![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mantus on January 26, 2011, at 16:23:49
I don't know if you were aware or not, because I wasn't until I just picked up my latest prescription from Rite Aid. But Gavis Pharmaceuticals is know producing a generic form of Nardil. Apparently it just went generic last month. I don't really have any more info on it, but it is AB compatible. If anyone knows more about any specifics of this info I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Mantus
Posted by jedi on January 27, 2011, at 4:54:01
In reply to nardil went generic, posted by mantus on January 26, 2011, at 16:23:49
> I don't know if you were aware or not, because I wasn't until I just picked up my latest prescription from Rite Aid. But Gavis Pharmaceuticals is know producing a generic form of Nardil. Apparently it just went generic last month. I don't really have any more info on it, but it is AB compatible. If anyone knows more about any specifics of this info I'd really appreciate it.
>
> Thanks,
> Mantus
Awesome news Mantus. I had no idea this was even in the pipeline. I paid $150 last month for the brand Nardil. My insurance does not cover brand names at all. At least they should cover some of the price of the generic. Thanks for the info.
Jedihttp://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=33956
http://www.gavispharma.com/downloads/PhenelzineMedicationGuide.pdf
Posted by ed_uk2010 on January 27, 2011, at 16:23:56
In reply to nardil went generic, posted by mantus on January 26, 2011, at 16:23:49
>Apparently it just went generic last month.
Interesting. It's such an old drug that a generic could have theoretically been available many years ago, but I suppose it's very low volume so few companies would be interested in producing it.
Posted by europerep on January 27, 2011, at 16:45:15
In reply to Re: nardil went generic, posted by ed_uk2010 on January 27, 2011, at 16:23:56
> Interesting. It's such an old drug that a generic could have theoretically been available many years ago, but I suppose it's very low volume so few companies would be interested in producing it.
>Would that indicate that MAOIs, or phenelzine in particular, are actually becoming (somewhat) more likely to be prescribed again? I think that would be good news, they are underused according to so many "prominent" professors and clinicians.
Posted by SLS on January 27, 2011, at 17:42:38
In reply to Re: nardil went generic » mantus, posted by jedi on January 27, 2011, at 4:54:01
Hi Jedi.
How is the Nardil + clonazepam going?
Does the clonazepam affect your mood at all?
Be well.
- Scott
Posted by jedi on January 27, 2011, at 19:06:19
In reply to Re: nardil went generic » jedi, posted by SLS on January 27, 2011, at 17:42:38
> Hi Jedi.
>
> How is the Nardil + clonazepam going?
>
> Does the clonazepam affect your mood at all?
>
> Be well.
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott,
Clonazepam has always been a good compliment to Nardil for my social anxiety. However, my goal is to eliminate clonazepam at a very slow pace. After years on the medication, I find my memory is eroding more each day. I was on 2mg about 3 months ago. Now I'm down to .5 daily. I'm kind of hoping by eliminating clonazepam, I can also get rid of this residual dysthymia. So many people say that clonazepam depresses them. I've been on it so long, if it wasn't for the memory issues, I would just stay on it. Besides the social anxiety, it also helps with the Nardil induced insomnia, even after many, many years. I've also noticed my bruxism coming back since I've been cutting down on the benzo. Something I might have to worry about down the road. I would still like to try adding a small dose of modafinal or methhylphenidate to go after the dysthymia and motivation problems.I've been lucky Scott, Nardil has always relieved my major depression. I've watched your med trials over the years. I'm sure you wish you could find a simple cocktail that works for you that consistently. I've been on so many med trials, mostly trying to eliminate the many Nardil side effects. After a few months off of Nardil, my major depression always returns. I've been very lucky in that I've always been able to reattain the antidepressant affects every time, when I've restarted the Nardil. Baring any major developments in drug therapy for depression, I've resigned myself to be a lifer on Nardil. I like to see it being in wider use, for the selfish reason of having it available. The generic is a big plus for me; with my lousy, expensive insurance.
I still believe that for my type of atypical, major depression; the MAOIs should be 2nd tier rather than last resort. They just seem to work so much better than the other medications for serious depression.
Good luck and be well,
Jedi
Posted by SLS on January 27, 2011, at 20:21:44
In reply to Re: nardil went generic » SLS, posted by jedi on January 27, 2011, at 19:06:19
> Besides the social anxiety, it also helps with the Nardil induced insomnia
I had thought to combine Sonata with Ativan for insomnia. It works well. Sonata is too short acting to help someone stay asleep for the entire night. It has a short half-life (1 hr). Ativan, on the other hand, has a medium half-life (12 hr). It will help keep someone asleep, although it is not as potent as Sonata at initiating sleep. The two drugs are complementary. Restoril and perhaps Lunesta might serve to play the role of Ativan for sleep maintenance. To the best of my knowledge, none of these drugs is depressogenic. Back in the old days, I once used a combination of Ativan with Halcion. Same principle. Halcion is the most potent benzodiazepine for sleep initiation. Like Sonata, Halcion has a very short half life (1 hr).
Have you tried Lunesta yet? I haven't, but it seems to be favored by a lot of people. You will have to tolerate the metallic taste that lingers after taking it.
- Scott
Posted by Chairman_MAO on January 27, 2011, at 20:42:16
In reply to Re: nardil went generic, posted by europerep on January 27, 2011, at 16:45:15
Just filled my prescription for the Gavis generic today. Let's see how it goes ...
Posted by atypical on January 28, 2011, at 9:13:28
In reply to nardil went generic, posted by mantus on January 26, 2011, at 16:23:49
I learned this from my pharmacist as well. I guess this isn't big news because Google doesn't have too much to offer beyond drug information.
While I am pleased that this would make phenelzine available to more people because of its lower cost, I am too scarred from a previous switch to a generic (zoloft to sertaline) and relapsing several years ago that I will stay on the "brand name" Nardil.
Atypical
Posted by Chairman_MAO on January 28, 2011, at 12:26:11
In reply to Re: nardil went generic, posted by atypical on January 28, 2011, at 9:13:28
The generic seems fine thusfar. Remember, the brand is manufactured to generic standards. This generic (Gavis) has far less of that acrid smell, whatever that's worth.
Posted by mantus on January 29, 2011, at 12:45:35
In reply to Re: nardil went generic, posted by Chairman_MAO on January 28, 2011, at 12:26:11
> The generic seems fine thusfar. Remember, the brand is manufactured to generic standards. This generic (Gavis) has far less of that acrid smell, whatever that's worth.
Chairman,
I believe I have about a week or 2 of the brand name Nardil left before I switch to the generic. I would appreciate it if you might be willing to update your experience on the generic version from time to time.
Thanks,
Mantus
Posted by ed_uk2010 on January 30, 2011, at 13:12:27
In reply to Re: nardil went generic, posted by Chairman_MAO on January 28, 2011, at 12:26:11
>Remember, the brand is manufactured to generic standards.
At least in the UK, standards of good manufacturing practice (GMP) are the same for all licensed medicines. Generics do not have a different set of standards to branded medicines.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on January 30, 2011, at 13:18:54
In reply to Re: nardil went generic, posted by europerep on January 27, 2011, at 16:45:15
>Would that indicate that MAOIs, or phenelzine in particular, are actually becoming (somewhat) more likely to be prescribed again?
I believe that Gavis pharma specialise in marketing niche products. I suspect that they thought that by becoming only manufacturer of generic phenelzine tablets, they would be able to gain a large market share quite quickly with no price competition from other generics manufacturers. This will allow them to sell at a price which is high enough to make the whole thing worthwhile.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 3, 2011, at 8:30:14
In reply to Re: nardil went generic » Chairman_MAO, posted by mantus on January 29, 2011, at 12:45:35
Will do. Still seems to be at least as good as the "branded generic".
Posted by LouS on February 9, 2011, at 20:42:16
In reply to nardil went generic, posted by mantus on January 26, 2011, at 16:23:49
I too just picked up my prescription today and found out about the generic being available next month. I've been on Nardil for almost 30 years with no issues except for drug interactions. No food or drink issues to date. I'm a little concerned about messing with something that has been working for me for so long. But ultimately, my insurance company will decide ... interested in hearing from those that have already switched.
Posted by LouS on February 9, 2011, at 20:43:30
In reply to nardil went generic, posted by mantus on January 26, 2011, at 16:23:49
I too just picked up my prescription today and found out about the generic being available next month. I've been on Nardil for almost 30 years with no issues except for drug interactions. No food or drink issues to date. I'm a little concerned about messing with something that has been working for me for so long. But ultimately, my insurance company will decide ... interested in hearing from those that have already switched.
Posted by Debrose on March 6, 2011, at 2:12:35
In reply to Re: nardil went generic, posted by LouS on February 9, 2011, at 20:43:30
I am not comfortable changing to generic because I've been on Nardil for 19 years. With most insurances you can have your doctor request an exception along with an explanation of why they believe you need to stay on the name brand, and the insurance will make the exception for you. So if you don't want to switch, talk with your doctor about requesting an exception.
Posted by pedr on March 11, 2011, at 14:16:02
In reply to nardil went generic, posted by mantus on January 26, 2011, at 16:23:49
I was just given this generic and charged $126 for the privilege which seems wrong to me. I assumed that a generic has been available the whole time, I'm surprised it has not. This prob explains why my PDoc never wrote "DAW" as there was only brand.
I happened to speak to him about switching to generic (my insurance has changed) and he recommended I not switch. Typically the pharmacy filled the 180 pill script with generic and I'm out of pills. If I open the bottle, I cannot return it and they don't have brand in stock. Great...
Posted by jedi on March 11, 2011, at 23:43:37
In reply to Re: nardil went generic » mantus, posted by pedr on March 11, 2011, at 14:16:02
Hi,
Nardil has been around for a little over 50 years. It just went generic in the US in December of 2010. The new generic version is made by Gavis Pharmaceuticals. They are just getting ramped up for production. My pharmacy could not get it last month, and sold me the Pfizer Brand Nardil for what I would pay for the generic with my insurance. In my case this is a huge difference. Generic phenelzine sulfate costs me $15. Brand name Nardil costs over $150 for 180 15mg tablets.I have yet to fill my generic phenelzine prescription, but it is waiting for me. I really anticipate no problems as most medications I take are generic and it should be functionally equivalent. This is not like the formula change in 2003, where many people noticed a profound difference in the efficacy of Nardil.
Good Luck,
Jedi
> I was just given this generic and charged $126 for the privilege which seems wrong to me. I assumed that a generic has been available the whole time, I'm surprised it has not. This prob explains why my PDoc never wrote "DAW" as there was only brand.
>
> I happened to speak to him about switching to generic (my insurance has changed) and he recommended I not switch. Typically the pharmacy filled the 180 pill script with generic and I'm out of pills. If I open the bottle, I cannot return it and they don't have brand in stock. Great...
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.