Femara vs generic brand

GrandmaJ
GrandmaJ Member Posts: 209
in Breast Cancer #1
I have been on Femara for 19 months and the side effects have not been too bad except for some weight gain. Because I fell into the Medicare "donut hole" I was forced to get my Femara from a mail order company in Missouri. Its the generic form of Femara.

Since then I have been noticing even more weight gain and bouts of depression the day after I take the pill.

Just wondered if anyone else noticed a difference between the generic form of medications and the "real thing".

Thanks,
Judy

Comments

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #2
    I had a year and a half of
    I had a year and a half of Femara before I went to the Generic in Aug.. Alll my Drs have said in this case it's the same and I honestly can't say I've had any differences since I went to generic 8n Aug.

    Susan
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #3
    Rague said:

    I had a year and a half of
    I had a year and a half of Femara before I went to the Generic in Aug.. Alll my Drs have said in this case it's the same and I honestly can't say I've had any differences since I went to generic 8n Aug.

    Susan

    no problems here
    I've been on since April 1 witn no problems even after the switch. Day after you take the pill? Not everyday?
  • ManWithaMission
    ManWithaMission Member Posts: 497
    #4
    Generic Femara
    Judy, I was started on Femara in January of 2011 untill I was switched over(can't remember when I switched)to the generic form,Letrozole. The only side affects I've experanced from either form was weight gain. I'd gained about 25 lbs. since January. As far as any dpression, my doctors have me on an anti-depressent(40mg Citalopram: generic for Celexa)for that. Matter of fact, they started me on anti-depressents from day one.

    Started a weight-loss program for the "extra" pounds and seeing a psychiatrist once a month for the depression.

    Hope this helps you somewhat.

    Robert
  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
    #5
    I went on the generic also
    I really can't tell any difference in the generic form,I still get up in the mornings and can't hardly walk and my wrist hurts and i can't hardly open my hands in the mornings no difference for me just loving every minute on it.LOL~~Mollyz~~
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #6
    Judy
    I switched to the generic a couple of months ago after being on Femera for a year. I have not noticed any difference. I do not have any side effects.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • MGNS
    MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
    #7
    My oncologist switched me
    My oncologist switched me from Femara to Letrozole and the main side effect for both meds has been weight gain. I've gained between 25-30 lbs. and hate being so big. But I just keep telling myself that I've got one year down and only four more of this medication and then I can get back to my comfortable weight. I haven't noticed depression since I'm already on Lexapro for several years. Despite the negative of weight gain, I'm thankful for the positive of clean reports every four months!
    The only positive of weight gain is I've gotten to buy a new wardrobe!!!
  • GrandmaJ
    GrandmaJ Member Posts: 209
    #8
    MGNS said:

    My oncologist switched me
    My oncologist switched me from Femara to Letrozole and the main side effect for both meds has been weight gain. I've gained between 25-30 lbs. and hate being so big. But I just keep telling myself that I've got one year down and only four more of this medication and then I can get back to my comfortable weight. I haven't noticed depression since I'm already on Lexapro for several years. Despite the negative of weight gain, I'm thankful for the positive of clean reports every four months!
    The only positive of weight gain is I've gotten to buy a new wardrobe!!!

    generic femara

    I wanted to see if the generic form was making me depressed, so I skipped a day and of course felt wonderful the next day. ! Maybe its just my imagination. I am already on Lexapro.

    Yes, I have also gained weight from Femara.

    I just saw on PBS channel that mushrooms are an aromatase inhibitor (like Femara). Why can't we just eat mushrooms instead of this awful drug ??? They said one mushroom a day cuts your chance of getting breast cancer again by 70% and 89 % if you also drink green tea.

    Is there anyone out there that got a recurrence while on Femara or Arimidex ?
  • cif
    cif Member Posts: 10
    #9
    brand vs generic Femara

    With blind tests my body has huge difference reaction, on nothing at all body feels great.  We tried the experiments several times and conclusion is regardless the mfr of the generic my side effects so bad end up in wheel chair and various pain meds, on name brand I'm uncomfortable but can bear it.  The difference is huge, but my 6 months access to name brand at generic cost rate has ended and it has just been a few days and I'm heading back to the decision of qualtiy vs quanitiy of life, and the generic side effects is not tolerable.  They are NOT the same.

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