Aa
Any huge difference if you take the generic or brand name of Seroquel? help ASAP!
I have been on seroquel for probably 8-10 years now for Bipolar disorder & have always been on the brand name, no generic,ever. But my patient assistance was back ordered so for a few months ive had to get it at the pharmacy as the generic name. I just now got my Seroquel (brand name med) and I am having the same side effects I did when I 1st started years ago. Can it really make this much of a difference? It’s the same dose, but I mean im falling asleep all thru out the day! Its crazy & getting a little scary. If I sit long at work I begin to nod off and so I have been cutting it in half and it seems like its not so severe. But im also noticing the benefit of the med reduced bc im not getting my full dose. I haven’t been able to talk to my doc bc I work the same hours there open & my lunch break, there closed. Ive left messages too. So didn’t know if anyone knew if it can really matter which one I take…? Any advice PLSE ASAP! Thanks
Haha..well true..but it will hurt me seeing how I can't hold my eyes open or head up thru out my work day. & its so annoying n scary
Thanks for the tips! Yea I've been taking only half n that seems to b ok. I tried a whole one Saturday night n slept all day Sunday. So idk what else it could b...
Hi Psyche,
My turn to give a little back. :)
Generic: defined as a term referring to any drug marketed under its chemical name without advertising.
Generics are simply called that to make them available to the public that doesn't have the finances to buy a brand name. Very much like clothes (cut a label out and they suddenly are less worth. Nonsense actually, considering they are still the same item. o.O)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_drug have a bit of a read.
If you feel more sleepy maybe it is wise to compare the inserts that you get with the medication - which I am sure you have already done.
If you find coping difficult, why not try and take a little less? Just record it some where and keep tabs on how you feel/cope.
I use the generic for lamicton: epitc, and I find no difference in the two.
x
Kim
My turn to give a little back. :)
Generic: defined as a term referring to any drug marketed under its chemical name without advertising.
Generics are simply called that to make them available to the public that doesn't have the finances to buy a brand name. Very much like clothes (cut a label out and they suddenly are less worth. Nonsense actually, considering they are still the same item. o.O)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_drug have a bit of a read.
If you feel more sleepy maybe it is wise to compare the inserts that you get with the medication - which I am sure you have already done.
If you find coping difficult, why not try and take a little less? Just record it some where and keep tabs on how you feel/cope.
I use the generic for lamicton: epitc, and I find no difference in the two.
x
Kim
Thank you so much! Like I said I've been on it a good 8 yrs and started out at 400mgs but now down to 100..I've never been thru this w seroquel! It's crazy..the brand name came n a different bottle & the pill looked different this time. Funny thing is the nurse called & left a message bc I did leave a message for her w the receptionist..yet she said i didn't get the name of the med your talking about but take the whole pill...really? You don't even kno which med it is (bc I take a lot) but tell me to take it even tho I can't stay awake during the day at work. Idk when ill get to talk to her again bc I get off at 6pm..guess till I do I've got to stick to a half. The med has always worked, I've only lowered it thru the yrs bc I haven't need it so much. Thanks for the advice. Hope I soon find out really what to do
Alright. First, the usual caveat.
CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR!!!
(Just as you're already trying to do!! Keep a'tryin'!!!)
Having said that, here's my take on the matter.
And that's ALL it is. My take.
So give my opinion the weight it deserves.
I had no trouble making the switch from Seroquel to Quetiapine.
Some people do respond differently to the name brand of a med than they do to the generic.
They may have the same active ingredient but different fillers, and for some that seems to make a difference.
I was on Seroquel for a while (couple of years), was off of it for a while and then went back on it.
My first experience with it was that I started out at about 50 mg.
That worked for a while and then it stopped.
The dosage was doubled.
Same thing happened again.
Dosage was upped once again.
I eventually topped out at 400 mg.
After stopping it (because of the weight gain) and trying many other meds (with no success), I resumed the Seroquel.
If I had taken 400 mg again, right off the bat, I probably would have slept for 2 days straight.
So what worked okay at one time did indeed have a very different effect the next time.
I have a heck of a time sleeping and once in a while, my nighttime dose of Seroquel (currently 200 mg) doesn't seem to work at all.
My doctor and I have discussed this and he has told me that when that happens, take another 100 mg. And if THAT doesn't work, to take yet another 100 mg.
Sometimes, my regular prescribed dosage seems to work TOO well.
I am allowed to take less if I want, in that situation.
I am speaking more to your issue of dosage than I am to the effects of brand name vs. generic.
All I can tell you is that in MY case, it is perfectly fine with my doctor for me to adjust my dosage, depending on how it is affecting me.
I recommend to you and to ANYONE who's meds don't always work the same way all the time, to discuss that fact with their doctor ahead of time and set a plan into place so that if and when it happens, you will know exactly what steps to take.
Good luck.
I hope and think that what you're doing is okay!!!
I hope you feel back to normal soon!!!!
CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR!!!
(Just as you're already trying to do!! Keep a'tryin'!!!)
Having said that, here's my take on the matter.
And that's ALL it is. My take.
So give my opinion the weight it deserves.
I had no trouble making the switch from Seroquel to Quetiapine.
Some people do respond differently to the name brand of a med than they do to the generic.
They may have the same active ingredient but different fillers, and for some that seems to make a difference.
I was on Seroquel for a while (couple of years), was off of it for a while and then went back on it.
My first experience with it was that I started out at about 50 mg.
That worked for a while and then it stopped.
The dosage was doubled.
Same thing happened again.
Dosage was upped once again.
I eventually topped out at 400 mg.
After stopping it (because of the weight gain) and trying many other meds (with no success), I resumed the Seroquel.
If I had taken 400 mg again, right off the bat, I probably would have slept for 2 days straight.
So what worked okay at one time did indeed have a very different effect the next time.
I have a heck of a time sleeping and once in a while, my nighttime dose of Seroquel (currently 200 mg) doesn't seem to work at all.
My doctor and I have discussed this and he has told me that when that happens, take another 100 mg. And if THAT doesn't work, to take yet another 100 mg.
Sometimes, my regular prescribed dosage seems to work TOO well.
I am allowed to take less if I want, in that situation.
I am speaking more to your issue of dosage than I am to the effects of brand name vs. generic.
All I can tell you is that in MY case, it is perfectly fine with my doctor for me to adjust my dosage, depending on how it is affecting me.
I recommend to you and to ANYONE who's meds don't always work the same way all the time, to discuss that fact with their doctor ahead of time and set a plan into place so that if and when it happens, you will know exactly what steps to take.
Good luck.
I hope and think that what you're doing is okay!!!
I hope you feel back to normal soon!!!!
Sometimes individual reactions to generics can vary although each person responds differently to each medication. Most probably the concerns as regards side effects will adjust over time but you can discuss
the specifics with your psychiatrist.
the specifics with your psychiatrist.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Bipolar Disorder Community
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Discover the common symptoms of and treatment options for depression.
We've got five strategies to foster happiness in your everyday life.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
