Anyone tried generic versions of PPIs? Specifically Prevacid/Lansoprazole??

I've been on PREVACID (30mg once a day) for the past 5 years or so. It has controlled my acid reflux/GERD well, with little or no apparent side effects for me.

I recently learned that there are generic versions of PREVACID being marketed outside my country (USA) for example in the UK, Canada, Europe, Asia, etc. Unfortunately for me right now I am in a financial bind and cannot afford to continue to pay for this drug anymore at what it currently costs me. That has led me to do much investigation as to what my options are for getting a non-USA approved generic version and the possible risks of taking a generic not yet approved in the USA.

I have read many facets of the generic drug issues on other websites, forums, blogs, etc, and there is much information in general to consider, however I would really like to hear any comments, good or bad, from anyone who has had first hand experience with taking a generic PPI. Especially anyone that has taken the 30mg generic PREVACID called "Lanzol-30" made by Cipla Pharmaceuticals (from India).

I respectfully ask that folks who only have comments on the issues of taking non-USA approved generics without first hand experience of actually taking them to please NOT comment in this thread - I've read so much of those type of general comments (& some of it even gets into political issues and bickering) that my head is ready to explode. I'm just looking for feedback from fellow heartburn suffers who've tried the various generics and how they've done on them.

Thanks very much.

Good Morning,

I have taken generic meds from out of the country, India to be exact.  I found the  cost of the drug was cheap but the postage brought the price right on up there with buying in the USA. 

Just my own experience.  :)

 

Kitt

Aaahhh Canada, I am glad it was not from overseas, as that postage is high and so is the drug cost but I suspect it is because they don't requre a RX and you are not sure of the quality your buying.  I threw what I ordered away.  It was not one of my better decisions to order this med.  on me.

Kitt

I read that an Israeli pharma company (Teva) lost a court case trying to release generic Prevacid here in the USA. They got FDA approval in Jan '08 but the patent holder company sued them and won the case, in respect to one of the patents that they cited (or some such legalese like that). That has delayed Teva until November '09 in what I've read so far (?????). It would be great if that was moved up to August though!!!

I wonder if the USA generic release will affect the price of the non-generic too. I'm leaning to going back on the non-generic.

I've been on this Cipla generic Prevacid for 5 days now and I think my body likes the non-generic better. I had the runs the first 2 days on this and have also noticed abdominal and lower back pains, similar to what I felt when I was first on PPIs and the doctor put me on Nexium. I still can't say for sure it is this generic that is causing this but I am suspicious. Nexium definitely did this to me though (plus gave me a constant headache). Non-generic Prevacid doesn't make me feel this way.

Also here's something else I read recently - an OTC version of Prevacid has been approved for USA, but only in 15mg doses. I wonder what the price for that will be and what effect that will have on the market for the 30mg non-generic.

I have found the Generic Prevacid to be less than worthless coming from Prelosec 40mg going to 60mg of Prevacid.  Doesn't next to nothing.  Having to take Zantac like it's my job.