Hi- I was just on Pristiq for a year and it stopped working for me about 5 months ago so I finally decided it is time to try something else...I went in today and he prescribed me Paxil CR but the pharmacy gave me the generic...is there a difference? He told me to get the non-generic so it won't cause weight gain..? So will I gain weight with this?

Also I have ADD and have not started any meds for it yet but in 3 weeks he will put me on Adderall.

Hi jandl,

I'm sure the generic pill has exactly the same chemical makeup as the Name Brand and is probably much cheaper. Therefore, it makes no sense (IMHO) to say that one causes weight gain and the other not. Also, I am not convinced that paroxetine directly causes weight gain. I know it produces extreme tiredness/lethargy in me which can prevent me from taking exercise and gives me more time to slob about the house eating things which cause weight gain. That's my theory anyway.

This post has been edited by adorabelle: Oct 17 2009, 12:26 PM

hello jandl!

if your Dr wants you to take the name brand, your pharmacy will most likely require for him to write down Name Brand Only on the prescription note or have them call the Dr's office so they can clear things up. If you read the long forms pharmacies give you before you agree to all that, it usually states on what their procedures are about brand name.

You know for me it is trial and error with generics along with namebrand, maybe its all in my head but not all generics do the same for me as do brand name. It does effect everyone differently.



This post has been edited by adorabelle: Oct 17 2009, 12:26 PM

Hi,

I doubt seriously that there is any difference in weight gain between the name brand and the generic. I have been on both at one time or another, and yes, Paxil causes weight gain no matter what form it is in.

Did the pharmacy give you the generic of Paxil CR, I think its called paroxetine ER, or just the plain paroxetine? There may be some reason your doctor wants you on the controlled release version. That is what I am on right now.

Whatever form you start on - generic, name brand, controlled-release, etc. - you need to make sure you stick with. If you are sensitive like me and many others, switching from one to another may mess you up. Been there done that. Don't let the pharmacy "sneak" a new generic in on you when you've been used to one thing.

Good luck.

Oh, and yes, if you need the brand name, your doctor will need to write "Dispense As Written" on it.