Generic vs Brand

[Newgirl Dani]

Yep I'm baaack  ,

I know this is that age old question and for the most part I have no problem whatsoever getting generic and do for my other medication needs.  The thing is I just finally was able to get Prometrium  added to my regimen today and when it comes to something as complex as an biological molecule, well I'm curious.

Has anyone ever had the oppurtunity to try both the generic AND the brand for Prometrium?  Like anything else sometimes companies may find it cost effiecient to cut 'some' corners while not 'shall we say' compromising quality.  I wonder though, I opted for getting the generic (oral and made by Akorn) just so as to get started right away (it was too late in the day), but I am sure there would be no problem changing later.  Thanks,   Dani

[Newgirl Dani]

Maybe I should have said, I think this generic is making my feet smaller.      Dani

[Cindy]

OMG not another foot shrinker thread!

Not sure about the USA bit in Australia the generic has to be the same formulation.

[Mariah]

The formulation is suppose to be the same here to Cindy. It's part of the reason brand name drugs are given generic names too even if no generic is available

OMG not another foot shrinker thread!

Not sure about the USA bit in Australia the generic has to be the same formulation.

[Rachel]

I take promethium but I take del estrogen which is a generic.  I have had good results.

[Megan Rose]

I've been getting injectable Estradiol Valerate from a compounding pharmacy.   It always hurt like a vaccination afterwards.

I have new insurance and was able to afford a pharmaceutical grade E.   It's a welcome thing that the shots don't hurt like before.   It is all subjective, but the new shots seem to be working better too.

[kittenpower]

I've been getting injectable Estradiol Valerate from a compounding pharmacy.   It always hurt like a vaccination afterwards.

I have new insurance and was able to afford a pharmaceutical grade E.   It's a welcome thing that the shots don't hurt like before.   It is all subjective, but the new shots seem to be working better too.

My pharmacy's supplier ran out of generic injectable estradiol about a year ago, and my insurance wouldn't cover the brand name since it is so much more expensive, so I switched to a compounding pharmacy (the one I used didn't accept insurance, but the out of pocket cost was considerably less), and I did not like their formulation. Thankfully, my regular pharmacy was able to order the generic again, and I was able to get my prescription filled a couple of weeks ago; so happy

[Eva Marie]

I'm taking the generic version of prometrium and judging from my growing butt I'd have to say that it seems to be working fine

[Dena]

Ask your doctor. When I was taking hormones the doctor would always say this one can be Generic but this one must be brand name. Sometimes it can be a matter of them being the same chemical but the tablet dissolves at a different rate. On the other side of the argument is every once in a while I need to dump Pred forte in my eye to get relief. The doctors will tell me that I might need the brand name if the Generic fails to clear up the problem but the Generic has alway worked well for me.

[iKate]

Generic drugs aren't always a 1:1 copy of the original. They are just substantially identical. Things like the pill coating differ in different generic brands.

For example, atorvastatin is the generic for lipitor. It's a cholesterol medication (statin). However some people report different effects with each one. This is why some doctors will write "DAW" (dispense as written) on the prescription.

[Newgirl Dani]

Generic drugs aren't always a 1:1 copy of the original. They are just substantially identical. Things like the pill coating differ in different generic brands.

For example, atorvastatin is the generic for lipitor. It's a cholesterol medication (statin). However some people report different effects with each one. This is why some doctors will write "DAW" (dispense as written) on the prescription.

Ahhh thanks this is getting closer.  I understand the entire thing about patent's and their expiration, the idea that they are supposed to pass the same requirements etc. etc., but this is hitting closer to what I was trying to get at.  The chemical structure is to be exactly the same, BUT transport mechanism's, coatings, fillers, CAN and sometimes DO affect its efficacy of purpose.

So here is the question I originally stated:  Has anyone specifically taken both the BRAND PROMETRIUM and also the GENERIC PROMETRIUM?  If anyone did, did you notice any increase or decrease in the effectiveness?

The making of an bio-identical is a complex procedure in and of itself, but to get this drug into it's active state at just that small window of time for the bio-availability to be at it's premium is another story altogether.

[judithlynn]

Hi Cindy;
I am going to have another go at getting my Doctor in Melbourne to put me on Progesterone. Can you PM me with the name of your prescription, etc so I can try to get him to prescribe it to me or at least refer me onto someone that will.
Judith