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 by gaeseal
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?
22 Answers
gaeseal
17 Aug 2022
Once again, due to a switch in pharmacies, I've been taken off TEVA, my preferred brand, and, unfortunately, I just ordered a 90 day supply which came from Aurobindo. Aurobindo is less effective for me but with that knowledge, I must try to cope for 90 days. When I refill, I can order TEVA for an additional $40 which is well worth the difference it makes!
M3gatr0n
16 Aug 2022
Yes, I switched pharmacies and my new pharmacy uses Alembic, which has been absolutely awful for my body chemistry. I feel anxious and depressed, basically like I'm not taking anything. I even gave it three and a half weeks. I had a few Aurobindo left from the old pharmacy, and I genuinely felt better within 2 days.
Charity1975
24 July 2022
Hello, I just happened to stumble upon your question. I have been taking the Aurobindo fluoxetine for many years. My pharmacy has to special order it for me. Just this last time I got my script filled they had a new pharmacist and he wasn't paying attention to the note in my file and gave me the Teva fluoxetine instead. I of course forgot to check before I left the pharmacy so I was stuck with it. I decided to go ahead and try it even though I know from past experience that other generics don't work as good for me. It was awful!! I took the Teva brand for exactly 1 week, after just 3 days I could start to tell the difference. I was becoming extremely agitated and aggressive. By day 7 my husband called my doctor to have her send a new script to the pharmacy so I could get the correct brand. He was truly afraid I was going to hurt someone. Now it is day 3 of being back on the Aurobindo and I am feeling almost back to normal.
I don't know what I would do if they ever stop making it. The name brand works for me also but insurance doesn't cover it and my dosage is $1500.00 per month. I have begun comparing the inactive ingredients in the different generics so if the day ever comes that I can't get Aurobindo I hopefully will have a fallback that is very similar. It is scary to think about!!
NaveedZ
19 Jan 2021
I had been on Generic 20 mg Fluxitine for 10 years, then Dr upped my dose to 40 mg generic, it worked well for 1 year and then it started losing its effect , rather than upping my dose , i switched to brand to feel difference and you guys know what ? IT WORKED, it worked as charm and i am doing much better than generic version...
Belocelo1978
14 Sep 2020
My pharmacy just switched manufacturers to Alembic and it doesn’t seem to work.
NaveedZ
27 Feb 2020
I have been taking Aurobindo brand fluoxetine for 5 years, i am fine with it, but can I try different brand like Par to see if I have lower side effects? I am having less sleep and some sexual problems
Itsme7
22 June 2020
I have been on PAR for YEARS and they recently stopped their 40mg capsule. I have horrific results trying the Aurobindo a couple years ago. I was able to still get PAR but in 20mg tablet form. My anxiety is so bad that I’m CONVINCED there are issues. I thought sticking with the same manufacturer but going from capsules to tablets would be better that changing Companies all together. Any suggestions??
NaveedZ
22 June 2020
I have been successfully using Fluoxetine by Aurobindo, but still had some sleep issues. but I dont have any anxiety or depression bouts, so I was thinking about switching to Par to see the difference but how do you know that they are discontinuing 40mg?
Itsme7
22 June 2020
I tried to refill my script and they told me that it was no longer available. I contacted them myself and they informed me that their 40 mg capsules were no longer being made. That’s why I’m trying the 20 mg tablets and taking to a day to equal the Forti.
NaveedZ
22 June 2020
Can you tell me that how you felt on 40mgPar capsules? Any sleep issues or delayed ejaculation or any other side effects? I am asking because i want to try 20mg tablet too made by Par.
Itsme7
22 June 2020
The 40mg capsules were perfect for me. I’m having some additional anxiety right now with switching to the tablet form. I’m on it more for anxiety so my worry is thru the roof. Sexually still fine.
NaveedZ
22 June 2020
I think it will take time for you to switch to tablet form, stay strong. you will be fine, Please share your experience once you get settled in. I want to try Par Tablets too.
Itsme7
22 June 2020
I sure will! It helps to have someone to talk to! I’m a week in. Having headaches everyday and some blurry vision... I also had to have a kidney procedure done 5 days ago and coming off those meds too. Trying to breathe and be patient!
Mtnlionsnowfall7
2 Feb 2020
Was the name of the pharmacy Canadian Pharmacy or was it a Canadian Pharmacy Unknown name??
WildcatVet
6 July 2019
Pharmacies buy and dispense the least expensive generics that are available at any given time to save you money. If you are using or have used a generic that you feel works well for you ask the pharmacist to special order it for you... most chain and family pharmacies are happy to provide this service. You may pay a few cents more but it's worth it to have a medication that works well.
teekar23
6 July 2019
Par pharmacy worked well for me, however, I did my research and was able to use Canadian pharmacy to switch back to name brand Prozac manufactured by Lily in the UK. This has help stabilize me.
Binkieee
23 March 2019
I switched to name brand via Canadian pharmacy. Huge difference. 49.00 plus 10.00 shipping. Two moths... so far so good:)
jigsawpro
3 Aug 2019
What pharmacy did you order from?
Mtnlionsnowfall7
2 Feb 2020
Blinkieee what is the name of the pharmacy, or is it named Canadian Pharmacy? That sounds vague/generic for a name. I would like to know as getting brand name would be excellent. I took brand during college years.
teekar23
23 March 2019
I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder 20 years ago, simply put chemical imbalance, no life episodes contributing. I have been on generic fluoxetine via local pharmacy for years with little to no problems. However, upon switching to Express Scripts a couple of years ago I have been receiving a few different manufactures, most recently Aurobindo. Upon taking their med I experienced minor depression almost with a couple of days. This accelerated quickly into a full blown relapse which at times has been unbearable. There were hours of some relief followed by days of despair. I did some homework and found some concerns over this Indian based company. Also my local ParD just told me that there is rumblings that these companies based in India and China may not be following FDA guidelines. Obviously, it may work ok for most but not me! I have switched to Par Pharmacy tablets and just today am feeling much better, thank the Lord.
Any others with similar experience?
jigsawpro
6 July 2019
How are you feeling in Par? I just switched yesterday and so far not feeling 100% mentally ir physically. I had been on Sarafem since 2009 so this is rocking my world.
Odin88
4 Jan 2019
To answer your question, yes, you will feel different for a few days after switching generics. You may think the new generic isn't working but you have to give it at least three weeks. At least that's the way it's been for me and I've been on and off these drugs for more than 25 years.
I am on 10mg fluoxetine a day. I'd been taking the Sandoz for about seven months and didn't really feel any different. I didn't want to increase the dosage because of sexual disfunction. Now that Sandoz stopped making fluoxetine I switched over to Aurobindo which was my last choice because I'd read so many bad reviews on it. Turns out it has been the most effective fluoxetine generic that I've been on so far. Essentially no panic or nervousness, just a feeling of being normal, and that's just with 10 mg. I have a compressed nerve in my neck that causes shoulder pain and after two days on the Aurobindo the pain was gone.
I'd had that pain for about 16 months.
Aurobindo has been a good generic so far and it's only been seven days.
Char67
2 June 2018
Now that Sandoz doesn’t manufacture fluoxetine any longer has anyone switched to another generic that works? I tried Aurbindo and it didn’t work at all. Trying Mylan tablets and feel like they may be stronger as I am having headaches. Thanks for any insights.
Brutalblonde
26 Jan 2018
Yes, unfortunately it took me months to realize that the switch between generic brands was the issue. I had scripts filled at Sam's and they switched to a different brand. When Costco opened, they use a different generic Aurobindo, and it is amazing the difference... I won't go back...
gaeseal
30 Dec 2017
I got a refill of Fluoxetine from a different source than my usual Express Scripts. I was thrilled that it was so much cheaper but alarmed when I opened the package and saw a different pill. I am trying the Sandoz 20 mg capsule tonight to compare it to my former Aurobindo 20 mg Hcl Capsules. I hope to report back if a change is observed. Does anyone know why one says Hcl and the other does not say Hcl?
gaeseal
26 Jan 2018
Well, I don't know when I posted this but I did notice a slight difference. It seems the Sandoz, if anything, is more effective than the Aurobindo.
Howdy Partner
30 April 2018
Sandoz doesn't make fluoxetine since February 2018. My pharmacy switched to Alembic and I'm having anxiety again. Sandoz worked great. Hope i get used to new manufacturer. Teva did the same thing.
Little Walt
13 Nov 2018
Sandoz worked great for me, but they recently discontinued it. In response, I tried several other labelers to no effect. In the end, I started taking 4000u / day of vitamin D3, which had a massive corrective effect.
Maybe it won't work for you... but, I realized that as an office worker and academic, I get very little direct sunlight. Additionally, my primary care physician told me my vitamin D levels were low. After some study, I found that D levels are key to mood regulation, as well as a number of other vital issues. Try it - it might prove to be helpful.
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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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