Switching From Pristiq To Generic Desvenlafaxine
UpdatedI was switched from Pristiq to generic Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) which if I understand right, is really Effexor. Is there a possibility this could be causing my severe fatigue? Has this happened to anyone else out there?
My Insurance switched me to the generic (not my choice) about 3-4 weeks ago. Depression has been creeping in and I'm pretty concerned. Yesterday/last night was bad. Today was OK but my energy is not what it should be and my thinking/mood is not where it should be.
Hoping to switch back but I don't know what is happening with the insurance...there is a $1000 penalty to go back to name brand!!
Insurance is disgusting!! I actually feel ok depression wise and the fatigue turned out to be something else. I hope you stay stable
Thanks. I'm glad your medication isn't the problem. Hope you get your energy back.
I switched to the generic about a month ago & I was thrilled because my insurance doesn't cover meds until my deductible is met. I have noticed a notable change in my mood as well as increased fatigue over the past few weeks, and it dawned on me today that the change in meds is most likely the problem. Because the generic is so new I haven't been able to find much information about effectiveness yet. Sounds like our experiences are similar. I am planning to give it a couple more weeks and then talk to my doc/pharmacist about switching back if I don't see improvement.
I'm wondering which generic brands everyone is switching to. There can be small differences even among the different generics. I'll be getting Breckenridge generic Pristiq on Monday, and definitely concerned about what I'll experience.
While I'm not sure of their inherent differences, generic Pristiq goes by the name "Desvenlafaxine", whilst Effexor is listed as a brand name of "Venlafaxine".
Nevertheless, "extreme tiredness" is listed as a side effect of "Desvenlafaxine" on Medlineplus.gov.
Medlineplus.gov also lists "weakness or tiredness" as a side effect of "Venlafaxine".
They actually go on to recommend contacting your doctor if this becomes too severe or does not go away on its own.
I also agree that the different binders/fillers can make a difference when switching from one manufacturer to another, whereas trial and error is the only way to find out what works best.
Hope everyone here is doing well!
My insurance switched my pristine to Desvenlafaxine. It's been about two weeks. I've noticed depression slipping back in, and it's awful. I wondered if the switch is causing this. I hope more people write in with their experience.
My pharmacy switched me from pristiq to generic. 1 month later my depression is back. I called my insurance (cvs caremark) and they said I could switch back but had to pay a penalty. CVS is my pharmacy as well. I called 4 different times and they said too bad I still had to pay a penalty. I finally tweeted them and threatened a legal suit because they switched it without my permission. They called me and assigned an advocate to me who magically got me back on pristiq for 15.00 for a 90 day supply.
I was switched too and I feel terrible - I'm tired, stressed an d my TMJ is back. Head Hurts and I'm nauseated. I'm great on 150 of Effecxor and 50 of Pristiq. I'm due to go to Europe in July and I have no energy and I just feel bummed about life . Telling my doctor tomorrow I can't live like this -these generics are terrible.
Generic pristiq did absolutely nothing for me. I have been a wreck lately. Crying for no reason - no, not just crying, but sobbing.
not wanting to get out of bed, irrritable, tired, etc.
my family even commented on my behavior/mood seeming low again.
I didn't think about it at first, cause I have never had a generic work (or not work) do differently than name brand. As soon as I realized what was happening I called my doctor. He wrote me a Rx for name brand only. But my pharmacy is out right now(!!!!)
Should be in tomorrow and I can't wait to get it.
This has been an awful weekend and I'm just exhausted.
Not cool to play around with someone's meds like that. Not cool at all.
I found this forum because I've obviously been having issues with the generic Pristiq as well. Although I have not necessarily noticed depression coming back, I have noticed that fuzzy/out-of-it feeling of starting a new anti-depressant. I've also had nausea which as Maria stated finally "dawn on me" that it may be the change in meds. I'm hoping that just like other anti-depressants these new side effects will eventually go away.
I also received he Generic pristic, I felt pretty bad on it, low energy sypotomd of depression, my doc told me to take an additional 25 so I halved the pink pill and take one and a half seems to work well.
Had the same reaction to generic Pristiq, I've noticed no one has mentioned what generic they are on/having issues with. I tried the Lupin version from 2 pharmacies and had different experiences on each but neither was anything close to being "bio-equivalent" but this must mean their quality control is off as well.
I really didn't expect to feel much difference with it being a synthetic metabolite, how wrong can you get that?... Quite wrong it seems.
While it does feel like a form of Venlafaxine, there are about 4 different metabolites formed during the process with the parent drug still providing a powerful AD effect, the Lupin version feels like one of the other metabolites but definitely not the "desVenlafaxine" one.
I've been trying to get the Sandoz version since they have a reputation for the highest quality generics and are one of the few labs that does clinical trials on their generics to assure the highest quality but even though they are scheduled to release their version, no pharmacy has been able to order or obtain it yet.
I've gone back to 150 Effexor XR (greenstone approved generic-actually brand name repacked as generic) in the meantime.
CVS just notified me that they got the Roxanne Version this week so will try a few days and post my experience. Just be reassured that you are not imagining the difference, it is very real.
The Patent holder of this drug does not hand over the recipe or exact formula, each company has to reverse engineer the drug to come up with something "close enough" for FDA approval which explains the noticeable difference psychopharmacological drugs and why we can feel such extreme differences between brand and generics.
I just saw your recent post about going on generic Pristiq. I have had the same problem and BCBS/Caremark said I have to pay a penalty to be in it. Anything you recommend doing to get back in the name brand? I feel awful again and need back on it!! Thank you so much!!!!
I am also having difficulty with generic Pristiq and will have to pay a steep penalty to go on the name brand again. Has anyone else found a way to get the name brand? Thanks for your help!!
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one having trouble on the generic. My baseline mood is a bit lower than normal. More than that, times (like PMS) where I'd usually drop, I drop *hard*. The depression is worse than it's been in a long time. I gave it a few months, but I'm making an appointment with my doctor to see if I can get back on the brand name. Fingers crossed that my insurance will OK it.
I was able to finally get the actual name brand pristiq and I was starting to see a difference within about 3 days!!
I'm very glad I found an antidepressant that actually seems to work for me - and that my insurance gave the ok to cover it (even though they do not cover as much as previously.)
I hope it works out for you, too! Good luck!
Just found that GREEN STONE LTD Labs generic Desvenlafaxine which is owned by Pfizer is actually Brand Name Pristiq repacked as generic; they do this with their Effexor XR as well. So just tell your pharmacy to order Green Stone Brand and it's $10 for Vs, $385 for the exact same thing.
Has anyone else experienced dyspnea/shortness of breath with the generic? I'm starting to wonder if it's the cause of what I've been starting to deal with. I'll ask my doc when I see her, but I am curious if anyone else is experiencing the same thing.
I have BCBS Wellmark and was forced to switch to the generic of Pristiq or pay a steep monthly penalty to take the name brand. I was doing GREAT on the name brand and switched about 6 weeks ago to the generic and all of my old symptoms are back...depression, anxiety, irritability, and severe exhaustion. I need to go back on the name brand so I can feel better but will have to pay almost $300/per month for it because of the Welmark penalty. Has anyone found a solution to this? I'm desperate and want to feel better!!!!
Most Recent Replies:
I've been paying full price up to $600 for pristiq for years because I don't have good insurance and can't afford it anymore. Pristiq worked perfectly and I was a normal person again. Didn't want to die all the time anymore. I had the Pristiq Co pay card but that only brought it down to three something. I went on the generic because it's seventy something which is better but I've been severely depressed again and borderline...well it's only been a week, will it get any better??? Why is Pristiq so expensive, people can die without this stuff!!! Will this get better if I stay on it? Not that I have a choice with no job anymore.
Re: Steven (# 154)
My generic was NOT placebo and it didn't make a difference which company made it. Once back on brand Pristiq all went back to normal. NONE of the generics work for me so my Drs always prescribe brand so it's not possible all these generics I've tried in different meds are placebos.
2 different but similar drugs.
Pristiq = Desvenlafaxine
Effexor = Venlafaxine
If you've been switched from one to the other your mileage may vary. If you are just going from the brand to the generic, differences "should" be negligible. I say "should" because I've read lots of anecdotal reports on this and other sites from patients switching generic manufacturers with bad results.
There should be no difference between brand name and generic. If you feel anything its placebo. Effexor is a completely different drug of the same type. They are not the same at all, they just work in the same manner
Re: SMS (# 152)
Neither Pristiq or the generic is Effexor. I had been on Pristiq for 8 years when I was changed to the generic. Don't know if it was Greenstone. I had trouble with the brain zaps like if I didn't take my medication, but it was just that the generic was wearing off too soon. I didn't notice any other difference from Pristiq. However, I suffer from fatigue terribly. I keep wanting my doctor to raise my thyroid meds, but my TSH is as least in the ball park. I am also having a terrible time trying to lose weight. Part of me wishes I had never started antidepressants, but then I hit a streak of anxieties and I remember why. Most of the time I can live. My insurance Aetna has been excellent with covering non-generic Pristiq.
After days of research, ask your doctor to write your prescription for Desvenlafaxine Succinate ER, dispensed/manufactured by Greenstone LLC. This company is related to Pfizer who manufactures the brand name Pristiq ER. It is the exact same Active and Inactive ingredients. It is Pristiq. This is called an Authorized Generic prescription, and should be covered under your insurance as the generic. As someone who has been on brand name Pristiq for over 8 years and had 0 problems, when I was sent the generic and immediately had problems. This is a huge relief. Both for my state of mind as well as my wallet!
[1] greenstonellc.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/Factsheet/_DesvenlofaxineFactSheet.pdf
[2] fda.gov/drugs/developmentapprovalprocess/howdrugsaredevelopedandapproved/ucm126389.htm
Generic Pristiq has not worked for me either unless it was from Greenstone Labs. That’s because Greenstone is Pfizer’s generic lab. When a generic is made they reverse engineer the drug. Greenstone Labs has the exact formula and ingredients because they are Pfizer. Problem is as others have figured this out Greenstone Labs is always in back order. I am attempting to get CVS Caremark to switch me back to name brand but it’s not easy. At my doctors office now getting them to fill out form and send it into CVS Caremark then wait 3 days for them to decide. Been on 3
Different genetics besides Greenstone none woek
Re: Maria (# 4)
I switched to generic also. Was on it for 3 months and my depression came right back. My doctor put me back on the Branfs and I am fine now.
Re: Suz (# 7)
Generic Pristiq is awful. I was on it but had to go back to the brand.
Sorry...I made an error in my last message. My copay is $15
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