I started taking brand name Effexor XR 150mg 5 years ago. About 2 years ago, the insurance company switched me to Aurobindo's version of venlafaxine ER at 150mg. I didn't have any side effects. Roughly 2 months ago, the pharmacy switched me to Teva's version of venlafaxine ER at 150mg. I started feeling panicky and depressed; I was also sweating like crazy. My doctor raised my dose to 300 mg. My mood hasn't picked up and I've been seeing a psychologist. I believe I'm making some progress, but I'm starting to think the change to Teva brand has really messed me up. Has anyone had this experience with generic effexor?
Effexor XR, Aurobindo, Teva?
Question posted by yegshimesh on 12 Feb 2013
Last updated on 26 May 2023 by bde3983
24 Answers
In case anyone else has made this switch and suffered from panic and severe anxiety as a result l- I have the exact same thing happen after being on for 4 days - and today switched back to the Aurobindo and hoping to fee “normal” again.
I realize this question was a very long time ago, but in case anyone else has the same question, I am experiencing the exact same thing!!
"A generic drug must contain the same active ingredients as the original formulation. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), generic drugs are identical to the brand-name counterpart with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. By extension, therefore, generics are considered (by the FDA) identical in dose, strength, route of administration, safety, efficacy, and intended use."
"The generic has to have the same active ingredients and in the same amount as the original. But the other ingredients in the pill, such as fillers, can be different. And that can affect how quickly the medication gets absorbed by your body."
"It's estimated that if more prescribers substituted generic for brand-name drugs, drug spending could drop substantially, as much as $5.9 billion by some estimates, says Dr. Choudhry. In addition, there is really no hard proof at this point that generic medications are any less effective or safe than the originals. These drugs are heavily regulated, which can give you some assurances about quality.
While researchers will likely continue to look into the performance of generic versus brand-name drugs, the bulk of research out there shows that taking the no-name brand not only saves you money, but also provides you with a medication that is just as effective as the original."
"In order for the FDA to approve a generic version of a brand, the FDA requires that generic medications have the same dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, and intended use as the brand-name drug. And, the generic manufacturing, packaging, and testing sites must pass the same quality standards as those of brand name drugs."
General consensus: Fillers, binders, and coloring agents can affect the absorption of the active ingredient in a way that affects efficacy... either good or bad.
Hi yegshimesh, Yes, I have had big issues with all generic versions of venlafaxine which all give me intermittent nausea and headaches. Everyone is different, and some of us just cannot handle the generics. I have to order Brand Name Effexor XR at a compounding pharmacy because it's not sold everywhere. It costs me a lot but I have had no choice. I take 75mg and it's like a miracle in how it works to alleviate my depression and anxiety. I have read that the amount of the active drug in all generics is allowed to vary from the Brand Name by 20% (which is what makes them less expensive) and which can also cause the unpleasant side affects. The different binders can too. If you can afford it, I highly recommend trying the Brand name even just for one month to see if it helps.
On the flip side, even brand name Effexor XR gives me very serious muscle pain and stiffness. I've been living with it for 2 years but it's gotten so bad that I am about to switch to Cymbalta.
I wish you well.
I had the same thing happen. I was on the generic version by Zydus which worked for me, then when I switched pharmacies they gave me Aurobindo which was causing lightheadedness and dizziness. I even had a case of Vertigo. I switched back and I’m feeling 100 percent better. My pharmacist confirmed that different pills absorb differently. It's worth trying a different generic.
Never noticed a difference. However, when you go off - hopefully only after short term use - stay with the same manufacturer throughout the taper. Important for helping minimize the withdrawals one can suffer from.
All generic medications must contain the same active ingredient but inert ingredients may differ and it's possible that they may hinder absorption of the drug in some people (as kaismama said at the beginning of this thread).
If you think that your generic isn't working as well as another you've used simply ask your pharmacy to special order it for you. It may cost a bit more than you're used to paying because the pharmacy orders the product that is the least costly on any given day to keep your cost down.
As I said earlier though I've used many different generic versions of venlafaxine and never found any difference in efficacy.
I have been on Venlafaxine for a couple of years under the manufacturer, Aurobindo. The past couple of months I have not been myself with anxiety, severe mood swings, sweats, and hot flashes. I also take hormones for menopausal symptoms. I noticed my capsules were now orange instead of red. I called the pharmacy and found out they gave me the brand made by Teva. That medication does not work!!! The pharmacy went ahead and re-filled my prescription with the Aurobindo brand for free. I will never use the brand from Teva again. It's horrible!
Yes! I had the EXACT same experience with Teva. Ask your pharmacy to order Aurobindo.
If they won't, check different pharmacies.
My local Walgreens does this for me.
If you were diabetic, you wouldn't settle for something that kind of works. This shouldn't be any different.
I had the same thing happen! I was on the generic version by Zydus which worked for me, then when I switched pharmacies they gave me Aurobindo which was causing awful hot flashes and depressed panicky feelings as well as fatigue. I asked to try switching back and the hot flashes are gone and I’m feeling 100 percent better after just two days! My pharmacist confirmed that different pills absorb differently. Try a different generic - they aren’t all the same. If your doctor or pharmacist don’t take that seriously I would switch!
I know this is old but still wanted to add my experience. There's apparently a backorder with a lot of Effexor out there I was switched from Aurobindo to teva. Night sweats gone, anxiety feeling gone, I had one Aurobindo capsule I took last night and both feelings came back. I called the pharmacy and while she said she can't guarantee it she'd put a note in the system. Going to see if my doctor will write "Teva only" on my script next time. I'm crazy sensitive to generic changes.
I would just like to state here that having been on antidepressants now for almost 20 years, that I really really do wish that I had never started with the dam things. I wish I had known then when I first started on them what I know now. I have recently read from reputable sources that antidepressants actually alter the STRUCTURE of the brain.
I am currently trying to come off of Effexor XL now for the third time, as they have never been of any help to me, and I have also recently read that they cause chronic depression. This time however I told my doctor that I wished to take it much slower than the recommended time to come off and I have also suggested that I use prozac as an additional help/bridge to ease the withdrawal effects. The doctor agreed but wasn't enthusiastic about the prozac, I had told the doctor that another doctor had suggested this way which is true.
The doctor didn't say for how long I was to take the prozac or how or when to start to wean off of it, and I forgot to ask so now I am going to have to find out for myself online.
Everyone is different, I just want to share my experience with antidepressants and to say again that I really do wish that I had never started them, that they have never helped me in any way at all, and to some extent exacerbated the depression.
It is well known within the medical community that Effexor is sooooooooooo difficult to come off of so please please be very careful!
What is your dosage and what is the taper off schedule.
Teva did not work for me either. Ask your pharmacy if they will stock the generic that works for you. If they are not willing to do it, switch to a pharmacy that will
Yes, this has happened to me - CVS was giving me Teva's venlafaxine ER then switched me to the Zydus version. I reacted immediately (within two weeks) to the changed manufacturer - I was arguing with everyone and very uneasy (panic and sadness). I complained to the pharmacist, who found the Teva version for me and I was back to "normal". BUT, CVS did the same thing upon my next refill - gave me the Zydus again. I'm reporting this to the FDA.
Me too. As soon as CVS switched to Zydus I started feeling depressed and panicky. I asked them to switch back to Teva and they refused. I went to about 8 different pharmacies and they all stock Zydus and wouldn't order the Teva. Finally, a really nice pharmacist from Rite Aid said he would order it for me. I am so thankful for him!
I too had taken the brand name for years when my employer switched insurance companies. I "failed" the generic, which was Teva.
I started to feel depressed and anxious again and have been looking for a replacement as I cannot afford $600 a month for the name brand. I am curious if the other generic, Aurobindo, would work better.
Related topics
effexor, effexor xr, venlafaxine, side effect, insurance
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