Document Detail


Switching from brand-name to generic psychotropic medications: a literature review.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21114789     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Generic medications do not undergo the rigorous approval process required of original medications. Their effectiveness and safety is expected to be equal to that of their more expensive counterparts. However, several case reports and studies describe clinical deterioration and decreased tolerability with generic substitution. Pubmed was searched from January 1, 1974 to March 1, 2010. The MeSH term "generic, drugs" was combined with "anticonvulsants,""mood stabilizers,""lithium,""antidepressants,""antipsychotics,""anxiolytics," and "benzodiazepines." Additional articles were obtained by searching the bibliographies of relevant references. Articles in English, French, or Spanish were considered if they discussed clinical equivalence of generic and brand-name medications, generic substitution, or issues about effectiveness, tolerability, compliance, or economics encountered with generics. Clinical deterioration, adverse effects, and changes in pharmacokinetics are described with generic substitution of several anticonvulsants/mood stabilizers (carbamazepine, valproate, lamotrigine, gabapentin, topiramate, lithium), antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram, sertraline, venlafaxine, mirtazapine, bupropion), antipsychotics (risperidone, clozapine), and anxiolytics (clonazepam, alprazolam). Generics do not always lead to the anticipated monetary savings and also raise compliance issues. Although the review is limited by publication bias and heterogeneity of the studies in the literature, we believe there is enough concern to advise generic switching on an individual basis with close monitoring throughout the transition. Health professionals should be aware of the stakes around generic substitution especially when health economics promote universal use of generics.
Authors:
Julie Eve Desmarais; Linda Beauclair; Howard C Margolese
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-11-30
Journal Detail:
Title:  CNS neuroscience & therapeutics     Volume:  17     ISSN:  1755-5949     ISO Abbreviation:  CNS Neurosci Ther     Publication Date:  2011 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-11-28     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101473265     Medline TA:  CNS Neurosci Ther     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  750-60     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Affiliation:
McGill University Health Centre, Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Canada.
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