orgart
Member
Reged: 01/02/04
Posts: 145
Loc: calif
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In taking both the generic and the brand name meds I've come to notice that sometimes the generic (as in my last script for 7.5 lortab) seems a bit weaker and slower acting than the brand name version. Please let me know if it's just me or is there a reason for this feeling of mine. Thanks
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orgart
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classclown
Journeyman
Reged: 02/10/04
Posts: 60
Loc: Misery, I mean Missouri
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I tend to think you are correct, but I have no scientific proof of it. I feel strongly enough about it that when I can afford the choice, I go namebrand...but, most of the time that isn't an option. I FORCED my grandmother to start getting namebrand vs. generic since hers is paid for and she says that the generic doesn't take away all of her pain...so, she just won't take the meds. When I went and got her the name brand Lortab 7.5, she said that she saw a significant difference in the consistancy of relief and her pain was completely gone. It could easily be the "placebo effect", but either way it is affecting the way the generics are reacting psychologically/physiologically in me and my family.
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booker
Board Addict
Reged: 08/15/03
Posts: 348
Loc: The Moon
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There was a thread not too long ago where people were discussing this. The generics are supposed to be exactly the same as the name brand but people do seem to notice a difference at times. Some thought it was the "fillers", some thought it was just "thinking it was different". Maybe one script is "fresher". I only take generic of anything these days due to cost. It was quite a long thread of comments so you are definately not alone in this thought. 
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"would you like to swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar, and be better off than you are, or would you rather be a ....."
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 461
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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Do you notice the difference between coke and generic cola? They're suppose to have the same ingredients, but... yeah. Lol. That's my theory 
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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catmom
Board Addict
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 320
Loc: Midwest
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Greycie you scared me at first when you started talking about "coke" LOL 
Catmom
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If it's not immediate, it's not gratification.
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kittie74
Board Addict
Reged: 02/16/04
Posts: 310
Loc: Hollywood
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Maybe you guys can help me with this. I usually take Vicodin ES, but am switching to Norco 10/325 to take less tylenol. What so you think of name brand vd. generic (watsons)? Should I stick w/name brand? NWW price difference is $48. I can afford it since I am going to use 2 day shipping. Is it worth the extra $$$$?
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leapwells
Stranger
Reged: 03/04/03
Posts: 23
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A doctor explained it to me this way and it made a heck of alot of sense. You give 2 people the same ingredients and no recipe to make a cake, do you think the cakes are going to taste the same?
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potatoboy99
Permanent Fixture
Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 1200
Loc: Deep North (East)
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Quote:
There was a thread not too long ago where people were discussing this. )
There seems to be a thread every other week where we discuss this....
I recall that lovepink pointed out that Mallies contain lactose in the binders, which the Norco and Watsons and Qualitest do not. And that could explain the very negative reaction a lot of people have to the generice Mallie 10/325.
So it's not all in our heads!
Common sense says that, even if the name brand and the generices contain exactly the same quantity of hydrocodone, there could still easily be differences in how fast and how effectively the med gets into your system (depending on binders, fillers, etc).
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JOJOM
Banned for off topic discussions, confronting mods in public, and being unpolite to members and mods
Reged: 08/16/03
Posts: 358
Loc: Yankee
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Well I for some reason can never tell the difference between meds, generic, brand or whatever. They all work the same for me with no ill side effects. I will say that when I was taking Hydro es with 750 tylenol, that would make me sick to my stomach. Now that I am on 325, no problems.
Our chemicals are all different so some are effected by different brands, others not!
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Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief she is beautiful.
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kittie74
Board Addict
Reged: 02/16/04
Posts: 310
Loc: Hollywood
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Thanks to everyone for their input. Leapwells - I especially loved your cake analogy.
I know this is discussed a lot. I was just curious if people preferred one over the other. Guess I will try the generic and maybe the next time, try name brand. Then I will have first hand experience.
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orgart
Member
Reged: 01/02/04
Posts: 145
Loc: calif
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After reading these posts I find the binder theory is the one that seems to make the most sense. I did a test today, I use 7.5 lortab (watson) for my fibro when it gets bad. Yesterday it flared up and I took just a half a dose (it took awhile but worked). So today I had the same condition but used one of my wife's 5mg vicodin and it did a little less but faster. Final judgement: the drugs work, but the delivery is the difference. Maybe a less tylenol thing would be better? 
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orgart
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kittie74
Board Addict
Reged: 02/16/04
Posts: 310
Loc: Hollywood
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That's what I thought, less tylenol would be better. Definitely better in the long run for the liver. So I am switching from 750 mg APAP to 325 mg. Much better, from what I hear!
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mailkitty
Newbie
Reged: 05/18/02
Posts: 45
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Hi. I believe wholeheartedly that generics have a slightly different effect on some people. The FDA requires that the active ingredient in all generic drugs be exactly equivalent to that of the name brand. While I agree with the cake analogy in as much as not all cakes are going to taste alike, they are all going to make you just as fat!
The advantage to taking a drug with less Tylenol in it is that Tylenol is really hard on your liver. If you're concerned about the long term use of pain meds, you might want to try Vicoprofen. It has 7.5mg of Hydrocodone but instead of Tylenol, it has 200mg of Ibuprofen in it.
Good luck
Lisa
Owner, St.Peter's Apothecary
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hunt1
Member
Reged: 02/07/04
Posts: 128
Loc: TEXAS
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WHY DO THEY NOT MAKE A STRONGER VICOPROFEN MORE THAN 7.5MG LIKE 10MG WITH HYDROCODONE?
HUNT 
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Karma2678
Enthusiast
Reged: 07/23/03
Posts: 200
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I used to go to a medical hospital when I was eligible, but had to see a specialist and was prescribed a pain medication from him. He was going to just write a regulare script which would probably be filled with a generic medication, but when he knew I could have it filled for free at The medical hospitals pharmacy he wrote "brand only" on the script. He said that on certain drugs like pain medication and anxiety meds brand names do work better than the generic, and since the script would be filled for free it is worth it to get the brand. He is the number 1 doctor in my state so I tend to believe him. I have also noticed a difference in generic vs. brand names in many things outside of meds and even over the counter meds. Sometimes I actually prefer the generic meds that are over the counter to the brand name. Like there is a certain generic benedryl I buy because I feel like it works better than the brand name and is much cheaper. So I personally don't thing it is completely the placebo effect. I to love the coke anology I am drinking a generic cola now and I for sure can tell the difference! But, write now using an op for my meds is making it difficult to buy brand name because of the huge cost difference, I just must settle for generic and they seem to work well for now.
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~~~ Karma ~~~
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orgart
Member
Reged: 01/02/04
Posts: 145
Loc: calif
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Thank for the input, I do have liver problems and this is what I need to know.
This is why this board is a must for me. 
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orgart
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tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 531
Loc: Chicago
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this is discussed all of the time on this board.have you read the other threads? there is absolutely no difference and its all in your mind, unless your taking a different formulation that might have more tylonal in it. the reason why there is no difference is because a chemical compound is a chemical compound, there is no good or bad hydrocodone molecue, its either hydrocodone or its not hydrocodone. there are people who claim theres a difference between watson's generic hydrocodone APAP 5/325 and Norco band 5/325 and these people didnt know they are both made by watson!
think about it, how could there be a difference if a medicine consists of a measured dose of a single compound? That makes no sense, its like saying theres a difference between dannon brand distilled water (H20) and generic brand distilled water (H20)
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kittie74
Board Addict
Reged: 02/16/04
Posts: 310
Loc: Hollywood
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Thank you, Lisa, for your thoughts on this. Nice to hear it directly from the pharmacy.
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mailkitty
Newbie
Reged: 05/18/02
Posts: 45
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Beats me!!! In my opinion, they should push this drug a lot harder. I think it's far superior for long term use. They should also drop the price!! If you find out the answer to that, let me know.
Lisa
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hunt1
Member
Reged: 02/07/04
Posts: 128
Loc: TEXAS
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Lisa,
I was wonder if you could give your expertise as to which is more effective 10mg/with Tylenol or Vicoprophen 7.5/Ibuprophen on pain? I know one has less hydrocodone in it, but does it make a difference weither Tylenol is used with it or Ibuprophen is used with it. I quess what I am trying to say is does one of the other increase the strengh of hydrocodone.
HUNT
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mailkitty
Newbie
Reged: 05/18/02
Posts: 45
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WOW! That's a loaded question. It is impossible for me to give you a "blanket" answer about which one is better for your condition. What I can tell you is that hydrocodone is hydrocodone and that 7.5 mg is less than 10mg. The second ingredient has no effect on the "performance" of the pain relieving properties of it. Acetaminiphin and Ibuprofen have somewhat different analagesic properties and the use of one or another is pretty much determined by your condition and the side effects. For example, Tylenol has a lower incidence of stomach distress than Motrin but Motrin has is recommended more for inflammation than Tylenol. You would be less likely to give Motrin to someone with ulcers or bleeding problems and you would be less likely to give Tylenol to someone who is an alchoholic. It's really based on benefits vs. risks.
Sorry I couldn't give you a better answer. If you have any other questions, just ask!!
Lisa
St.Peter's Apothecary
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hunt1
Member
Reged: 02/07/04
Posts: 128
Loc: TEXAS
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Lisa,
THANKS VERY MUCH for that reply. It was very informative and answered my question. I am very SORRY it was such a loaded questions. I just was not sure if you could understand what I was asking. I just wished they would make the 10mg hydrocodone/Ibupro. it would not only help with inflamation of your joints but treat the pain that is affecting your daily life. All people want is a pain free life. I know I did not asked to be hit from behind from a 18-wheeler that was traveling over 60+MPH in the rain as I was legally parked on the side of the road. Don't get me wrong I think God for sparing my life so I can still enjoy my kids I so adore. I think it is good to have a expert to ask questions to and get honest answers.
I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND KNOWLEDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HUNT
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mailkitty
Newbie
Reged: 05/18/02
Posts: 45
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That wasn't a slam! It's just that you could write a book (and people have) on the APAP/IBU info. Glad I could help.
Lisa
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dhc_60
Member
Reged: 01/31/04
Posts: 175
Loc: mo.
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theres a catch 22 w/ ibup. to much can cause severe stomach problems like bleeding ulcers.
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everything is going according to plan... its just not my plan.
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tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 531
Loc: Chicago
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i dont recall ever taking ibuprofin, but when i took ansaid, an analog and chemical reletive to ibup, i had nasty gas-like lower cramps and it cleaned out my colon good
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