ESCITALOPRAM

[Phogan]

Is Escitalopram the same drug as Lexam? I take Lexam but unfortunately I have run out of it for the last couple days. I will fill my script tomorrow but was just wondering if the drugs were the same, only marketed under different names.

[Hidden]

Hi Phogan. I looked up info on the website healthdirect.gov.au as I know you live there. It said clearly that they are the same drug. Lexam is the brand name and escitalopram is the generic version. I also checked some other replies and sites where anecdotal info from people taking Lexam reported various problems when taking the generic forms of Lexam. Two pharmaceutical companies were mentioned in posts as being particularly ineffective in the generic form. They were Teva and Mylan. So to answer your question Lexam and Escitalopram are the same. Having said that I want to share my story about dealing with these two companies: Lexam is for anxiety and I also take an anti-anxiety med-(Xanax-Brand name/ alprazolam-generic). Not the same as Lexam but in the same category. I used to take the brand one-Xanax- then about a year ago-filled my Rx with a generic version. I felt a subtle difference-not as effective in the generic version. Here in the US when a Rx is filled the pharmacy also has the pharmaceutical company listed on the bottle. I noticed on my generic bottle that Teva was the company of the generic that didn't work so well. I spoke to the pharmacist and for my next refill used a different generic company-Mylan. (Apparently these companies are common for generic anti-anxiety meds.) Their version didn't work as well either. I again spoke to my pharmacist and he gave me a piece of info I was not aware of. Apparently (at least in the US-don't know re other countries) that generic drugs by law have a margin of error of 20% that they are allowed regarding matching ingredient amounts to the Brand drug. So this meant I was getting either 20% more or 20% less (a spread of 40%) of the Brand med in my generic substitution. To me, this is a significant difference of med that I might not be getting.It explained why the 2 generics. weren't helping me as much as the brand. Before I investigated I was worried that I might have to ask for a higher dose which would appear it was my problem with dosages. I didn't want to do this especially with a controlled substance drug. I'm really happy I thought to investigate. I went back to paying a little more for the brand version and have had no problems since. Have been on the same small dose for several years and don't want to appear 'drugseeking' -because a generic company is skimping on ingredients-probably to increase their profit margin. Sorry to be so lengthy but I wanted to be clear and thorough with my info. Hope this helps! "Long live Big Pharma!!!!!!! (Not really). It might be interesting to google generic requirements of meds in our respective countries. My own guess is similar 'sloppy' substitution regulations are more common worldwide than we are aware of as countries all get meds from various parts of the world. Hope this helps. Take care. Burma (irina1975)

[Phogan in reply to Hidden]

Wow .... I thank you so much for your in depth research to find an accurate answer my question. I am having a repeat script made up 2morrow, and I will definitely take your answer with me to show the pharmacist

[Hidden in reply to Phogan]

Happy I could help, Phogan. Take care, Burma

[Hidden]

I take Escitalopram. It works very well for me. How are you doing with yours? Since my neurologist wants me off this for the sake of the RLS tonight will be the first night (and 3rd attempt over the past couple years) at going down.