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confused

ElleBeeAye posted:

I know generics and brand name drugs are supposed to be the same except regarding inactive ingredients. I took the generic for seroquel and felt a significant negative effect. The Quetiapine Furmate is cheaper. But should I try to give it some time or just go back to the Seroquel. Are other people having trouble with this?

8 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:confusedI know generics and brand name drugs are supposed to be the same except regarding inactive ingredients. I took the generic for seroquel and felt a significant negative effect. The Quetiapine Furmate is cheaper. But should I try to give it some time or just go back to the Seroquel. Are other people having trouble with this?

Joseph F Goldberg, MD responded:

Dear ElleBeeAye,

The FDA only requires that a generic drug achieves a blood level that is between 80 and 120% of the blood level reached by a brand drug. They do not require that a generic drug demonstrates efficacy, or tracking of any side effects. This means that there can be great variability in the efficacy and side effect profiles of generic versus branded psychiatric medicines. If I had a patient who was stable on a brand name drug but noticed an inferior effect with the generic, I would favor the brand and petition their insurance company to pay for the brand name the same as the generic on the grounds that tolerability of the generic was poor.

- Dr. G.

Report This| Share this:confusedDear ElleBeeAye, The FDA only requires that a generic drug achieves a blood level that is between 80 and 120% of the blood level reached by a brand drug. They do not require that a generic drug demonstrates efficacy, or tracking of any side effects. This means that there can be great variability in the efficacy and side effect profiles of generic versus branded psychiatric medicines. If I had a patient who was stable on a brand name drug but noticed an inferior effect with the generic, I would favor the brand and petition their insurance company to pay for the brand name the same as the generic on the grounds that tolerability of the generic was poor. - Dr. G.

rosetomball responded:

Yes, I have had the same experience with generics for Celexa and Depakote. I cannot use the generics because they are not as effective for me.

Report This| Share this:confusedYes, I have had the same experience with generics for Celexa and Depakote. I cannot use the generics because they are not as effective for me.

ElleBeeAye replied to Joseph F Goldberg, MD's response:

Thank you Dr. Goldberg.

Report This| Share this:confusedThank you Dr. Goldberg.

dongracieallie responded:

I just started on the generic quetiapine fumarate.I take it at night 200mgs.I got a terrible throbbing (like a strong hearbeat) in my brain.I thought I would never sleep.The inactive ingredients must be way different than astra zeneca's formula.Now I need my doctor to go up against my insurance company.Wish me luck?I can't afford $700.00 a month.

Report This| Share this:confusedI just started on the generic quetiapine fumarate.I take it at night 200mgs.I got a terrible throbbing (like a strong hearbeat) in my brain.I thought I would never sleep.The inactive ingredients must be way different than astra zeneca's formula.Now I need my doctor to go up against my insurance company.Wish me luck?I can't afford $700.00 a month.

ddnos replied to dongracieallie's response:

dongracieallie, most insurance companies are good about allowing an exception....that's what your pdoc has to do, i.e. request an exception for you so you get the brand name instead of the generic, and he will explain why you need it and how the other doens't work for you, etc. Then it's authorized usually in that day or the next.

Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past could have been any different --Unknown

Report This| Share this:confuseddongracieallie, most insurance companies are good about allowing an exception....that's what your pdoc has to do, i.e. request an exception for you so you get the brand name instead of the generic, and he will explain why you need it and how the other doens't work for you, etc. Then it's authorized usually in that day or the next.

dongracieallie replied to ddnos's response:

Thank You ddnos.I called my Doctor and put in the request.

Report This| Share this:confusedThank You ddnos.I called my Doctor and put in the request.

ddnos replied to dongracieallie's response:

you're welcome, and i hope it goes smoothly like it always has with me.
good luck!
debbie

Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past could have been any different --Unknown

Report This| Share this:confusedyou're welcome, and i hope it goes smoothly like it always has with me. good luck! debbie

ElleBeeAye replied to dongracieallie's response:

I need some luck, too. My insurance company just sent paperwork for my doctor and myself to fill out, and then if it is approved the cost will be lowered. It is a little frustating but I am very thankful for my medication combination. Hang in there out there.

Report This| Share this:confusedI need some luck, too. My insurance company just sent paperwork for my doctor and myself to fill out, and then if it is approved the cost will be lowered. It is a little frustating but I am very thankful for my medication combination. Hang in there out there.

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