I've been taking 20 mg dose Fluoxetine for 12 yrs and it has worked great. My Rx provider now uses a different manufacturer and I notice some increasing depression. Anyone else have this sudden change when switching between brands?
Fluoxetine - has anyone noticed worsening depression after switching brands?
Question posted by rjlima98 on 25 Aug 2011
Last updated on 17 August 2022
Added 26 Aug 2011:
I'm referring to differences between Generic Manufacturers of the same drug, Fluoxetine. My Doctor confirms this does happen. Any other experiences out there similar to this?
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22 Answers Page 2
Bigpharma007
29 Oct 2017
I learned early on to stick with the companies generic who makes the brand if possible. I have withdrawal when I get switched to a different generic in most meds. It reaks havoc. Just my opinion.
WildcatVet
28 Oct 2017
All my meds are TEVA generics... they've always worked the best for me.
Andiebender
28 Oct 2017
Yes!! I feel like I quit taking it. It feels like I am taking nothing! I don’t know what to do. At this point I cannot remember which one worked.
oandlsmom
25 Sep 2017
Yes!
brian161803399
23 April 2012
I recently switched to another manufacturer of 40mg fluoxetine (from Teva to Par), and the first two weeks on the new stuff was maddening to say the least. Within that period, I had about three days of intense anxiety--butterflies and the feeling of an oxygen rush in my frontal lobes--and one day with a severe migraine. It seems that the Par product is superior in its relative effectiveness, so the switch was like a sudden mg increase. This came as a result of switching between local pharmacies.
As was mentioned, each manufacturer synthesizes and purifies their drug differently. Crystalline structure and fillers can have significant effects on the mind. A simple analogy is rock candy: every rock is made from sugar, but each flavor changes the taste and/or color. So a filler can alter the effects of drugs just as flavors affect taste.
Additional chemical processes may alter the drug entirely: stereochemistry (mirror image), for example. A stereoisomer of a drug may be inactive altogether, and if the racemic mixture (mixture of mirroring compounds) is greater of one or the other(s), then that may have serious consequences on the effects.
rjlima98
23 April 2012
Thanks for your comments - I am doing well now with Sandoz manufacturer.
Binkieee
17 April 2017
My pharmacist recently switched my fluoxetine 20mg to Aurobindo... it doesn't seem to work even though I doubled the dosage. She is ordering me a Sandoz brand.
Light Wing
18 July 2017
Within days of switching generic manufacturers for Fluoxetine - 40 mgs - I was having nausea, wild dreams, interrupted sleep, headaches, gastric distress and anxiety. The Aurobindo brand was awful. It was the first time I had taken it. My pharmacy had no other generic brands at their store so I switched pharmacies. So far a new generic by Sandoz (Novartis subsidiary) is much, much better. Fluoxetine was prescribed to me for severe menopause symptoms.
clinpath
18 April 2012
whether you are referring to any differences between brand vs generic or generic vs generic, any manufacturing process can introduce chemical components that can impact how a person might react... differing side effects. now this is not related to the active ingredient, in this case fluoxetine, but rather to the other chemical agents used in the actual production of the pill... dyes, fillers, binding agents, etc. since you have a fairly lengthy history of use of the drug, it comes as no real surprise that you are reacting differently given that your medication is being supplied by a different manufacturer. because one specific pharmacy, or even a chain, generally will have established a contract with a manufacturer or wholesale provider (a business contract) you may not be able to do anything to address this issue, short of canvassing other pharmacies in your area to see if they can provide a specific manufacturer's product to you.
check with your pharmacist and see if they can special order your medicine. alternatively, you could contact the manufacturer directly and ask them if they can direct you to a pharmacy in your area that could provide you with the medication.
Inactive
26 Aug 2011
Hello rjlima98. By manufacturer do you mean generic versus non generic? there are often differences in certain drugs that we take. Some of us are very sensitive when it comes to generic versus non generic. Some drugs do have a noticeable difference. If you mean in your question say going from fluoxetine to a completely different drug altogether, then certainly, you might see a major difference. Not certain if I answered your question though.best to you.
rjlima98
26 Aug 2011
Thanks for your comment and concern. Mine was a switch between one generic manufacturer of Fluoxetine to another manufacturer of Fluoxetine, non generic. The negative change showed up about 1 week after the change.
Trying a different manufacturer starting today. ( My old reliable of 12 yrs does not seem to be available any longer.)
Inactive
26 Aug 2011
Very good. I understand now. Well, heres to a hope that it works out well. The one you're going to try today. I've been fortunate over the years. I'm talking eneric vs non-generic. My body hasn't reacted or picked up on the differences. I know, that often, it reeks havoc with others in situations as this.
Jane Striplin
5 July 2018
Having a big problem with capillary leaking from Fluoxetine 20 MG. Made by ALEMBIC. Anyone else having this problem?
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Further information
- Fluoxetine uses and safety info
- Fluoxetine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Fluoxetine (detailed)
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