Each antidepressant has an approved generic name. If this drug is manufactured by several companies at once, then each of them can be sold under different names.
If a manufacturing company of psychotropic drugs produces generic versions of a particular antidepressant, then it should be therapeutically equivalent to the original. Generic antidepressant should not have any differences from the brand name psychotropic drug and it usually corresponds to the original in all features, namely:
- the provided effect;
- dosage of active ingredient;
- mechanism of action;
- method of application;
- indications for use;
- side effects.
Names of generic and brand name antidepressant may differ, because they have different manufacturers. This often leads to confusion. When buying an antidepressant, some patients cannot decide what kind of drug to choose.
Names of the original antidepressants and their generics are usually an easy to remember and pronounce word or a combination of words that may contain name of the active ingredient or similar to it. For example, an antidepressant Paroxetine of a class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be marketed under the names Paroxetine, Paxil and Paroxetine Hydrochloride.
In recent years, the US pharmaceutical market has changed dramatically and patients most often prefer to buy generic drugs instead of brand name medications. Patients are mainly prescribed with generic drugs, rather than original antidepressants, which are cheaper, but work the same.
Manufacturers of generic versions of psychotropic drugs do not set price on antidepressants, so it may vary at different pharmacies. The lowest retail prices on antidepressants are on online pharmacies, compare prices to buy an antidepressant at a bargain price.
When the depressed patient wants to buy a generic on online pharmacy, he can consult a pharmacist just as at a regular pharmacy to choose the appropriate drug for himself. The pharmacist can answer any patient questions, including those related to health insurance, which often helps to save on buying an antidepressant.
No matter whom you consult a doctor or a pharmacist of online pharmacy, tell about the medications you are taking and about features of depressive disorder before buying an antidepressant. It is necessary to take antidepressants, as indicated in the drug label not exceeding the maximum dosage of a psychotropic drug.