Can someone direct me to the article comparing generic AVs?

Discussion in 'Your Living Room' started by BayMama, Dec 31, 2014.

  1. BayMama

    BayMama Member

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    Jul 12, 2014
    I've read mention of an article or list of generic manufacturers of Valtrex/valacyclovir and what their relative quality is. I've looked in both the database and living room forums and can't find it. Seems to me it ought to be in the database forum.

    Thanks for any help.
     
  2. Vicki

    Vicki Guest

    I don't believe there is an article as you said but June posted an article about generics in general. But nicmger and I both had bad experiences with valcylcovir mae my Milan. Mine was manufactured in India. Your best bet is to make sure the generic is made in the USA. Just tell your pharmacy that when you fill your script.

    this is the htread of Junes article and it is not about viagra

    http://menieres.org/talk/index.php?topic=739.msg23477#msg23477
     
  3. Vicki

    Vicki Guest

    *made by Milan
     
  4. Vicki

    Vicki Guest

    this is the direct link to the article http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/12/pharma-spam-113562.html#.VJI-3By9KSM
     
  5. Grace

    Grace New Member

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    May 12, 2014
    Hi BytheBay-

    I wanted to pop in to say that I DEFINITELY had issues with quality of generics with valacyclovir. I don't know what other ones I tried, but the generic I had the best luck with was Aurobindo. It is blue like the brand name Valtrex. My Rite Aid will order it for me-I just have to make sure to call them ahead so they can get it in before I need it.

    Hope that helps! Sorry for the issues you're having.
     
  6. BayMama

    BayMama Member

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    Thanks, Vicki and Grace. Mine are made by Ranbaxy, which I just googled and see that it is an Indian company and has had some trouble with the FDA. Maybe I will pursue a potential change. They did sure do a lot for me already.

    Mine are blue. Good to know that's a lucky color. I don't love the idea of taking food coloring derived from aluminum every day, but I have bigger fish to fry at this point.
     
  7. Grace

    Grace New Member

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    May 12, 2014
    I agree with you about the blue!!! I eat no preservatives, colorings, etc.-except, ironically, in my medication-lol!

    Can't hurt to try another one for awhile and see how it goes. I have no idea where the Aurobindo comes from, just that it worked ok for me. I have to add that it did NOT work nearly as well as the brand name Valtrex.
     
  8. Vicki

    Vicki Guest

    Grace I looked it up

    Aurobindo Pharma is one of the leading Indian pharmaceutical research companies that manufactures and export drugs and formulations worldwide.

    In general I would stick to generics made in USA if possible.
     
  9. Vicki

    Vicki Guest

    hmm I was searching for companies in the USA that make generic valtrex, and came across some articles about the FDA banning a few different Indian pharma companies due to selling adulterated antibiotic, epilepsy and other drugs.
     
  10. nicmger

    nicmger Member

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    May 12, 2014
    Wierd...thought that I had replied to this post but don't see it. As Vicki said, I did have an issue when my prescription was filled with product from Milan (twice) versus the original generic from Northstar. Fortunately my Costco pharmacy agreed to order in and fill using Northstar so hopefully won't have the issue again.

    For me, within days of taking the other lab's pills my ear started to fill up, ringing was back loud, etc.

    Until this experience (twice) I had never even looked at "who" the manufacturer of my prescriptions were and assumed that all were created equal. Have definitely learned otherwise.

    I did look it up and it appears that Northstar is made in the US. If it helps, my first prescription was filled thru Target now I use Costco. Both will use the Northstar. (My mail order prescription thru insurance will not guarantee which lab which is why I don't use that as an option any longer.)

    Good luck.
     
  11. nicmger

    nicmger Member

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    May 12, 2014
    Oh, the generic valtrex from Northstar is a blue pill. The Milan pill was white.
     
  12. Vicki

    Vicki Guest

    yup the Milan I had was white too. After reading about those pharmas in India and why the fda banned their imports I can just imagine what was in the pill I took that made me feel drugged.
    I might switch to famvir the pharmacist told me hair loss is not a side effect of it.
    But I will wait until I get my blood work back to make sure nothing else is causing it.
     
  13. Santa

    Santa Member

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    Aug 5, 2014
    The valacyclovir I have is made by cadista pharmac 207 Kiley Drive
    Salisbury, MD 21801
    United States

    They are blue pills with c325 1000 on them

    It is possible that some side effects of valacyclovir may not have been reported. These can be reported to the FDA here. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.

    For the Consumer

    Applies to valacyclovir: oral tablet

    As well as its needed effects, valacyclovir may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

    If any of the following side effects occur while taking valacyclovir, check with your doctor immediately:

    More common
    Discouragement
    feeling sad or empty
    irritability
    lack of appetite
    loss of interest or pleasure
    tiredness
    trouble concentrating
    trouble sleeping

    Rare
    Black, tarry stools
    chest pain
    chills
    cough
    decreased frequency or output of urine
    fever
    flu-like symptoms
    headache
    lower back or side pain
    reduced mental alertness
    shortness of breath
    yellow eyes or skin
    Incidence not known
    Actions that are out of control
    agitation
    anxiety
    back, leg, or stomach pains
    bleeding gums
    blood in urine or stools
    blurred vision
    change in consciousness
    change in mental status
    changes in behavior, especially in interactions with other people
    changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
    dark or bloody urine
    difficult or labored breathing
    difficulty speaking
    difficulty swallowing
    dizziness
    drowsiness
    dry mouth
    fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
    feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
    feeling that others can hear your thoughts
    feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
    general tiredness and weakness
    hyperventilation
    increased thirst
    itching
    lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
    light-colored stools
    loss of consciousness
    mood or mental changes
    nausea and vomiting
    nervousness
    pale color of skin
    pinpoint red spots on the skin
    pounding in the ears
    puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
    redness of the skin
    restlessness
    seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
    seizures
    severe mood or mental changes
    shakiness and unsteady walk
    shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
    skin rash
    slurred speech
    sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
    stiff neck
    swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
    swollen or painful glands
    talking, feeling, and acting with excitement
    tightness in the chest
    trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
    trouble in speaking
    troubled breathing
    unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
    unusual behavior
    unusual bleeding or bruising
    unusual tiredness or weakness
    upper right abdominal pain
    vomiting
    weight gain
    wheezing
    Some valacyclovir side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:

    More common
    Body aches or pain
    cramps
    difficulty in moving
    ear congestion
    heavy bleeding
    loss of voice
    muscle aches
    muscle pain or stiffness
    nasal congestion
    pain
    pain in joints
    sneezing
    sore throat
    stuffy or runny nose
    Less common
    Constipation
    diarrhea
    Incidence not known
    Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
    hair loss or thinning of the hair
    hives or welts
    increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
    red, irritated eyes
    redness or other discoloration of the skin
    severe sunburn


    The ones that stick out to me are Ear Congestion and for Vicki ( hair loss or thinning )
     

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