Switching From Pristiq To Generic Desvenlafaxine (Page 3)
(Newest replies first)

I 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?

REPLY

REPORT

Re: Kate (# 15)

Maybe thru Canada? I am going to look into ordering from Canada if I can get Brand Pristiq

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Maria (# 4)

I take pristiq for anxiety and panic. I was panic free for years until I was switched to the generic pritiq. Panic attack have returned. I am switching back to Brand Pristiq!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am so glad I found this site. Insurance & pharmacy changed me to generic Pristiq around the beginning of the year. Until this weekend I hadn’t thought about it & the correlation to why I have been so tired, achy & not myself. Things have been affecting me so much more! Pristiq has worked so well for me! I have been on the Lupin version & will be working to change that tomorrow! Thank you so much for all the information! Y’all have been a God send!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Has anyone had success by upping the Greenstone generic pristiq dosage from 50mg to 75mg?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: cara (# 112)


I'm sorry to hear that others are having the same experience as I did when switching from the brand to the generic. Pfizer has a discount card that you can retrieve off the internet that saves up to $75. That will bring the cost down to $270 per month. If you have insurance, your doctor can call your insurance company and tell them that you've tried the generic, but it doesn't work. In many cases, when the doctor actually calls and fills out the required forms - your insurance WILL pay for it. As a last resort - or if you don't have insurance - you can try filling your prescription through Canada Drugs who dispenses 84 pills for $313 and claim it's the brand Pristiq 50 (made in Australia). Last year, I tried another extended release med from Canada and it was better than generics sold in the US. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical companies are thrilled because they've found a way to keep their brands selling continuously - after generics hit the market. Unfortunately, this GOP gov't will NEVER pressure the FDA to improve generic standards or the rate of release for the med. The gov't couldn't care less about this issue because drug companies and their lobbyists give millions to political campaigns. Legal bribery.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Suz (# 7)

I’m just adding to the conversation because I’ve become very depressed in the 3 months since the switch. In addition to initial side effects similar to missed dosages - I’ve felt ashamed and afraid that my doctor or the pharmacy would think I was imagining things.

i hope everyone feels better and thank you all for sharing!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was recently switched to generic Pristiq about a month ago. I have been experiencing episodes of extreme fatigue about an hour after taking it in the morning. I’ll feel perfectly fine one minute, the next minute I can’t keep my eyes open. My father one day said I sounded like I was drunk on the phone and at times I feel drunk. It’s gotten to the point that I couldn’t keep my eyes open while driving on the freeway and nearly got arrested. I’ve been calling my doctors office day after day since this incident, but my psychiatrist has yet to call me back. Has anyone else been experiencing these symptoms?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Jen (# 109)

I’m not really sure the greenstone is working very well for me either. It really sucks.

I guess it is to an extent. But not as much as name brand. I might have to just budget the name brand cost in somehow.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

K2SO (# 92) --

I have been on the greenstone generic for over a month and it is NOT working, after being on brand for over 7 years.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: K2So (# 105)

S sorry that's not correct - brand Pristiq is only for US residents; Greenstone generic is made in Singapore. If you're switching from brand Pristiq 50mg - to Greenstone generic - you'll find the extended release is not the same as the brand. Both are square pink pills that look the same, but they're not the same. As with all generic extended release meds - these generic manufacturers don't spend the $ to duplicate the same process that releases the med slowly. Most contain only 80% of the the brand's contents (sanctioned by FDA). If the generic is wearing-off too soon; you can ask your DR. for 75 mg. script which may help the med last longer or take (3) 25 mg. pills throughout the day. Additionally, brand Pristiq is NOT the same as Effexor - this is a myth. The ingredients are similar, however, Pristiq and Effexor take two different pathways that effect re-uptake of 2 hormones that ease depression. Also, Pristiq does not cause as much libido loss as Effexor. I'm speaking from experience after trying Greenstone generic and then going back to the brand.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 6

Re: Maria (# 4)

I feel very tired and muscle pain on the generic. Not good

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Kate (# 15)

There are some Canadian drug stores that dispense the name brand for less. I think one is called Canadian Drug Store. I switched to generic, desvenlafaxi 15 days ago. Same dose as name brand. But I am crying for hours in the morning and very suicidal. Plan to go back to name brand if I can afford it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: FloridaNeil (# 103)

That is absolutely not true about Greenstone Brand, compared the Greenstone tablet and Brand side by side, Even the bottles are the same with same manufacturing codes and made in same factory. Effexor & Pristiq are both affected by other medication even caffeine and especially Milk Thistle which would explain anything different you felt.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Sheila (# 101)

I did it. I am free of Pristiq and the generic.
I am not free of drugs. I started Cymbalta at dinner yesterday for my Fibromyalgia. I slept well and no head zapping, dizziness or nausea.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: K2SO (# 18)


Five days ago I started on Greenstone generic Pristiq 50 after being on the brand for 7 years. Tonight I started feeling like I hadn't taken the medication today. So, I counted the pills to make absolutely sure I took the pill today - and then remembered taking it at noon. Tonight, something is definitely wrong. I'm feeling disassociated, low energy and depressed. I had a similar experience with the Wellbutrin generic - didn't work at all. I disagree with the comment above that Greenstone is the same as the brand. I know that Greenstone is owned by Pfizer (who makes the brand), but the Greenstone generic is definitely not the brand (even thought the pill looks similar). I'm going back to the brand even though it's expensive. I have to add that Pfizer was granted the patent for Pristiq 50 until 2022, but they were negligent and stupid with the writing of the patent and lost their exclusive rights with 7 years to go. If they had decent patent lawyers there wouldn't be any generics right now! It took a lot of talent to lose their patent rights.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Someone posted that Greenstone is owned by Pfizer and their generic is basically the brand - it's true! You have to special order from CVS and it's more expensive, but what a difference from Lupin Pharmaceuticals based in India. Depending on your insurance - the most you'll pay is around $100 per month, but that's a bargain considering the brand is $275. It has the same square container & the same square pink pill - and it feels just like the brand. Same company - Greenstone/Pfizer.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Helen (# 98)

I have all those symptoms. I started on Pristiq for Fibromyalgia. With the generic, it numbs me but not my nerve ending pain. Dr is suggesting Effexor. I will try CVS for Pristiq with coupon. Pristiq was the only med. that made me feel like myself. Not sure about the suggested effexor or zoloft.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Becca (# 97)

Sorry to hear you're also having problems.
I also used different CVS inside Target pharmacies and only one refused to order the Greenstone Brand, all the others did so quickly and easily.
They know it's the only Approved Generic available and that it's actually Brand Name Pristiq in the exact same bottles made at the same factory in Singapore with a Greenstone label stuck on the outside.
Good Luck

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Presk (# 10)

The generic Pristiq is not the same as the brand name. My depression and lethargy has returned big time. Couldn't understand why I was feeling so bad. I am going back on the brand name

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: K2SO (# 13)

I got switched this summer to generic Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) and also had major surgery in September, so I was blaming a lot on the anaesthesia effect. Then my doctor suggested it might be the difference between the Pristiq and the generic version. I started with a kind of buzzing in my brain and a strange feeling about my eyes. Also ongoing headache. That has abated a lot. But the last several days I've been sleeping all day. Very discouraging. I have had that problem with other antidepressants, but Pristiq was great because it didn't cause that side effect. Of course, (my depressing thought) maybe it is just hidden heart disease. Mental confusion and some trouble retrieving words, also. I also noticed clumsiness. Very discouraged right now. My husband tells me my insurance doesn't cover Pristiq at all. That others are having trouble is encouraging. Not sure what to do.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My doctor has suggested changing to paroxetin. I have read a lot of reviews and majority are negative about the paroxeti...

16 REPLIES

I have been on generic Subutex for about 3 years. Prior to that I was on Methadone then switched to Suboxone. At 1st I t...

2 REPLIES

After 6 yrs on zoloft it no longer helps much. I felt great for 2-3 years but know it time for a change. I had a genetic...

1 REPLY

I've been on brentillix for about 3 weeks. It HSS been a God send, up until about a week ago. I woke up with s sever...

1 REPLY

I've had it with the generic Adderall CVS brand Actavis. I used to take the brand name and had no issues. Switched i...

3 REPLIES

I can't afford insurance under Obamacare, and I lost my Medicaid last December because the governor vetoed it's ...

3 REPLIES

For at least a year or more I've been taking pristiq (generic) and simvastatin at the same time. I felt that the pri...

4 REPLIES

Are there any alternatives to Exsira (desvenlafaxine) for treating depression? I take it for this purpose and it works w...

I have been on Toprol XL 25mb twice a day for almost 6 years. Love the drug, but it appears to be wearing off. I am expe...

2 REPLIES

Is it safe to switch from Metoprolol ER to Diltiazem CD without tapering off Metoprolol? And how long does it usually ta...

1 REPLY