I have been taking Citalopram for over 3 years with great success. In the past few month the pharmacy is getting the pills from a different company.
I had a small pink oval for years, then a larger oval. I notice i didnt feel right on them, but thought it was just my imagination. The next month i got a white round pill and felt better. Now I'm back on the larger oval and dont like them.
Citalopram from different Manufacturer doesnt work the same. Can that be possible?
Question posted by Casnic on 2 Nov 2010
Last updated on 17 June 2022
5 Answers
Phoebe65
18 June 2022
It is not your imagination. Different manufacturers use different additives which may affect the absorption of the active ingredient. That is just one reason. I have experienced the same thing and have been taking Citalopram for @ 20 years. (I started on the name brand Celexa and like the generic much better). With that being said, I found one that made me feel wonderful - my happy pill. Then, the generic gets switched out for another manufacturer - this is happening too often these days to save a buck! So frustrating!!! And I just don't get the same benefits from the new one. Then, I'm calling all the pharmacies in town to see which manufacturer they have for their citalopram. My favorite one and the only one that really worked well for me is Dr. Reddy's. I am now finding that they might not manufacture it anymore? I have to try to find one now that works all over again - and most of the ones they listed I have tried.
Bottom line: You know your own body - don't let the pharmacist or anyone else tell you that you should be getting the same benefits from any manufacturer. (this isn't generic ibuprofen, it is for mood and anxiety and depression, so we expect much more from it). You insist on the one that works best for you. Good luck.
Queen of Anxiety
1 Dec 2018
I can't comment on the Citalopram but I can say that I take generic Klonopin (clonazepam) and I do notice a difference in different manufacturers, the pharmacist says that they have the same ingredients but I don't believe that, I have been on it for years (as needed) and I can tell a difference in them. There are only 2 different manufacturers that I feel that work well, I've tried the others a couple times and I don't care what they say I can tell the difference, would probably be the same in your case. I got to the point that if my pharmacy doesn't carry that brand I will get it from a different one.
anitalite
2 Nov 2010
This medication, as most others, has the same primary drug in a brand name dose or generic. There is a possibility for a generic to not have the same effects as brand name due to the chemicals in the medication that makes the primary drug travel through your body. Brand name meds use chemicals that are more effective, therefore more expensive. The generic meds may not use highest quality chemicals to serve that purpose and your body may not respond to those chemicals as readily as the other more expensive ones the brand name meds have in them. I notice this difference when taking Vicodin. Brand name works perfectly for me as does one of the generic manufacturers Watson. Most other generic vicodins do nothing for me whatsoever.
I agree that you ought to inform your doctor so he can write a prescription specifying name brand meds for you. By his request on prescription, your insurance ought to cover it. By you asking for brand name, your insurance may not want to cover anything but the less expensive generic meds. Good luck, I hope you get it straightened out and feel better soon.
Inactive
3 Nov 2010
I agree with you there for some reason they always try to push those generics on you i think its cause they get a good deal because its purchased in bulk. Also not to many people can afford the non-generic and the generic are more in demand cause they are cheap for the pharmacy and the patient.
Inactive
2 Nov 2010
Yes its very possible if i were you i would talk to the doctor or pharmacist immediatly and let them know about the medication not working as usually so they can get you back on the right medicine you had been routinely taking. If they cant give you what works at that pharmacy try another one im sure there is bound to be one that still carries what you need.
Rajive Goel
2 Nov 2010
This med is available in generic form, which means could be manufactured by different license holders/manufacturing companies, there would be no difference between the branded & generic pills, generic Celexa tablets are available in the following strengths:
Citalopram 10mg tablets; Citalopram 20mg tablets; Citalopram 40mg tablets.
Take care.
Geekay
7 March 2018
I have been on Citalopram 20mgfor a number of years but a new repeat prescription gave me a different make and after a few days I have had terrible side effects. Think this is a cheaper generic brand. Is this possible ? Thanks in advance
Phoebe65
18 June 2022
Geekay, yes that is possible. You may need to try another manufacturer. I get different side effects from different "makes". Not necessarily cheaper ones, just the ingredients they use to manufacture - fillers/additives, etc. I mostly get the same overall side effects, but some also do not give me the benefit and have other side effects as well. It is very frustrating when they switch manufacturers to save themselves a buck- I would pay more to stay on the one that works great, and I bet others who have had issues would too! Good luck!
Related topics
Further information
- Citalopram uses and safety info
- Citalopram prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Citalopram (detailed)
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