Going off Zoloft because of hair loss. Taken brand name Lexapro before but can't afford it. So I would like the best generic. There's so many.
What is best generic brand name for Lexapro? CVS carries lupin Walmart carries cipla?
Question posted by Cjc35 on 10 July 2017
Last updated on 14 November 2021
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8 Answers
Cjc35
13 Oct 2020
I’m back again I have been taking the lupin generic lexapro but now cannot find it anywhere . Has to have something to do with covid possibly. So I started taking Accord brand and it’s not working that great at all plus a lot of bloating and hives! Recommendations ?
ginnierankin63
19 Nov 2020
I am having the exact same issue. I heard it was because of COVID also. I was getting my generic lexapro from CVS and a few months ago they said they couldn't get it. I was calling everywhere to try and find it. Yesterday I called Lupin and they said it is available. I went to my CVS today and they are ordering it for me and it will be here tomorrow. So try calling your CVS and asking them to order it for you.
dachsiedor
14 Nov 2021
Interesting comment. I am taking Cipla brand of Lexapro and I've had itching and hives for a year and a half. Now I wonder if I should go back to brand name or a different generic?
genericbs
21 Sep 2020
The claim that all generics are the same is probably true most of the time. I have not had any problems with any generic drugs until generic Lexapro, escitalopram.
There is absolutely a difference in generic Lexapro and many, many people know it. It's a real shame this is not being taken more seriously as many people are suffering from this fact. Many doctors and pharmacists know this but essentially do nothing about it. Some claim it's not the drug itself but how it's delivered in the body. I know when the first generic came out for Lexapro I was excited to save some money though, to my surprise, it was only a small amount of money saved. To my great surprise it was if I stopped taking the drug completely! There is no way for this to be imaginary because, until then, I had complete confidence in generic drugs. I was forced to go back on Lexapro as the generic had no benefits.
It may be that I essentially was starting over and I simply had to wait the month or two for the drug to take effect as is the case with almost all anti-depressants when you first start on them. I did not wait two or even just one month as this idea did not occur to me then. It's possible you simply are starting over with the side effects, which I had and the 4 week minimum for the full positive effect of the drug? But there is no doubt the drugs are not exactly the same as claimed and many, many people know this. So in today's world where manufacturers are changed routinely by pharmacists and you rarely even know who the manufacturer is (often times this is hidden information as most now are from India and China, places not trusted, and rightfully so). Lupin, for example is, online, represented as a US company when it is an Indian company. The only two generic brands of escitalopram which work for me are Torrent and Teva though again, it's possible the others may work after the 1 to 2 months. Having said that, given the chance your pharmacy will switch the manufacture routinely it's my view, it's best to pick and manufacturer that works and stick with it as I did for years.
shan444
15 June 2019
Changing generic escitalopram (Lexapro) manufacturers may be problematic. I'm told the reason is generic manufacturers are allowed to substitute different inactive ingredients compared to the brand name they are supposed to be copying. When using Lupin manufacturer for my generic escitalopram I become nauseous and tired among other personality problems after so many days. After a month of Lupin I will start to lose weight because my appetite decreases from the nausea. I haven't had any trouble with the other generic manufacturers as of yet.
angelapp
26 May 2020
may I ask, what were the manufacturers names of the ones you previously took? Thank you
Rainbow67-1905
13 March 2019
Due to preferred vs standard benefits from my drug provider I had to switch to Walgreen's for my Lexapro (generic) since it cost less. It's the Cipla brand. I don't know if it's coincidental or not but since I started taking it about 5 days ago I've had 2 nights with insomnia (couldn't get to sleep). I've had insomnia occasionally but not twice in one week. Don't know if I can blame the new generic or not. Anyone had this issue? Thanks.
angelapp
26 May 2020
You're doing the right thing by posting this for others, and to find out which manufacturers are making the best generics. Generics regulated by the FDA can have a wide range of efficacy. The active ingredient can be from 80-125% of the brand name and of course the fillers are just cheap which can interfere with the absorption of the active ingredients. Once you find a maufacturer brand that works ask your Dr. to request that the pharmacy only use that manufacturer, have it written on your prescription. If you had a good one from the same pharmacy and thus the same distributor you should be able to have the pharmacy get it again. I would be interested in the manufacturers name which worked better for you, and it could also help others. Thank you!
baby65
6 Feb 2018
Hi I live in Canada and here they Lexapro Escitalopram which is generic and works really well. At least for me. When I took Paxil for 30 years I was also on a generic and it worked the same.
Good luck.
SmallTownDaisy
6 Feb 2018
I've noticed more depression and anxiety since local Walgreens switched to Cipla generic 10 mg. I believe it's because the coating on pills is ridiculously hard prohibiting absorption. I take 1 1/2 and must use sharpest pocket knife to cut. Any one else notice difference?
WildcatVet
11 July 2017
Hi, Cjc! My friend, Chuck, has answered nicely. By law, all generics contain the same amount of the active drug so there's no question about effectiveness. Generics ARE allowed to use different fillers (cellulose, soy, etc.) and so sensitive people people may find they don't tolerate certain formulations well.
Personally, because I can't afford name brands either, all but one of my meds are generic and I've never had a problem with any of them.
Best regards and good luck to you!
chuck1957
10 July 2017
Cjc35; Really whichever store is close to you There really has not been problems with the generic Lexapro I am more formula with the Lupin brand it's been around for some time. But I would not worry there is too much more things you have to deal with. The brand and the generic are held to the same exact standards and tested regularly by the F.D.A. But as you know some people no matter what the read or are told get very set in their ways with the way medications work and I do believe it at times because when we are lacking more in a chemical than others it well effects you different. But really have not heard many complaints with this one.
angelapp
26 May 2020
the FDA only requires that the generic have 80 -125% of the active ingredient and they can use any fillers, which some people react to negatively also. The manufacturer DOES make a difference, and Walgreens recently switched my bupropion to Lupin. I didn't realize why I was feeling worse until I dreamt about smoking which I haven't done in 25yrs. I did my research and ended up finding an "authorized generic" made by the same manufacturer as the brand name. That is the only kind of generic that will be exactly like the brand name. The rest are mostly inferior products and chain pharmacies carry them because they use the same distributers who only carry the cheap stuff. Good luck... this is a huge issue and disrupting many lives!
Serenemind
8 Aug 2020
To Angelapp—I’m so glad you posted about the 80-125% for generics to be approved. So many people think all generics are the same! I wondered if you could tell me about the authorized generic that you get from the private pharmacy for bupropion? Ive been doing brand wellbutrin XL for so long but with costs now being so high, I desperately need an alternative.
Related topics
lexapro, generic, brand, lupin
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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