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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by medtrier on August 19, 2010, at 13:28:16
Hi!
I am wondering if anyone has any info about generic parnate, as far as how it compares to the name brand. I have heard a lot of claims that generic parnate (along with other specific generics), don't work nearly as well as the name-brand, have more side effects, etc. A lot may have to do with this whole "20 percent rule" for bioavailabity. Generic parnate has only been around for 4 years.
I started to feel a little better on 60 mg./day of the generic (following 3 weeks of almost nothing on the 30 mg./ day). I've been on 60/day for a week. The doc says I should keep at this dose for 4 more weeks.
The generic would cost 200 dollars, whereas name brand would be 300. but 100 dollars is a small price to pay to finally feel good for a change. I've gone through so many meds with no success. And who knows? Maybe it's because some of them were generic
Posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2010, at 13:49:14
In reply to More info on Generic Parnate issue, posted by medtrier on August 19, 2010, at 13:28:16
Personally I agree can't believe generic is so close in price as namebrand. Didn't know recently it had become generic. Have a feeling we will see more and more generics. Some they work for some they don't. Don't take parnate but namebrand meds have worked best for me. Phillipa ps and welcome to babble if new!!!
Posted by emmanuel98 on August 19, 2010, at 20:43:17
In reply to More info on Generic Parnate issue, posted by medtrier on August 19, 2010, at 13:28:16
Well I take generic tranylcypromine and it works just fine. I've never tried the brand, nor would my insurance cover it.
Posted by Tomatheus on August 19, 2010, at 21:13:16
In reply to More info on Generic Parnate issue, posted by medtrier on August 19, 2010, at 13:28:16
medtrier,
Hello, and welcome to Psycho-Babble. I think I recall reading a few anecdotal reports on this site and elsewhere of patients switching from the GlaxoSmithKline Parnate to the generic that's manufactured by Par Pharmaceutical company. If my memory serves me correctly, the patients whose reports I read described the generic Parnate as being just as effective as the name brand.
I never tried the generic version of Parnate manufactured by Par, but I did try both the GlaxoSmithKline version and the Goldshield version manufactured for the U.K. market and noticed a difference between the two. I found the GlaxoSmithKline version to be very stimulating the first day I took it, but after that the main thing I noticed was a strong feeling of fatigue during the afternoon. I only got as far as 20 mg and discontinued the medication because the fatigue was interfering with my ability to attend the daytime classes that I was taking at the time. With the Goldshield version of tranylcypromine, I basically went into remission for about three days on the medication before my depressive symptoms returned. When I increased the dose, I again had my symptoms go into remission for a few days only to return again. Although Goldshield's version of tranylcypromine had a potent antidepressant effect (which only lasted for a few days), I noticed neither the stimulating effect nor the fatigue that I experienced on the GlaxoSmithKline Parnate. They really felt like two different drugs, and I know that other patients on this board reported noticing a difference between the GlaxoSmithKline version and the Goldshield version.
I should probably clarify that the Goldshield version that I took is not the generic version of Parnate that's available in the United States. That version is manufactured by Par Pharmaceutical company, and as I mentioned earlier, everything that I've read online about it (which isn't much) suggests that it's comparable to the GlaxoSmithKline Parnate in terms of both effectiveness and side effects. What I think is most important is that you're starting to notice some improvement on the generic Parnate that you're taking. I think it would be a good idea to give the medication another four weeks as your doctor suggested to see if you notice any more benefits.
Tomatheus
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