Generc Lexipro meds---PLEASE HELP

[tara1414]

Hi,
I have been taking name brand lexipro for five years with no problems. The lexipro has helped me in dealing with most of my anxieties and caused no side effects other than some onset ones that dissapeared. I have health anxiety and make a big deal out of health related symptoms. recently I had begun experiencing ringing in my ears and visual aura migrains. Now the migrains are not uncommon for me since I have had them in the past, but the ringing in my ears became constant and caused more panick. I started taking generic lexipro about 2 weeks BEFORE the ringing started.. I was reluctant to go on the generic since I was doing so well on the name brand and I asked the pharmasist and my doctor if there was any difference. They said No. Along with the ringing ears I have been experiencing panick attacks that I have not experienced in a long time , I have been having trouble sleeping and wake up in a panick on some mornings. As far as the ringing ears--I went to my reg primary care dr who did  blood work and assured me that I was healthy...At first I thought maybe I had a brain or ear tumer---Because that is where I go with symptoms---I thought maybe I had a blood flow problem or heart related problem---Now remember I only had ringing in my ears---but my mind takes me to the worse case scenario...My doctor asked me a bunch of questions and when I told him about the medication switch he said that he thought that was the reason I was getting the ringing ears and more anxiety--he said that they are finding out that the generic drugs DO have more side effects than the name brand....NOW having said all that---My health insurance company is charging me a penalty for purchasing the name brand--This irritates me and makes my depression and anxiety even worse putting under more stress---I am still taking the generic, but am willing to pay the penalty to insure my livlihood and well being---I asked the pharmasist how much it would cost to buy name brand lexipro if I did not have any insurance---wall-greens charges---$456. for a 3 month supply--here in Pa. I guess I am posting on here to find out if anyone knows if I could get the penalty charge waivered--both of my dr's are willing to write letters to the insurance comp---but when I called the insurance comp--and asked them about this--they told me that there were no exceptions---I have been crying every day---So depressed, so full of anxiety---so scared--so angry--and helpless--I know I could also try another med, but I am not sure if they are generic or name brand and if they are name brand will they come up with a generic?? then I will have to go through this all over again...I am feeling lost and confused any help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated...

[nursegirl6572]

If your doctors are willing to provide documentation of the need for the brand name, then hopefully the insurance company will waive the fee.  Let us know how it goes!

[Paxiled]

The generic is new.  Most generics are made by different companies, some of which are better than others.  Walgreens tends to use the better generics, CVS the cheapest, but there are exceptions.  Ask if more than one company makes the generic -- Teva, for example, the largest maker of generics, makes the worst ones, or at least the ones that have raised the most regulatory issues.  It might be the generic manufacturer, not necessarily the generic.  If it is the generic, all insurance companies have an appeals process, but that doesn't mean you'll win.  One way around this is to buy from a foreign country, if you can find a way to do that -- the US has the highest drug prices by far because of our relative lack of economic regulation.  Many people go to Mexico or Canada to get their prescriptions because of this, but that route isn't available to most of us.  Good luck.

[remar]

I'm not sure if you can get the penalty waived or not. Your Drs are behind you so I would have them go ahead and send the letters to your insurance company. It would'nt hurt to do so.  
I've found that Walgreens can be much higher on their meds than some other places. Make some calls to some other places to see if you can get it at a better price. I'm not promoting Walmart but their med prices are much cheaper than Walgreens. They have been for me anyway. Give them a call. I bet they will be cheaper.