![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tampagirl70 on May 23, 2005, at 10:55:44
Are brand name and generic drugs EXACTLY the same? I was thinking about how I've been on a downhill spiral since late last year and then I remembered that my pharmacy started filling my celexa prescription with the generic when it became available. Is it possible that the generic is different than the brand name and that's what has added to my deteriorating condition?
Posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2005, at 20:12:07
In reply to Are brand name and generic celexa the same?, posted by tampagirl70 on May 23, 2005, at 10:55:44
There was a Thread a while back about this. The concensus was that there is a difference and it can be a big difference. I believe the thread was on generic benzos and I may have started it. Because of what I learned I now pay out of pocket for brandname valium. Over l30 dollars a month! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on May 23, 2005, at 22:25:18
In reply to Are brand name and generic celexa the same?, posted by tampagirl70 on May 23, 2005, at 10:55:44
> Are brand name and generic drugs EXACTLY the same? I was thinking about how I've been on a downhill spiral since late last year and then I remembered that my pharmacy started filling my celexa prescription with the generic when it became available. Is it possible that the generic is different than the brand name and that's what has added to my deteriorating condition?
I quote a summary of the FDA:"The FDA requires bioequivalency studies to demonstrate that there is no difference between brand and generic products for the mean maximal drug concentration (Cmax) and the drug concentration time curve (AUC). Further, the 90% confidence interval around this difference in mean values must be within 80% and 125% of the mean measured Cmax and AUC for the brand product."
Basically this means that the maximum plasma blood level and the time that it is in your body (AUC) must be the same, and any difference between the average of the generic and the brand name must meet a 90% standard... my college statistics becomes fuzzy around there but basically generics must be the same product. I'm sure ed_uk could tell you more.
The only difference from what I remember that possibly could make a difference between generics and the original product (and remember the original product can also vary in this standard) is with anticonvulsants /in vivo/ (in the body) in epileptic patients, those who take lithium combinations and a few other esoterica can experience enough of a significant difference if they are on the borderline of things.
But just plain Valium or Klonopin at levels for anxiolytic purposes or for those who arent epileptics, is not really likely to make any difference and the cost difference between generic benzos and the originals (if they are still being produced) is orders of magnitude not terribly worth it. However, as stated, if one feels more comfortable, they can pay out of pocket. (I speak not for the HMOs, who by the way state the same thing). Its a pleasure only paying $7 for generic Klonopin when I have to pay a high copay for Seroquel.
Anyhow, my 2c.
Tidings.
Posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2005, at 22:41:41
In reply to Re: Are brand name and generic celexa the same?, posted by yxibow on May 23, 2005, at 22:25:18
There was a Thread that stated the opposite reaction. I remember that generic valium at l0mg was only the equivalent of maybe 7.5mg of brandname. And from personal experience when i switched from generic valium to brandname there was a difference. In the case of xanax, the same company that produces the brandname produces the generic name Greenstone so you can be assusred of Greenstone being equivalent. Will someone else who was on that Thread pop in please and help me out. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by bipolarspectrum on May 24, 2005, at 23:29:42
In reply to Re: Are brand name and generic celexa the same? » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2005, at 22:41:41
Hi,
Brand and generic are definately not the same... I have a friend with a Phd in Pharmacology and he told me that.. he said that the drug itself is the same but all the fillers they add are different... and these fillers can influence things like absorption..
bps
Posted by Phillipa on May 24, 2005, at 23:58:59
In reply to Re: Are brand name and generic celexa the same? » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2005, at 22:41:41
Thanks Bipolar, Where are the rest of you? Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.