HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Generic medication switch

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/1/2014 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on generic buspar for five months now. My pharmacy has changed manufacturers FOUR times during this five months. It's been between a manufacturer that I have taken in the past and a new one. I have used up all my pills from the one I am familiar with and started on the new pills yesterday. Now, I have been a little anxious the last couple of days anyway, but I seem to be even more anxious. Now this could totally be a placebo effect.

So my question is, has anyone had their generic medication switched to another generic and seen a difference in effectiveness? Or any kind of difference?
Posted 10/1/2014 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my yes, it took me awhile to figure that out, I couldn't understand why I felt so bad on my same med and checked the manufacture and sure enough they switched. Now I make sure Walgreens pharmacy always gives me the same manufactor I originally had, if they don't have it they get it for me. I never knew before that, that different manufactures dosage may be slightly different. I'm very sensitive to any change in my prozac. Sounds like you are also very sensitive.
Posted 10/1/2014 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
The thing with generics is that the chemical is the same across the board, but the way it is packaged into a pill differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. They use different binding agents that can actually affect the way the pill is absorbed by your body. It can change how much is even absorbed before it is removed from your body. For instance, one 20mg pill might get 15mg into your system where another 20mg pill might get 10mg into your system before it is removed from your system via urine of colon. Some may not even reach the peak of effectiveness in your body.

Anyway, it could actually be the switch that is giving you more anxiety. Maybe you can find a pharmacy that has your old medication? I hope you get it figured out!
Posted 10/1/2014 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Momtogigiandquinn- Yep. I posted about this the other day. What a shame that your pharmacy has switched up manufacturers so often on you, that's just not good practice. The last time this happened to me, I called around to about 15-20 different pharmacy's to find one that had the same manufacturer my body was used to. It was a challenge to find one, but when I finally did I had my doctor call in a new prescription. The doc actually made me bring the non-effective pills back to his office before he would call it in, but it was all worth it in the long run!

Hope you can get yourself back on track.
Posted 10/1/2014 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. I've had my generic meds swapped out several times and yes I notice a difference. I know they tell us it's all the same but technically, generic meds are only required to contain a percentage of the active ingredients, which can vary, plus depending on the mfg, the binders/fillers/dyes etc., can vary.

One med I was allergic to the dye in their formulation, so I was 'lucky' that my doc wrote 'brand name only' (but not so lucky as it cost more). But yes, brand name is more consistent (in my experience anyway).





M.
Posted 10/2/2014 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the advise!! I'm going to give it until Monday and if I'm not feeling better I will will the pharmacy and ask for my old stuff. I really was hoping this new stuff was going to be a little stronger, as Buspar is typically pretty weak.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply