Being given different brands of medication

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I'm on Citalopram, but there seems to be one brand that works whilst the others don't

Could I insist that they give me the brand that I prefer? It's having a real impact on my mental health. Even dh notices when I'm not on the right one and I feel very irritable and down.

I'm planning on speaking to the pharmacist, but they'll probably be like because they always are over stuff like this. I remember all the hassle over people not being able to get Epilim and swearing that the generic stuff just wasn't the same, even though, chemically it was.

Sorry nobody has replied to you OP. If it's the actual brand you want, ie. Cipramil, then the only way you can guarantee it is by getting it prescribed by that name and not generically, ie. as citalopram. There is a huge price difference in between brands and generics, which is why pharmacies have to dispense the cheapest as that's what they get paid for by the NHS (otherwise they would be out of pocket IYSWIM). If it's one generic version that you prefer to others, do speak to your pharmacist. They may well be sympathetic and will make a note in your record and keep it in for you - I have done this in the past for certain patients, but it is only possible where there isn't a significant price difference.

HTH.

I always check what the pharmacy is planning to issue before giving them the prescription and if I dont like their brand or they dont have the full quantity in stock I go to a different pharmacy and this has worked fine for me so far but am not sure if mine have price difference but certainly taste different.

May not help if no pharmacy have your brand but I often ring round pharmacies for my DC's medication before setting out but we have a wide choice of pharmacies although they are gradually being taken over by Boots.

BBB's right, you need to talk to your GP and explain that you want a prescription for the brand that works for you.

I had a horrible experience when my pharmacist tried to switch my regular medicine over to generic. My GP had always written the prescription in the drug name, not the brand name, but neither he nor I had realised it had come off-licence so generics had just become available. The thing is generics aren't all the same as the branded drug - it's not as easy as swapping Nurofen for ibuprofen in all cases. With my medicine, it could have made a huge difference. I checked the ingredients and the generic form had a warning about a common food allergen that isn't in the branded form either.

The pharmacist was completely unreasonable and refused to listen to my pleas. He must have KNOWN with this class of medicines and this medicine in particular bioavailability is very important, but didn't give a toss. I spent a day ringing the hospital and my GP to sort it out, frightened that I'd have to take the shitty drug and risk real damage. Bastard pharmacist couldn't care less. GP was horrified and very apologetic when I finally got hold of them.

I wrote an email to my GP and pharmacy explaining that I didn't feel like my medication was working properly and that I was sure it was something to do with the brand I had received (different from usual). GP wrote me a new prescription and within a couple of weeks I felt much better and thought nothing of it (maybe it was all in my mind?!)

However, a few months later someone on MN posted a letter about this brand of tablet being discontinued - the company's license to produce it was withdrawn - due to complaints from patients that it didn't work as well as others!

I sent the link to my GP to show that I wasn't making it up, and I like to think that my complaint may have helped to influence the decision to withdraw this substandard brand. Definitely talk to your GP and the pharmacy.

Like gastro, I have been checking which brand they stock before fulfilling my prescription, but luckily now its not an issue!