Guest guest Posted February 23, 2000 Report Share Posted February 23, 2000 My two cents on generics: 1. The proof is in the pudding - if you are feeling better on a generic don't get too concerned. 2. My understanding of the generic problem is that US drug companies are buying the ingredients to make the drug from foreign countries, getting the ingredients cheaper, but the ingredients are not subject to US inspection, so the quality can vary. If I were on a generic, even if it seemed to be working I would switch to the name brand IF I COULD AFFORD IT, but I wouldn't be too concerned that I had been on generic for a long time by mistake. a Carnes > From: NNoel@... > > Hi everyone: > I have been taking minocycline 100mg 2x a day for 5 months (grey & yellow, > made by schein) and didn't realize this was a generic. Have been doing OK I > think. Should I change to minocin name brand? Please tell me I haven't wasted > all this time. Thanks, > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Shabang!com is the place to get your FREE eStore, Absolutely FREE > Forever. If you have any desires to sell your products or services > online, or you want to expand your customer base for FREE, Come check > out Shabang!com FREE eStores! > 1/1299/0/_/_/_/951314164/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 27, 2001 Report Share Posted July 27, 2001 Hi Dave, Minomycin is the brand sold in Australia and it's fine - my daughter takes it. Chris. On Fri, 27 Jul 2001, Dave Wood wrote: > Dear Group, > A while back someone wrote about purchasing Minocycline on the net through a > place called LifeStylePharmacy.com. I looked at this site and they offer: > Minomycin 100mg, 100 capsules Wyeth > Isn't this the genenic form of minocycline? > > Best of health to all, > > Dave > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.265 / Virus Database: 137 - Release Date: 2001/07/18 > > > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 27, 2001 Report Share Posted July 27, 2001 Oh, and I never saw any follow up on the " paying duty " question. This just might be the route for me to go seeing my HMO wants to claim pre-existing (after Feb. they can't use that anymore). Thanks! deano > From: " Dave Wood " <DaveTKO@...> > Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 13:02:23 +0900 > <rheumatic > > Subject: rheumatic Minocycline > > Dear Group, > A while back someone wrote about purchasing Minocycline on the net through a > place called LifeStylePharmacy.com. I looked at this site and they offer: > Minomycin 100mg, 100 capsules Wyeth > Isn't this the genenic form of minocycline? > > Best of health to all, > > Dave > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.265 / Virus Database: 137 - Release Date: 2001/07/18 > > > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 27, 2001 Report Share Posted July 27, 2001 No one answered me when I posted the question. I asked Geoff if he had received a response but I haven't heard from him either!! > Oh, and I never saw any follow up on the " paying duty " question. > This just might be the route for me to go seeing my HMO wants to claim > pre-existing (after Feb. they can't use that anymore). > > Thanks! > > deano > > > From: " Dave Wood " <DaveTKO@...> > > Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 13:02:23 +0900 > > <rheumatic > > > Subject: rheumatic Minocycline > > > > Dear Group, > > A while back someone wrote about purchasing Minocycline on the net through a > > place called LifeStylePharmacy.com. I looked at this site and they offer: > > Minomycin 100mg, 100 capsules Wyeth > > Isn't this the genenic form of minocycline? > > > > Best of health to all, > > > > Dave > > --- > > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > > Version: 6.0.265 / Virus Database: 137 - Release Date: 2001/07/18 > > > > > > > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 27, 2001 Report Share Posted July 27, 2001 I dont know Dennis... i buy my meds at www.drugstore.com they have really good prices peace!! Sherry No one answered me when I posted the question. I asked Geoff if he hadreceived a response but I haven't heard from him either!!> Oh, and I never saw any follow up on the "paying duty" question. > This just might be the route for me to go seeing my HMO wants to claim> pre-existing (after Feb. they can't use that anymore).>> Thanks!>> deano>> > From: "Dave Wood" <DaveTKO@...>> > Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 13:02:23 +0900> > <rheumatic >> > Subject: rheumatic Minocycline> >> > Dear Group,> > A while back someone wrote about purchasing Minocycline on the netthrough a> > place called LifeStylePharmacy.com. I looked at this site and theyoffer:> > Minomycin 100mg, 100 capsules Wyeth> > Isn't this the genenic form of minocycline?> >> > Best of health to all,> >> > Dave> > ---> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.> > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).> > Version: 6.0.265 / Virus Database: 137 - Release Date: 2001/07/18> >> >> >> > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups> >> >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2001 Report Share Posted November 1, 2001 Hi , It is sometimes a trial and error sort of thing....people from this group have reported good results with the generic mino from Schein, so we base the recommendation on that...that is, unless or until Schein changes their recipe. I called a friend of mine who is taking the Schein mino and she said that the capsules contain a powder. The pelletized version by Lederle is supposed to enable you to take it with food and not lose much of its effictiveness. I would assume that the Schein should then be taken on an empty stomach if possible. Hope this helps.....group, please add any additions or corrections :-) Connie > Could someone explain why the generic mino from Schein is acceptable. Is it > the pellets like the Lederle? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2001 Report Share Posted December 1, 2001 Ute, We, here in Canada, cannot get the pelletized Minocycline -real or generic - and have been using the powdered version all along. It has worked for me - about 80 - 90% recovered from dermatomyositis, MCTD with crest syndrome. Others have probably had the same results and others have used doxycycline. I don't know about any of the other brands. HTH Carol/Piney rheumatic Minocycline > Dear group, > I know we talked about it before, but it is becoming a more urgent issue. > Now that Lederle/ESi pelletized Minocyline is no longer available (except > for what is in stock here and there) what are people doing? Is there a > Lederle non-pelletized version? Does it work? Are ther other generic brands > that have worked for people on this list? For those of us who can't affort > the brand Minocin, should we switch to Doxycycline? Many of us have been > doing really well on the Pelletized Lederle/ESI generic and are now facing > these issues. > Take care, > Ute > > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2001 Report Share Posted December 1, 2001 Ute, In Japan, we only have powdered minocycline named Minomycin of Lederle and this work for RA, me and my friends. I'm running Japanese version of this list and 17 people are on AP. Comparing with the results reported here, we must admit our responses are somewhat slow than that of reported here. We found that male patients are quick responder to mino than female members as seen here often. I found Mexican company sell Minocin and knew after buying it that this Minocin is tablet (I mean not pelletized). Norio Nagoya, Japan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2001 Report Share Posted December 1, 2001 Norio, E-Meds direct has the Lederle brand Minocin (Twelve 100mg capsules for $19.00 USD), so I assume they are the pelletized version, but do not know for sure since I have not ordered it from them. They are located is San Ysidro, California, USA and their web site is: http://www.emedsdirect.com/products/Catalog.asp Select " Antibiotics " from the drop down medication selection list on that page. -- Ron > Ute, > > In Japan, we only have powdered minocycline named Minomycin of Lederle and this > work for RA, me and my friends. I'm running Japanese version of this list and > 17 people are on AP. Comparing with the results reported here, we must admit > our responses are somewhat slow than that of reported here. We found that male > patients are quick responder to mino than female members as seen here often. > I found Mexican company sell Minocin and knew after buying it that this Minocin > is tablet (I mean not pelletized). > > Norio > Nagoya, Japan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2001 Report Share Posted December 6, 2001 In a message dated 12/6/2001 5:02:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, Benjie1238 @aol.com writes: Has any body found any information on any new sources for getting minocycline.........isn't anyone from Canada who can help with some information??? I heard that sometime in December pelleted minocin will be available there and my doctor said I should try and find a Canadian source since it would be much cheaper there...so far I found 30 100mg caps pelleted for $114... I can hardly afford that every month but unless I find a cheaper source I guess I'll have to live with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2001 Report Share Posted December 9, 2001 Dear Group, Back on November 30, Ute Reeves wrote: " I know we talked about it before, but it is becoming a more urgent issue. Now that Lederle/ESi pelletized Minocyline is no longer available (except for what is in stock here and there) what are people doing? Is there a Lederle non-pelletized version? Does it work? Are ther other generic brands that have worked for people on this list? For those of us who can't affort the brand Minocin, should we switch to Doxycycline? Many of us have been doing really well on the Pelletized Lederle/ESI generic and are now facing these issues. " Now is the time for the members of our group to pull together and help each other. Please answer Ute by sharing your experience with all of rheumatic . Please do this now even though you may already have posted about this topic in the past. Please tell us what brands of generic minocycline (other than ESI/Lederle) have worked for you, and just as important, what brands have not worked for you. In either case, please ask your pharmacy about the name of the manufacturer. Previous emails to our group as well as writings by Dr. Mercola have stated that all brands of generic minocycline are not created equal. The recommendation had been to go with the ESI/Lederle brand generic, which was said to be identical to ESI/Lederle's Minocin. Our challenge now is to identify the generics that are working for RA, and just as important, to flag the generics that are not working. Sorry, I can't help. I have only been on the ESI/Lederle brand generic for six months, and it has worked for me. ESI/Lederle's Minocin is pelletized. This provides visual differentiation from minocyclines which are powdered, but pelletizing should not affect the effectiveness of the drug. Cost is a huge variable. The following are typical U.S. prices for one hundred 100 mg capsules: Minocin: $320. Generic minocycline: $70 Doxycycline: $28 Sincerely, Harald soli deo gloria ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ INCREASING SALES THROUGH IMPROVED MARKETING Harald Weiss, Technical Marketing Group 4911 Royce Road, Irvine, CA 92612, USA Phone: (949) 786-1403, Fax: (949) 786-1403 http://www.tmgp.com, hw@... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2001 Report Share Posted December 11, 2001 Harald, I live in Canada and have been using Wyeth-Ayerst minocycline since jun98. It is the powdered form as that is the only kind available in Canada. The capsules are orange and blue. They work quite well as far as I am concerned. Carol/Piney DM, oct94 MCTD with crest syndrome jun2000(probably had it all along) AP jun98 Re: rheumatic Minocycline > Dear Group, > > Back on November 30, Ute Reeves wrote: " I know we talked about it before, > but it is becoming a more urgent issue. Now that Lederle/ESi pelletized > Minocyline is no longer available (except for what is in stock here and > there) what are people doing? Is there a Lederle non-pelletized version? > Does it work? Are ther other generic brands that have worked for people on > this list? For those of us who can't affort the brand Minocin, should we > switch to Doxycycline? Many of us have been doing really well on the > Pelletized Lederle/ESI generic and are now facing these issues. " > > Now is the time for the members of our group to pull together and help each > other. Please answer Ute by sharing your experience with all of > rheumatic . Please do this now even though you may already > have posted about this topic in the past. Please tell us what brands of > generic minocycline (other than ESI/Lederle) have worked for you, and just > as important, what brands have not worked for you. In either case, please > ask your pharmacy about the name of the manufacturer. > > Previous emails to our group as well as writings by Dr. Mercola have stated > that all brands of generic minocycline are not created equal. The > recommendation had been to go with the ESI/Lederle brand generic, which was > said to be identical to ESI/Lederle's Minocin. Our challenge now is to > identify the generics that are working for RA, and just as important, to > flag the generics that are not working. Sorry, I can't help. I have only > been on the ESI/Lederle brand generic for six months, and it has worked for me. > > ESI/Lederle's Minocin is pelletized. This provides visual differentiation > from minocyclines which are powdered, but pelletizing should not affect the > effectiveness of the drug. > > Cost is a huge variable. The following are typical U.S. prices for one > hundred 100 mg capsules: > > Minocin: $320. > Generic minocycline: $70 > Doxycycline: $28 > > Sincerely, Harald > soli deo gloria > > > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > INCREASING SALES THROUGH IMPROVED MARKETING > Harald Weiss, Technical Marketing Group > 4911 Royce Road, Irvine, CA 92612, USA > Phone: (949) 786-1403, Fax: (949) 786-1403 > http://www.tmgp.com, hw@... > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2001 Report Share Posted December 12, 2001 > Harald, I live in Canada and have been using Wyeth-Ayerst minocycline since > jun98. It is the powdered form as that is the only kind available in Canada. > The capsules are orange and blue. They work quite well as far as I am > concerned. > > Carol/Piney > DM, oct94 I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics were no good, but the Lederle ones are. I've always been able to get the Lederle (even Walmart still had them this time - probably left over from 2 years ago when I was on mino - ha!). But I'm curious as to what studies were actually done that proved that Barr or Schein or some of these others were not effective? Is there anything beyond just anecdotal evidence that would suggest this is true? Both of those companies as far as I know are reputable drug companies - why wouldn't they be able to make a drug that matched Lederle's? I probably need to go back and reread the Road Back book by Henry S. as I think he mentioned it in there, but still I don't recall seeing any proof of this. It's a shame if people are taking drugs that they don't have confidence in. Too much money and too much pain. Personally, I find it a bit dubious that they wouldn't work - unless someone can point to a study that proves that. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2001 Report Share Posted December 12, 2001 Mark and all, I know people do not realize that generic drugs of all kinds are packed differently and have different fillers that the non generic. Fillers are what causes all sorts of allergies. They also what causes the drug itself to be more effective or totally ineffective. They can be coarse or fine. NOW what type do you think they put into brand name drugs?? They also do not watch how tighty they are packed. If they are packed too tight they will not be absorbed and just go thru the intestines. Another reason for lots of water. Lderle is a big company that can not have any of their reputation damaged so that is why their generics are better. A company that only does generic just does it generic-ly. If you do no believe me just ask a GOOD druggest. cooky TyDrugs that are generic are rheumatic Re: Minocycline > > > Harald, I live in Canada and have been using Wyeth-Ayerst > minocycline since > > jun98. It is the powdered form as that is the only kind available > in Canada. > > The capsules are orange and blue. They work quite well as far as I > am > > concerned. > > > > Carol/Piney > > DM, oct94 > > I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics > were no good, but the Lederle ones are. I've always been able to get > the Lederle (even Walmart still had them this time - probably left > over from 2 years ago when I was on mino - ha!). But I'm curious as > to what studies were actually done that proved that Barr or Schein or > some of these others were not effective? Is there anything beyond > just anecdotal evidence that would suggest this is true? Both of > those companies as far as I know are reputable drug companies - why > wouldn't they be able to make a drug that matched Lederle's? I > probably need to go back and reread the Road Back book by Henry S. as > I think he mentioned it in there, but still I don't recall seeing any > proof of this. It's a shame if people are taking drugs that they > don't have confidence in. Too much money and too much pain. > Personally, I find it a bit dubious that they wouldn't work - unless > someone can point to a study that proves that. > > Mark > > > > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2001 Report Share Posted December 12, 2001 > I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics > were no good, but the Lederle ones are. I've always been able to get > the Lederle (even Walmart still had them this time - probably left > over from 2 years ago when I was on mino - ha!). But I'm curious as > to what studies were actually done that proved that Barr or Schein or > some of these others were not effective? Is there anything beyond > just anecdotal evidence that would suggest this is true? Hi Mark, Can't answer the question about the studies. Anecdotally (just you were NOT looking for), I can tell you a couple things. My AP doctor insisted on the Lederle brand, Minocin, and wrote the prescription that way -- no substitutions. The more cynical among us might think there's a connection to the drug companies and I can't refute that (been known to harbor more than a few suspicions myself in like matters!). I'd prefer to think he had seen better results with the Lederle brand, however. And the second thing is that, at a Road Back Foundation meeting I went to, people were talking about generics and the RBF person told us, if I recall correctly, that generics had a certain window, on either side of the exact formulation of the brand-name drug, in which to deliver their product. I thought I heard that it was as large as 20% either way, but I could be wrong about that. Then there are of course the variations concerning fillers and so on. The bioequivalency is supposed to be the same in both generics and brand names, but I can tell you of a neighbor who died after his insurance company refused to pay for the brand-name heart drug he needed so he took the generic instead, and this is probably not an isolated instance. I doubt the minocycline would have such drastic consequences, of course, but there could clearly be variations in efficacy. I did find a couple of interesting links (which you may have already been to): http://www.pamf.org/health/toyourhealth/drug.html http://ibscrohns.about.com/library/weekly/aa062101a.htm It would be good to learn more about this issue, one way or the other, wouldn't it. --Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2001 Report Share Posted December 12, 2001 Hi Mark, >I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics were no good Here is an article discussing the subject: ______________________________________________________ Are Generic Drugs as Effective as Brand Name? - Not Always! A number of patients with a history of good results on brand name antibiotics began experiencing difficulties when a generic was substituted. Therefore, if you have prescribed a brand name tetracycline for a patient using antibiotic therapy and have not specified d.a.w. or no substitutions, your patient is probably taking a generic version and may be having a less than significant response to the treatment. Some generic versions have been found to be ineffective for this treatment. In order to market drugs, U.S. generic manufacturers must have a permit and approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicating that the active ingredient is approximately the same as that of the brand name. The determination of drug approval is made according to whether it is pharmaceutically equivalent, bio-available, and bioequivalent. Pharmaceutically Equivalent Two drugs are considered pharmaceutical equivalents when they contain the same chemically active ingredient(s) and are identical in dosage form and strength. Tetracyclines such as minocycline are complex with many properties that may play an important part in treatment response in the arthritic patient. The fact that patients in remission (sometimes for years) while on antibiotic therapy saw a gradual return of symptoms when switched to a generic alerted us to a potential problem with some generics. In three test patients, these symptoms began to reverse immediately upon a return to the brand name version of the drug. Pharmaceutical equivalence may be affected by many things. 1) variations in inert ingredients 2) plants in different parts of the world may produce ingredients that vary in quality, and by batch and manufacturing methods. Until recently, 80% of drug ingredients came from plants in Western Europe. According to a NY Times article April 11, 1996, that is changing. Many ingredients are now being used from plants in China, Japan, South Korea, India and Eastern Europe where they are produced more cheaply. Bob Milanese, president of the National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, indicates that only a handful of these plants meet FDA standards. " Some others are questionable " due to the difficulty in finding people and budget to " get over and inspect these plants. " Another factor which affects generic quality cited by the same article is the international buy outs and diversification allowing the combination of questionable ingredients into generic production. 3) In oral drugs, capsule content may be 7% over or 7% under the stated content, e.g. a 100 mg. capsule may be as low as 93 mg. or as high as 107 mg. 4) Manufacturers may shift their source of supply. 5) Once a drug has been approved by the FDA, manufacturers sometimes make changes to the formula which was originally submitted. 6) Many arthritic patients are elderly. The age of the patient may be a factor in pharmacokinetics. Digestive tract absorption of an oral drug may be altered by a variety of factors, including higher gastric pH, accelerated gastric emptying, and thinning and reduction of the absorptive surface. Bioavailability may be influenced by the increase (or decrease) in percent of body fat which is common in some with age. It may be even higher in sedentary persons (or persons in pain who are inactive in order to minimize discomfort.) This increased fat to lean ratio results in a reservoir for lipid-soluble drugs which is larger allowing those drugs to stay in the body longer, increasing the possibility of drug sensitivity by prolonging the half-life. Conversely, total water content declines with age. This decline allows a decreased volume of distribution for water-soluble drugs. In addition to general approval, the FDA rates drugs with codes. All drugs with an " A " code are rated as being therapeutically equivalent; " B " coded drugs are those not rated equivalent Some pharmacies fill with B-rated drugs. At this time, it is recommended that no patient use a version of a drug with a B-rating. Clinical differences or serious bioequivalence problems with B-rated products have been reported for drugs such as prednisone, estrogen tablets, levodopa and phenytoin. In addition to The Orange Book, The Physician's Generix lists available generics as therapeutically equivalent or non-equivalent. Because the antibiotic protocol uses such low doses, leeway between versions which are effective and those which are not may be much more critical. Bioavailability In bioavailability, it can be assumed that the drug's effectiveness is related to the amount of product absorbed and the speed of absorption. However, in some cases, the pharmaceutically equivalent products can have different bioavailability. They may be absorbed either faster or slower than the brand name drug which may or may not be clinically significant. The pH-dissolution profile of a product may have clinical relevance. Even if the coating is adequate to prevent release of the enzymes in the stomach where the ingredients are irreversibly inactivated, it may not dissolve at the pH of the duodenum after meals. Bioequivalence In bioequivalence studies, the goal of testing is to determine if the drugs are functionally equivalent. The FDA requires that any approved drug be effective within a 20% range of the original patented or brand name drug. This means that the effectiveness may be 20% greater or 20% less effective than the brand name so that two generic drugs could contain as much as a 40% difference from each other. Therefore, a drug may be legally chemically equivalent but not at the same time clinically equivalent. A study run on a generic of the anti-seizure, Tegretol, found the generic allowed breakthrough seizures. An example of how the above factors may affect the bioavailability and clinical effectiveness is seen by applying these factors to tetracycline. At one extreme, a 500 mg. dose of tetracycline taken in 2-250 mg. capsules which is 20% lower in effectiveness, 7% low in the mg. amount in each capsule (14% dose total) and which is taken with food, decreasing the absorption rate (<50%), could provide as low as 136 mg of tetracycline that is available to the body. Correspondingly, the same 2-250 mg. capsules making a total dose of 500 mg. which is 20% more effective, 7% over on mg. in capsule and taken without food (increasing the absorption rate to 77%), provides 555 mg that is functionally available to the system. It should be noted the food-drug interaction is less a factor with minocycline and doxycycline as they are absorbed differently. In addition to the ±20% difference allowed in bioavailability by the FDA and the ±7% of the stated capsule content allowed by the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, there are other considerations which should be considered when using a generic drug. 1) Some drugs loose potency while on the shelf, so drug companies increase the strength so as the drug ages, it will still provide a therapeutic level. This means patients who use the drug soon after production when the dose may be stronger may be getting an overdose. 2) There is a risk that a generic substitution could result in a change in serum concentration 3) Such a change may lead to signifi-cant adverse effects or loss of benefit 4) The risk that patients may receive different generics each time they fill their prescription, changing the response to the drug. 5) Cost of brand names is usually, but not always, higher than for a generic. 6) Blood tests can become necessary to determine adequate concentrations, excessive, possibly toxic concentrations or low, possibly ineffective concentra-tions 7) The cost of the time and effort spent in adjusting the dose (if needed) Bioequivalence may be effected by the type of study; e.g. two brand name pharmaceutical equivalents were each compared with a placebo in separate trials but were not compared with each other for bioequivalence. Thus while each was effective, it cannot be assumed that they produce the same clinical effect. Bioequivalence studies are performed on healthy volunteers and thus may not account for the full pharmacologic and therapeutic impact of generic substitution on patients with disease. Conclusion A pharmacist may legally fill a prescription in the United States with either the brand name or a generic without consulting either the patient or the physician. A prescription may not even be filled consistently with the same generic. To assure continuity for the patient, the physician should indicate on the prescription no substitutions or dispense as written (daw). The purpose of this article is not to condemn generic drugs for many are as effective as the brand name and even come from the same manufacturing company, but are repackaged and sold by another company as their own generic brand. Our purpose is, however, to provide a warning not to assume that all drugs with the same generic title are equal and will have the same clinical effect, even though many drug reps say they are equal. This is particularly true of the tetracycline family because it is one of the oldest families of antibiotics being first patented in 1953. Since a patent is good for 17 years, the original tetracycline has been available for generic reproduction for some 25 years. References: PA, Resistant Prices, A study of competitive strains in the antibiotic markets, 1976, Ballinger Pub. Hendeles L, Hochhaus G, Kazerounian S, Generic and alternative brand-name pharmaceutical equivalents: Select with caution, Am J Hosp Pharm, 1993; 50:2, 323-329. Medical Information Department, Lederle Labs, telephone conversations. Mandell GL, RG, Jr., JE, Principals and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Wiley Medical Pub, 1985. Mikati M, Bassett N, Schachter S, Double-blind randomized study comparing brand-name and generic phenytoin monotherapy, Epilepsia, 1992; 33:2, 359-364. Oles KS, Penry JK, LD, RL, Dean, JC, Riela AR, Therapeutic bioequivalency study of brand name versus generic carbamazepine, Neurology, 1992, 42:6, 1147-52. Physician's Generix™, Data Pharmaceutica, 1996. Reinstein PH, Regulatory status of pancreatic enzyme preparations, JAMA, 1990; 263:18, 2491-2492. Stoughton RB, Are generic formulations equivalent to trade name topical glucocorticoids? Arch Derm, 1987; 123:9, 1312-1314. Univ. of Chicago Drug Information, telephone conversation. For insurance companies who will not cover brand name drugs when a generic is available, a blood test to determine concentration may be necessary for those using low dose antibiotics to provide data to require payment for the brand name drug. To assure continuity for the patient, the physician should indicate on the prescription no substitutions or dispense as written (daw). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2001 Report Share Posted December 12, 2001 and Chas Adlard wrote: > > >I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics were > no good > > Here is an article discussing the subject: > ______________________________________________________ > > Are Generic Drugs as Effective as Brand Name? - Not Always! > > A number of patients with a history of good results on brand name antibiotics > began experiencing difficulties when a generic was substituted. Therefore, if > you have prescribed a brand name tetracycline for a patient using antibiotic > therapy and have not specified d.a.w. or no substitutions, your patient is probably > taking a generic version and may be having a less than significant response > to the treatment. Some generic versions have been found to be ineffective for <snip> Thanks very much for this article! This is a keeper. --Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2001 Report Share Posted December 12, 2001 >Mark, Carol and group, Dr. Mercola's web page http://www.mercola.com/article/misc/Rheumatoid Arthritis.htm still includes the following statement: " Clinically it has been documented that it is important to take Lederle brand Minocin. Most all generic minocycline is clearly not as effective. A large percentage of patients will not respond at all or not do as well with generic non-Lederle minocycline. Traditionally it was recommended to only receive the brand name Lederle Minocin. However, there is one generic brand that is acceptable and that is the brand made by Lederle. The only difference between Lederle generic Minocin and brand name Minocin is the label and the price. " I made made contact with Lederle Laboratories' Customer Service department and was told that Lederle discontinued the sale of their generic minocycline in September 2001. While there may still be some of the Lederle brand generic in the distribution channel, it is only a matter of time until this supply comes to an end. My thanks go to Carol/Piney, " Bob and Carol Zarn " <bczarn@...>, for sending this helpful email: " Harald, I live in Canada and have been using Wyeth-Ayerst minocycline since jun98. It is the powdered form, as that is the only kind available in Canada. The capsules are orange and blue. They work quite well as far as I am concerned. " This is the only recent email that I have received that names a proven alternative to Lederle. Has anyone else tried a generic other than Lederle, and how did it work for you? Sincerely, Harald Mark had written: >I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics were >no good, but the Lederle ones are. I've always been able to get the >Lederle (even Walmart still had them this time - probably left over from 2 >years ago when I was on mino - ha!). But I'm curious as to what studies >were actually done that proved that Barr or Schein or some of these others >were not effective? Is there anything beyond just anecdotal evidence that >would suggest this is true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2001 Report Share Posted December 14, 2001 Hi Mark, There would not have to be studies to prove the effectiveness of each generic, because if that generic was not effective the patient would quit the program or try another brand. I was given a different brand and when my RA flared, I went back to my pharmacist and asked for the same generic brand I had been using and the flare went away. That was all the proof I needed. My pharmacist explained about the percentages of how close the generic has to be to the orginal drug and I am amazed generics work at all. My doctor had already told me to go to such and such pharmacy and fill my perscription, because he knew that brand worked. If we had to have proof everytime something worked or didn't, we would still be in the stone age. " If you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on, help may be only a prayer away " Theresa B. Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis, 13 Years Antibiotics, 36 Months Fibro ? yrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2001 Report Share Posted December 14, 2001 > Hi Mark,> There would not have to be studies to prove the effectiveness of each> generic, because if that generic was not effective the patient would> quit the program or try another brand. The trouble with RA is that apart from the antibiotics, it waxes and wanes on it's own. That is what makes it very tricky to determine if something is working or the disease is just taking a rest break at the moment. I'm glad you are able to determine so easily what is and is not working - for me, it's trickier than that. And for some, their insurance won't pay for name brands so that is a complicating factor especially if they don't have the money to afford the brand name on their own. Speaking of doxy, I should ask what brand she is taking. I know she claims it has been effective for her and she gets it at dirt cheap prices - think she buys it online. I'll get back to the group on that. HTH, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2003 Report Share Posted April 26, 2003 ette, Some information is found in my listing at http://www.tmgp.com/generic-mino.htm I would love to get additional inputs from members of our group. Regards, Harald At 09:22 AM 4/26/03 -0400, you wrote: >I just finished my minocin prescription and I had a prescription for >minocycline. I can renew the minocin - for a lot more money - or try >taking the minocycline. Is there anyone on the list who takes the generic >with no problems? > >Thanks, >ette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2003 Report Share Posted April 28, 2003 , Thanks for your input about generic mino, which I have added to <http://www.tmgp.com/generic-mino.htm>http://www.tmgp.com/generic-mino.htm Regards, Harald t 05:28 PM 4/26/03 -0500, you wrote: >Hi Harald, Sorry this took so long to answer you. I take minocycline made >by RANBA. At least thats all thats printed on the bottle. I've been taking >it for several months and seems ok, but with all the other stuff I can't >know for sure. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2006 Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 , The most comprehensive information available to our group is in my web page www.tmgp.com/generic-mino.htm. As soon as you have definitive results, I will add these to the web page. Sincerely, Harald At 08:45 AM 5/26/2006, wrote: >Mr. Weiss, > >I read with interest your post from ><mailto:rheumatics@...>rheumatics@... regarding the >efficacy of brand versus generic. I have been taking a generic >version made by Teva for exactly 5 months today. My chart with my >latest labs is missing from my doctor's office so I am not sure how >my latest bloodwork looks but physically I do not feel significantly >improved. Since I started the protocol very early in my diagnosis I >had expected to see results by now. If anything I appear to be in a >holding pattern. My AP doctor swears there is no difference between >the brand and generic. Anyone else you know taking the Teva version >successfully? > >Regards, > > Tidrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Lee, The issue of brand name Minocin vs. generic minocycline is indeed a big topic with huge financial impact. It is brought up about once a month by new members. I have made a best effort to maintain a web page summarizing inputs from our members. Please see http://www.tmgp.com/generic-mino.htm This is again a call to our members. If you have firsthand experience with a generic mino and know the manufacturer, please send a reply email. If you don't know the name of the manufacturer of the generic, phone your druggist, then send your email. We will all be thankful. Sincerely, Harald At 07:35 PM 8/21/2006, you wrote: >Hello, > >I am new to the group and new to antibiotic therapy. I am wondering >about minocycline..the generic vs. Minocin. The antibiotic therapy >websites seem to indicate that there is a big difference in the >two, the generic being unreliable or less effective. > > My pharmacy priced the Minocin at over $500. per month with my > insurance unwilling to contribute. So...I am on the generic minocycline. > >Does anyone have any opinions or information about this issue? Is >there a generic brand that is preferable to others? > >I am taking it for Sjogren's Syndrome and daily headaches. The first >month on antibiotics, the eye dryness and pain decreased >dramatically (and my opthomologist was thrilled with the improvement >in the surface of my eyes and encouraged me to continue). > >The headaches decreased by about 50% the first month but have >returned to their previous level now in month two. >Has anyone experienced early benefits followed by reversal? > >I really appreciate being able to learn of the experiences of others >on this list as I am pretty much on my own, my doctor having no real >experience with this therapy ( I asked him for the prescription and >he agreed with my reasoning). >Thanks, >Lee > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Hi Lee- I got well on generic. My original AP doc did not believe there was a difference. Eventually I switched to name brand because at the time my insurance would cover it. New insurance does not, so I am back on generic. While name brand has some advantages...better absorbed, less stomach irritation...it is possible to get better on generic. If having problems...consider switching, but if you are improving, and the cost is prohibitive (as it is for me) generic is probably fine. Good luck...peggy > > Hello, > > I am new to the group and new to antibiotic therapy. I am wondering about minocycline..the generic vs. Minocin. The antibiotic therapy websites seem to indicate that there is a big difference in the two, the generic being unreliable or less effective. > > My pharmacy priced the Minocin at oevr $500. per month with my insurance unwilling to contribute. So...I am on the generic minocycline. > > Does anyone have any opinions or information about this issue? Is there a generic brand that is preferable to others? > > I am taking it for Sjogren's Syndrome and daily headaches. The first month on antibiotics, the eye dryness and pain decreased dramatically ( and my opthomologist was thrilled with the improvement in the surface of my eyes and encouraged me to continue). > > The headaches decreased by about 50% the first month but have returned to their previous level now in month two. > Has anyone experienced early benefits followed by reversal? > > I really appreciate being able to learn of the experiences of others on this list as I am pretty much on my own, my doctor having no real experience with this therapy ( I asked him for the prescription and he agreed with my reasoning). > Thanks, > Lee > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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