Switching From Pristiq To Generic Desvenlafaxine (Top voted first)

I was switched from Pristiq to generic Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) which if I understand right, is really Effexor. Is there a possibility this could be causing my severe fatigue? Has this happened to anyone else out there?

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Just found that GREEN STONE LTD Labs generic Desvenlafaxine which is owned by Pfizer is actually Brand Name Pristiq repacked as generic; they do this with their Effexor XR as well. So just tell your pharmacy to order Green Stone Brand and it's $10 for Vs, $385 for the exact same thing.

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Had the same reaction to generic Pristiq, I've noticed no one has mentioned what generic they are on/having issues with. I tried the Lupin version from 2 pharmacies and had different experiences on each but neither was anything close to being "bio-equivalent" but this must mean their quality control is off as well.

I really didn't expect to feel much difference with it being a synthetic metabolite, how wrong can you get that?... Quite wrong it seems.
While it does feel like a form of Venlafaxine, there are about 4 different metabolites formed during the process with the parent drug still providing a powerful AD effect, the Lupin version feels like one of the other metabolites but definitely not the "desVenlafaxine" one.
I've been trying to get the Sandoz version since they have a reputation for the highest quality generics and are one of the few labs that does clinical trials on their generics to assure the highest quality but even though they are scheduled to release their version, no pharmacy has been able to order or obtain it yet.

I've gone back to 150 Effexor XR (greenstone approved generic-actually brand name repacked as generic) in the meantime.
CVS just notified me that they got the Roxanne Version this week so will try a few days and post my experience. Just be reassured that you are not imagining the difference, it is very real.

The Patent holder of this drug does not hand over the recipe or exact formula, each company has to reverse engineer the drug to come up with something "close enough" for FDA approval which explains the noticeable difference psychopharmacological drugs and why we can feel such extreme differences between brand and generics.

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My pharmacy switched me from pristiq to generic. 1 month later my depression is back. I called my insurance (cvs caremark) and they said I could switch back but had to pay a penalty. CVS is my pharmacy as well. I called 4 different times and they said too bad I still had to pay a penalty. I finally tweeted them and threatened a legal suit because they switched it without my permission. They called me and assigned an advocate to me who magically got me back on pristiq for 15.00 for a 90 day supply.

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My insurance switched my pristine to Desvenlafaxine. It's been about two weeks. I've noticed depression slipping back in, and it's awful. I wondered if the switch is causing this. I hope more people write in with their experience.

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Generic pristiq did absolutely nothing for me. I have been a wreck lately. Crying for no reason - no, not just crying, but sobbing.
not wanting to get out of bed, irrritable, tired, etc.
my family even commented on my behavior/mood seeming low again.

I didn't think about it at first, cause I have never had a generic work (or not work) do differently than name brand. As soon as I realized what was happening I called my doctor. He wrote me a Rx for name brand only. But my pharmacy is out right now(!!!!)
Should be in tomorrow and I can't wait to get it.
This has been an awful weekend and I'm just exhausted.

Not cool to play around with someone's meds like that. Not cool at all.

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I have BCBS Wellmark and was forced to switch to the generic of Pristiq or pay a steep monthly penalty to take the name brand. I was doing GREAT on the name brand and switched about 6 weeks ago to the generic and all of my old symptoms are back...depression, anxiety, irritability, and severe exhaustion. I need to go back on the name brand so I can feel better but will have to pay almost $300/per month for it because of the Welmark penalty. Has anyone found a solution to this? I'm desperate and want to feel better!!!!

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I was switched too and I feel terrible - I'm tired, stressed an d my TMJ is back. Head Hurts and I'm nauseated. I'm great on 150 of Effecxor and 50 of Pristiq. I'm due to go to Europe in July and I have no energy and I just feel bummed about life . Telling my doctor tomorrow I can't live like this -these generics are terrible.

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I switched to the generic about a month ago & I was thrilled because my insurance doesn't cover meds until my deductible is met. I have noticed a notable change in my mood as well as increased fatigue over the past few weeks, and it dawned on me today that the change in meds is most likely the problem. Because the generic is so new I haven't been able to find much information about effectiveness yet. Sounds like our experiences are similar. I am planning to give it a couple more weeks and then talk to my doc/pharmacist about switching back if I don't see improvement.

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Yes, definitely a solution! Request GREEN STONE LTD LABS Generic, that's Pfizer/Wyeth company push their Brand Name Pristiq + Effexor through it as "Generic" and at Generic prices and it's 100% genuine original Brand Name. Just paid $10 for 1 month at Costco for it.

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Hello,
Yes, absolutely! It is 100% Brand Name Pristiq with the W-50 imprint on the pink pyramid tablet. It's refered to as an "Approved Generic". Greenstone should be easy to get, Costco can get it as well as CVS/Target. I was so relieved to find they had done this as the Lupin version from India was the least Bio-equivalent drug I had ever experienced, they created some form of Venlafaxine but not the "DesVenlafaxine" which is Pristiq. This should keep us in good shape until "AnsoFaxine" is released, it's a new version of Venlafaxine that hits Sera, Nora & Doe at the same time with even less side effects!

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This generic from Breckinridge did not help me. I was on Pristiq for 5 years. My insurance company switched me to the generic. It has been awful. About 52 days have passed. The side effects have been horrible and I've slipped back into a depression. I had a doctor appt. yesterday and am switching back to Pristiq.

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Not all pharmacies will order a specific one for you. According to my doctor, CVS - at least around here - just orders what's cheapest for them and doesn't take special requests.

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Re: K2So (# 105)

S sorry that's not correct - brand Pristiq is only for US residents; Greenstone generic is made in Singapore. If you're switching from brand Pristiq 50mg - to Greenstone generic - you'll find the extended release is not the same as the brand. Both are square pink pills that look the same, but they're not the same. As with all generic extended release meds - these generic manufacturers don't spend the $ to duplicate the same process that releases the med slowly. Most contain only 80% of the the brand's contents (sanctioned by FDA). If the generic is wearing-off too soon; you can ask your DR. for 75 mg. script which may help the med last longer or take (3) 25 mg. pills throughout the day. Additionally, brand Pristiq is NOT the same as Effexor - this is a myth. The ingredients are similar, however, Pristiq and Effexor take two different pathways that effect re-uptake of 2 hormones that ease depression. Also, Pristiq does not cause as much libido loss as Effexor. I'm speaking from experience after trying Greenstone generic and then going back to the brand.

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My Insurance switched me to the generic (not my choice) about 3-4 weeks ago. Depression has been creeping in and I'm pretty concerned. Yesterday/last night was bad. Today was OK but my energy is not what it should be and my thinking/mood is not where it should be.
Hoping to switch back but I don't know what is happening with the insurance...there is a $1000 penalty to go back to name brand!!

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I'm wondering which generic brands everyone is switching to. There can be small differences even among the different generics. I'll be getting Breckenridge generic Pristiq on Monday, and definitely concerned about what I'll experience.

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I also received he Generic pristic, I felt pretty bad on it, low energy sypotomd of depression, my doc told me to take an additional 25 so I halved the pink pill and take one and a half seems to work well.

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My insurance switched me from Pristiq to the so-called generic. It's been a month and I can hardly function. I'm sleeping 12 or more hours a day and am severely depressed. My husband and doctor worked with the insurance and finally got them to allow me to go back on the Pristiq at the original deductible amount. It took many phone calls and paperwork. I start back on the Pristiq tonight.

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Absolutely agree with you. I was switched to the generic of Pristiq about 40 days ago. Slowly I relapsed into depression. They increased the dosage of the generic from 50 to 100 mg. I tried that for 12 days. It did not work! I have extreme fatigue, numbness and a decreased libido. I went to my doctor yesterday. I started the real thing again (Pristiq) today. 100 mg to start. I'm praying to God that I start to feel like I once did. Generics don't work for everyone!

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Wow, I'm so glad to see this. I have been on the Breckinridge pharmaceuticals generic for Pristiq and I'd might as well be taking M & Ms. My depression has been well under control for about 10 years until now, I didn't even recognize that it was depression until I took a depression evaluation test. I'm bursting out crying, very hopeless, so tired I can hardly function and out of breath even though I workout 4 times a week. I'm switching back to the name brand tomorrow. Frankly, I can't wait to see those expensive little square pills again! :)

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I didn't realize CVS switched me to the generic until my moods have gotten so bad my marriage is now at stake. Last week I asked for the brand as the generic is NOT working. I didn't realize I would need to be cautious about watching out for suicidal thoughts (as I needed to the first month on Pristiq years ago) and had a horrible moment of darkness over the weekend. My husband thinks I have absolutely lost my mind. Thanks CVS. I am thinking about legal action. Anyone else?

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