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 17 April 2023
64 Answers Page 3
kate333
9 Feb 2013
I have been back on Lexapro for about a month now (after being on escitalopram "generic" version for about 2 1/2months). I feel a lot better, along with being on Xanax for my anxiety. The generic was horrible, very upsetting to see a lot of similarities to my situation.
Jearn11
9 May 2013
Kate, I agree with you 100%. I was placed on the generic back in Nov 2012 and suffered some SEVERE side effects. I have been placed back on Brand Only per my request and docs recommendation and it's been approximately 3 weeks now and feeling back to my old self! Granted I have to pay $145 for 30 days of 10mg. So I cut the tablets in half and take the 5mg which is my perfect dose. Good luck.
sara12345
9 Feb 2013
That is really incredible that so many people have had such a problem with the generic over the name brand. Makes me wonder about my other generic meds. Really scary. Of course after the generics are out a while, I found that in at least one case, the name brand was no longer available because presumably the demand for it was so low. I could not get the name brand at all!
Ctista
8 Feb 2013
Thank you all for sharing this info. There is about $150.00 difference between generic and Lexapro. I have also had slight head aches and stomach problems since switching to the generic. I think I am going to just have to pay the cost and return to the Lexapro like many of you.
JAC44
7 Jan 2013
In my case, terrible headaches is putting it mildly!!! Escitalopram tabs, 20 mg. --- NEVER AGAIN!!! Tried taking 10mg. NEVER AGAIN!!! The front part of my head, especially my forehead, feels like it's going to explode from extreme pain & pressure. Can't function. Just want to stay in bed holding my head in my hands. Other side effects include: sweating like hot flashes, can't sleep, crying, terrible mood, can't focus or stand noise (TV, etc.) because my headache is so incredibly bad. I've never had a headache like this in my life. Nothing takes it away (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.).
I am in the process of going off cold turkey while I fight with insurance to get back to Lexapro. Any withdrawals are easier to deal with than that headache. I work closely with my doctor & when she sees me & knows me, she should be able to prescribe what is best for my health & overrule my insurance company. GHP -- stay away if possible. I tried it & can't take it. They know nothing about me. How infuriating! They don't care about their customers who pay for insurance. It's all about money!
If I can't get the Lexapro back, I'm going to try Luminex. It's made by Melaleuca, The Wellness Company. Instead of resorting to chemicals or hormones to regulate mood, Luminex relies on a patented blend of natural ingredients that helps your brain maintain a healthy communication system, the mood-elevating neurotransmitter—serotonin. I take Lexapro for this purpose. So it will be my next step if this fight with my insurance company fails.
FYI: I know many people who take Luminex with great results (for a mood stabilizer!). That's why I'll try it next. I'm a Melaleuca customer & take their vitamins & love them. So it's worth a try to me.
Good luck to you all in your own personal situations!
kate333
6 Jan 2013
Hello again everyone, it's nice to know I'm not alone in my struggle to feel 100% again :) After being switched to escitalopram for 3 months, I am back on lexapro. Has anyone else switched between the generic back to the brand name and how did it go?
NoToF45
5 Jan 2013
Costco gave me oval tabs marked with F 4 5 in lieu of Lexapro. I was delighted with the cost of $7 instead of $100+. My high anxiety agitated angry state has returned (after 5 years of relief) and I am weepy like I am going through some sort of withdrawal. How can this be the same drug if it doesn't do the same thing? I am ready to pay the $ again for Lexapro because this will cost me more in my well being than what it is saving me financially. Who is responsible for policing this kind of thing? Who can I submit a complaint to besides my Doctor and Costco? The manufacturer shows Aurobinod Pharm on my prescription. Does anyone know how I can contact them?
bbdrn76
1 Jan 2013
Hello everyone, I am struggling with the same issue. I have been on Lexapro for 10 years and got switched to generic with terrible withdrawl like effects. My insurance refuses to pay for the brand name so i'm now stuck paying a fortune that i can't afford.
I am seriously thinking of trying a canadian pharmacy for name brand Lexapro. From my understanding it is Identical to the american drug but marketed under a different name overseas, Its called Cipralex and cost 1/3 of american sold Lexapro.
If anyone has any information about the canadian version, please share.
Thanks
kate333
2 Jan 2013
I heard the same about Canadian pharmacies and the pricing. I have not heard anything about anyone taking it, but I'm wary now of anything that's not Lexapro from the US. Good luck :)
nvchris
2 Jan 2013
As the original poster of this inquiry, I can tell you that unless you go to Canada yourself, your drugs will be confiscated by the U.S. Post Office or other delivery source. I was able to purchase Lexapro from Canada for a fraction of the cost of what they charge here in the U.S. I tried twice to purchase this from two separate Canadian pharmacies and both were confiscated. I was sent a letter by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency stating that any drug purchased outside the U.S. was not allowed under Federal Rules. You can thank all the congressman and senators for protecting the profits of Pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. for that one.
When I first started taking Lexapro many years ago, the cost was $87.00 for 10 mg, 30 day supply. It now costs $$187.00 at WalMart. This is Capitalism at its worst.
bbdrn76
2 Jan 2013
From what i have read, Its made by the same companies.. lundbeck/forrest labs. I am nervous about trying it but i guess it's worth a shot for the price.
I have already been to hell and back a few times when dealing with meds. Hopefully my gamble pays off, I don't mind being the guinea pig to help myself and others.
bbdrn76
2 Jan 2013
nvchris- so you have taken the cipralex and worked just as well as lexapro?
I hear you on the capitalism,The greed is unfathomable.
Jearn11
20 April 2013
The FDA does not regulate medications from Canada. You could possibly experience worse symptoms from the Canadian version of lexapro.
If you have your doctor write a letter to your insurance company giving the medication necessity of being on lexapro brand only, and a list of other anti-depressants you've tried and failed, they may honor it! It's worth a try to get yourself feeling better.
Jearn11
20 April 2013
I also wanted to note from one of the above comments. It is illegal to ship or receive medication in the mail, unless it is coming directly from an FDA approved Pharmaceutical US company. And those usually ship directly to your doctor's offices in most cases.
kate333
31 Dec 2012
I was on lexapro for 5 years and then switched over to escitalopram due to insurance reasons. After being on escitalopram, I experienced anxiety, panic attacks, depression. My psychiatrist upped my dosage to 20mg and I now experience nausea and anxiety everyday. After reading this blog, I feel like I'm not alone and going back to my psychiatrst to go back to lexapro, even though its more expensive. Its been a long and tough 3 months. Thanks everyone for sharing their stories, its really opened my eyes :)
Zenn33
20 Dec 2012
I was so excited when I read about other people having a problem with generic Lexapro. I have been on Lex for about two years and it has been the best antidressant I had ever taken, and believe me, I tried a lot of them. When Lexapro went generic my doc told me there would be no difference in how I felt. He was wrong. I've been taking the generic brand now for about three months. I have had so many stomach problems, headaches, chills, foggy brain like I can't think. Not to mention my depression came back. Sadness and a lot of crying. I called my doc and he put me back on Lexapro. I can't wait to start taking it tomorrow. Something really needs to be done about taking this generic medication off the market.
margaretc
20 Dec 2012
I had many of the same problems after being on the generic Lexapro for 2 weeks. I have been back on Lexapro and it has taken a little over a week to feel like myself again. Give yourself time for the old med to work out of your system and the Lexapro to begin working. My insurance will only cover the generic now... so now I pay a hefty sum to stay on this med that works.
jjjorgen
26 Dec 2012
I was on Lexapro for over 5 years. With a generic available, Insurance twisted my arm to go to the generic. After reading all the comments here, I tried everything I could to persuade the clinic and physician not to make me switch (Without spending an additional $350 every three months). I was told I had to try generic first, and see what results I had. OK, so I did. And I had to admit the generic is working, and I have no different side effects than what Lexapro gave me. It's been two weeks so far, wish me continued luck!
helenmse
11 Dec 2012
I posted a long response to this issue yesterday.
Latest update: After being furious over the generic Lexapro for the last two weeks, I finally got minor satisfaction. Anyone having issues with the generic should contact: Jennifer at Forrest Pharmaceuticals 314-493-7086 - she reports incidents of problems with the generic directly to the FDA. Mylan Labs 1-800-796-9526 to register your complaint/concerns about their generic. Please make the phone calls! That's the only way something of substance will be done about this generic.
margaretc
11 Dec 2012
I will call Forrest Pharm. and let them know that after years on Lexapro I was given the generic .After 2 weeks on the generic I was having difficulty sleeping, feeling hot and cold flashes and generally down. I am back on Lexapro now with a considerable price ( $135 ) for 30 days... waiting for my mail away pharmacy to charge me another exhorbitant amount for 3months... but you know ... I don't care ... I want to feel good.
karaamun
10 Dec 2012
I also am so glad to have read this post. I've been on Lexapro for many years (I also take Bupropion - helps with the Lexapro side effects). My insurance made me get the generic for Lexapro a couple of months ago. I didn't want to experiment with the potential differences so called my dr to have him request the brand name only. It took like 5 back and forth conversations with the pharmacy/insurance/dr to finally approve for brand name, so in the mean time I had no choice but to take the generic. I've been feeling off - increased appetite, very tired, foggy, headache and muscle pain, anxiety, etc. I was really busy and stressed at work, so I attributed it to that. About 5 days ago, I finally got regular Lexapro back and started taking it. Yesterday, I was down and out like I haven't been in years - couldn't get out of bed depressed, slept all day. Today, I'm heart racing anxiety. I feel like I'm having withdrawals from switching back.
I'm sure it will just take some time back on the name brand Lexapro to start feeling normal again. These last few months have been bad and after reading all of these posts, it sound like it's a result of generic vs brand name. It gives me hope that I'm not regressing back into depression/anxiety, but just wait out Lexapro working through my system and then STAY on it - NO GENERICS!
MrsMelons
10 Dec 2012
What about going the opposite way? It seems like many of you have complaints about switching from Lexapro to the generic--what about going the other way? Have any of you started on escitalopram and been fine? Or started on the generic and switched to Lexapro, only to have crappy side effects?
I just started on the generic, but haven't been on it long enough to feel the benefits, only some of the side effects (nausea, occasional dizziness, maybe some odd effects on memory). We'll see in a week or two...
Lunabee
9 Dec 2012
And I am one more person who is so grateful to have found this thread. Was on Lexapro for four years with no issues. Was given the generic - with no notification or warning that it might be different. Started to feel so bad - I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. Sick, exhausted, depressed, headache all the time. Skipped the meds one day - and felt a little better - that was the first time I realized it was the generic. Back on Lexapro and feel like a human again. Beware the generic! Docs should tell people that they may have problems with it. Had I stayed on that stuff it would have ended badly.
kimichi
16 Dec 2012
I feel you. It's especially terrible since lexapro treats a broad spectrum of issues I heard of someone who stabbed somebody out of nowhere right after switching to the generic. Geesh
Loretta28
21 Dec 2012
These drugs we rely on can really mess with your life. When I was on the generic, I felt so strange. I wanted to rip my own head off, no joking. It felt like it wasn't a part of my body anymore. It was the scariest thing in the world. I was panicking. I'm have no idea why it would make you feel like that. You can't mess with these drugs. They are serious stuff!
helenmse
8 Dec 2012
I am so glad to have found this site. Yes, I started taking generic Lexapro manufactured by Mylan two weeks ago. I have taken brand name Lexapro for 7 years, and have had great results. In addition, my autistic 14 yr old grandson takes Lexapro (and has for 6 years) and up until this week had always been on the brand name version. Two stories to convey, neither pretty...
First, when I started taking the 5 mg of generic instead of brand name I did NOT anticipate any difficulties - in fact I didn't even realize that the switch to generic had been made until two weeks into my mail order refill, which was switched to generic automatically. Two days after starting my VERY low 5 mg dose of the new prescription, I started having headaches like crazy. I thought I was getting the flu. Within the week, I was having panic attacks, but since there are lots of sick kids in the schools where I work, I thought I was just getting a bug.
I even got on antibiotics thinking I was getting the strep that was going around one classroom. Week two I was so cranky, angry, depressed, not sleeping well. It was like I wasn't taking Lexapro at all, which didn't make sense after having great results for years. That's when I double checked the prescription and found that it had been switched to generic because a substitute doctor had authorized the refill and failed to indicate "NO generic substitution." And that's when I found this site and two others with TONS of similar descriptions of issues when being switched to the generic. Here's what I have since found out:
1. Pharmacists and doctors might insist that the ingredients are exactly the same, but the fillers are different and may affect absorption of the escitalopram.
2. The amount of the generic escitalopram in the generic does not appear to be equivalent to that in brand name Lexapro, meaning you are getting 75 to 80% of what Lexapro brand name drug delivers - plus absorption issues means you could be getting as little as 50%
3. The quantity of people complaining about the generic is astonishing!
My solutions: first, I called my doc, who agreed that something was definitely wrong (I'm a stellar patient and have never had problems), and resubmitted my prescription for actual LEXAPRO only, no generic substitution. Second, until my new prescription comes I doubled my original dose to 10 mg (with my doc's approval) - and I can at least make it through the day without feeling like I'm going to kill or be killed!
Third, I checked into my grandson's Lexapro... BECAUSE, his behaviors had been WAY off at the start of the week.
Which leads to story Part TWO - My autistic grandson's Lexapro had also been switched to generic, which coincided to the end of my 2nd week on the generic. The first day on generic he started screaming, hitting himself, refusing to get up off the floor, almost unmanageable at school (he is only moderately verbal and clasically autistic, so asking him to tell us what was wrong is not a productive option). The second day... same thing. That's when I put it all together... he was having the same type of reaction to the generic that I was having only DOUBLED because he takes 15 mg. Yes, he is 14, hormonal, a teenager, autistic... but the behaviors were so extremely different from the past two months that I have absolutely no doubt that the generic drug sent him over the edge. Solution: his prescription has also been changed to "No Generic Substitution." Fortunately, we were able to get an interim supply of the brand name Lexapro, put him back on it yesterday, and saw immediate and marked differences in his behaviors.
I am SO FURIOUS over this entire situation that I don't know what to do besides inform people through these kinds of forums. I also have an inquiry/comment in to the manifacturer Mylan... with no response to date.
Angel eyes 71
31 July 2017
I'm so glad to find this site because I've been on Lexapro probably seven years and I have tried the generic three different times because I wanted to prove my theory it does not work all three times I started feeling like I did years ago before Lexapro my insurance won't cover the brand name however I still switch back to the brand-name and I pay for it because it's not worth it to be off of the brand name means to feel the way I did years ago . So I'm looking for different coupons in different ways to get it cheaper if I can but advice to anyone that's thinking about going generic do not get it it does not work
kimichi
25 Nov 2012
As soon as they came out with a generic for lexapro the insurance company wanted me to take the generic since it is way cheaper. I love to save money, who doesn't , so I tried it. Even with the same mg (20) it stopped working after a few hours and had terrible side effects that I never experianced in my 6 years of taking lexapro. I tried two other brands of generic with the same results. I was irritable had migraines that wouldn't go away as well as ssri withdrawls... Nasuea, brain zaps etc... It took some work but I finally got my doctor to tell the insurance company that I HAD to have the name brand... They still denied it but my dr.
Noticed I wasn't doing good so he told them straight up "if you don't approve the name brand she will end up in the hospital for withdrawls and it will cost ten fold" now I pay about 1/3 of the cost for lexapro and hope I never have to take the generic or celexa again. Hope this helps people, don't ever take a tole on your health just because an insurance company is being a cheapskate. Lexapro is a god send and I hope you are feeling better soon. Much love <3
Related topics
lexapro, headache, escitalopram, generic
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.