[imtrying]

What did you do when a medication that you’ve relied on for years doesn’t lose its efficacy but develops new side effects?

[shadow2000]

Hi,

I'd talk to the professional who prescribed your medication about this to get some ideas as to why you've started to notice new side effects and to discuss whether or not making some sort of medication adjustment might be a good idea. There could conceivably be different explanations as to why you've begun to notice new medication side effects, and I think that it would be best to get an opinion from a qualified medical professional who would ideally know a lot about both the medication that you're taking and your medical history about what might be happening.

Another thing to consider if your pharmacy recently switched you from a name-brand version of a medication to a generic version (or from one generic version to another) is the possibility that you might be responding somewhat differently to a generic version of your medication than how you responded to some other version of the medication that you might have been taking previously (and I'm referring to either the name-brand version of the medication or a different generic version when I say "some other version"). The companies that market generic medications are required to submit data showing that the versions of the medications that they make are bioequivalent to their name-brand counterparts before the generic medications get approved, but patients sometimes report noticing different effects from generic medications after switching from name-brand versions of medications, and some generic medications have even been removed from the market because studies conducted after the generic medications were approved found that they were not therapeutically equivalent to the name-brand versions of the medications. I'm referring specifically to some generic versions of Wellbutrin that were once available here. This, of course, won't apply to you if you haven't recently switched from one version of your medication to another, and I'm by no means saying that having switched either from the name-brand version of your medication to a generic version or from one generic to another definitely explains why you're noticing new side effects if your pharmacy did recently switch you from one version of your medication to another. In fact, I'd say that the odds are probably against a switch to a generic version of your medication explaining why you've been noticing new side effects. But this might be one possibility to consider if it is the case that your pharmacy recently switched the medication that you take to a new generic version.

At any rate, I'd see what the professional who prescribed your medication has to say about this, and I wish you luck.

[*Laurie*]

Please talk with your prescribing doctor. You might need a different medication at this point. When my meds stopped being effective I had to switch to a different class of medication.

[imtrying]

I had forgotten to take into consideration generic drugs. I take so many medication for high blood pressure, etc. I'd swear that every time I refill my meds one or more pills look completely different than the last refill. I will talk to the pharmacist at the store and the prescription coverage insurance company. Thanks.

Originally Posted by shadow2000

Hi,

I'd talk to the professional who prescribed your medication about this to get some ideas as to why you've started to notice new side effects and to discuss whether or not making some sort of medication adjustment might be a good idea. There could conceivably be different explanations as to why you've begun to notice new medication side effects, and I think that it would be best to get an opinion from a qualified medical professional who would ideally know a lot about both the medication that you're taking and your medical history about what might be happening.

Another thing to consider if your pharmacy recently switched you from a name-brand version of a medication to a generic version (or from one generic version to another) is the possibility that you might be responding somewhat differently to a generic version of your medication than how you responded to some other version of the medication that you might have been taking previously (and I'm referring to either the name-brand version of the medication or a different generic version when I say "some other version"). The companies that market generic medications are required to submit data showing that the versions of the medications that they make are bioequivalent to their name-brand counterparts before the generic medications get approved, but patients sometimes report noticing different effects from generic medications after switching from name-brand versions of medications, and some generic medications have even been removed from the market because studies conducted after the generic medications were approved found that they were not therapeutically equivalent to the name-brand versions of the medications. I'm referring specifically to some generic versions of Wellbutrin that were once available here. This, of course, won't apply to you if you haven't recently switched from one version of your medication to another, and I'm by no means saying that having switched either from the name-brand version of your medication to a generic version or from one generic to another definitely explains why you're noticing new side effects if your pharmacy did recently switch you from one version of your medication to another. In fact, I'd say that the odds are probably against a switch to a generic version of your medication explaining why you've been noticing new side effects. But this might be one possibility to consider if it is the case that your pharmacy recently switched the medication that you take to a new generic version.

At any rate, I'd see what the professional who prescribed your medication has to say about this, and I wish you luck.

[imtrying]

This is true. I dread changes in meds. It's so difficult and it takes so long to determine if the change was successful. Thanks for your help.

[MommaD]

Med changes are always tough for me too. I keep waiting for the new anti depressant that's in development based on ketamine with all its fast acting depression relief and none of its side effects. Due out next year I believe. Hoping that one might help many of us who struggle with meds or med side effects.
Btw, Imtrying, I love the poem at the bottom of your posts!

[possum220]

I must admit that when I was switched from a brand name to a generic one that I was crying so much more. Generics are supposed to be the same but sometimes I wonder.

Over a couple of decades I have also developed a hypersensitivity to many medications that I can no longer tolerate.

[ashleysummer]

If a medication that I’ve relied on for years doesn’t lose its efficacy but develops new side effects, I'd consult a doctor and ask for another medicatin.