Posted by medlib on October 25, 2001, at 16:27:55
In reply to Generic Prozac?, posted by Christina on October 25, 2001, at 7:25:36
Hi Christina--
Barr Labs has a 6 mo. exclusive license to supply generic Prozac (fluoxetine). My pharmacist claims that Eli Lilly (Prozac manufacturer) supplies Barr Labs, so there should be no discernible difference in the 2 meds.
I take only 20 mgs. fluoxetine along with several other meds, so I'm not sure I'm sensitive enough to detect small variations in one of many.
It pays to keep in mind, though, that expectations powerfully affect both perceptions and outcomes. Researchers are not immune to this effect, either. (If I think it's so, it more likely is.) And too, not all expectations are fully conscious ones.
The FDA licenses and tests all meds, generic and patent, for bioequivalence. Some feel that the allowable range of results is too broad, and the testing too infrequent. Generic suppliers are not the only ones who fail sometimes to meet label standards; the original maker of Synthroid recently got in trouble with the FDA for that.
When Barr's exclusive license expires in a few months, many co.s will manufacture fluoxetine and quality control may be more problematic then than now. It's a good idea to ask your pharmacy to notify you whenever they switch providers on generic meds you take.
Well wishes---medlib
poster:medlib
thread:82260
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011025/msgs/82303.html