Is This All in My Head?

Updated on August 12, 2011
S.J. asks from Cherryville, MO
4 answers

I have generic versions of my sinus meds as well as my allergy meds.

When I take the "brand name" version of said meds, I feel great and they work well.

When I take the "generic version" of sinus pills, I feel shaky and strange, and it doesn't clear up my sinus headache as well. With the allergy pills, I notice if I am not taking the name brand, my eyes itch and I don't feel as much relief.

I know I am not imagining this. It took me a while to figure out why I felt this way, until I made the connection, so I don't think it is a placebo effect where I tell myself, "this doesn't work as well" and then it doesn't. But maybe it is?

As I understand it, the only difference between name brand and generic is the INACTIVE ingredients, right? So what gives? Anyone else experience this?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Michelle! You are hilarious. You would think as long as I have been on this site I would know how to remove a duplicate post. Anyone?

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Portland on

Not exactly, but I will say that the generic allegra doesn't seem to work very well for me--just not as effective, which is odd. My friend who is a pharmacist and also has a Ph. D. in chemistry says the generic and brand names are TOTALLY different, so it's not in your head!

3 moms found this helpful

L.G.

answers from Eugene on

You can be allergic to the "inert" ingredients. I had asthma for many years. The propellent in cheaper versions of albuterol gave me asthma. That is it made it worse instead of better.
So although the other brands were cheaper I had to stick with the most expensive one. Today I am asthma free --five great years-- due to homeopathy.
Until you find a really good homeopath use the brand name pills even though they cost more they work which is what you want.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Dallas on

SInce you posted it twice I think maybe it IS all in your head!!

hehehhehehe Just kidding I promise!

I don't think I have ever paid close enough attention. I know I look for certain drugs in my sinus meds that work best for me... sometimes I have to take more than it says to get relief, no matter the brand.. and I have tried alot.. I got sinus issues from heck!

I

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.E.

answers from Richmond on

I can take alomost all generics and not notice the difference however the pharmacist recently changed my birth control pills to generic and I had major problem. The doc told me it was from the generic and I didn't believe it...I switched back and forth a few times and sure enough it was the generic. So I would say it is not in your head...something in the generic ingredients must not agree with you.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions