Posted by stargazer2 on November 20, 2008, at 19:40:50
In reply to Re: TO EVERYONE FOLLOWING THIS THREAD, posted by rskontos on November 20, 2008, at 12:33:53
Generics ARE NOT the same as the brand names meds despite being told they.
It's just a fact of life, but insurances (and pharmacists and many doctors) will always tell us they are the same. That is what generics are supposed to be...the same medication as the original one. With antibiotics and other meds, the differences are not as obvious. But with meds used for highly critical functions, i.e. seizures and psychiatric conditions, a slight change in the composition of both active and inactive ingredients can completely haywire a person's response, proven by a dramatic effect (like a seizure)to a medication that they have taken reliably and confidently for years.
Have there been any studies comparing brand and generic meds, two side by side? If so, I would like to read them, although they are probably almost impossible to read.
I know alot of the additives and agents used to bind ingredients together can affect the way a med is metabolized or absorbed.
And now with more of the generic meds being made oversees, we really don't know what we are getting. How about some melamine or whatever it is called, in your generic Prozac or wellbutrin.
Those examples of children having seizures on generics when none were had on the brand versions is clear to me to prove a direct correlation.
Many insurors allow you to pay for the brand version today but of course it will cost you, but is probably worth it for many meds, esp. psychotropics, like many of our lives depend on.
I would think the insuror would pay for a brand name med if a child was hospitalized after changing to a generic med.
I had problems with Wellbutrin and Nardil. Even though Nardil is not considered a generic, I consider it one, since the formula was changed in 2003 and now the effectiveness of it is vastly different. Comparisons between the original version and the current version/generic did show a difference in the binding agents, which caused a quicker breakdown of the ingredients. This seems to have effected the dosages and has a greater impact on vascular response, affecting the BP.
Don't get me started. I had great success on the original Nardil and now have side effects and needed to change meds over and over again.
I finally took charge of my treatment which has resulted in a remission of my depression after 20 + years. I can't say it is cured but I do have more faith in my ability to treat myself, rather than relying solely on the experts I have consulted and paid lots of money to over the years.
Thank God I have the ability to research on line and experiment with meds and other treatments over the past few years. That has given me the best chance at recovery.
And thanks to PsychoBabble and many "expert" here for advice over the years.
Stargazer
poster:stargazer2
thread:863245
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081114/msgs/864315.html