Anyone else on fluoxetine (generic prozac) from Walmart?

I noticed a few weeks ago that the capsule color changed. Also, my prescription btl had a different suffix after the medicine name (used to be CAP BARR, now is CAP LEG). I noticed because I'm beginning to wonder if the med is working for me anymore. I've had a spike in environmental stress lately which could also contribute to reduced effect, but I wanted to see if anyone else on here has:

1) noticed the capsule change
2) noticed any difference in effect.

Please don't worry that I am using this forum as a substitute for my doc - I just want to try to winnow down possible reasons for the change before I meet with her. I know that some generic manufacturers work for some and not for others, but I'd hate to waste my GP's time on it if no-one else noticed anything.

On a semi-related note, here's hoping that everyone who was intrigued enough to click on this post (eg who uses generic fluox from walmart) is doing well, and that my circumstance is not being shared by others.

Cheers and blessings,
Amarie

Hello! I did notice the change in the capsule, but I haven't been on the new one long enough to tell a difference. Mine also went from Barr to Leg. I hope I remember to check back on this thread to check on you!

I'm not on prozac, but I'm on quite a few meds and use the Sam's Club pharmacy (the same network as Walmart - in fact, I can get my Sam's Club scrips filled at any Sam's Club or Walmart), and have experienced the same concern with other medication.

I'm wondering if the BARR and LEG refer to the drug manufacturer. I could be way off on that (however, it would explain the color change, because different manufacturer's use different colors/shapes). The pharmacist would know.

I've had very good luck with Sam's Club and Walmart pharmacy staff. They've been very open about discussing the strengths and weaknesses of different manufacturer's. They've told us when one manufacturer's product is more or less effective than others, or if there's differences that they're aware of. For example, one of my husband's new meds was making him sick, and we talked to the pharmacist and she recommended a different manufacturer's version of the drug, because the one he was given has received a lot more complaints about stomach upset than other companies' versions of the drug. The pharmacist suspected that it was a sensitivity not to the drug, but to the coating on the caplet - so she ordered the drug from another company (still a generic), and took back all of his unused pills.

I worked in pharmacy for 10 years. I am very careful about generic medication. Some of it is okay, but others....not so much.

Did you know generic drug companies are allowed a 20% leeway of active drug in their product? Sometimes it makes a difference - sometimes it does not. Also, as Kaplods mentioned, it is the non-medicinal ingredients in the tab/cap that you may be reacting to.

For example, with Prozac it never made a difference whether it was generic or brand name. With Wellbutrin I went into a panic attack-ridden suicidal spiral when they gave me generic tabs.

I find that ibuprofen (Advil) generic never works well for me - I pay the extra and buy the brand name.

So if you suspect you are feeling a difference, you probably are.

~Choirgirl~

They get the generics from whatever manufacturer is cheapest that ordering cycle so the appearance of the medication may change but they should still work the same. At least that's what Walmart Pharmacist told me about generic Prilosec.

WOW, I did not know there could be up to 20% difference!!!

I did notice the color change but my doctor put me on metformin for pcos at the same time he refilled my fluoxetine so if the new colored pill is giving a new side effect I haven't noticed due to the intense side effects from metformin.

this is a very old thread, i know... but i've scoured the internet & it's the only thing i can seem to find on this.

i've only been on the med for two months, at first i was taking the pills from walgreens which were definitely, right off the bat, working for me.

for my refill i opted for walmart due to the $4 refill. i just put two & two together.... the past week or so, since the switch, i feel like it's not working for me anymore. i am even having (what i guess would be) side effects, like bad headaches every day (& i am not a headache person!) - makes me wonder if i'm going through some sort of withdrawal?? i only take 10mg so if it's not working, i'm probably not getting much of anything into my system.

*SO*

'ihaveaquestion' is my username because i registered just to ask the OP (i didn't see any contact info or i'd have messaged you privately)....

did you ever determine what was going on with this?

i know it could be coincidence, but i feel like going back to walgreens asap for a refill! :/

thanks :-)