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Reaction changes with brand name xanax xr vs. generic xanax xr

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Posted 3/26/2012 10:51 AM (GMT 0)
Just an update for those who were interested if there was a real difference between brand and generic xanax xr...THERE IS!

I have mentioned on the board a few times that my drug screens always show my last xanax use as 2 to 5 days (even though I use it everyday....without fail).  It's a once a day pill and I never miss it, so I discussed the inconsistencies in the test results with my psych again this past week and he allowed me to request brand only for a couple of months to see if that is the problem.

Well I haven't had another UDS since I started...but the brand is SOOOO much stronger.  It's like taking a whole different medication.  I'm actually having to adjust to the med as if it were a major increase.  I can not cut this in half because it is controlled release, but I can assure you that the generic strenth is no where near what I am getting with brand name.  The out of pocket cost for me is a slight problem because the generic is $20.00 and the brand is $90.00 per month...but I have to consider if the medication is doing what it should.

When I have my next UDS, I'll let you guys know if the medication change shows up correctly in my urine.  That will be the true telling of wthether or not it is just my opinion or an actual difference.

Posted 3/28/2012 10:41 AM (GMT 0)
Very interesting, let us know when you have another test.
Posted 3/28/2012 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, what I think happens is each medicine reacts to a persons body in different ways.  I have taken brand Xanax, generic xanax, brand valium, generic diazepam, I could not tell which was which until I got to the register, then the difference is clear.

As I said, different meds effect people different ways.  I could no longer take xanax whether generic brand, it did not mix well with my pain meds.  On the other hand, I can take diazepam, no worries.

Good Luck

Kathy

PS I have a used laptop and just found HW and signed on, I am so proud of myself

Posted 1/20/2014 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Can generic Xanax from different Pharmacies have different effect?
I still have an old prescription that gives me a gradual effect, but the new one I just got took forever to work and I believe brought on an panic attack. Has anyone experienced something similar?
Posted 1/20/2014 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have read there can be quite a difference in generics depending on which generic manufacturer is the producer. We can't just say brand vs generic. We have to look at the actual manufacturer. Your pharmacy can change which company they buy from. The basis for change is usually cost.

If you have a complaint, take it to your pharmacist. They can give you a different generic. You might have to try more than one to find one you like. It's worth a try to save money.

Keep track of your drug reactions in your food and drug journal. If you have the manufacturer written down you can check to see if it was switched when you have a different reaction. The name of the company is on the label.

PS: It's not the pharmacy! It's the manufacturer the pharmacy is buying from.
Posted 1/20/2014 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have a sincere, and quite genuine question/comment....

Would bringing this matter up for discussion with our pharmacist cause problems?

I've had problems in the past with generic meds not working nearly as well for me as brand name. Yet all that happens is that I get a lecture about how there's really no difference in the active ingredient at all.

(Horse pucky).

I've had pharmacists explain (truthfully) that there can be differences in the binding agents that are used, but if a person were to, let's say, "have a sensitivity" to the dye or a binder, the most common side-effect would be an upset stomach.

Daring to so much as hint at the concept the brand name meds feel noticeably different and more effective, was met with suspicious glances.

So granted, perhaps it is "how" I said it. In one case, a medication I was taking at the time (Ritalin),...I got swapped out to a generic. Turns out I had an allergic reaction to the dye that was used in the process. I could not get this rectified on my word alone,---- it took my prescribing physician calling, and both my Husband and I going into the pharmacy in person to (once again) demonstrate the hives I was exhibiting.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but is there any way at all for us to ask our doctors for "brand name" for all of our prescriptions?

There used to be a time where we, the patients, had the choice, and would be asked by the pharmacist if we wanted brand or generic, and were then informed of the price difference.

I have read from many sources that generic meds only need to contain a certain percentage (which I forgot, of course) of the active ingredient, unlike the brand names.

Is there any way to secure "brand name only" on our meds, even if we are willing to pay the extra amount?




M.
Posted 1/20/2014 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
I think the best way to go about it is to talk to your doctor. All the doc has to do is check the box that says DAW (dispense as written) and you'll get the brand name that they've written. My doctor puts a particular generic brand that works well for my patches (Mylan) and he specifies that I can only get that brand. That way we don't have to worry about a pharmacist raising an eyebrow or passing judgement on the validity of the request. Shoot, we won't even have to argue about different brands working better or worse. I get that the active ingredient is the same milligram (or microgram) but the fillers do have an impact on how a medication is absorbed.
Posted 1/27/2014 7:29 AM (GMT 0)
My drs have told me the reason for the variances is the type of fillers being used in generics. I use to know what the percentages were on the generics that is allowed but that figure has completely left my brain.

We can still get brand name but the dr has to check dispense brand only. Many drs do not like to do this and I think its wrong. If a patient wants brand name they should have the choice to say they want brand name. We are the ones paying for our insurance not the drs.

Lahaina many drugs are not available in the generic version so we still get the real mccoy...

Susie
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