This is a very interesting story from Dr. John Grohol over at Psych Central about the difference between some generic drugs and their associated brand-name versions as it was discussed in the Wall Street Journal. I had no idea!!!
The Wall Street Journal yesterday wrote an entry yesterday about how they differ — Inexact Copies: How Generics Differ From Brand Names. The spotlight is shining on generics because of their low cost and increasing reports about how being switched to a generic form of a medication can lead to negative side effects not experienced on the brand-name drug.
You might want to check out the link …
I actually JUST went to the doctor about this last week. I had gotten the generic form at a different pharmacy and around that time stopped feeling 'better.' I thought the doctor would think I was being paranoid, but he completely agreed and suggested I get the name brand again. The kicker was, when I went back to the original pharmacy (my Naval hospital), THEY only had the generic. With my insurance coverage (Tricare–military) I either get what is cheapest (generic) or I pay out of pocket (and I don't have that kind of money). So I'm stuck with drugs that don't work *as well.*
Luckily the pharmacy that I went to when I got the generic last time switched to a different manufacturers generic and it seems to at least be better than the first generic. I just hope I can at least keep getting that one, or find a back door with my insurance company to get the name brand.