Different Paroxetine Generic Effectiveness

nadia
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2005-10-18

I have been taking a generic made by Par Pharmaceuticals - Par877 for about a year and it has been working well. I am currently taking 20mg. The last time I filled my perscription they gave me a new generic made by Apotex Corp. It doesn't seem to be working well APO083. I called my doctor and they suggested to up the dose from 20 to 25mg because sometime the generic doesn't work as well for whatever reason. This is a bit annoying since I was already taking a generic and now everytime they give me a different generic I will have this problem?? Has anyone else had this problem and if so any suggested solutions. The dr. said they could potentially put me on the brand name but I have to go through this rigomorol first for insurance reasons.

 Thanks,

N 


‹ need referalHelp!! ›

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Submitted by nadia on October 18, 2005 - 11:48am.  

kirby
kirby's picture
Posts: 3677
 Joined: 2004-12-26
Paroxetine Generic Effectiveness

Hi nadia,

Sorry for the late response.  I was hoping someone with experience taking paroxetine would answer your question.  But I'll make a stab at answering your question and suggesting a solution.

According to the FDA, a generic can have plus or minus 20% (no more or less) of the active ingredient to be approved if I'm interpreting the Statistical Criteria for Bioequivalence info correctly.  Be aware that reading the passage from the FDA is like reading the Tax Code!  Maybe a chemist will confirm the info, I hope!

So it's very possible APO 083 has less of the active ingredient in it versus Par 877, and that's why your doctor suggested adding another 5 mg to your dosage regimen. 

This seems to be an unnecessary burden.  You will have to have two prescriptions - one for 20 mg and another for 10 mg.  And the 10 mg will have to be cut in half and taken along with your 20 mg paroxetine.  Or you'll have to cut the 20 mg into quarters, and take 1/4 pill plus the 20 mg!  Sounds too complicated for me.

Your best alternative is to ask your pharmacy to stock the Par generic for you.  If you are a regular customer and have a standing prescription, the pharmacy will probably accomodate you and special order it.  If your pharmacy won't do that, then call around and find a pharmacy that carries the Par generic and have your prescription transferred.

Good luck to you and let us know the outcome. 

I'm not a pharmacist or a medical doctor. This message is not medical advice nor is it an offer to provide medical advice. All drug identifications should be validated by a licensed MD or pharmacist.


October 23, 2005 - 12:37pm  

nepnthe
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2005-11-09
Nadia,I haven't been taking

Nadia,

I haven't been taking Paxil too long, but I just had a similar experience.  The pharmacy I go to stocked a different generic this time (New: APO 083, Old: Not sure, although Par877 sounds familiar.).  The effect has been very different and rather unpleasant.  (I was off of it for a few days between refills, which could explain that, but it feels different than the newness of just getting started.)  I thought they gave me the wrong thing, so I registered here to see if I could identify the pill before I confronted the pharmacy.

Your experience is a little discouraging because it sounds as if I'm stuck.  If you found a solution please let me know.

On a side note, I was shocked to read in the other response how much different generics are allowed to be.  I knew there was some difference, but I thought they had to be pretty close.  A difference of 20% appalling.

Thank you,

Alex



November 9, 2005 - 1:51pm