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Doctor's reaction to Generic ED Meds

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Posted 8/11/2010 1:58 PM (GMT 0)

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the urologist that is providing me post-operative treatment for ED and incontinence.  I don't understand the second one since I was one of the lucky few to never have incontinence.

 

The doctor has mentioned that it is not financially feasible to take Viagra or Levitra on a daily or every other day basis.  As a result he has me on a 5mg daily dose of Cialis.  I have experimented with some Vardenafil (Levitra active ingredient) that I got from ADC. I got some reaction which is more than I can say for the Cialis. I have also tried the gel version of Viagra and that stuff works a bit better than the Levitra generic.

 

I would like to start using either the Levitra of Viagra every couple of days.

 

My concern is the doctor's reaction if I tell him that I am buying generics from ADC and cost is not an issue. This particular doctor is very high powered in the Urology field.

 

Has anybody else had any experience with this, good or bad?

Posted 8/11/2010 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
I talked to my surgeon and also local urologist that provides my current followup care. Asked them both about the Generics and they were both positive and stated they had numerous patients using the generics.

So I've been using the Levitra from All day chemist.

Larry

Posted 8/11/2010 2:41 PM (GMT 0)

My surgeon had no comment on out of country meds.

My friend that is a surgeon from INDIA told me to RUN FOREST RUN when I'asked him about meds from India. He lives in Canada and said if I had to get em out of country to buy from Canada.

Then again - MANY guys here are getting great results.

Posted 8/11/2010 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
My Uro was the one who suggested I buy Viagra for $3/pill from Canada, so he must think it is OK! I didn't bring up the place in India though.

Dan
Posted 8/11/2010 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Dan, where would you get Viagra for $3/pill in Canada? My Dr. gave me a prescription, but the Drugstore still tried to charge me about $12/pill (I live in B.C.). I told them in no uncertain terms what they could do with those pills and ordered them from ADC. Quite happy with their price and the results. Never talk about it with my Dr.

All the best to you.

Mag

Posted 8/11/2010 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
April6th,

Some Viagra from Canada is the real branded drug, you just have to send them your Rx and you get the real thing

Some also is generic that is most likely made in India, so getting it from a Canadian pharmacy is no different in this case than from India

Many people I know go on these Canadian Bus trips with Rx's in hand and get their name brand drugs over the boarder, I believe one can bring back over a 90 day supply of each script

Your Dr most likely thought you were talking about the real deal Viagra
Posted 8/11/2010 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Woodworker

the 5mg daily Cialis is new and also very weak compared to the the 20mg version or the other 2. I tried it last summer as a trial. In a healthy male it may have enough horsepower to help but for us we need a bigger boost to restore order

You can still get the 30 day 5mg trial from their website or the 3 x 20mg version
Posted 8/12/2010 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
My surgeon didn't flinch when I asked about ADC..........instead he endorsed the use of, saying that they worked just fine. I said, "well how do you know? Just from feedback from patients?" He said, "no, because I tried them. How else could I recommend them to my patients".----------this from a very reputable surgeon. I think you'll see similar endorsements on this forum.

Arnie in DE

Posted 8/12/2010 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
My surgeon/uro is completely against out-of country meds. He was not happy when I asked that question.
Posted 8/12/2010 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
India does not recognize a patent on a compound, only a patent on a process. Thus, if a clever chemist can create a compound through a slightly different process the drug may be offered. India has many, many clever chemists. Part of this legal stand is because if India were required to recognize patents for drugs from elsewhere, then their many poor citizens would have nothing, or even less than they have at this time. So it was a political position as well as a medical and legal one.
Drugs made in India are sold worldwide. Western countries with national health and drug systems use them and many third world countries depend on them; a prime example is for AIDS treatment.
Drugs from China is a whole other issue which I would avoid.
Posted 8/12/2010 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
I hold in my hand a trade name medication from ADC. Aparently they forgot to give it some funky name this time. In researching the overseas drug compamies, ADC and one or two other india based manufacturers were on the list fo FDA inspected sites. As long as the FDA is allowed in to inspect, I will continue to trust that our own US drug distributors are also purchasing from approved manufacturers. Canada allows inspections, most of europe does. Mexico as far as I know does not, nor will China.....shocker there! The list is somewhere in the HW archives. One of our members did the initial research.  
Posted 8/12/2010 4:10 PM (GMT 0)

Well I have had my visit with the urologist. It went better than expected.

You are initially seen by the PA or a resident for the preliminary items. They brief the doctor and then he talks to you and decisions are made based upon the information gathered by the PA or resident.

 

I prefer the PA. She has a better personality, is young, and is very good looking. I digress.

 

I told her about the imported generics and the fact that a large portion of our generics were manufactured in India in FDA approved facilities.  She seemed skeptical.  I knew she would tell the doctor.  That is her job.

 

When I sat down with the doctor, he did not endorse using the generics nor did he condemn it. His sole concern is possible side affects because of slightly different formulations (other than the active ingredient). He was explicit that he wasn't talking about serious side affects.  Just headaches, muscle ache etc.  He also mentioned that adding Levitra to the Cialis two or three times a week was an expensive option.  I didn’t remind him that we were talking about Generics and that the Vardenafil (Levidtra) was only $1.05 per dose and that with pill cutting a 10MG dose Tadalafil (Cialis) was only $.38 a dose.

 

I believe the reason he was so circumspect is because he is quite prominent on the national level and does a lot work or consulting internationally.  The bottom line is that I feel like he needs all facts so he can do his best job for me.

 

As I am writing this my wife is picking up the 4th order we have placed with ADC since January. The first one was an experiment.  We now order in 90 day increments. If we use it and they carry it, we buy it.  That includes OTC items as well.  We have insurance and we are still saving about $400.00 per month by purchasing from ADC.

 

Posted 8/12/2010 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wood,

I think any Board certified Dr would give the same answer, it likely has nothing to do with how connected or respected he is

What is odd, do a search on Cooper Pharm which ADC sells its generic Viagra, yet on its website it does not list this product or even ED medications, it makes vitamins , aspirin, antibiotics and Ibuprofen formulations

Not saying these are bad, but it raises a red flag

Perhaps your Dr read these articles, I found these in just a quick search


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/09/fda-issues-warn.html

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/25/fda.india.generic.drugs/index.html[url]
Posted 8/12/2010 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Doctors get big kick-backs for prescribing any drug you see advertised on television.. If Big Pharma sees ADC as a threat to its profits, it will lobby for a customs crack-down to block their shipments. Most of these ED drugs are simple compounds that ANY drug company can make for pennies a pill. The entire medical establishment enjoys the river of profits generated by these drugs when sold to the captive U.S. audience for $10 a pop or more.

We would all do well not to mention ADC or any other foreign source of medications when chatting with our doctors...You are threatening their lifestyles and they will take retaliatory measures.."To keep these dangerous drugs from pouring into the U.S."
Posted 8/12/2010 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
What doctor with real credentials and a licencse to protect, would in their right mind, reccomend a patient to buy any drugs outside of the United States, where the company doesn't even require a real legitmate prescription to fill it? I wouldn't buy drugs the way that many here do if I needed them, but I am very paranoid about being poisioned, food wise or drug wise, so I would never trust the out of the country source. But I don't think its this big Doctor-Drug Company comspiracy thing going on. I think that theme gets pushed and promoted here too often. I think for us Americans, its easy to forget how lucky we are to live somewhere where there is so much protection in place with doctor's credentials, etc, and the safety of buying FDA approved meds from legitmate stores without worrying if you are doing something wrong or if you are going to get contaminated products in the mail.

David in SC

Sorry, not against saving money, but have low tolerance of conspiracy theories. Think that sends the wrong message to people new here looking for help
Posted 8/12/2010 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Sidenafil Citrate can be produced by any decent chemistry lab for around sixty cents per 100mg...In the real world, this is considered a recreational drug..If paying $10 per pill makes you feel better, or perhaps makes it work better, go for it! But realize, only people who live in the United States get clipped like that...
Posted 8/12/2010 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
In the U.S., doctors can be prosecuted for taking kickbacks, it's illegal:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/health/policy/04doctors.html

Most medical societies, universities and large clinics have policies limiting gives and contacts of doctors with drug company representatives:

http://www.acponline.org/running_practice/ethics/issues/relations/

This doesn't mean that drug companies don't do their best to try to influence what doctors do, I don't think they profit directly from drug sales--it's against the law.

My doctor has written several prescriptions for me to obtain generic drugs from overseas, no problem.
Posted 8/12/2010 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Fairwind, I do agree that we do get "clipped" here in the US on most drugs, I am thankful that most of my meds over the years have dropped down to the 4-10 range, its helps when you are long term meds

Postop - thanks for posting the facts on that. I have never had a doctor in my life try to push a particular drug on me, we usually have discussions of choices and side effects, etc related to the drug or drugs in question.
Posted 8/13/2010 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Kick-backs can take many forms...There are times when the drug company reps outnumber the patients in doctors waiting rooms..I'm glad to hear the larger institutions have taken steps to limit these contacts. They must have had good reason for doing so...
Posted 8/13/2010 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Postop,

You wrote: "My doctor has written several prescriptions for me to obtain generic drugs from overseas, no problem."

The way you did it is the best way and protects the patient

You had your Dr write on the Rx that it was OK to fill generic from an overseas pharmacy. That protects you in case the drug is not really what it is supposed to be. Any problems then at least you can go after the prescribing Dr and his malpractice will cover you

Keep the original in a safe place
Posted 8/13/2010 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I need to clarify my position about pharmacuticals. Some of the things I considered were:

  • I told my doctor I got them from India. Nothing more.

  • India produces a large percentage of the generic drugs used in the United States.

  • I lived overseas for almost 8 years.  After that I made at least another 100 trips overseas.  I guess I have a comfort factor because of that.

  • I do not believe that there is some huge conspiracy.  However, the pharmaceutical companies are gouging the United States.

  • Canada carefully regulates its pharmacies. A large portion of Canadian generics come from India. You just pay more for the same thing.

  • I researched my source adnauseum. The only complaint I found was some problems with taking credit cards for a little while.

  • The company I buy from provides the manufacturer of the items and all of the normal safety information that we in the United States expect

  • A large number of the pharmaceutical plants in India are FDA inspected and approved.

  • You do have to be careful whom you buy from

  • We NEVER buy anthing that hasn't been prescribed. This means we can fax them a prescription for ever item (except OTC items) that we buy.

  • I would NEVER knowingly take anything made in China

I am not trying to convince anybody of my views.  However, I do not make these kinds of decisons until I have considered a lot of facts that I have researched.

Posted 8/13/2010 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
MrGimpy

I read the articles you provided the links to. I am not saying that the FDA actions are not legitimate. However, they affected only one or two plants of one very lagre manufacturer. The article also said that they did not find any bad drugs and recommended that people keep taking them. However, it does highlight another problem. The FDA is not doing its job. Since a lot of these same generics are shipped all over world it means that the regulatory bodies in Canada and Europe are probably not doing as well as they should. During this same time frame a congressional House Comittee ripped the FDA a new one. Part of it was CYA after the fact. The link is:
http://www.kktv.com/11forhealth/headlines/18032594.html

I do take the articles seriously, but with a grain of salt, and I try to keep them in their proper perspective.
Posted 8/13/2010 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
I guess only doctors and their patient's from the US are in their right minds. I must have forgotten how ethically and morally superior ONLY our great government and the FDA is? My doctor KNOWS that the insurance company considers Cialis a recreational drug, even AFTER he written them to explain in the case of RRP it is NOT. MY doctor ALSO knows I cannot afford the $400 a month out-of-pocket it would cost me to take the meds he feels are in my best interest to take.

SO - when you ask WHAT doctor in his right mind? MY Doctor. The one who SHOULD decide what drugs I get and who would PREFER that OUR system was such that the money I paid for insurance would cover me for medications I need. But dont.
Posted 8/13/2010 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
MrGimpy,

The doctor didn't write OK for drugs from overseas. He wrote "substitution permitted". There is no generic version in the US, so where else could they come from? The ones I take are manufactured by a company in India (Cipla) that also manufacture many of the generic drugs that are licensed in the US. I wouldn't get drugs from China, nor would I buy them from one of those pharmacies in border towns in Mexico (not that I would even set foot in one of those towns these days). I think that any risk is tiny, and that risk is of getting counterfeit drugs that don't work. That rarely also happens in drugs sold in the US. What are the consequences of taking a counterfeit ED drug? What do you think?

There isn't any way that I would hold my US doctor responsible for any problems with these drugs. That would be stupid. He knows that I would never do that. If I were that stupid and went to a lawyer, to take the case that attorney would need 1) evidence of real harm done and 2) evidence that the doctor told me to buy the drugs from India. No personal injury lawyer would take such a case, because THEY aren't stupid, only greedy and dishonest. How much money do you think a jury would award you for failure to get an erection?

Who wants us to believe that generic drugs are not safe? It is those who market brand name drugs. It's call fear mongering.
Posted 8/13/2010 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Pills may work but if you want instant help you need to try TRIMIX. This is a injectable that WILL give you an etection in 10-30 min that lasts for at least an hour.
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