HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Generic Entocort?!?!?

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/6/2011 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I recently was switched for generic entocort (budesonide) from the brand.  For the first few days no issue but after a week it flared my Crohn's significantly.  When I contacted my insurance company (BC/BS) they were insistent that I would have to take the generic otherwise my copay for 3 months would be 450 dollars compared to 10 dollars!  I am trying to get a letter from my GI doctor in order to stay on the branded drug but wanted to know if anyone else has seen similar problems switching from brand to generic.  Very frustrating!

milswgc

Posted 11/6/2011 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
We have another member who had similar issues with the generic. I think they have fillers in them that don't agree with all. So you aren't imagining it. Maybe you can appeal with the insurance company. Hoping the GI letter helps.

I can't take the generic of Prilosec and must take the brand name because of the fillers in the generic. Hugs!
Posted 11/6/2011 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Yes the person nanners speaks of is me. I looked at posts I made eand calculated the date I started the generic and from 2 days after starting the generic I began having abd pain increased to the point I almost went to the ER I was taking max doses of my pain meds and it barely touched it. I did (it seems adjust to it) after about 1 month or so but MY GI thought about having me try and get the name brand covered but wants to get me off of it so he is tapering me on imuran (and has me still on generic entocort) and when I see him next he is going to taper me off the entocort since I had the issue and I have been on it over a year and it can lose its effectivness after long periods of time being on it.

I have so been there esp the morning I woke up literally in a mess. My GP I saw before my GI when having the issues even with meds he saw how much pain I was in and gave me dilaudid to get me by til I was able to see the GI the next week.

Best of luck
Posted 11/7/2011 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
This seems very unfair overall; I cannot find any study (published) that compares generic entocort to branded entocort.  My suspicion is that the two drugs are very different in delivery system.  I am trying to appeal with my insurance company but so far a slow go.  My symptoms were identical to yours with severe abdominal pain/cramping. 

milswgc

Posted 11/8/2011 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
My GI when I mentioned it to him (this was about 1 month on it) he had no idea it had gone generic in the US
Posted 11/8/2011 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
I would love to offer an answer, but I have to ask a question first.  Do your generics say "entocort" on the capsules?  My generics do, which makes me suspect the pharmacy is unloading the brand name at the generic price.  So I have had no problems with them so far.
Posted 11/8/2011 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
No these are neon orange and stamped with Mylan the name of the manufacturer. I wish they said Entocort! I am thinking of trying to get the brand via a mail order pharmacy.
Milswgc
Posted 11/8/2011 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
The name brand are off white and an orange color these generics on the label say budesonide ec 3mg they as happy stated are neon orange (both sides) on both sides it has the name Mylan on it and under that name the numbers read 7155
Posted 11/8/2011 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
so that would seem to prove my theory wal-mart is clearing out their supply of the Ento, which they were probably stocking just for me anyways I am guessing.  Thanks.  That also means I can't comment on the generic as I don't seem to be taking it.
Posted 11/9/2011 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
generic entocort has been doing NOTHING for me!
Posted 11/10/2011 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
Entocort is effective for small bowel issues not just because of the Budesonide , but because of the proprietary delivery system. Generic Budesonide has been available for some time.

I bought my Entocort from Canada and was paying about $180 for a month at 3mgs 3 times per day. Like may things there is a cost benefit ratio. As I have small bowel issues, I am not sure I would take the generic if it was free as I was so sick of being sick, and need to know that the drug is working on where I have issues.

My guess it that this explains why generic is not as effective as the brand. for some 

BTW, if you buy from Canada make sure to specify that you want it sourced from Canada. It is the exact same as what is sold in the US. Sorry I do not know about the other countries

Dave

Posted 11/10/2011 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
my GI let me know many buy from Canada and it may have been avail as generic there prior to now but just got released in the US over the summer. I have had mult issues with it but as my GI stated he wants to get me off it since after being on it for a long time you can not gain as much benefit for it loses its efficacy. I have been on it over 1 year now at max dose and was doing well until a few days after switchign to generic so on Imuran I went again. Been having more decent days though recently due to it but due to insurance issues I started on it 2 weeks after he scripted it so I have to wait til January to start coming off the Entocort when I see him next.

There are different fillers in generic meds where the primary component is the same. I have had issues in both my TI and colon. At my last scope my Colon was doing well however I had active CD in what remains of my TI. The Pentasa and weekly humira just wasnt enough
Posted 11/10/2011 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
How long does it take to start working? I was finally just officially diagnosed after 2 years and have only been on meds for a week. The bottle says Budesonide but the pills say Entocort so i dont know whether or not its real or generic? But i dont see any kind of a change yet. How long were you on it before it started working for you?
Posted 11/11/2011 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
This is a problem that can happen with all meds. For me it was Pepcid. For years I took Pepcid and had my heartburn under control. Then it became available in generic and stil, I was fine. Then one day the heartburn was back. It got so bad that I was having esophageal spasms. I sat down and figured out that the heartburn started just a few days after I filled my new Rx. I had previously been getting green pills, but the pharmacy gave me a generic from another manufacturer that were yellow. So, not all generics are equal. Each manufacturer uses different inert materials that can affect us differently. I ended up having to switch to Omeprazole, but at least that generic works, or at least the one from the Manufacturer that my pharmacy uses.

I hope you can find a way around this. Sometimes if it's medically necessary an insurer will cover a brand name  med. Good Luck.

Posted 12/8/2011 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I too have switched from brand Entocort to generic w/in the last 3 months and a recent MRI showed 'active' crohns - grrrr? mad

My benefits dept has denied to switch back to brand name but I'm appealing it.  I'm comfortable w/Entocort as have practically no side effects.  How long can you stay on Entocort (3 capsules daily).

My question is can you share w/me info on 6 MP.  If you start it can you stop?  Is it a long term maintenance drug?  How expensive is it?  That was the doctor's next defence.  I have an extremely sensitive system and the thought of changing meds and going thru side effects again freaks me out??

My crohn's is mild.  Had some issues couple of months ago (when I switched to generic?) but feel it's getting better - no 'running' lately.  Such a good thing ;)

All comments so appreciated!

Nancy

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply