Re: Dr. Dantini - anti-virals valacyclovir

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Do you find that the valacyclovir works as well as the brand name?

I recently was switched from the Brand name Valtrex to generic valacyclovir and

it did not work for me. Seriously went downhill.

I am now back on Valtrex and within two days, I was so much better.

I thought regular generic acyclovir was better than generic valacyclovir. I was

very disappointed.

I order my Valtrex for about $30 a month from India.

I am sure acyclovir is cheaper, even. I have tried adding Valine to my dose of

acyclovir but haven't been on it long enough to see if it would be the same as

Valtrex.

Marti

> > ...I do a low dose of acyclovir (generic for Valtrex) when I get sore

> > throat and glands, but I have no health insurance so don't get lots. I

> > take

> > 3000 mg of l-lysine daily...

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Did you try another brand generic valacyclovir? There is even an

authorized generic ( " generic " manufactured by the brand name

manufacturer). Do you have prescription coverage? Did you look into

prescription assistance for Valtrex or valacyclovir? Maybe then you

wouldn't have to get it from India.

Valacyclovir works just as well as Valtrex, but some people have

trouble with the fillers used in certain generics.

Steve M

On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 8:54 PM, marti_zavala <marti_zavala@...> wrote:

Hi ,

Do you find that the valacyclovir works as well as the brand name?

I recently was switched from the Brand name Valtrex to generic

valacyclovir and it did not work for me.  Seriously went downhill.

I am now back on Valtrex and within two days, I was so much better.

I thought regular generic acyclovir was better than generic

valacyclovir.  I was very disappointed.

I order my Valtrex for about $30 a month from India.

I am sure acyclovir is cheaper, even.  I have tried adding Valine to

my dose of acyclovir but haven't been on it long enough to see if it

would be the same as Valtrex.

Marti

[Guest guest]

Hi Steve,

I did not realize this... I did some quick research and found these companies:

" Some of the manufacturers who make generic valacyclovir include:

Aurobindo Pharma

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories

Matrix Laboratories, Limited

Mylan Pharmaceuticals

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Roxane Laboratories, Inc.

Sandoz

Teva Pharmaceuticals

Laboratories "

The first generic I have tried is from Roxane Laboratories. It is a white oval

tablet (as opposed to the blue coated tablet. The tablets from India are blue

coated but they are also generic valacyclovir made by Cipla (I never really

noticed).

I will ask the pharmacy if they can get a different generic.

I do have prescription coverage and brand name 30 day supply at 500mg per day

would be about $168 vs. the generic at $3 with my insurance.

I usually have trouble with fillers but mostly I noticed viral reactivation,

flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, cold sores, severe fatigues, joint pain,

low grade fever.

I have been on regular generic acyclovir since 2005 at 800mg per day then

switched to Valtrex in 2008 or so at 500mg per day. Perhaps the filler in the

Roxane valacyclovir is more of a binder - I am 100% positive that it is not as

effective as Valtrex or Cipla's generic valacyclovir - for me. Maybe I am not

able to break it down due to a different filler.

Thanks for your help. I order quite a bit from India so it's not a big deal but

I had run out and it would be nice if I can get a month's supply for $3.

Marti

> Hi ,

> Do you find that the valacyclovir works as well as the brand name?

>

> I recently was switched from the Brand name Valtrex to generic

> valacyclovir and it did not work for me.  Seriously went downhill.

>

> I am now back on Valtrex and within two days, I was so much better.

>

> I thought regular generic acyclovir was better than generic

> valacyclovir.  I was very disappointed.

>

> I order my Valtrex for about $30 a month from India.

>

> I am sure acyclovir is cheaper, even.  I have tried adding Valine to

> my dose of acyclovir but haven't been on it long enough to see if it

> would be the same as Valtrex.

>

> Marti

>

[Guest guest]

The authorized generic for Valtrex is manufactured by Ranbaxy. I

REALLY hope you're able to get your valacyclovir for only $3/month at

a US based pharmacy (probably safer than ordering online). Even if

they can't get the Ranbaxy generic, I would look up the ingredients

list on the FDA approved prescribing information [the full, physician

version] for the other generics and try whichever ones is closest to

Valtrex (or farthest from Roxane) and try that one. If you need help

with that (or just want me to do it for you), I'd be happy to help.

Please let me know how it goes.

Steve M

On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 11:24 PM, marti_zavala <marti_zavala@...> wrote:

Hi Steve,

I did not realize this...  I did some quick research and found these companies:

" Some of the manufacturers who make generic valacyclovir include:

>    Aurobindo Pharma

>    Dr. Reddy's Laboratories

>    Matrix Laboratories, Limited

>    Mylan Pharmaceuticals

>    Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

>    Roxane Laboratories, Inc.

>    Sandoz

>    Teva Pharmaceuticals

>     Laboratories "

The first generic I have tried is from Roxane Laboratories.  It is a

white oval tablet (as opposed to the blue coated tablet.  The tablets

from India are blue coated but they are also generic valacyclovir made

by Cipla (I never really noticed).

I will ask the pharmacy if they can get a different generic.

I do have prescription coverage and brand name 30 day supply at 500mg

per day would be about $168 vs. the generic at $3 with my insurance.

I usually have trouble with fillers but mostly I noticed viral

reactivation, flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, cold sores,

severe fatigues, joint pain, low grade fever.

I have been on regular generic acyclovir since 2005 at 800mg per day

then switched to Valtrex in 2008 or so at 500mg per day.  Perhaps the

filler in the Roxane valacyclovir is more of a binder - I am 100%

positive that it is not as effective as Valtrex or Cipla's generic

valacyclovir - for me.  Maybe I am not able to break it down due to a

different filler.

Thanks for your help.  I order quite a bit from India so it's not a

big deal but I had run out and it would be nice if I can get a month's

supply for $3.

Marti

[Guest guest]

Steve: Thanks, I'll talk to my pharmacist here in ville CA and see

what they suggest. I never though to ask but appreciate the ideas you

present here. It's always nice to know which generics are better.

On 3/1/2012 8:57 PM, M. wrote:

>

> The authorized generic for Valtrex is manufactured by Ranbaxy. I

> REALLY hope you're able to get your valacyclovir for only $3/month at

> a US based pharmacy (probably safer than ordering online). Even if

> they can't get the Ranbaxy generic, I would look up the ingredients

> list on the FDA approved prescribing information [the full, physician

> version] for the other generics and try whichever ones is closest to

> Valtrex (or farthest from Roxane) and try that one. If you need help

> with that (or just want me to do it for you), I'd be happy to help.

>

> Please let me know how it goes.

>

> Steve M

>

> On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 11:24 PM, marti_zavala <marti_zavala@...

> <mailto:marti_zavala%40>> wrote:

> Hi Steve,

> I did not realize this... I did some quick research and found these

> companies:

>

> " Some of the manufacturers who make generic valacyclovir include:

>

> > Aurobindo Pharma

> > Dr. Reddy's Laboratories

> > Matrix Laboratories, Limited

> > Mylan Pharmaceuticals

> > Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

> > Roxane Laboratories, Inc.

> > Sandoz

> > Teva Pharmaceuticals

> > Laboratories "

>

> The first generic I have tried is from Roxane Laboratories. It is a

> white oval tablet (as opposed to the blue coated tablet. The tablets

> from India are blue coated but they are also generic valacyclovir made

> by Cipla (I never really noticed).

>

> I will ask the pharmacy if they can get a different generic.

>

> I do have prescription coverage and brand name 30 day supply at 500mg

> per day would be about $168 vs. the generic at $3 with my insurance.

>

> I usually have trouble with fillers but mostly I noticed viral

> reactivation, flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, cold sores,

> severe fatigues, joint pain, low grade fever.

>

> I have been on regular generic acyclovir since 2005 at 800mg per day

> then switched to Valtrex in 2008 or so at 500mg per day. Perhaps the

> filler in the Roxane valacyclovir is more of a binder - I am 100%

> positive that it is not as effective as Valtrex or Cipla's generic

> valacyclovir - for me. Maybe I am not able to break it down due to a

> different filler.

>

> Thanks for your help. I order quite a bit from India so it's not a

> big deal but I had run out and it would be nice if I can get a month's

> supply for $3.

>

> Marti

>

>

[Guest guest]

I don't have insurance so get whatever the pharmacy orders at whatever

discount. I get 10 pills (not too expensive but can't remember the

price, not $3) at a time but my doctor will prescribe whatever I want. I

will ask my pharmacist what they think and see what they get for me

different from the Mylan Pharmaceuticals and see if it works

differently. I do remember the original Valtrex was $600/month but I had

insurance back then and it really helped. It took me six months to

really see a difference because I was so sick.

On 3/1/2012 7:56 PM, M. wrote:

>

> Did you try another brand generic valacyclovir? There is even an

> authorized generic ( " generic " manufactured by the brand name

> manufacturer). Do you have prescription coverage? Did you look into

> prescription assistance for Valtrex or valacyclovir? Maybe then you

> wouldn't have to get it from India.

>

> Valacyclovir works just as well as Valtrex, but some people have

> trouble with the fillers used in certain generics.

>

> Steve M

>

> On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 8:54 PM, marti_zavala <marti_zavala@...

> <mailto:marti_zavala%40>> wrote:

> Hi ,

> Do you find that the valacyclovir works as well as the brand name?

>

> I recently was switched from the Brand name Valtrex to generic

> valacyclovir and it did not work for me. Seriously went downhill.

>

> I am now back on Valtrex and within two days, I was so much better.

>

> I thought regular generic acyclovir was better than generic

> valacyclovir. I was very disappointed.

>

> I order my Valtrex for about $30 a month from India.

>

> I am sure acyclovir is cheaper, even. I have tried adding Valine to

> my dose of acyclovir but haven't been on it long enough to see if it

> would be the same as Valtrex.

>

> Marti

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Steve,

I did research on all three and unfortunately, I cannot find the entire

ingredient list for the Cipla version (the version from India that works for

me).

The Brand name GlaxoKline Valtrex ingredient list seems like it would be

more problematic in terms of fillers but I can handle that one just fine.

Scroll all the way down to the ingredient list.

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=59268

The generic from Roxane has less fillers and junk than GSK Valtrex but that is

the one that I do not respond to.

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=18456

I am visiting my pharmacy today with the list of generic manufacturers. I may

have to switch to another pharmacy chain in order to try another generic.

Here is the ingredient list for the Ranbaxy version:

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=48192

One thing that I did notice, is that the Roxane version is not film coated.

Also, it does not contain the Polysorbate 80, Polyethylene Glycol or the

Hypermelloses. Doing research on these, I think I have found the answer.

Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysorbate_80

Hypromellose is a thickener and suspending agent:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypromellose

Polyethylene glycol

" When attached to various protein medications, polyethylene glycol allows a

slowed clearance of the carried protein from the blood. This makes for a

longer-acting medicinal effect and reduces toxicity, and it allows longer dosing

intervals "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol

So, what I think is the difference is that the version I am taking (Roxane - one

of the few that are not film-coated) doesn't include some or all of these

suspending agents, so the medication has a shorter half-life or isn't processed

the same by the liver.

Any thoughts? I have had a migraine through all of this, so feel free to

correct my assumptions.

Marti

> Hi Steve,

> I did not realize this...  I did some quick research and found these

companies:

>

> " Some of the manufacturers who make generic valacyclovir include:

>

> >    Aurobindo Pharma

> >    Dr. Reddy's Laboratories

> >    Matrix Laboratories, Limited

> >    Mylan Pharmaceuticals

> >    Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

> >    Roxane Laboratories, Inc.

> >    Sandoz

> >    Teva Pharmaceuticals

> >     Laboratories "

>

> The first generic I have tried is from Roxane Laboratories.  It is a

> white oval tablet (as opposed to the blue coated tablet.  The tablets

> from India are blue coated but they are also generic valacyclovir made

> by Cipla (I never really noticed).

>

> I will ask the pharmacy if they can get a different generic.

>

> I do have prescription coverage and brand name 30 day supply at 500mg

> per day would be about $168 vs. the generic at $3 with my insurance.

>

> I usually have trouble with fillers but mostly I noticed viral

> reactivation, flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, cold sores,

> severe fatigues, joint pain, low grade fever.

>

> I have been on regular generic acyclovir since 2005 at 800mg per day

> then switched to Valtrex in 2008 or so at 500mg per day.  Perhaps the

> filler in the Roxane valacyclovir is more of a binder - I am 100%

> positive that it is not as effective as Valtrex or Cipla's generic

> valacyclovir - for me.  Maybe I am not able to break it down due to a

> different filler.

>

> Thanks for your help.  I order quite a bit from India so it's not a

> big deal but I had run out and it would be nice if I can get a month's

> supply for $3.

>

> Marti

>

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Mylan looks fine (IF my assumptions are correct - my pharmacist agrees with me

and she is going to try to get another manufacturer).

Here is the Mylan version of valacyclovir:

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=62631

Inactive Ingredients

Ingredient Name Strength

AMMONIA

HYPROMELLOSES

MAGNESIUM STEARATE

CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS

PROPYLENE GLYCOL

SHELLAC

TITANIUM DIOXIDE

FERROSOFERRIC OXIDE

As you can see, it contains the hypromelloses, polyethylene glycol. I don't see

the Polysorbate 80 but that might not make a difference.

Until we know for sure (and I am not sure how we would know 100%), just don't

get the Sandoz, the Roxane or the American Health versions.

Maybe if I had taken 1000mg of the Roxane version split in 2 doses, the half

life would have carried me through the day.

I really hate that these meds have some of these ingredients but now I know

first hand that they can make a huge difference.

Marti

> > Hi ,

> > Do you find that the valacyclovir works as well as the brand name?

> >

> > I recently was switched from the Brand name Valtrex to generic

> > valacyclovir and it did not work for me. Seriously went downhill.

> >

> > I am now back on Valtrex and within two days, I was so much better.

> >

> > I thought regular generic acyclovir was better than generic

> > valacyclovir. I was very disappointed.

> >

> > I order my Valtrex for about $30 a month from India.

> >

> > I am sure acyclovir is cheaper, even. I have tried adding Valine to

> > my dose of acyclovir but haven't been on it long enough to see if it

> > would be the same as Valtrex.

> >

> > Marti

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I took the Ranbaxy generic for about a year (only 500 mg twice a day); it was

about the same price as valtrex name-brand, $268 for 3 months. I actually

thought the Ranbxy was stronger than the valtrex, but that's subjective.

I switched to generic famvir several months ago. I read a case study about a

young man who got Lyme rage if he didn't take famvir. I was having some Lyme

rage, and have not had it since, but really don't know what is going on. My pain

and fatigue and autoimmune symptoms are much worse, but that is probably Lyme.

In 2006 and again in 2007, I took valcyte for very elevated HHV-6 and CMV. It

helped a bunch, but my doctor told me to change to every other day, so I went

off altogether so as not to risk resistance. At this point, I don't think my

insurance will pay for valcyte. 

I might try some transfer factor if I get brave enough. For now, I like the

famvir. I am not having the sore throats that I used to get routinely. BTW, it's

not any cheaper than valtrex or generic.