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I don't want to cause anyone any unnecessary alarm - I know the decision to take ADs isn't always an easy one - you know there's a 'but' coming - BUT I've been on citalopram for six months and despite mostly (not always) getting prescription filled at the same chemist I have been given at least four different makes of citalopram from four different drug manufacturers and I have to say that I can tell the difference. Has anyone else had this experience?
Interesting, I was convinced that there was no difference at all between the generic and named brands, but I'm wondering now if you're right.
I also happened to use a link someone else used here on withdrawal, and it councilled making sure you always stick tot he same brand..... and I don't think they'd have a vested interest in saying that.
The reason we get different brands is that it's one way of trying to keep the costs down, which I'm all for, but not if it's not doing the job.
I wonder if there is any hard proof. They'd probably say we were imagining it, like the way we imagine how hard is it to come off, and how Mirena has no side effects (on a different topic!).........
Where I now live, I pay for the drug, and the difference is only 2-5 pounds a month, but it makes you more likely to go to a cheaper pharmacy.
I can't imagine there is any proof or if we want to encourage this - oh god we'd end up like America with all those awful (and hysterical) tv ads for 'buy our brand' it has fewer side effects. Thanks for clearing that up about why we get different brands, I didn't know that. I thought I could rely on Boots .
I could always tell the difference between Cipramil and the generic versions too. Luckily there was one chemist where I could almost always guarantee to get the branded version so it didn't cause me huge problems.
My psychiatrist was adamant that each brand was exactly the same - contained both the same active and inactive ingredients - but I found quite a difference when I ended up with the generic versions.
Prescriptions are always made out with the generic drug name rather than the branded one - and Jackeroo is right that it's a matter of cost.
Am rather gobsmacked at you're being told Mirena has no side-effects, btw, Jackeroo. The patient leaflet which comes with it (here) has a list of side-effects as long as your arm ...
{hijack for a second} - That's interesting to read SH - 2 years ago they didn't mention depression, well I found it on the Canadian Patient info., and took it to my GP. I had awful PND, and have had problems ever since, and when I went on the pill for a special trip, nearly needed sectioning. He suggested Mirena !!!!!! Fortunately I just ignored him :-) {hijack over}
I wish I had taken more careful notes and actually kept a record of which manufacturer had which effect but certainly there is one that makes my nails really strong (great side effect!) then two weeks on another one they've all split again . There's a difference in what I can only describe as a smoothness which I guess suggests that some are better at tackling anxiety than others. Dreams are more vivid on one than another. It's quite hard to pin down but we all know how we feel and are clearly sensitive to those feelings which is why we need the drugs in the first place!
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