Pharmaceuticals in Australia
I don't know what pharmaceuticals are like in the rest of the world, but in Australia, you can buy either the original or the generic drug. The generic tends to be slightly cheaper (for prescription roughly $3). Yesterday I found out that if the doctor hasn't prescribed the original then you don't get asked what you want.
I stick with the original for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the fillers in the generics are different, and although they are not supposed to interfere with the activity of the drug, they can do. Secondly, there is greater variation in percent of active ingredient - some studies have found that up to 94% of generic brands don't actually meet the concentration they are labeled as. And thirdly, Epilepsy Australia has basically told everyone with epilepsy to steer clear of generics. If an association is telling us that, then there must be something wrong with it.
Finally, the thing that has really made me stay away from generics is my experience with generic amoxycilin. I have taken amoxycillin in the past with no side effects, until I tried a generic brand, and then I ended up with huge side effects. It was bizarre! Insomnia and weird dreams. Generally, if I am sick, I sleep like a log unless i have a cold where I am coughing a lot, and then I tend to cough myself awake, but insomnia - thoughts racing and just unable to sleep - is not normal for me.
Anyway, I went to the pharmacy with a script for roxithromycin, and they tried to give me the generic, and when I asked for rulide (the original branded one) they didn't actually have any in stock. If they had just asked in the first place, I would not have waited 20 minutes to find this out. Mind you, while I was waiting they were doing a big trade in generics - everything from antihistamines to major prescription drugs. I ended up at the pharmacy close to home. Much better! I know the government is encouraging generics, but for the $3 extra I will stick to the original!
I stick with the original for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the fillers in the generics are different, and although they are not supposed to interfere with the activity of the drug, they can do. Secondly, there is greater variation in percent of active ingredient - some studies have found that up to 94% of generic brands don't actually meet the concentration they are labeled as. And thirdly, Epilepsy Australia has basically told everyone with epilepsy to steer clear of generics. If an association is telling us that, then there must be something wrong with it.
Finally, the thing that has really made me stay away from generics is my experience with generic amoxycilin. I have taken amoxycillin in the past with no side effects, until I tried a generic brand, and then I ended up with huge side effects. It was bizarre! Insomnia and weird dreams. Generally, if I am sick, I sleep like a log unless i have a cold where I am coughing a lot, and then I tend to cough myself awake, but insomnia - thoughts racing and just unable to sleep - is not normal for me.
Anyway, I went to the pharmacy with a script for roxithromycin, and they tried to give me the generic, and when I asked for rulide (the original branded one) they didn't actually have any in stock. If they had just asked in the first place, I would not have waited 20 minutes to find this out. Mind you, while I was waiting they were doing a big trade in generics - everything from antihistamines to major prescription drugs. I ended up at the pharmacy close to home. Much better! I know the government is encouraging generics, but for the $3 extra I will stick to the original!