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Good brands of Citalopram

Posted , 13 users are following.

laura79036
laura79036

Just wondering what brands of citalopram everyone takes and if you have a preferred one over another.  I take citalopram made by Torrent from CVS pharmacy.  I'm considering using the name brand Celexa.   I have found that at least one of my refills of Torrent (April refill) was different in potency (less potent).   I found this out when restarting citalopram after being off of it for 8 weeks.  And yes, I'm positive it was a different potency than my current refill.

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  • dean64305
    dean64305 laura79036

    Posted

    Have had 2 diff types but cant compare as one was 20mg (Teva, yellow/white box) and other 10mg (Almus, brown box)
  • ellen40147
    ellen40147 laura79036

    Edited

    I've taken about 3 different ones so far over the past 7 months. I haven't noticed any difference between them. Currently taking the ones made by Mylan.

    • laura79036
      laura79036 ellen40147

      Posted

      Ellen,  That's good to know you haven't noticed a difference.  I'm on the sensitive side when it comes to medications and feel everything.   I think when I get more stable, I may switch to Mylan since it is American made versus my current brand of Torrent which is made in India.  Was thinking that is a long way for the medication to travel and possibly be compromised by heat and other conditions.   Plus the fact that my April refill was less potent than my current refill, has put me on alert.

    • lois95799
      lois95799 laura79036

      Edited

      It's all in your head...trust me ..I'm sensitive to meds also ..and reading silly forums made my anxiety flare up about different brands ...there all the same potency ...with the exception of the coating..torrent was choice than mylan now I'm back to torrent...all the same... take care

    • lois95799
      lois95799 laura79036

      Edited

      If it's 10 milligrams is ten milligrams and so on.if it's generic is generic...from India or the USA..is the same ..they don't loose long travel potency...

    • laura79036
      laura79036 lois95799

      Posted

      Thanks so much, Lois.  I agree, a lot of it is all in my head.  Literally.

      My own anxiety comes into play, I know that.   Also, glad to hear I'm not the only one sensitive to meds. 

    • kathy5033
      kathy5033 lois95799

      Posted

      Lois, it may be in your head - however each manufacturer uses different fillers and coatings and they can make a huge difference.  If you will research this - you can see where the specific mfg is located and which ones are considered best.  I’ve had this issue for at least 30 years and proved it many times.  There can be physical side effects i.e. I had to peel the coating off so that I didn’t have breakouts on my face, or there can be just that the med doesn’t work the same and you feel very different.  This has especially been true of bupropion over the years.  As always you need to weigh the benefits vs the side effects.  I buy my 2 prescriptions at Costco and they are great about getting the specific mfg that I prefer.
    • lois95799
      lois95799 kathy5033

      Posted

      I take different brands all the time and I have no issues ..Costco has the light pink ones and Walgreens has the darker pink ones and I have no issues two different manufacturers from two different countries...maybe your allergic to the fillers you personally..because my mom is also a celexa user and she has no problems from different manufacturers..
    • ben74395
      ben74395 lois95799

      Posted

      Lois I wouldn't say that. I am extremely sensitive drugs. Citalopram stops me from raging. Literally if I forget to take it I rage!!! With that said the Pharmacy switched my 40 mg Citalopram from 1 manufacturer to another when I refilled. It felt like I wasn't taking anything!!! I was on edge for 3 straight days until I went back to the Pharmacy, told them it wasn't working and they switched me back to the original brand. I will chime back in if I can find my notes on the name of the manufacturer which didn't work for me.

  • johmac
    johmac laura79036

    Posted

    Hi Laura,

    I don't know where you live (I'm in Canada) but is CVS an American pharmacy - not familiar with the UK other than Boots... I have read quite often that it is best to stick with the same brand but I'm no expert. This is my first time on an a/d. They have tried a couple of times at my pharmacy to give a different brand name at 30mg pills (my box says PharmaScience) and it only comes in 20mg.  I told them I want the exact same brand (I have never used anything other than the same packaged box) - they just give me an extra 15 and I cut them in half to get to the 30mg. Only because I have read that it can have a different reaction and it's the one thing I have control of - if only I was so smart to just have stayed on it.  I have nothing to compare but I do believe you if you say it is different, I mean how can two completely different companies use the exact same ingredients. I would say stay with the original but others may have better advice. Jo x

    • laura79036
      laura79036 johmac

      Posted

      Hi Jo, Yes, CVS is an American pharmacy.  I know all about sticking with the same brand as I've been taking

      thyroid medication for years and the endocrinologists like us to stick with name brand.  I always check to make sure it's from the same manufacturer.  Also, it's been told that the generics are allowed a 20% difference in potency from the name brand.  

      I'm also new with taking an anti-d and really learning a lot on this forum.  

      Yah, hindsight is 20-20.  I went off the 20mg. citalopram after being on it 6 months.  After a slow taper and 8 weeks off, had to go back on.  Would like to find a good psychiatrist to manage the medication as my GP is not very thorough.  And I am not my own best doctor.

  • Mark7004
    Mark7004 laura79036

    Posted

    I am not sure if brand names make any difference. Every time I go on them they seem to be a different brand. The main thing is the strength as I believe they all have the same key ingredient but check with your Doc
    • laura79036
      laura79036 Mark7004

      Posted

      Thanks Standup, I agree, they all have the same ingredient.  It's the strength of each brand that may be variable.I have discussed this with my doctor.  She will request my insurance company to pay for name brand Celexa vs. citalopram, if I want her to. So I'm just waiting a bit on that.  Don't want to change anything right now....only 3 weeks in on 20mg.

    • Mark7004
      Mark7004 laura79036

      Posted

      Good luck. Stick with it. Day 14 for me and starting to feel a bit better earlier in the day. Also supported with Diazepam for the tough mornings. Also recommended zopiclone to get a good nights sleep. Sounds like a cocktail of meds but anything to get through the first few weeks. Helps if u have friends u can talk to about it , even if it does feel like the same conversation over and over again !!! 
    • laura79036
      laura79036 Mark7004

      Posted

      Yep im hanging in there. As per doctor I had to increase from 20. Its helping. 
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