Has anyone here ever had negative side effects taking zoloft's generic version called sertraline?

i know generic version of the zoloft is much cheaper, but to me it seems like it is cheap for a reason. i've had negative side effects taking its generic version called sertraline. these are some of the negative side effects: more OCD, ear problems (ringing/buzzing/not sure if it's the ear but it could be any where near my head), muscle aches, etc.

Another thing is when I miss a day or two of taking my medication, I seem to not feel well when I'm on the Sertraline. But when I was taking the Zoloft a year or two ago, when I miss it for a day or two I feel not as bad. There has to be a chemical difference between the two, and I am not too happy why the two are being marketed as the same medicine, but different names (one generic, the other "brand name"). Any other medical/or non-medical alternatives I can take?

I don't think the generic is best for you. I think you should ask your doctor to write "daw" (dispense as written) on your prescriptions so that you get the brand name zoloft. I notice that I have increased OCD behavior on the generic too.

I did not have side effects when I took this one. However, it did not work for me. Medication effects us all differently. There are things you should be doing for yourself, aside from medicine and counseling. You may not feel like it at first, over time it will make you feel better and you will look forward to it. Eat 6 small well balanced portions a day, exercise, and Breath get enough sleep (not too much though, it will make you feel worse). This will help you physically and mentally. I am assuming you have depression. If you do, try listening to cheerful or peppy music, dance, sing, go out in the sunlight, watch a comedy, go out and do something (even if it's go to a park or for a walk), talk to friends and family, make new friends, etc. Also, study and apply positive thinking and improving your self esteem. It works for me. I have a lot of different disorders. GL

I had a heap of side effects on both of them, but the side effects and the severity are different for everyone. There shouldn't be any difference between the two though. Its possible it was just a coincidence and there was something else giving you the side effects on the generic version. Usually with both the medications the side effects should settle down after a couple of weeks unless is one that is not suitable for you. If the side effects remain on either of them, you should talk to your doctor and he could reccomend another antidepressant for you. When you stop taking the medication for a day or two it will cause the side effects to come back if you suffered at the start, and again the generic shouldn't be any different. As for alternatives, diet can often be important, eating regular meals, getting enough sleep and the usual things. Counselling may be helpful depending on exactly what is wrong, or simply switching to a different medication may solve the problem completely. Hope that helps :)

Zoloft's active ingredient is sertraline - it's on the label (well, it's on the label on my packet - i'm in australia)

so essentially, i doubt that taking the sertraline over the Zoloft would be doing any difference whatsoever as they both contain the same active ingredient. maybe it's other ingredients in the tablets that are causing issues, such as the binders etc.

i think the reason generic medicines are cheaper is something to do with the patent on the medication. Pfizer patent Zoloft for a certain number of years (so Pfizer can put whatever profit margin they want on it and make the most profit from it), then after the patent expires, other companies can jump on the bandwagon and make the medicine at a cheaper price. thank god. otherwise we'd all be paying whatever the drug companies can squeeze out of us.

speak to your doctor - they should be able to put you onto an alternative.

I have taken Zoloft and I now take Sertraline. If it wasn't the same, the FDA would not have approved it.

Also, I get my drugs from other countries because I don't have insurance. I can get a 90-day supply of Sertraline for $130. And, I have not had any side effects from either.

I also order Wellbutrin XL and Vytorin (generic which does not exist in US) from other countries.