Because we suspect Bart and Babs, my LLMD says I'll be going on Rifampin in the future. I also suspect Bactrim and Mepron further down.
My question is...are the generics of these all okay, or is name brand preferred? I know Mepron has no generic.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I think it's fine to take most abx in generic form... Biaxin may be one that should be the real deal.
But "Are ALL generics okay for all drugs?" NO
but MOST abx are ok
Posted by ladeedah (Member # 21642) on :
I agree. I took generic Flagyl and the side effects were extreme. Now on the non-generic Flagyl, side effects aren't gone but much, much better. Same with Doxy...I had to take Doryx.
It's not bad for all drugs, but it all depends on your body. I have heard some drugs are stronger when in non-generic form, but I don't know if that's true.
Posted by minerva (Member # 20410) on :
one of the problems with taking generic is that the pharmacy will get generics from what ever source they choose or what ever is cheaper.
so you can be getting it from different manufactures every time.
they can change what they color, fill and bind those drugs with. sometimes you can react to one of those agents that was in one batch and not in another.
i understand that compounding pharms can make medicines without dyes and fillers. i don't know how true that is or to what extent they can do that or what the cost difference or insurance issues.
but if its true it would be great to have all drugs without the added chemicals that one doesn't need.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
I've taken mostly generic drugs (including Biaxin XL). When my doctor wants a brand name he tells me and marks it on the RX.
Posted by lajamur (Member # 24593) on :
i first tried generic biaxin and had lots of weird side effects and a very dramatic rash. switched a couple weeks later to brand name biaxin XL and i've been FAR more comfortable, and no rash.
so, unless it was just a weird coincidental herx thing, i'm of the opinion that brand name biaxin is better than the generic stuff.
i think my mom takes generic mino, though, and does fine with that.
Posted by littlebit27 (Member # 24477) on :
I worked at a pharmacy and use to believe everything was the same. They will tell you that the only difference between the generic and the real thing is the name and maybe the look of the medicine.
As I've been dealing with this pain I will have to say I disagree. Also different generics are different as well.
One pain medicine I get from one pharmacy doesn't help as much as it does when I get it from a different pharmacy-both generics (because that's all my insurance seems to cover).
I am going to have to stick to generics with my abx though because I'm going to start paying for them out of pocket. I don't want my insurance to get wind of why I am being treated so long on abx.
I need a new insurance company but I don't know how I'll do that w/o lying about a pre-exisiting condition-but then again if they don't believe in it who cares.
I know there are medicine review sites out there. Maybe trying googling the specific drug and reviews about it-maybe from people's reviews you can draw a conclusion about which drugs are OK as generics and which are not.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i asked my doctor and he told me that my insurance bc/bs said i have to have generics first.
is that right? i did check with my pharmacist and he said the same thing.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Randi... Yes, insurance companies can dictate which meds they will pay for.
Posted by RESOLVED. (Member # 24991) on :
My LLMD recommends against generic flagyl. He says more people seem to experience greater side effects than with the brand name.
Posted by ladeedah (Member # 21642) on :
I would agree with Resolved. Generic did nothing for me. Take the generic for 2 days and then get the brand name. I believe you do have to try the generic first before the brand name can be written.
My LLMD just write DAW "Dispense as Written" and tells the insurance company that my body can't handle the generic.