I have a question about a brand name RX vs a generic RX and need a website or source to research it. Anyone have ideas?

The story is that I was told by a Pharmacist Intern at a chain Drugstore that my dd's Effexor XR capsules are not available in generic form. You can get generic tablets but they work differently. My issue is that we HAVE some generic capsules in the cupboard, that we had ordered from Canada (our GP faxed the RX to them). The brand name drug is $160 per month. The generic is $30. What is the deal here????

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"It's not about how much baggage you have, it's about whether or not you can carry your own baggage with grace and dignity."

My DH is a pharmacist but he just left for work so I can't ask him right now, but I would just call a different pharmacy. Make sure you are speaking to a pharmacist, not a tech or an intern, and ask your question. Don't get off the phone with them until your question has been answered to your satisfaction.

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I've had a Foreman Grill for about six years. I've done about 85% of my cooking on it, but I've never burnt myself. Probably because I don't use it as a pillow.

that is correct, there is venlafaxine er tablets (generic) but they are not considered AB rated to effexor xr caplets due to their release mechanism of the drug - meaning the pharmacist cannot interchange the two without approval from the doc, technically they are a completely different drug. There is no generic effexor xr CAPSULES available or approved in the US. Hope that helps - I'm a long-time (8 years) pharmacy tech and also a graduate pharmacy student.

Thank you for the replies....do you know why the generic effexor xr capsules are not approved in the US? or when they will be? Or is this more of a political discussion than medical?

My dd is trying to get county medical aid (part time student with a child), so our tax dollars would be going to pay for the more expensive brand name drug rather than the generic.........

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"It's not about how much baggage you have, it's about whether or not you can carry your own baggage with grace and dignity."

Call a local pharmacist on the phone.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I take effexor xr capsules. I've also taken the tablets. I much prefer the extended effects of the effexor xr. Generic effexor doesn't do a lot for me.

There are other ant-depressants that do have generic form. And are less expensive.
Effexor is a hard drug to withdraw from, however, it's been the only one that has worked on my generalized anxiety and depression. You might want to have your DD discuss w/ her treating MD as to whether there is another drug she can try.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"