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 Pharmacy Technician's Practice Pearl from Pharmacy Technician's Letter

Practice Pearl - August 2010

     New generic versions of venlafaxine will create MORE confusion.
     There's already confusion between Effexor XR CAPSULES and Venlafaxine Extended Release TABLETS.
     These are both BRANDS of venlafaxine. But they're not AB-rated for generic substitution...one is a tablet and the other is a capsule.
     Now these two brands will each have their OWN generic.
     Substitution. Feel free to switch from Effexor XR to the generic capsules...or Venlafaxine Extended Release Tablets to the generic tablets. But you may need the prescriber's okay to switch between tabs and caps...if required in your state or setting.
     For help with substituting, see our chart, State Regulations on Generic Substitution, and our Technician Training Tutorial: Appropriate Generic Substitution.
     Product selection. Stay alert for mix-ups among the venlafaxine forms...and between venlafaxine and Pristiq (DESvenlafaxine).
     Use shelf labels or stickers to identify products on shelves.
     As a double check, verify that the dosage form in the Rx bottle matches the one on the Rx label...as in "Take one TABLET daily." A mismatch here can be a red flag that you've picked the wrong product.
     Labeling. Use auxiliary labels to alert patients to differences between the tabs and caps...especially when switching products.
     For example, neither form should be crushed or chewed. But patients who have trouble swallowing pills can open venlafaxine CAPS...sprinkle the pellets on applesauce...then swallow this mixture.
     Cost. There's a big difference. Effexor XR 75 mg costs about $125/month compared to $99 for the generic. And Venlafaxine Extended Release Tablets cost about $103/month compared to $88 for the generic.
     Expect copays to be the same for both generics for most patients with insurance. Cash prices will fall over time...especially after the first-to-market generics are joined by other companies' generics.

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Pharmacy Technician's Letter: August 2010; Vol: 4, No. 8
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