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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MattSanz on July 24, 2009, at 13:24:23
Does anyone know if there is a difference between the brand name Zoloft medication and the generic version Sertraline? Does one actually work better than the other? The only one available at my pharmacy (CVS) is the generic so I've been taking that, but I've heard some people say that the brand name works better. Does anyone know anything about this?
Posted by manic 666 on July 24, 2009, at 13:50:37
In reply to Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by MattSanz on July 24, 2009, at 13:24:23
i take sertraline an recieve some good results , not great , but then again what is great, ive never taken zoloft, like you i wasnt given the choise , but i no that genetic prozac is not as good as the real deal
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2009, at 15:03:21
In reply to Re: Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by manic 666 on July 24, 2009, at 13:50:37
Seems the generic of a lot meds isn't living up to what they should be lamictal, wellbutrin, benzos a long list. Love Phillipa
Posted by morganpmiller on July 25, 2009, at 13:50:18
In reply to Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by MattSanz on July 24, 2009, at 13:24:23
Brand name is better IMO. When I tried sertraline, my stomach hurt and I did not feel as good.
Can you go to a different pharmacy? If you can, it may be worth the longer drive and higher cost
Posted by MattSanz on July 25, 2009, at 14:51:03
In reply to Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by MattSanz on July 24, 2009, at 13:24:23
Yeah I could try another pharmacy if it is definately true that the generic is not as good as the real thing. I'll find out from my doc next week.
Posted by morganpmiller on July 25, 2009, at 20:49:05
In reply to Re: Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by MattSanz on July 25, 2009, at 14:51:03
Dude, a lot of doctors say there is not a difference. This is your mind and body and life we are talking about. Do you want to have the best chance of feeling good? Or, just settle for the next best chance? I would go for Zoloft if changing pharmacies and paying a little extra is not a big deal.
Posted by MattSanz on July 26, 2009, at 12:16:30
In reply to Re: Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by morganpmiller on July 25, 2009, at 20:49:05
I believe you that a lot of doctors say there is no difference. I just don't understand, why would they do that? If there is a difference then why wouldn't they just tell us that? Like what the hell, I can't even trust my own doctor?? Its ridiculous.
Posted by morganpmiller on July 26, 2009, at 18:19:43
In reply to Re: Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by MattSanz on July 26, 2009, at 12:16:30
You're right, it is ridiculous. It's not really that we can't trust them, it's that they just don't really know, so I guess we can't really trust them. They will probably tell you that some people notice a difference. I wouldn't be surprised if your doctor says this, and then says that there shouldn't be a difference. The guys at the pharmacy may say the same thing.
Posted by MattSanz on July 26, 2009, at 18:34:07
In reply to Re: Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by morganpmiller on July 26, 2009, at 18:19:43
Yeah the guy at the pharmacy said that its basically the same thing. I regret that I didn't ask him what he meant by "basically". I wish someone would be more specific. If they told me straight out that the brand name is known to be a little better than the generic I would spend the extra money. But you're right they'll say something vague like sometimes it works better. And I've already been taking the generic for 5 weeks. If they said it in the beginning I would have taking the brand the whole time.
Posted by morganpmiller on July 26, 2009, at 21:21:04
In reply to Re: Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by MattSanz on July 26, 2009, at 18:34:07
Matt, I would just try the brand name for one month and see if you notice a difference. I sure would not hurt to try. If you feel better and have less side effects, great. If you don't feel any different and don't notice a change in side effects, great.
How are you doing on sertraline so far? Any side effects? How are you feeling?
Posted by MattSanz on July 27, 2009, at 15:51:12
In reply to Re: Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by morganpmiller on July 26, 2009, at 21:21:04
I've been on sertraline for 5 weeks, 4 on 75mg and 1 on 100mg. I don't have any side effects but don't feel like its working either. Still very depressed and anxious.
Posted by atypical on July 30, 2009, at 17:26:51
In reply to Re: Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by MattSanz on July 27, 2009, at 15:51:12
Your dose may be too low. 150mg, for me, was the therapeutic dose.
Posted by morganpmiller on July 30, 2009, at 22:11:49
In reply to Re: Sertraline vs Brand Name Zoloft, posted by MattSanz on July 27, 2009, at 15:51:12
So no improvement whatsoever? No side effects, no activating effects like pupil dilation?
Give it time. I know it's hard to be patient. You really should try to give it at least 8 weeks.
This is the end of the thread.
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