every Pharmacy around has quit carrying this drug for depression...

9 REPLIES
Fluoxetine 20mg A106

I just took six is that all right ## Hi Todd, The dosing information for Fluoxetine is as follows: Initial dose: 20 mg o...

4 REPLIES
fluoxetine hcl 40mg

Can this medication cause severe heartburn. I've taken it for about a week, with no problems. And now i just took on...

4 REPLIES
fluoxetine mirtazapine and trazadone

Hi there, i have been taking fluoxetine 60mg and 15mg of mirtazapine for quite some time now, unfortunately I'm not ...

3 REPLIES
fluoxetineHCL20mg

1 capsule in morning for mood swings ## guidelines ## Fluoxetine, a generic for Prozac, is an antidepressant. Side effec...

3 REPLIES
Fluoxetine switch

As my title says I've switched from celexa to fluoxetine 60 mg. I know the 60 mg is too high. Was just trying to get...

2 REPLIES
Fluoxetine and hair loss

Does this medication cause hair loss? ## Yes. I'm on prozac and I am losing hair since taking it. ## Sorry to hear t...

2 REPLIES