Question about Generics...HELP!

[MissElizabeth]

Hello!

I am hoping to gain a little insight into some struggles with anxiety I have been having. I have had anxiety all of my life and began taking Lexapro at age 19. I didn't take it correctly and was on an off of it until I had a massive anxiety attack that resulted in me losing a TON of weight and ending up in the hospital for severe gastritis caused by my anxiety when I was 20. I immediatley realized that I had to take my medication seriously. Anxiety is an illness and constant vigilence with medication is a vital part of recovering. I began taking my 10 mg of Lexapro religiously and sought therapy. I was terrified and ashamed of what had happened to me. However, I overcame my anxiety with the the help of my Lexapro. However, I decided to change to the generic form of Lexapro, Escitalopram, to save money about a month ago. I have been anxiety free for 2 years. However, ever since I changed to the generic form I started going down hill again. I had constant headaches and didn't feel myself. However, I played it up to be "viruses", but I ended up having a full blown anxiety attack last Thursday. I, of course, was terrified. I have anxiety about having anxiety, which ends up being quite the vicious circle. I actually had to leave work today and went straight in to see my doctor. She and I discussed what was going on and she said that sometimes switching to generic can cause problems. I had been ordering 20 mg of escitalopram and breaking them in half. She said the medicine in generics isn't always distributed evenly so one day I might have been getting 3 mg and the next day 17. I broke them in half evenly, but she said that didn't matter. I have actually needed to use xanax to even get through the day because my anxiety is so bad right now! I"m nervous about everything! Work, my dog, my anxiety, my fiance, my statistics class, concerts....EVERYTHING. I threw away my generic Lexapro (escitalopram) and now am beginning my regular Lexapro tonight. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thanks!

I actually started, as advised by my doctor, to start 15 mg. So I started that last night. Along with my generic question, how long until I stop feeling extremely anxious and start to feel better?

[bhamlaxy]

I am unaware of the difference between generic and brand name, but I imagine it is NOT major. Doctors wouldn't recommend generics if they made a HUGE difference. I take generic Lexapro and it has worked wonders, completely changing my life for the better and almost eliminating my anxiety.

I wonder if part of your anxiety is caused by making a big deal about the switch to generics. You even mention you get anxious about anxiety. Maybe you were getting all worked up thinking "oh god, the generic is different, it's been screwing up my dose, it's not working, I'M GOING TO GET ANXIOUS!"

That may not be the whole cause, but I would imagine it is a contributing factor. You should be fine soon- either the normal lexapro will kick back in, or you will be calmer knowing you are taking the brand name one that worked in the past.

[Krismf]

I have recently had a same experience with effexor. I have been anxiety free for years on brand name effexor and just like you, i wanted to save some money. What i experienced was the same exact thing you did, headaches, nausia, and anxiety. I thought it would pass so i gave it some time, which inturn was the wrong thing to do as my panic and anxiety came back full force. Went back to the brand name and also started 5mg of abilify and i feel like i have not in years in a great way. Dont get discouraged and give it a bit for things to stabalize and remember everybody reacts differently to meds like these so just because it took me a while might take you half as long. There is no secret formula but keep trying and things will get better.