Starphoenix
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2402
posted
I am taking generic ABX and Plaquenil because that's what my Rx plan prefers, and I can't afford the brands. I'm already using credit for meds, but that's another story!
I know that, overall, generics are just as potent as brands. I know that some meds ARE preferable as brands, though, for one reason or another.
Another take: I know that someone said that she thought the generic was more potent. I don't know why this might have been.
Have you had just as much success with generics? Less tolerable? More potent?
I'd like to hear of your experiences.
Steph
-------------------- Learning to love, and loving to learn. Posts: 1318 | From Shohola, PA | Registered: Apr 2002
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HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
I use generics as much as possible! Need to save moolah $$$$$$ !
I know a whole family that got better using generic orals.
They are supposed to be "the same".
Heather
generic plaquenil / generic diflucan / generic xanax and probably others that I can't think of right now.
-------------------- HEATHER
Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005
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Just Julie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1119
posted
I was told by my LLMD and my pharmacist that "Ativan" (used for whatever reason, I took it when my muscle twitches were outta control) is best taken BRAND ONLY.
The reason for BRAND only on Ativan is that it is better absorbed when you take it under your tongue aka "sublingual". If you take Ativan, and take it the under the tongue route (vs. just swallowing it) then the generic version is not preferred, as it does not absorb as well (can't remember the exact reason, but it is along those lines).
I don't know if it has to do with the filler it is bound to in the generic version, or what, but I believe my pharmacist and LLMD on this one. I take it sublingually (under the tongue) only, so I always specify that I want BRAND. The pharmacist usually has to order it because it is not usually asked for in Brand, only generic.
It is not cheap, but not that costly either, if that makes sense. If I want my drug to work, I guess I am willing to pay, especially for this particular drug, as my need for it has gone on and on. I do not use it for anxiety, only for the twitching, and if I wake up in the middle of the night for some reason (usually a neighbor problem), it works fast, the sublingual route, that is another reason you want to take it that way, vs. just swallowing it.
I also tried to pry some info out of my pharmacist (I don't use the same pharmacy from time to time-usually whatever happens to be closest in my school commute routine) about brand vs. generic, in general, and I don't seem to get a straight answer out of any of them when it comes to if there are really certain drugs that are best forking out the dough for the brand version. That is, except the Ativan, but I came into the pharmacy already knowing that brand was better (because my LLMD gave me the heads up when he wrote the script).
Insurance companies may have already hog-tied most of the bigger name pharmacies anyway. I am such a skeptic in this only because I used to be in the medical profession, and money is money, no matter who's hand is getting greased (to stay quiet).
-------------------- Julie Posts: 1027 | From Northern CA | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Try nto ensure that you receive the highest quality generic. Many of the generics that are being approved now are manufactured in India and China, or some of the chemicals, most especially the active ingrient, is manufactured in India and china and then shipped to the generic pharmacuetical company.
Google the drug for generic brands, and also ask your pharmacist to write down the name of the various generic brands that they have access to. Try to pick a generic that is manufactured in a well developed country, and remember, many companies outsource manufacturing to save money, so the actual manufacturer may be listed in small print on the side of the bottle. You can also contact the generic company and ask them if they outsource manufacturing.
You should also ask your provider to research and recommend a high quality brand. If they prescribe this often, they should have an idea of the generic brands that are out there and any differences between the brands.
When you choose a particular brand, have your provider write DAW on the script: Dispense as Written, Brand of generic name of the drug, and have the prescriber make a copy of the script.
Remember, you might be choosing a brand that the pharmacy has to order, so be sure to give the pharmacy some lead time to order it and get it in.
I have had some problems with the drug wholesaler to major pharmacies consistently sending the wrong generic brand drug to the pharmacy despite the precautions taken with the prescription. I now ask to have the prescription filled in the manufacturers bottle, and my doctor writes the prescrition for the exact number of pills in the manufacturers bottle. The pharmacy might not want to do this. If not, have the provider write fill in original packaging on the prescription.
Most manufacturers package drugs according to standard doses.One generic ABX comes in bottles of 20, 60, and 100. If you take 60 pills per month, the prescription is written for 60 tablets. If you take 120 tablets per month, the script is written for 120 tablets-1 bottle of 100 tabs, and one bottle of 20 tabs.
This is easier for the pharmacy as they can just stick the label on the manufacturers bottle/box.
Posts: 183 | From US | Registered: Feb 2004
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minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
Steph, I'm reading The Truth About Drug Companies, by Marcia Angell, who was an editor for the NEJM. Great book, well written. Here's what she says about generics:
"Generic drugs...are copies of brand-name drugs whose exclusive marketing rights have expired. They, too, need FDA aproval, but their manufactuers have to demonstrate only that they are equivalent to the brand-name drugs they copy. Since the passage of Hatch-Waxman in 1984, generic companies don't have to do clinical trials to show the safety and effectiveness, because the brand name companies have already done that."
Meaning, basically, that changes can be made in the way the generics are manufactured/formulated, and the effect of those changes probably won't be checked out. Our pharmacist much prefers minocin to the generic minocycline, because of the way the brand-name is formulated. However, the minocycline still seems to work quite well for many people.
If you have a friendly pharmacist, you might want to ask if he has any opinions about the generic vs. brand for any particular drug.
-------------------- ********************* RECIDITE, PLEBES! Gero rem imperialem! (Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.)
posted
minocat is correct. Generics only have to have bioequivalent (NOT SAME) API (active ingridient).
FDA allows generics to vary by up to 20%, and the 20% can be 20% less or 20% more.
Many chain pharmacies and PBMs vary their house stock generic brands depending on the blueplate special...
Ask your doctor and your pharmacist about different generic brands and perferences.
Once the generic brand is written on the prescription, if the PBM or pharmacy fills with the wrong brand, they are drug switching. A big no no...
Posts: 183 | From US | Registered: Feb 2004
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Starphoenix
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2402
posted
Once again, I forgot to check the "Email Notification" box, so I didn't know I had any responses, and I forgot I posted this message! There's the old brain fog for ya.
I appreciate this wealth of information! I had no idea it could be so complicated. When I see my PA next month, I will address this with him.
Steph
-------------------- Learning to love, and loving to learn. Posts: 1318 | From Shohola, PA | Registered: Apr 2002
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Mathias
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5298
posted
minoucat and nannie are 100% correct.
nannie: what is "drug switching"? if they fill a generic prescription with a brand name that is drug switching?
-------------------- Mathias Posts: 1250 | From New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2004
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