I started taking the generic manufactured by Mylan and had severe headaches. Had to stop. Has anyone else experienced this?
Has anyone tried the generic escitalopram (Lexapro) now available?
Question posted by nvchris on 12 April 2012
Last updated on 11 August 2022 by Slitherz
60 Answers
Slitherz
11 Aug 2022
I am on "Cipralex" branded escitalopram and its pretty good. No issues.
WildcatVet
17 April 2022
I've taken generic Lexapro (escitalopram) from many different manufacturers for years and never had any problems with any of them.
Wildcat
Nomeo
17 April 2022
The company that makes the brand Lexapro has a patient assistance program that may be helpful financially
Lisa1953
13 April 2018
I tried generic Lexapro and within hours I had a migraine. After using it for two days my anxiety level reached so high i actually couldnt bear it and felt suicidal. I was terrified to say the least and glad i could switch back to Lexapro 20 mgs. that were not totally gone. I know generics can be so different I always make sure to have 7-10 pills to get me through the crisis. The cost is overwhelming but until I found this site I paid for it. I had no choice. My medicines are destroying my savings and soon I dont know what I will do.
Jaanet
16 Oct 2017
My mail order company recently changed manufacturers of my anti depressants without my knowledge. This summer I had headaches and wasn’t feeling well. I was weepy and not sleeping and finally found out that the generic had changed. The company was called Torrent and I will never use that manufacturer again
Mbuck24
18 April 2017
Yes, I started on the generic on March 10 and the headaches have gotten worse. I love not having anxiety, however, I am going to ask the doctor if I can go on the name brand.
tid2bit
28 March 2017
I suffered a severe allergic reaction to the mylan version of the generic. My dermatologist noted that fillers used by generic drug mfgr's can cause this side effect. I now have to pay for the real Lexapro unless a drug store or express scripts can guarantee no Mylan made generic which they won't as far as I know.
Basic lexapro (non-generic) works fine. It is hard for me to trust generic medications that affect how the brain functions based on my experience. Unfortunately a 90 days supply of Lexapro is over $300.
shan444
19 Feb 2017
What pharmacy are you getting the Mylan from?
shan444
19 Feb 2017
I have a terrible time with generic Lexapro. First CVS switched to the generic version manufactured by Accord which I got used to. Then it switched me to Lupin just made me terribly sick. Then to Aurobindo which was working for a couple months, now I'm nauseous and dizzy again. I can't seem to get the Accord anymore. I've been taking Lexapro for over 30 years, it's not like I can stop. I'm just beside myself and don't know what to do.
Belsdon
17 Feb 2017
I can say with everything I've been reading or seeing in regards to the generic from the brand I can say there all fully correct. I didn't notice a difference but my fiancé and mother sure did and the past couple days I have been seeing it myself. My anxiety is threw the roof again, I've had no energy to do anything and just been wanting to cry. So yes I do recommend the brand over others
napple1963
6 Dec 2016
I tried the generic of Lexapro many years ago. Horrible side effects. Decided to pay extra for the brand name and for years no problems. Feel great! Now, BCBS has decided that they will paying less for the brand. They are using the cost of the brand-m minus the cost of the generic and the difference I have to pay for-$272.00. I cannot afford that. So angry at our insurance company's. My doctor even called insurance company to tell them it's mandatory and they would still not budge. Back to depression for me. What to do?
luckett88
19 Dec 2016
I've been reading this blog for several months and noticed that there are more than one generic option for Lexapro. I'm with BCBS & I've been taking the generic through their mail order CVS Caremark pharmacy. I've not had any problems with it but never took name brand. I'm not sure what I'm taking is that helpful. I feel less angry but just a small improvement. I'd like to try Lexapro for comparison but like you said, they won't cover the difference.
apont53
14 April 2021
I have been on Lexapro since 2006. When the generic came out CVS automatically gave it to me. I decided to try it out and what a mistake. I was on it for 2 weeks and by that time I was a wreck. I had constant headaches, body aches, vision problems, depression, not wanting to do my self-care (showering, combing my hair, clean clothes, etc.) I started to cry after 3 days and it was non-stop since then. I had anxiety that I have never had before, paranoia (afraid I would lose my children). I was angry, wanting not to live with the pain. My doctor put me back on the Brand Lexapro. I contacted Optum RX and at first, they said if my doctor talked to them and filled out some forms I could get it for a generic price. But when she called, they said no. I have been paying $300.00 for 90-day supplies since 2 weeks after the generic came out.
We just got out prescription company changed to Express Scripts. I did a search on the cost of Lexapro and I almost fell out of my chair. The initial cost is $1,062 for a 90 day supply. But the price I pay was going up to $384.00. I called Express Scripts yesterday about this and they gave me a phone number to give to my psychiatrist to try to get the price down. I hope it works this time.
Kayporteck
8 May 2021
Similar experience regarding generic. Have considered looking in to Canadian prescriptions - it's supposed to only be $45 from Canada. I'm afraid of the time lapse though.
samlaly
2 Dec 2016
I started the generic for Lexapro, 5mg just a few weeks ago, November 14, I've never taken the name brand one before, this is my second experience with anti-depressants. I know its a very small dose but I'm very sensitive to meds, I found out with that first try of the generic for Wellbutrin, so I told my doctor baby steps. I had the pills for a while but was scared to take them from my first experience with Wellbutrin that ended me up in the ER. But then my anxiety and depression, mainly anxiety, started kicking into high gear so I started taking the generic Lexapro. It made me very nauseous. After a couple weeks, I called my pharmacist, and she suggested that I take them at night, so I started doing that and that has helped tremendously with the nausea, however, my anxiety is still in high gear. I have to take an alprazolam, one about every 3 hours, sometimes more.
Some days I feel like I don' t need many anxiety pills, so I'm like okay, the generic Lexapro is working, but today is a different story. My depression and anxiety is kicking in in high gear today. I don't sleep through out the whole night unless I take my does of generic Lexapro and alprazolam together, which I don't like to do, but will do just to get some sleep. I've had some funky tummy issues but not sure if its from the meds or not. I was told by my pharmacist that the 5mg of generic Lexapro probably won't do much because its such a small dose but as it builds up in my system, I shouldn't have to take as many alprozolams... This has not happened that I can see and I am almost on my third week. Do I just give it more time? Up my dose? Change to the name brand? I don't know...
CBFT
30 Nov 2016
I took the brand name years ago and it worked fine for me but was just recently prescribed the generic for mood related menopausal/depression issues. I take 10 mg daily and I have had no problems with it and I actually feel much better overall especially being able to sleep through the night without waking up every 2 to 3 hours. I can't speak to the sexual related issues that others have because I am not in a relationship so this is not an issue for me.
megchav
27 Nov 2016
My NP told me if you can get the original get the original... I was doing fine on one of the generics I tried 4 of them... AND THEN... they switched me to some c r a p made in China so now I'm back on Lexapro the original again. They should have to tell you when you're switching them... I'm very sensitive to meds and notice the changes right away.
Staci70
30 Oct 2016
Yes I am having them severely have been on it about 2 weeks the headaches are debilitating scared to stop it after reading what's happening to other people
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lexapro, headache, escitalopram, generic
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