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Generic vs original Fluoxetine

Posted , 2 users are following.

Bambithegirl
Bambithegirl

Hi All,

Just a question. I am taking a generic of Fluoxetine called Prohexal.

I am on 20mg in my 10th week and have seen improvements but not quite there.

Anyone have any experience changing from generic to original with good effects?

Many thanks

 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Bambithegirl
    Bambithegirl

    Posted

    Due to make the change today but my friend has made me very nervous by saying I may get some side effects as it is a different compound/fillers????

    AM I likely to experience any new or additional side effects when changing from generic to original? I dont think I can deal with more or new side effects! Trying to get rid of the dizziness, tiredness headache and eye twitch I experience on the generic.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

  • UKSteve
    UKSteve Bambithegirl

    Posted

    May I ask why are you switching brands if the generic is working?

    Providing you've been on the medication for long enough ( in the case of fluoxetine that's about 8 to 10 weeks) then the normal process( if you are feeling some improvement but not enough ) is to increase the dosage ie to

    40 mg.

    It's unusual to need to change brands unless the current one is not giving you any improvement.

    I take a generic brand but I have never switched to the original Prozac brand, primarily because it's much more expensive and insurance won't cover it, but I have read that some people have felt worse on the original than the generic.

    My advice would be to make sure you have completed at least 8 to 10 weeks on your current generic.

    then if you feel some improvement but not enough ask your physician for a dose increase on the generic.

    If however you are not feeling any improvement by 8 to 10 weeks then you may be better off switching to another medication completely rather than just switching to the brand.

  • UKSteve
    UKSteve Bambithegirl

    Posted

    If you're changing because of bad side effects on the generic then again I would say you should stick with the generic for at least 8 to 10 weeks for the side effects to disappear which is what usually will happen if you switch to the brand you may not necessarily improve on the side effects but everybody is different so I guess if that's your choice and you can't really stay on the generic

    then I guess giving the brand a try?

    Good luck

    Please report back here because it always helps to get feedback on people's experiences with brand v generics.

    • Bambithegirl
      Bambithegirl UKSteve

      Posted

      Hi Steve,

      Thank you for this. I have just read that quite a few people experienced a positive improvement when changing to the original Prozac and because I have been on 20mg of the generic for 11 weeks now and still not where I want to be, I thought I would try the original brand at the same dose before trying an increase because I have had terrible side effects with all my increases and I just do not know if I can go through that again.

      That said, my next option would be a dose increase.

      I have definitely improved but not 100%, I would say maybe 70 %. But I have these annoying lingering side effects, the dizziness, headache and tinnitus that I was hoping to get rid of. Is there a chance they may still fade after 11 weeks?

       

    • UKSteve
      UKSteve Bambithegirl

      Posted

      The headaches and dizziness should definitely reduce over time, it takes longer for some than for others.

      I find that some days sudden waves of dizziness can pop up now and again for a short while but overall I stopped having any troublesome side effects after about for five weeks from starting.

      I do get a very mild tinnitus (which doesn't really bother me that much) but I am take other medication which I believe is the culprit for that.

      Certainly far less tinitus than I did on previous antidepressants.

      11 weeks is really the scientific number for the body to get a steady state of blood plasma levels of Prozac that doesn't mean side effects will last that long .

      usually side effects are expected to abate after four or five weeks for a newbie.

      Changing doses or brand shouldn't be as bad as first starting with regards to side effects so give it a couple of weeks tops.

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