I’m using Cipramil (Celexa) chronically for 2 years now (genetic disorder on both sides of my family). This has been the only SRRI which work for me without any problems and without major side-effects. Because of changed rules and regulations on my medical aid recently, I’m compelled now to switch over the generic version of Cipramil named Cilift.

What I want to know is: Have any other members used Cipramil for a long time and then switched over to a generic version of the product? If you did, what was your experience with the new product? Did the generic product work for you and did you experience any new side effects from it? Did you experience any change in the effectiveness etc? I talked with my psychiatrist this morning and he tells me it differs from person to person and I must first try it out. I would just like to hear from other members if there is anyone with personal experience on this.

Thank you,
Suzet

Hi Suzet,

I have not experienced what you are asking, but I do often get the generic brands of medicine when available and thought that they were identical.

I don't know why the generic brand would have anything different in it to cause a change in side effects.

I'ld ask my doctor about this if I were you though, he should know if any ingredients or amounts of the ingredients are different.

I was never offered a generic when I was on Lexapro, well actually the doctor used to just give them to me because he had so many stored up in his office. Must not be a lot of people around here who take Lexapro.

i asked my bil who works for a drug company---he says the only difference is in the "filler" ingredients. the main pharmacology is the same but they may use different filler ingredients. now the question is will you react differently to the filler things?

Nico and weaver, thanks for your replies. The pharmacist and psychiatrist indeed told me that the generic brand has the same active ingredient and only differ is the “filler” ingredients (like colorants, preservatives etc). So I hope that I will not react differently on the filler ingredients… This morning my psychiatrist told me that I first need to try it out and see how it works. He said some patients switch over to the generic brand without any complications or problems, but that in the past, other patients have started having side effects on it and some patients even experienced set-backs to their original states (depression, OCD or whatever). I just hate the idea that I will experience problems again if the generic brand don’t work for me. I’m extremely sensitive to any physiatric medications and as I’ve said, so far Cipramil has been the only product that work 100% successful for me… However, if I might have problems with the generic brand, my psychiatrist just have to write a “motivation letter” to the medical aid and then I can switch back to the original one again if necessary. I will see how it goes.