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Generic Drugs

kardia
0 Recommendations

Hi Everyone,

I came across this article, with some good references, the article itself is a bit generic...ha.

But, thought it would be interesting for you to read.

It is about generic drugs. I don't know about you, but from time to time, I get confused when the pharmacy changes a drug I have struggled to use and rely on, and even though I think it is the same, because I am told that it is, I worry when I see a new name.

This article calms those fears...and even so I still don't trust completely...ha

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/27/generic-drugs-prescriptions-lifestyle-heal th-drugs_slide.html?partner=msnhealth

Kardia

Explore topics in this discussion:

Nexium Carvedilol Lasix Coreg Fibromyalgia Effexor Asthma Protonix Confusion Lexapro Synthroid Pain Neurontin Lyrica Celexa Prilosec

9 replies

martzj

Kardia,

"This article calms those fears...and even so I still don't trust completely...ha"

LOL. Me either : )

I discovered I much prefer taking the generic beta blocker Carvedilol to the time-released Coreg CR. Instead of one 25MG tablet, I can take a 12.5MG twice a day and gear the dose times to work better with the circadian and hormonal rhythms of my body. There is nothing subtle about any of my rhythms so when I'm dealing w barely movable sluggishness, I can back off the morning med. I've never had high bp, so it is only arrhythmias I need to keep an eye on and after 15 years, I have a pretty good feel for when they need meds and when they don't. This is the one medication I feel is critical in keeping me alive.

Generic cash price for 180 pills (90 day supply): $235
Rx Price: $235
Insured Patient co-pay: $9.99 (90 day supply)

To offer an sense of the pharma profits in US on the uninsured (at no fault of their own).

take care,
Jaynie

wyntersgrace

I always ask for a prescription drug that is available in generic, with the exception of 2 of my medications. However, those 2 medications are not available in generic and we switched from an older med to a newer med because we weren't getting the results we wanted.

What a lot of people don't know is that often new, brand name drugs are only slightly different than their older counterparts. For example, Prilosec and Nexium. Nexium only has a 3% improvement over prilosec - something most people wouldn't notice. It's great to have the option for those that need it, but it's pushed so strongly by the pharmaceutical companies that prilosec is rarely prescribed (the OTC version is 1/2 of the prescription dose). (BTW, Protonix and Nexium are nearly identical, too.)

Lexapro and Celexa (antidepressants), and Lyrica and Neurontin (anticonvulsants, also prescribed for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia) are other examples. The newer version is effective at a lower dose so there are typically less side effects. That's about the only thing "new" about them. Pristiq is the "new" Effexor that is metabolized differently so is better tolerated by some.

All of these new and improved, and very popular, drugs came out just as the patent on the older version was expiring - meaning the older version is now (or soon to be) available in generic. IOW, the drug companies won't be making money on them anymore.

We really need to be informed and talk to our doctors about what is the right choice for our bodies and our wallets; not just what is the latest trend.

ktbmom

I agree with you with being nervous when something is changed.

A couple of the medications I take for my asthma did not have a generic when I first started taking them. Then low and behold one day they gave me the generic. Never thought much about it.

After two days on the generic drug I was wheezing all the time. Did not think much about it. After 30 days, I was getting tired of it and my doctor could not figure it out. Blood levels were correct. My husband and I thought maybe it was the generic drug even though it is supposed to be the same.

Asked the pharmacist if we could try the name brand drug again for a month and see what happens just to see if that was it. Well, within 48 hours I could breath again. Went to doctor and he was amazed and asked what I had done. Told him that I changed back to name brand drug. He said that was probably it.

Talked to pharmacist and he said that although the generic is "supposed" to be "exactly" like the name brand, sometimes there is something that is just a little different that some people cannot tolerate. They put a note on my drug to only give name brand and that has helped. I have two medications that are this way, but others that I can take the generic for.

Just know that if you have been on the name brand and then switched to generic that if you start having problems it might be the medication. No matter what any doctor or pharmacist tells you. You know your body.

Good article.

kardia

Thank you for that.

You know since I first wrote this, my experience with a generic for Amiodarone has been that of changes causing problems.

I was defib/shock free for 7 months, the pharmacy changed to generic, and two defibs in one week, confusion etc. hmmmmm

Need to deal with it...you helped thanks.

kardia

martzj

". For example, Prilosec and Nexium. Nexium only has a 3% improvement over prilosec - something most people wouldn't notice."

BCBS sent me a letter informing me that they would no longer pay for Nexium because 'it was supposed to have cured the problem within 8 weeks'. My GI dr had me on it for years. Insurance required a justification letter from my PCP to continue paying for it. He declined. I switched to Prilosec OTC and was delighted I had no problems at all. It is also a 'proton pump inhibitor' and works just as well now that I'm down from acute gastroenteritis to just gastroentiritis from all those years of meds and antibiotic regimens.

I love the freedom of purchasing Prilosec at any drugstore without the hassle of paying for a doctor visit.

Arthu

I have used generics only and i think this is a safe and secure place to buy wide range of generic medications at cheap price.
www.genericmedicationonline.com

goingstrong

I agree with all of your concerns. And we know that some of them are legitimate. My friend switched from Synthroid to levothyroxone and withing 2 weeks was a walking zombie. Back to synthroid and back to normal.

Her doc will no longer allow generic of this thyroid medication. It can depend on where (what country) it is made and their specific recipe.

I've had no problems with my generic cardio drugs, Thank God.

Thanks to all the rest of you for your great input and 'alarms!!!'

Lynn

kardia

Great input from all, I agree.

I guess my concern was triggered by the fact that they gave me a RX for generic Atavan and Lasix without labeling them with the repaced name. Of course I didn't write it on the bottles once I read all the paperwork they gave me (3 pages worth), and I wear glasses in the a.m., and wouldn't you know they look alike in their shapes and color...so I grabbed the wrong ones all the time, walked to the other room to get glasses...and wah wah wah.

I finally did ask them to please label what the generic is replacing, so everything matches. They said they would, as I watched them type it in the computer (CVS Pharmacy).

Great conversation in this discussion, I learned a lot.

Thank you.

kardia
www.kardianotes.blogspot.com

MMaslek

My cousin is an engineer for one of the pharma companies. She laughs when people say they won't use the generics. They are the same exact drug. With the original your paying for the research, development & marketing. After 7 years the formula is released as public & it goes generic. Its identical... has to be by law. If they change 1 grain it becomes a totally different drug. Thats what big pharma does to lengthen sales. Change a benign ingredient & its a different drug, 7 more years on patent. Dollar store drugs are as good as pharmacy name brands as long as its still within the expiration dates. Good to know!!!!!!

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