Switching From Pristiq To Generic Desvenlafaxine (Page 6)

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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Re: Helen (# 98)

I have all those symptoms. I started on Pristiq for Fibromyalgia. With the generic, it numbs me but not my nerve ending pain. Dr is suggesting Effexor. I will try CVS for Pristiq with coupon. Pristiq was the only med. that made me feel like myself. Not sure about the suggested effexor or zoloft.

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Someone posted that Greenstone is owned by Pfizer and their generic is basically the brand - it's true! You have to special order from CVS and it's more expensive, but what a difference from Lupin Pharmaceuticals based in India. Depending on your insurance - the most you'll pay is around $100 per month, but that's a bargain considering the brand is $275. It has the same square container & the same square pink pill - and it feels just like the brand. Same company - Greenstone/Pfizer.

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Re: K2SO (# 18)


Five days ago I started on Greenstone generic Pristiq 50 after being on the brand for 7 years. Tonight I started feeling like I hadn't taken the medication today. So, I counted the pills to make absolutely sure I took the pill today - and then remembered taking it at noon. Tonight, something is definitely wrong. I'm feeling disassociated, low energy and depressed. I had a similar experience with the Wellbutrin generic - didn't work at all. I disagree with the comment above that Greenstone is the same as the brand. I know that Greenstone is owned by Pfizer (who makes the brand), but the Greenstone generic is definitely not the brand (even thought the pill looks similar). I'm going back to the brand even though it's expensive. I have to add that Pfizer was granted the patent for Pristiq 50 until 2022, but they were negligent and stupid with the writing of the patent and lost their exclusive rights with 7 years to go. If they had decent patent lawyers there wouldn't be any generics right now! It took a lot of talent to lose their patent rights.

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Re: Sheila (# 101)

I did it. I am free of Pristiq and the generic.
I am not free of drugs. I started Cymbalta at dinner yesterday for my Fibromyalgia. I slept well and no head zapping, dizziness or nausea.

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Re: FloridaNeil (# 103)

That is absolutely not true about Greenstone Brand, compared the Greenstone tablet and Brand side by side, Even the bottles are the same with same manufacturing codes and made in same factory. Effexor & Pristiq are both affected by other medication even caffeine and especially Milk Thistle which would explain anything different you felt.

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Re: Kate (# 15)

There are some Canadian drug stores that dispense the name brand for less. I think one is called Canadian Drug Store. I switched to generic, desvenlafaxi 15 days ago. Same dose as name brand. But I am crying for hours in the morning and very suicidal. Plan to go back to name brand if I can afford it.

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Re: Maria (# 4)

I feel very tired and muscle pain on the generic. Not good

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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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K2SO (# 92) --

I have been on the greenstone generic for over a month and it is NOT working, after being on brand for over 7 years.

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Re: Jen (# 109)

I’m not really sure the greenstone is working very well for me either. It really sucks.

I guess it is to an extent. But not as much as name brand. I might have to just budget the name brand cost in somehow.

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I was recently switched to generic Pristiq about a month ago. I have been experiencing episodes of extreme fatigue about an hour after taking it in the morning. I’ll feel perfectly fine one minute, the next minute I can’t keep my eyes open. My father one day said I sounded like I was drunk on the phone and at times I feel drunk. It’s gotten to the point that I couldn’t keep my eyes open while driving on the freeway and nearly got arrested. I’ve been calling my doctors office day after day since this incident, but my psychiatrist has yet to call me back. Has anyone else been experiencing these symptoms?

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Re: Suz (# 7)

I’m just adding to the conversation because I’ve become very depressed in the 3 months since the switch. In addition to initial side effects similar to missed dosages - I’ve felt ashamed and afraid that my doctor or the pharmacy would think I was imagining things.

i hope everyone feels better and thank you all for sharing!

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Re: cara (# 112)


I'm sorry to hear that others are having the same experience as I did when switching from the brand to the generic. Pfizer has a discount card that you can retrieve off the internet that saves up to $75. That will bring the cost down to $270 per month. If you have insurance, your doctor can call your insurance company and tell them that you've tried the generic, but it doesn't work. In many cases, when the doctor actually calls and fills out the required forms - your insurance WILL pay for it. As a last resort - or if you don't have insurance - you can try filling your prescription through Canada Drugs who dispenses 84 pills for $313 and claim it's the brand Pristiq 50 (made in Australia). Last year, I tried another extended release med from Canada and it was better than generics sold in the US. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical companies are thrilled because they've found a way to keep their brands selling continuously - after generics hit the market. Unfortunately, this GOP gov't will NEVER pressure the FDA to improve generic standards or the rate of release for the med. The gov't couldn't care less about this issue because drug companies and their lobbyists give millions to political campaigns. Legal bribery.

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Has anyone had success by upping the Greenstone generic pristiq dosage from 50mg to 75mg?

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I am so glad I found this site. Insurance & pharmacy changed me to generic Pristiq around the beginning of the year. Until this weekend I hadn’t thought about it & the correlation to why I have been so tired, achy & not myself. Things have been affecting me so much more! Pristiq has worked so well for me! I have been on the Lupin version & will be working to change that tomorrow! Thank you so much for all the information! Y’all have been a God send!

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Re: Maria (# 4)

I take pristiq for anxiety and panic. I was panic free for years until I was switched to the generic pritiq. Panic attack have returned. I am switching back to Brand Pristiq!

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Re: Kate (# 15)

Maybe thru Canada? I am going to look into ordering from Canada if I can get Brand Pristiq

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Okay so everyone is right, Greenstone Pristiq totally works. I got my pharmacy to switch my generic to that and everything was great for like 2 months. Now Greenstone has been "Backordered" for 2-3 months so I've been taking either Lupin or Brekenridge I think. Regardless I feel like I was without Pristiq at all. I keep having meltdowns and crying and anxiety attacks. I don't know what to do. My insurance (Cigna) won't cover name brand and the cash price is $487 for a 30 day supply. Even the discount card through Pfizer only takes it down a few hundred, but I cannot afford $300+ a month on one prescription in addition to my insurance which is doing NOTHING to help cover this. Any Ideas anyone? I'm desperate.

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Re: Hillary (# 118)

Hillary, if your pharmacy is out of Greenstone brand, try calling some other local pharmacies because they might still have some in stock. There is a shortage in various generics because many are manufactured in Puerto Rico which was hit by recent hurricane damage.

Hurricane Damage in Puerto Rico Leads to Fears of Drug Shortages: nytimes.com/2017/10/04/health/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-pharmaceutical-manufacturers.html

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Re: Hillary (# 118)


No everyone is not in agreement. Greenstone generic is made in Singapore (by Pfizer), but does not work like brand Pristiq. After (2) weeks, I noticed a considerable difference and depression returned. I immediately went back on the brand and feel fine again. Don't be fooled into thinking that this generic is the same as brand Pristiq or Effexor. It is neither of these. Brand Pristiq has a far superior "release mechanism" and 100% of the medication vs. the generic's lower percentage. Does anyone really think that a generic is a duplicate of a brand. Even though Pfizer owns Greenstone - it's not manufactured the same way. My Dr. said that sometimes adding 25mg. to generic Pristiq 50 will do the trick. So, that idea may be worth trying or possibly upping the dose to 100mg if your Dr. understands the situation. With the Pfizer discount card (on website) - I pay $280 per month. It's more than worth it. Also, sometimes the Canadian "brand" is okay. So, if you start to feel yourself going down - act quickly because saving $ - is not worth the slide into depression. Best to all.

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