anyone know of a good generic antidepressant

[ABliske]

AAAAhhh... I have a high deductible for name brand presciptions. I was going to take Effexor, but it's too much $. My Dr. wants to prescribe gabapentin (a generic antidepressant) 3 X a day and it's 300mg!!! That seems like too much. The Effexor was only 75 mg. I don't like what I read about the gabapentin.
Isn't there a generic antidepressant? I don't want it to necessarily treat pain. I need it for depression, which I'm not sure my Dr. gets. I am so frustrated. There must be a ton of stuff out there. Am I wrong?

[Goldfinch]

There are tons of antidepressants out there in a variety of classifications. Some, like Prozac, have a generic (fluoxetine.) I don't know which others also have generics. However, finding the antidepressant that works best for each person can be a careful matter of trial and error and a doctor should start you on a low dose and monitor you for the first few weeks or months, depending on how it goes.

A good doctor should base the decision on which one to try on your symptoms and family history. Most therapists will ask you if family members take antidepressants and which work for them and which don't, since there is some correlation. Many primary care docs don't seem to bother with that question, but it's worth some thought. Many antidepressants don't start to work for weeks, so it can take some patience to find the right one for you.

[jenjen05]

There are so very many kinds of antidepressants. They have different modes of how they work.

The most widely prescribed are Lexapro, Effexor, Elavil, Cymbalta, Addreall, Wellbutrin. I would suggest you putting each of these into wikipedia and reading about how they work and common dosages. Then take this information, decide what ones you might want to try, and go to your doctor and tell him you researched it and would like to know what he thinks about you possibly taking one of the ones you researched.

Make your doctor listen that you don't want it for pain!

[orchid53]

Different drugs require different dosages to be effective. So even though he wanted to give you 75mg of Effexor, that has no correlation to prescribing 300mg for gabapentin. Gabapentin is the generic name. THere are a lot of anti-depressants out that all work differently and your doctor should be able to prescribe one based on your needs. If necessary, ask your doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. For info on drugs try http://crazymeds.us/ or drugs.com

I suggest talking to your doctor again; I've found the best way to do this is to write down your concerns and needs and give it to the doctor to go over, so you don't forget anything.

[Weskie]

There's always Saint John's Wort. This is an herb, and you can buy it in tablets, capsules, or tinctures. I don't know what degree of depression you have--Saint John's Wort is mild, but it does give you a boost if you're not seriously depressed. I am on Celexa, 20 mg/day, and if I feel myself going a bit "over the edge", I'll take Saint John's Wort in addition for a few days. I'm lucky in that I don't have to wait weeks for antidepressants to take effect--I notice the difference almost right away. I believe there are instructions NOT to take Saint John's Wort with a prescription antidepressant, but I've never had a problem. It's been a big help at the times when I've needed a little something extra. I've never had any side effects from it. Celexa is a different story--I have urinary retention from it (as I have with every antidepressant I've tried!).

[rgreen]

He was going to give you gabapentin for depression? I'm sorry, I work in a pharmacy and I have never heard of it being used for depression.

There are a lot of different medications out there though, he could put you on the generic for Zoloft which is Sertraline, that is the most commonly prescribed medication generically for depression, of course Prozac is the old fashioned medication that comes generic (Fluoxetine) some forms of Wellbutrin have also gone generic, so you could ask about that. I work in a doctor's office as well as a pharmacy and I know that recently a patient could not get the Effexor because of price and we switched that person over to Zoloft (Sertraline) So maybe ask him/her about that??

It's totally up to the doctor, some doctor's are just more familiar and more comfortable prescribing certain medications for certain diagnosis. I honestly though have never heard of the gabapentin being used for depression.

Generic wise I will try to do a quick run through off the top of my head:

Zoloft (Sertraline)
Prozac (Fluoxetine)
Paxil (Paroxetine) -I'm not sure if the CR is out generic yet.
Wellbutrin (Bupropion) -I'm not sure if the XL is out generic yet.
Elavil (Amitryptiline)
Remeron (Mirtazapine)
Trazaodone

All of those are generic antidepressents but you also have to remember there are different classes of antidepressants so you really need to run it by your doctor. But you can call him/her and tell them you've researched generic drugs, would you benefit from any of them instead? There are SSRI, MAOI, and Tricyclic types of medications used for depression. I hope this helps somewhat, but call your doctor and see if they can put you on a generic.

Good luck!

[rgreen]

AAAAhhh... I have a high deductible for name brand presciptions. I was going to take Effexor, but it's too much $. My Dr. wants to prescribe gabapentin (a generic antidepressant) 3 X a day and it's 300mg!!! That seems like too much. The Effexor was only 75 mg. I don't like what I read about the gabapentin.
Isn't there a generic antidepressant? I don't want it to necessarily treat pain. I need it for depression, which I'm not sure my Dr. gets. I am so frustrated. There must be a ton of stuff out there. Am I wrong?


Oh and just something to add to my previous post...I am not sure if/what your urinary problems are if you have any, but some antidepressants have been known to put people into retention so if you have a history of retention you may want to let the MD know this.

They put me on Elavil for my IC and I went right into retention.

I just want to make an addendum...I do recall gabapentin being used as an anti-depressant. (It drove me nuts that your MD prescribed it so I did research later on) When it FIRST came on the market greater than 10 years ago, it was put on the market for depression, however studies were showing it worked less for depression and more for any terms of nerve pain. I just wanted to correct myself! Sorry about that. I have never seen it used for anything other than nerve pain/pain in general.

[orchid53]

I don't know if the OP is on birth control, but you should not take St John's Wort with hormonal birth control. Additionally, if you do take St John's Wort, you should inform your doctor as I do believe it has some effect on serotonin which is what a lot of antidepresants effect; you don't want too much of it. It can have side effects, too (all herbal supplements can!, please be sure to read before you try them).

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/ataglance.htm

[sissygirl]

I am on the generic version of Celexa, the older version of Lexapro. My doctor suggested it as it is often well tolerated and has been used extensively in Europe for a long time. But I agree with previous posters that everyone's body chemistry is different and some trial and error is involved: I am doing great on Celexa, but I couldn't tolerate Paxil XR.....

[Briza]

Hi
I've tried my share of the ssri and snri antidepressants and absolutely I prefer to take one that comes in generic form for financial reasons whether I have insurance prescription program or not,...generics always the most cost effective way to go, and tho that obviously should not be the sole reason for trying a med that could very well be effective, worrying about $$ can only add to depression and anxiety...so finding one that comes in generic form and works for you always good in my experience!:)

Four that I can remember that I have tried that come in generic form and my experience with them are:

Prozac (the very first antidep I tried and definitely works best for me of ANY antidep I have tried since without any side effects at 20 or 40 mg)
Celexa (didn't help me but did not cause any side effects...can't remember the dose...I took it for at least 2 months)
Zoloft (had some zombie-like feeling side effects but nothing overly intolerable and did not made me feel sick or ill but b/c of the side effects did not continue with after the 2 wk point and returned to Prozac, so can't say how it may have worked for my depression and anxiety had I stuck it out to see if side effects may have gone away w/ continued use)
Wellbutrin (no side effects and no results...took for 3 months in additon to Prozac, can't remember the dose)


After experimenting with other anitdeps, I always return to Prozac as that seems to be the only one that keeps me on an even keel and causes me no side effects. Wellbutrin and Prozac come in capsule form, Celexa, Zoloft come in white tablet/caplet form if I remember correctly For those who may be sensitive to capsules or the dyes in capsules, Prozac and Wellbutrin may be an issue. I do not seem to be bladder sensitive to meds, capsules, and dyes in particular and have so far had no issue with such things. Usually Prozac is in a pretty brightly two colored capsule and it causes me no problems.

I also take a low dose of Elavil it at a different privately owned pharmacy and it was a small turquoise green tab. Again, I did not have a problem with whatever was used for whatever reason to make it that green color.

Hope this is of any help for those trying to navigate the should I try this or that med and should I avoid b/c of dyes and such. But like several others have already posted, it is usually trial and error to find antidep that works for each individual. I was very lucky that Prozac was the one I tried first and it worked like a charm.

I do again have insurance and a good Rx program...but my generics are $10/month. But with the $4 programs such as Walmart and other pharmacies offer these days I am able to pay just $4 for a monthly script of Prozac and several other of my generic meds in my treatment plan...6 bucks less than what my insurance covers. :)

[ABliske]

Thank you all for your imput!!!!!! I love this site. I was definitely questioning the gabapentin because on Wikipedia it said that studies of its use as an anti-depression showed it to be ineffective.
The St. John's Wort was suggested by my husband, but if it can interfere with bc, I don't want to take it.
I am thinking of possibly trying the generic for Prozac. My sister took it for a short stint and it helped a lot! I also may ask about Sertraline, if my Dr. doesn't want to do the Prozac one. I am so timid about calling my Dr. It's worth it though - I think. The Effexor was great so I even considered forking up the $. But if I could get a generic at Target with the $4 program it would save a small fortune which is especially important at this time!!!!!!!
Thank you!!!

[sissygirl]

I love this site, too, tho a relative newcomer :) My doctor told me having a close relative that responded well to a certain antidepressant is a good sign it might work for the patient too...In my case, I was lucky to have an identical twin who had used SSRIs before...I was timid about calling my doctor too, but learned it is well worth it to be a good self-advocate. Best of luck!

[sweetunknown_1]

hi i don't knopw if this helps but I was on paroxetine and it worked for me for years(i was on it till i did so well iwas able to stop taking atidepressents but once i came out of remission after hast ving my son I had to start over again) i was then on it for a year to 18 months and now am switching over duloxetine i just started the process(paroxetine goes down and the duloxetine goes up).
four days (thursday) before i had gone two the dentist and felt some pain(what i thought was the usual flaire; the next day (friday) while at a diff. appointment I started flairing again only to my surprise it turned into my nightmare flaires. Excrutiating pain to where I can't breath or move and just do any imagry, relaxation, techniques, and heating pads, or pills if nessesary(I didn't have any more). So I scheduled the only appoinment I could get to see any doctor for the pain. I lay in the waiting area for a hour (they refused me a heating pad or anything warm because of lawsuits) till they finally called me. I went back and the doctor did not know exactly what to do. he gave me some kind of shot in my rear (i did not feel a change at all and was sending me off after an hour of no change, I was in so much pain I fell cause it hurt to move, the nurse caught me and helped me back into the room. she went to the doctor and he sent me off with two oxycodiene (one for then and one for later) with acetiminophen. I went and got my prescription and it was gabapentin i was told to take it asap. surprisingly it helped not with the pain but it aleviated my anxiety and gave me a numbing feeling. I still felt all the pain but I could deal with it sortof. It was strange and different well I went to my behavioral health doctor on monday and he told me it was interesting that I had run across it like that. He said that gavapentineither works or it does not. So now I am on it and seeing if it will work. my disorder is not a depression but an worry-anxiety disorder. I hope this is not to long but It seemed better to tell it like it was rather than cut short. I hope that this helps. The point I guess is that we are all different and things work different. sometimes just trying something unusuall may be a help in the end I guess. Talk with your doctor and see what he/she has to say. my urologist does not like me but I still listen to her and I hope she keeps an open mind to me. also I feel that our disease is affected not only by our body but our mind and our soul. your doctors should work together. request them to send an email or update to your other doctors. my behavior help doctor is trying to work on that with my other doctors for me and I think he has a good point. well I hope this helps. oh yeah we still have no idea what caused the flair I think it was the dentist shots the day before but I am trying to stay relaxed and the gabapentin seems to take the edge off... :help:

[curlycue]

I dont know if your Ins. will cover it but Prozac is generic. Hey do you ladies know if antidepressants make you gain weight.

[rgreen]

I dont know if your Ins. will cover it but Prozac is generic. Hey do you ladies know if antidepressants make you gain weight.

Quite a few antidepressants make you gain weight as well as lose your sexual drive, those are 2 main side effects to antidepressants.

[DianeRN]

As far as I know, gabapentin is neurontin. It helps with nerve pain, but not an antidepressant. I've been on Celexa, the generic for of Lexapro and it's the best antidepressant I've found. No weight gain, etc.