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Re: Is Real Prozac Better Than Generic? Cam? Anyone? » JohnL

Posted by mgrueni on September 7, 2001, at 6:56:24

In reply to Is Real Prozac Better Than Generic? Cam? Anyone?, posted by JohnL on September 6, 2001, at 4:53:25

Hi John,

< I understand that the authentic version and the generic version are molecularly and chemically identical, supposedly. My pharmacist told me the only difference is in the inert fillers. But I am totally completely convinced they are not the same. How they are not the same is a mystery to me. I don't get it. I do not understand. All I know for sure is that I deteriorate on generic fluoxetine, and I thrive on authentic fluoxetine from Ely Lilly. >

As far as I know, fluoxetine is the active ingredient of both, Prozac and the generic. So, as it`s exactly the same substance, there shouldn`t be any difference between the two drugs. Yes, the only difference are the inert fillers. And one being allergic to one of these fillers, is the only reason I know, why it would be reasonable to switch back to the authentic.
But such an allergy is very, very rare. I`ve heard of some people who had to switch from a generic back to the authentic because the generic contained a remarkably higher amount of lactose (as an inert filler) and they had a lactose-intolerance. But, as I said that are very rare individual cases and the reason for them changing medication wasn´t a difference in effectivity but the side effect of diarrhea because of the lactose.

< Why and how is generic different from authentic? There IS a difference, no doubt about it. It is NOT my imagination, and it is NOT placebo effect. It is REAL. >

You mentioned that you noticed a difference between Adrafinil and Modafinil in your previous post. There was an interesting discussion about that here on PB a while ago.
Here´s the article, Mainz has posted at that time:

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/57729.html

(I have to admit, I`ve read a bit of it... but it`s very scientific *and* all in english, so it would take me ages to fully understand it, as english is not my mother language)

I can only give you a general information about generics. They usually contain exactly the same active substance as the authentic drug. They are cheaper, because:

* the company which produces the authentic drug has had to invest a lot of money in research.
(It usually takes 10 years of research before a new drug finally gets a permission and can be sold). Of course they add these costs to the selling price of the drug.

* the generic-company now profits from the research done by the authentic company. They don`t need to do all the research once again, but simply pay a fee for getting the permission to produce and sell the generic.(Well, in germany that is so, but I suppose it`s the same in the US and Canada)
Therfor they can offer the generic for a lower price.

You see, usually the price difference has nothing to do with a lower quality of the generic.

Sorry, that I can´t be of more help on this one, but I really have no idea how there can be a difference between authentic Prozac and the generic fluoxetine, as it *is* the same substance. Nonetheless, I do believe you. If it`s just a psychological reason or an scientific explainable one, what you feel is *real* for you.


Take care,

Micha


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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010907/msgs/78138.html