Are all Medicines Created Equal?

[socer003grrl]

We just switched insurance companies so I have to get my prescription from another pharmacy which has a different manufacturer for my medication. I swear that it doesn't work as well now! Is this really possible? Or is it just my imagination? Are they all created equal or not?

 

[CindyBeth]

Whoops! I'm the one who started the thread, I didn't realize I was signed on as my dd!!! So this is CindyBeth.

 

[CindyBeth]

Anybody?

 

[Christine]

No, all medicines are not created equally. If you are getting the same medicine but different manufacturers, then I would assume your talking generics. They all use the same active ingredient, but their binders and delivery mechanisms can vary greatly. That's why I'm not allowed to use generic thyroid hormone.

 

[cepmom]

they are supposed to be the same, but it's not true in all cases. My stepmother was taking a medication for reflux (I think??) and the insurance made her switch to a generic. It did not work as well and she ended up in the hospital with chest pains thinking it was her heart problems. Turns out it was because the generic medication was not doing it's job and the insurance had to approve her to get the name brand stuff.

 

[Twigs]

I have had a few meds in the past that do not work the same when the Rx was changed from name brand to generic. At those times my Dr. would initial the fill as prescribed box. Right now the Allegra Rx I just had filled was filled with a generic brand, and I don't think it is working as well. Also I cannot use the generic albuterol. It gives me the jitters really bad, so I only get the proventil HFA now.

 

[bicker]

Our insurance offers a option that provides more control over whether you get generics or not, for a higher premium. In cases where generics aren't working as well for you, that additional premium might be well worth it.

 

[SueM in MN]

As was already stated, the [i[active[/i] ingredients may be the same, but that doesn't mean the end product is exactly the same.
Think of a cake recipe for chocolate cake. You can follow the same exact recipe as someone else, but your cakes may not taste/turn out exactly the same. And that's following the same recipe.
The generic drugs are more like different cake mixes that you can buy in the store. All might have the same general ingredients (chocolate, flour, etc), but each brand turns out a little different.

 

[princess momma]

It really depends on what the medication is. Most meds are exactly the same, the only difference is the look of the medication. But people can get a medication from a different manufacturer and have an allergic reaction to the simplest thing, like the dye on the medicine. I would talk to your doctor. Your insurance might be willing to pay for a brand name/different manufacturer if there is a medical reason. But the truth is a generic is probably 99.999% the same as the brand name, and its really rare for there to be a problem going from one to the other.

 

[TRUFFLES13]

My insurance company switched my birth control pills to a generic. They said it was the same thing. Every month I took those I felt horrible for 2 - 3 weeks. When I went to the Dr. for my check up and new prescription I mentioned it to him. I thought I was nuts, because the insurance co said it was the same. He told me they are allowed a 20% difference and that they could be making me feel horrible. When he wrote my prescription he marked name brand only and I really do feel much better. I pay more, but it's worth it.

 

[saucymb]

I was told by my Target Pharmacist that generics by law are only required to have an 80% match to the name brand. I've always been one who will happily buy the generic to save money, but when I found this out, I am now more careful. I am willing to pay a bit more on my co-pay for the name brand (in some cases), as a 20% difference in formula is rather significant.

 

[luvwinnie]

I can tell you that when I was forced to switch to a generic version of one med it made me VIOLENTLY ill (vomiting) because the coating is different. My dr. has to write a letter so I could get the brand name again.