Reply To: different manufacturer = less effective?

[Patte Rosebank]

@phoenixmagic, that’s the funny thing about generics.

Most generics for physical conditions are pretty much perfectly interchangeable with branded versions.  However, generics for mental issues are much trickier.

Technically, they’re the same chemical makeup as the branded.  But “technically the same as” doesn’t necessarily mean “identical to”, and even a small difference in the pill can make a big difference to the patient.

If the branded version uses a special delivery system that releases a certain amount as soon as the pill is taken, then gradually releases the rest over a given time-span, then you’d expect the generic equivalent to do the exact same thing.  But, since it’s made by a different company, in a different factory, with different methods and different fillers, there will always be some difference between that generic and the branded—and even between different companies’ generic versions of the same drug.

I know of people who had tremendous trouble with a certain generic brand of Ritalin (methylphenidate), but were perfectly fine with the branded version, and with a different generic brand of it.  Turns out, the people were lactose intolerant, and one of the fillers in the “intolerable” generic brand was lactose!  But they weren’t advised when their pharmacy suddenly changed generic brands, so all they knew was that suddenly, their formerly-reliable methylphenidate was giving them terrible stomach issues.

The lesson here is, learn what your meds look like, and check each refill, before you leave the pharmacy.  If the pills look different, talk to your pharmacist about it.  Ask questions, and get answers.  You need to be fully aware of any changes, because they just might make a difference to the treatment of your condition.

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