Switching From Pristiq To Generic Desvenlafaxine (Page 5)

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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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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Re: feather (# 16)

I just started to read this forum about the generic of Pristiq. Hope you were successful at getting the name brand. I'm asking for it from my doctor as well. I go to her in 2 days. I have Blue Cross. Don't know if they'll pay for it even the script says "as written" or "name brand only". Best of luck. I hope you were successful.

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Re: Rebecca (# 81)

Did you not see that you can get Brand Name (as generic) by asking your pharmacy to fill with GREENSTONE brand? It's the actual Brand name repacked as generic and labeled as "Approved Generic". It is absolutely the exact same tablet made by Wyeth/Pfizer. Costco carries it and CVS will order if you ask nicely.

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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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Pat (# 75) --

Actually if you go on line to the website for Pristiq, you can get a coupon that will save you even more. They have a another coupon and it will only cost you $4

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Re: Rebecca (# 81)

Yes, I did go to the Pristiq website and got the coupon but even though it says $4, my cvs charges us $16. That's low enough, I'm not going to complain. Because let me tell everyone this.... The first filling of Pristiq Rx, I used the printout of the coupon on the website $16 cost. Within a week they sent me a coupon card for my wallet. The next month when we went to get the second refill of Pristiq, I used the wallet card and the pharmacy girl said, $260. I said that price is not correct. She went to ask the pharmacist and came back and said, the card is not working but the pharmacist put it through with some kind of discount he had and now it's $202. I said well if the card isn't working why don't you try the paper print out of the coupon that I used the first time which they had scanned into my account, so they did and it worked and she came back and said $16. So I'm glad I kept pressing them instead of just handing over my credit card desperately so that my daughter would not miss any doses. Anyway, I can't figure out why the wallet card did not work because it has the exact same ID numbers on it as the print out has. But I will just keep using the print out from now on. I'm telling this in case anyone else runs into this problem.

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Re: Debbie (# 55)

I am confused by the copay card. How does it work. Is it an actual card. I was reading the info on the Pristiq and its not clear to me. C

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Re: Pat (# 74)

How does the card work? I can't understand the explanation on their website.

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Re: K2SO (# 69)

I switched to the green stone brand because my insurance dropped Pristiq and I have spiraled down. It doesn't seem to have worked for me.

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Re: K2SO (# 83)

I tried at my compound pharmacy and was told I would be getting generic. I don’t understand. I need to be off this generic. I am getting worse. All fibromyalgia symptoms are back, this pill is not helping. I think it’s time to withdraw, HOW???

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Re: Jim (# 88)

Check again or ask the person who prescribes your pristiq if they have them. My doctor gave me mine

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Re: Jim (# 88)

On the Pristiq website, fill in the information to get the coupon and then print it out (I also saved it as a PDF in case I ever needed an extra copy of it). Then take the printed coupon with your Pristiq Rx to your pharmacy. The pharmacy has to do some extra paper work but when you go to pick it up, it should only cost you $16 or less instead of $260.

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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: Kate (# 29)

How have you been doing on the green stone. I had to switch to it as well and its not working. In wondering if its really the same as the brand.

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Re: K2SO (# 93)

Thanks. Maybe pristiq has just pooped out for me after being on it a couple years. I hear that is common with all anti depressants.

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Re: Jim (# 94)

Pfizer RxPathways connects eligible patients to a range of assistance programs that offer insurance support, co-pay help, and medicines for free or at a savings. Enter the name of the medicine you've been prescribed. You can search one medicine at a time. Then answer a few questions to see which available program(s) may be right for you. Check it out at: pfizerrxpathways.com

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I have used the name brand Pristiq for 4 years & it has been a life changer from the first few days. I was finally myself again. My insurance company sent me the generic as soon as it came out. I didn't think it would be a problem but after 3 months I did nothing but sit on the couch and I gained 25 pounds! No severe depression but no energy & I just didn't care about anything at all. My husband had to do everything & I would sit & watch. Fighting for a month & paying $325 out of pocket I got the insurance to cover the name brand for 4 more months but now they said for 2018 they refuse to pay for anything but generic. I may have to switch to a new pill but hate the thought. I will try going to Costco and asking for the Green stone brand. Not a good time in my life to wean off & try another. So mad that insurance can do this!

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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.

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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

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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

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