Re: Dr. Dantini - Steve anti-virals valacyclovir

[Guest guest]

I'm glad for this conversation about antivirals, although my usual brain fog is

preventing me from absorbing it all. I do remember both my docs telling me that

Valtrex was so expensive. I am now on basic Medicare & don't think I have much

coverage for rx's. Also, I have reacted to fillers in the past (have to get my

compounded stuff allergy-free). I was on generic acyclovir which seemed to

aggravate my symptoms, so now I don't know if it was possibly the fillers,

dosage or what. Should I try valacyclovir from Ranbaxy and do you happen to know

the cost? It might be worth another try with Dantini...

Joy

> 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 Joy,

Okay, if my previous assumption (in my previous post) is correct then there are

only 3 generics that do not have the suspension agents and emulsifiers which

keep the medication in the body longer.

See this list of generic valacyclovir manufacturers:

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?startswith=valacyclovir+hydrochl\

oride & x=15 & y=13

Roxane, Sandoz, and American Health Packaging do not have film coated tablets so

maybe they are the ones that are less effective.

I am on Medicare as well and switched plans this year so my valacyclovir (the

Roxane version) was $3 for a one month's supply @ 500 mg per day. The brand

name would be $168 with insurance.

I have spoken to my pharmacist and she is going to go through another supplier

and will make sure NOT to get one of these three brands. There are more than 20

other manufacturers to choose from!

Thank you, Steve! Such a great help!

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

> >

>