Switching From Pristiq To Generic Desvenlafaxine (Page 3) (Top voted 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?

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Re: Jim (# 89)

The Greenstone "Brand" is Brand name!
Greenstone is Wyeth/Phizers daughter company, compare the tablets, it's the exact same with all the brand name markings so any drop in efficacy would be due to something else you're taking interfering with it's absorption because it IS Brand name just repackaged as generic, which is why it's called an approved generic versus unapproved generic.

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Re: Hillary (# 118)


No everyone is not in agreement. Greenstone generic is made in Singapore (by Pfizer), but does not work like brand Pristiq. After (2) weeks, I noticed a considerable difference and depression returned. I immediately went back on the brand and feel fine again. Don't be fooled into thinking that this generic is the same as brand Pristiq or Effexor. It is neither of these. Brand Pristiq has a far superior "release mechanism" and 100% of the medication vs. the generic's lower percentage. Does anyone really think that a generic is a duplicate of a brand. Even though Pfizer owns Greenstone - it's not manufactured the same way. My Dr. said that sometimes adding 25mg. to generic Pristiq 50 will do the trick. So, that idea may be worth trying or possibly upping the dose to 100mg if your Dr. understands the situation. With the Pfizer discount card (on website) - I pay $280 per month. It's more than worth it. Also, sometimes the Canadian "brand" is okay. So, if you start to feel yourself going down - act quickly because saving $ - is not worth the slide into depression. Best to all.

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Thanks. I'm glad your medication isn't the problem. Hope you get your energy back.

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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!!!!

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I have been on brand name Pristiq but just
switched to the generic due to to high price. I am super nauseated, dizzy with a terrible headache. Exactly like I felt when I first started the brand name.
I hope my body adjusts- its only been 3 days.

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That's great to know! Is it easy to get a pharmacy to order a specific manufacturer for a generic?

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K2SO, thank you SO MUCH for all your help!! I ordered the Greenstone generic Pristiq through CVS and just got it! I can't thank you enough for your help!! For those of you in the same boat, you can call your pharmacy and request that your generic Pristiq come from Greenstone, it's easy and straightforward and the same cost as any other generic!

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Thanks for posting. I have the same insurance. Just got the news that I had to pay $500 for 90 days vs. $12 for Pristiq (I had the mfg. coupon). The depression hits hard a few times a week now. It is awful considering I work hard and pay for insurance. I'm going to call and see if I can get back on pristiq.

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I doubled my dose and feel better. I weaned myself to 50 mg of pristine but had to take my full RX strength of the generic (Lupin). I'm less fatigued and don't feel like killing myself after just a few days.

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You can always request GreenStone Brand which is the only Authorized Generic. It's actually Brand Name Pristiq repackaged as generic through their daughter company. Then you only pay generic price for ??% Brand Name. Just request your pharmacy order the approved generic by GREEN STONE LTD and you won't have to worry or deal with inferior brands.

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I'm right there with you on all of those points. I was just denied my appeal to have what the insurance company calls a "penalty" for staying with the brand Pristiq. It is $750 a month. I would not be surprised if thousands of Pristiq users simultaneously lost it--in a wave that corresponds with the introduction of the generic and insurance companies suddenly switching all of us over without notice or options. I don't know if any legal rights as long as they make the generic available. I feel powerless to make the depression stop.

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Not Effexor at all. Pristiq, Generic or otherwise is Effexor and Pristiq Pristiq. Someone may have confused you, if not given you misinformation outright.

In a way Effexor, Cymbalta and Pristiq are sort of in the same family of antidepressants. Effexor came out first and was the first of new meds to help with multiple of the main neurotransmitters. It is a reuptake inhibitor for Serotonin (like the preceding SSRI Meds) and Dopamine and Norepinephrine.
Pristiq is an uptake inhibitor for Serotonin and Norepinephrene. By uptake inhibitor, it means that a medication allows the neurotransmitter to remain in the gap between one neuron and the one/ones that are there to recieve the message being, needing to pass on...to be transmitted. Neuro transmitters are basically an amino acids bound with a vitamin..maybe minerals are involved too. Without the medication the neurotrasmitters, which for some reason or another one is either not making enough of them or very often, in certain areas of ones brain, they may have decreased tissue perfusion of the nutrients, and neurotransmitters included for various reasons/causes. When a recieving neuron or perhaps the right term is axons, i will look this up...when one releases neurotransmitters into the gap between it and the recieving one(s) then any that have not connected to the receiving sites (each neurotransmitter has its own type of receptors special to it), are taken back up by the original neuron/axon. This is called re-uptake.

Im here today to find out if anyone who has been taking Pristiq without any noticeable side effects or minimal ones, has recently been put on the generic version. I want to know if anyone has gotten sick.

Im having profound nausea, with some vomiting, headache and terrible vertigo. Ive also had sudden low to very low blood pressure. I have an illness that can cause some variations of the above, but never to this degree and not all at once. It has been pretty unrelenting for 3 days and night time...oh and breaking out in sweat, It has lessened some but I am unable to tolerate being vertical or up on my feet normally.

This feels very different and doesnt match with normal patterns of occurance of similar symptoms from the disease that I have, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. This is markedly different from anything i have experienced before, so I must figure out what the cause is so that I can get better again. One of only a few xhanges in my meds and activities as been starting the GENERIC Pristiq about 13 days ago. All total, Ive been sick for 6 days now to a degree that I cant move about freely without increasing misery.

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None of the generic Pristiq are bioequivalent and all cause the side effects you describe. Since it is still on patent any generic except the Authorizated (Green Stone) have been reverse engineered and do not contain the exact molecule of desvenlafaxine. Effexor produces multiple daughter drugs when metabolized and this generic pristiq feels like one of the others (not desmethylvenlafaxine). The simple answer to all this is just request and insist on the approved generic by greenstone Laboratories, it is the actual brand name repackaged as generic.

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I have been on Pristiq for about 7 years for fibromyalgia. It gave me nightmares. I overcame the nightmares to just crazy dreams. It helped for my fibromyalgia pain greatly. Then in April I go in to pick up my prescription and am told it is over $300.00. I couldn't believe it. I paid it knowing I could not go off. I always had this ticking in my head, dizziness and nausea if I didn't take my dose. I was taking 100mg. I was not told there was a generic. When I went for my next refill I asked the pharmacist. They said there was a generic. I called my insurance and they said they would check into it. With the generic I gained 20 lbs in 2 months. I am easily depressed and it does nothing for the pain I have with fibromyalgia. I have difficulty sleeping as well. I have no energy nor do I care to do the things I used to do. I went to the Dr and we tried two other drugs and they were much worse. I wanted Pristiq. It worked. So today I go and they price jumped from $300.00 to $400.00. The generic, with my insurance, is $15.00. A few weeks ago I was told it would cost me $270.00 with insurance. I was willing to pay it to get back to normal. Not now. It makes no sense.

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Re: K2SO (# 18)
Called my pharmacy (Walgreens) and am unable to switch to greenstone. Co-pay for Pristiq itself $140 through my Part D insurer. Fortunately, I can afford it. The side effects of generics go way beyond just depression and tiredness. Having stomach aches, flatulence, bowel upset, then loss of appetite. When I get hungry again, the cycle repeats. If you have Rx insurance, check with the pharmacy. It's so horribly depressing to find something that works and have to discontinue because of manufacturer's supply. Has anyone complained to the FDA?

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Re: K2SO (# 18)

Hi ~ how did you find out that the Green Stone is the same as the Pristiq brand name?

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Re: Kate (# 20)

I'm glad I found this forum! I am also one of many who were taken off Pristiq as Blue Cross will no longer pay for it. I thought it was my imagination that my depression was coming back after being on the generic for about 6 weeks. I also cry for no reason at least once a day. I'm feeling tired, not motivated, super sensitive and am starting to feel some hopelessness returning. I'm normally a very high energy person and now am down and dragging. I was taking Pristiq for more than 6 years and was feeling great. This is horrible. I see my doctor in 2 days and going to ask her to please prescribe Pristiq "name brand" or "as written" on the script. Don't know if Blue Cross will pay then or use me as a guinea pig for other meds.

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Re: Presk (# 17)

My insurance, Blue Cross, will no longer pay for the brand Pristiq. I have been placed on the generic and after 6 weeks, my 6+ years of not feeling depressed, I am now experiencing depression again, tiredness, unmotivated and unfocused. Very bad decision Blue Cross has made. I take other generic medications; heartburn and sleep aid and I have no complaints. I'm not against generics, just this one. Any feedback I could receive would be a huge help. I go to the doctor in a couple of days and am asking for the brand name. Hopefully she will and Blue Cross will cover.

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Pat (# 72) --

I'm very happy you were able to get the brand name Pristiq for your daughter. I was feeling wonderful on the brand name for over 6 years but was switched to generic about 6-7 weeks ago and it doesn't work at all. If you go on line and google Prisriq, you can get the prescription for even cheaper. $4/month. Just follow the directions and you'll save even more. Best of luck to you and your daughter.

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I too have been on Brand Pristiq 100 mg. I used to be on Pristiq 120 mg and Humana, but was taken off. Then I went on Fetzima 80 mg and it stopped working, and was able to get back on Pristiq 100 mg and was doing well, but I'm on military Tri-care thru Express scripts, and they have changed me over to the generic, and my Neurologist sent in a Prior authorization to go back on Brand Pristiq 100 mg. The 100 mg is all they make as far as mg. Why? I don't know. I was turned down and received a letter from them that the FDA approves the generic Desvenlafaxine. I spoke to a rep. at Express Scripts and she said I needed to do the Appeals Process. All my symptoms are: Feeling numb inside, fatigue, empty, worthlessness, insomnia, can get out of bed to feed cats or go to the bathroom, at the time no headaches and by the time I get back to bed, I have the starting of a migraine, trouble concentrating, making decisions, no libido and have no will to live, not suicidal, just don't care. I have migraines and they work hand in hand. A neurologist after trying Botox 2 times, finally agrees, that it's genetic, which I've told them since 1993, when I went out on Disability.

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