Brand Name Vs. Generic

Has anyone had any problems switching from a brand name to a generic?

I have been on a brand name med (clozaril) for 2 yrs. Recently I changed pharmacys' and the new pharmacy did not carry the brand name. I gave the go ahead for generic and was just wondering if anyone has had problems switching from one to the other.

Thank you for your help.

I had problems with generic pain medication but not with my mental health medications. So maybe it'll work out for you.

I cannot take the generic Klonopin - might as well be eating M&M's.

I take a lot of meds for different things and many of them are generics.

As I understand it, the medication itself has to be chemically identical in a generic as in a name brand, so you aren't sacrificing anything there at all. So that is the good part.

However, what CAN be different is the other stuff that goes into making the pill... the stuff that holds it all together in pill form, the coloring, etc. This stuff is all tested to be safe and in theory should make no difference... but there are some occasions where the difference in fillers may have a reaction with a particular person... maybe an allergy to one of the ingredients or something, that may cause side effects or change the effectiveness of the drug. Note that this could be the case with the name brand drug as well.

IMO there is no reason at all not to try a generic drug, and for the most part it should be the same as what you have been taking. If your reaction seems different in any way, talk to the pharmacist and the doctor about it, it may be a case where they want you back on the name brand stuff.

If you are worried about it, talk with the pharmacist or doctor before you make the switch, just to put your mind at ease...

Good luck with it, hope it goes well.

When my stepdaughter was on ritalin, there seemed to be a difference between generic and brand name, though I can't remember now which was better.

I have not noticed any real difference between Paxil and generic Paroxotine. Probably it depends on the individual too. Some people are more sensitive to subtle differences such as dyes, binders, fill material, etc.

I, on the other hand, am quite sensitive to price....

I really havn't seen a difference between the original med and the generic. I have heard that some people have had differing success with one over the other though. They are supposed to be chemically the same but I agree it could be the fillers which may make the difference.

RIght dex... I cannot take ANY generics! sigh.

I have 2 daughters.......one who had seizures and one who was taking psych meds. Each time that a drug they had been taking for awhile (2+yrs) went generic, the doctor told us to stay with the brand name med.

I have filled the generic Rx for clozaril, and because I am on a relativly low dose I will take it and don't anticipate any problems.

......since my clozaril needs to be filled twice a month the generic wil save me $30.00 ....... YEAH!!

Thanks guys for your input!