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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on December 21, 2012, at 0:20:36
I recently tried brand-name Memantine (Ebixa) for severe, treatment-resistant OCD and experienced a worsening of symptoms with each escalation of dose (from 2.5mg - 15mg).
However, I have come across a member on another board who *swears* by the Sun Pharma-produced generic, claiming to have seen no results with the brand name.
I actually have about two-month's worth of the generic on-hand and another 4 weeks until I potentially see my psychiatrist again. Considering I've all but given up hope in finding any relief from my symptoms, I'd be wondering whether it would be worth experimenting with the generic during that period.
Obviously no one can directly instruct me on what to do, but I was just curious whether there was a general phenomenon of patients potentially responding to a generic whereas they had no (or an adverse) reaction to a brand-name of a specific drug. The overall Memantine experience was rather unpleasant, so it isn't something I would explicitly be want to be replicating if there was no hope I might see different results this time around.
I suppose I could always try a low dose (5mg) for a week and see if the general trend (increased anxiety/agitation) repeats itself.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on December 21, 2012, at 0:58:59
In reply to can a generic help where brand-name didn't?, posted by g_g_g_unit on December 21, 2012, at 0:20:36
Adverse reactions are a psssability, if a colour or excipient used in a brand name isnt present ina generic - for example, brand name Valium giving you a rash, but generic Diazepam not giving you a rash.
As for the generic working where the brand didnt, I'd say its extremely unlikely, but anything is possible.
One question I'd ask is what exactly is in the Indian generic, and is it genuian. My mother was a pharmacist and she told me of a case in the 1980's of a chinese herbal remedy for "nerves" which worked wonders for a lot of people - incliding the wife of a university pharmacologist, who couldnt beleive that it worked. She swore so convincingly that it did work that he anylised some of the herbal remedy, which proved to contain a benzodoazepine
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on December 21, 2012, at 1:09:42
In reply to can a generic help where brand-name didn't?, posted by g_g_g_unit on December 21, 2012, at 0:20:36
Not saying thats whats happend in this case, but it sprung to mind as a possability where two supposedly identical drugs produced markedly different effects
Posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2012, at 9:46:23
In reply to Re: can a generic help where brand-name didn't?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on December 21, 2012, at 1:09:42
So the fillers and dyes actually can keep a med from working? Question comes from asking at a docs who said makes no difference as a severe allergic reaction would take place if the dyes & fillers didn't agree. Sorry to hyjack from original question. Phillipa
Posted by Phil on December 21, 2012, at 12:20:26
In reply to Re: can a generic help where brand-name didn't?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on December 21, 2012, at 0:58:59
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on December 21, 2012, at 17:46:47
In reply to Re: can a generic help where brand-name didn't? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2012, at 9:46:23
I think thats extremely unlikely phillips, though i guess its a remote possability..... I was thinking more of allergic reactions, where you might have a reaction to one manufacturers diazepam but not anothers.
Posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2012, at 20:50:00
In reply to Re: can a generic help where brand-name didn't?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on December 21, 2012, at 17:46:47
Jono thanks reassuring:))) Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on December 21, 2012, at 21:17:43
In reply to Re: can a generic help where brand-name didn't? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2012, at 20:50:00
Thinking back, I can also remember other chinese "herbal remedies" that were adulterated, one for male sexual performance contained (predictabley) Viagra, one for arthritis contained antiinflamatory drugs and codeine, and one for weightloss contained Reductil.
Maybe i need to invest in some herbal medicines!
Posted by bleauberry on December 24, 2012, at 5:23:54
In reply to can a generic help where brand-name didn't?, posted by g_g_g_unit on December 21, 2012, at 0:20:36
I did ok with generic nortriptyline added to zoloft. But I wanted to switch to brand. When I did, it felt lousy. Generic nortriptyline was better than brand, to me. Usually it is the other way around though. Brand is usually better, but not always. A lyme doctor I had said a generic version of one of the pain pills was better than brand. it can go either way.
Posted by Phillipa on December 24, 2012, at 18:44:49
In reply to Re: can a generic help where brand-name didn't?, posted by bleauberry on December 24, 2012, at 5:23:54
If you have lyme you must have arthritis especially of the knees. Lyme doesn't last forever unless it's so advanced that it eventually kills you. Effects the heart also. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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