I had two new drug changes made by my psych. in the last week

#1 - he switched me from Effexor XR to Venlafaxine ER, same doses. The Venlafaxine had a $20 increase in co-pay, which I was pissed about. Anyone have an idea why this change was made? I completely forgot to ask him today since we were talking about so many other things. He made the change last week when I put in a refill request for my Effexor.

#2 - Today I was prescribed Abilify. I would really appreciate some first-hand accounts on how this med has/has not helped anyone out here. I am hoping it's going to help my depression since the 450mg of Effexor/Venlafaxine doesn't do it. I also had my Trazodone upped to 200mg. Still taking 2mg of clonazepam a day.

Thanks for any input!!

Effexor is venlafaxine, so I don't understand that.

As far as the Effexor goes, I got a notice this month that my insurance won't pay for it anymore & I need to switch to Venlafaxine, the generic by June. Generics should cost less for us, so I don't know why you're paying more.

I asked my psych. about it and he said there was a generic version available, so maybe Walgreens ripped me off? They are supposed to fill generic whenever possible. Hmmm...

I found this:

http://depression.emedtv.com/effexor/generic-effexor.html

What About Generic Effexor XR Tablets?
There is a generic version of venlafaxine XR that comes in tablet form (as opposed to Effexor XR, which comes in capsule form). When taken with food, this medication should act just like Effexor XR (it should have the same absorption and should last as long). However, this medication is technically not equivalent to Effexor XR and is approved only for the treatment of depression and social anxiety disorder; it is not approved for generalized anxiety disorder or for panic disorder.

I took Abilify for a short time. I developed the side effect my CNP called akisthasia (sp?). Which is restlessness and general antsy feeling. It increased my anxiety, not a good thing. I hope that makes sense. Not everyone experiences those side effects. If you do, you will know why. Before I experienced the negative effects I felt like a fog had been lifted from my world. The med had the potential to help me, maybe? Good luck.

And like the others, regarding Venlafaxine, I'm confused as to why you're paying more for a generic.

I ended up experiencing the same thing from the Abilify. Which is why I was hesitant to try a new drug called Geodon. I have no side effects from it, though - it's a great anti-psychotic if you ask me.

Now I am on:
450mg Effexor XR
60mg Geodon twice a day, 40mg at bedtime
2mg clonazepam
300mg Trazodone
12.5mg Ambien CR

when will the madness end?

When will the madness end?.....probably when they drop the box.seriously,I couldn't agree more with your opinion on klonopin

i got a letter stating they would charge me 50 for effexor or generic and to request to switch back to sertaline (zoloft), so i had to bc i cant afford 50 esch month. jerks@ i hate insurance companies sorry im in a bad mood today

If I get generic venlafaxine tablets, it's $10. Brand name Effexor XR is $40. Generic venlafaxine ER, because it is not in the formulary, is $60. Right now I'm on the ER's because my co-pays are capped until January. Then I go back to taking the tablets twice a day.