What ABOUT Generics???

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2004
What ABOUT Generics???
12
Mon, 04-26-2004 - 6:44pm
So what are your opinions of generics? I know OTC recently came out with a generic, and so did Cyclessa (I am on that right now, a triphasic pill).

So here's the thing - the pharmacists said that it contains the same amount of active ingredients... I always heard that generics had to have at least 80% of the active ingred. I would hope it would be 100% for the active ingredients, but when my friend went on OTC's generic she totally broke out and had weird side effects she never had before.

Anyone else experienced different symptoms switching to generic? It's super cheap, but I just started the pill a little under 2 months ago and want to let my body get used to it.

Thoughts ladies?

Are generics as effective too? I have heard conflicting arguments on this one...

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Mon, 04-26-2004 - 7:15pm


I am on Mircette and chose NOT to use the generic although it would have saved us $25 a month. (My insurance charges $10 for generics and $35 if you chose not to use the generic when one is available.)

I had a nasty time adjusting to the pill in the first place, so for me it was not worth it to go with generic...but for others this may not be their preference. I just know that I didn't want anything less than the "best" I could get when it came to BC (not the kind of thing you want to "oops" on.) But then again, I don't really know what the literature says about generics. I just didn't want to take the risk.

If you are thinking of switching to the generic, I would consider doing it soon since you've only been on the non-generic for 2 months...this might offer your body a better experience in getting used to the generic since it hasn't had that long on the non-generic.

Hope that helps!

Andi in NY

Avatar for poohwhitt
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 04-26-2004 - 9:04pm
Maybe my body is weird, but I've always preferred the generic to the name brand pill (except with Portia, but that's another story). The last time I was on the pill, I loved the generic for Nordette, which was Levora. I had a better time with that than Nordette. My experience has been generics are just as effective as the name brands. If you want to double check that ask the pharmacist/doctor or check online. The one of the reasons I'm not on Levora now and on the patch instead, is my pharmacy stopped carrying it. Other than that I've had the minimal amount problems with generics. Just keep in mind everybody's body is different, you might do well on the same pill that made someone else completely miserable.

Hope that helps

Best of Luck

Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 04-26-2004 - 9:51pm
Hi climbinggirl,

This is what the U.S. FDA has to say about generic drugs:

Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers

http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/generics_q&a.htm

Therapeutic Equivalence of Generic Drugs Letter to Health Practitioners

http://www.fda.gov/cder/news/nightgenlett.htm

Even though the FDA requires Therapeutic Equivalence some women will notice a difference (not in effectiveness but in side effects) between some generics and their brand equivalents.

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2004
Mon, 04-26-2004 - 10:46pm
Thank you all so much for your experiences and information! I will definitely check out those pages jill!!!

I just worry... :-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2003
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 10:41am
I decided to switch from a name brand to it's generic, Apri. It's effectiveness was the same (I was on it for a little over a year and successfully didn't get pregnant!) But I did experience some side effects that I didn't have when I was on the name brand. I recently switched alltogether to the patch, but even before then I had already made up my mind that if my doc didn't think the patch was right for me I would go back to the name-brand version. They are sooooooooo much cheaper though, I was able to save a lot of money each month, which is definitely a plus.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 12:03pm
I asked my co-worker who was an RN that worked in an ob/gyn doctor's office for 10 years--she said that by law, generics have to be exactly the same. She said that what happens is, a company comes out with a drug and names it and they have the copyright or patent on it for so many years. After that time is up, anyone can make it and name it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2004
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 3:10pm
Thanks so much - out of curiosity, what kind of side effects did you notice when you switched to generics? It makes me feel better that at least it is effective, but what side effects did you notice that you did not experience on the name brand?? Thanks so much!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2003
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 3:55pm
When I switched to the generics I noticed my cramps got worse (that's the reason I originally went on BCPs, I had HORRIBLE cramps and my doc said going on the pill would help) My complexion also got worse -- my face was always breaking out (which was unusual for me). I also noticed a weight gain. I thought all of these side effects were just coincidence until I switched to something completely new (the patch) then all of the sudden by complexion cleared up, my cramps virtually disappeared and I lost 10 pounds! Could still just be coincidence -- but the changes were pretty much instant. However, they were effective at their main purpose -- hubby and I definitely didn't have any pregnancy surprises!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2004
Tue, 05-11-2004 - 10:53am
Luckily my insurance covers non-generic and the name brand is in fact - cheaper.

$5.00 for Ortho-trycyclen and $25.00 for the generic on Aetna HMO. What is really weird though is at the Walgreens where I pick up my prescription, they ALWAYS say "generic o.k.???" to which I originally said yes, until I found out about the price difference ! They make is sound like ... 'is generic going to be o.k., we are out of the name brand ...'

When questioned about it they always say, we are SUPPOSED to ask if you would like generic in that way... Maybe Walgreens Corporate can explain that one.

Anyway - Generics are NOT the same and never have beeen. I have friends in the pharmacy biz, and generics meet the minimum requirements, but are not completely identical to the name brands. The percentage of ingredients and quality do not have to be exactly the same they must only meet the minimum requirements set forth. With something like birth control ... I'm not willing take any kind of a gamble.

I think they should stop pushing all this generic crap and let the public know that generics are not the exact same item without the name brand.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Tue, 05-11-2004 - 2:56pm
I just had to give my 2 cents.

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Maybe you don't like generic drugs, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. They are required BY LAW to have the same active ingredient content. Other fillers may be different, which is why some people can't tolerate them. Don't know what your friends in the pharmacy biz told you, but they're wrong.

Anyway, alot of people feel this way. I worked at a pharmacy and people always had questions when they take generics. Some of the companies who produce name brand drugs also produce generics.

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