Switching from brand-name to generic psychotropic medications: a literature review.
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.
McGill University Health Centre, Allan Memorial Institute, Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Montreal, QC, Canada. julie.desmarais@mail.mcgill.ca
Julie Eve
JE
Desmarais
Linda
L
Beauclair
Howard C
HC
Margolese
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs