Generic Zytiga vs. Zytiga: Good morning... - Advanced Prostate...

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Generic Zytiga vs. Zytiga

leo2634 profile image
18 Replies

Good morning to all of you my Brothers.

I've recently been put on generic Zytiga only into it a few weeks but I've noticed since the switch it seems to be doing a job on my stomach which the real Zytiga never did. I don't know if it is in my head or not but definitely in my stomach. By the way neither the real Zytiga or the generic are film coated so that's not an option for making my case. I also don't see the big hype on generic verses the real Zytiga it isn't much more cost wise at least not with my insurance and supplement plan. Any thoughts? I'm going to see my Doctor on May 1st and present this to him. Never give up never surrender. Leo

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18 Replies
FCoffey profile image
FCoffey

The generic versions have the exact same molecule, and if the tablet composition is the same, it's hard to see how it could be the generic's fault.

Perhaps other factors have made your gut more sensitive. Diet, stress, interactions with other drugs, the list of things that upset the gut is long. It might even be that your gut was objecting to Zytiga all along, and now that treatment has resumed your gut is already sensitized.

Eliminating things from the diet can often help, but it takes time and can be frustrating.

I hope you can find relief. Good luck!

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply to FCoffey

Already started that . I've never had a break from Zytiga just went right to the game when the last of the Zytiga was taken after about the fourth day on the generic stomach problems started.

FCoffey profile image
FCoffey in reply to leo2634

Diarrhea and Dyspepsia are relatively common side effect, 18% and 6% of patients, respectively, report them. The prescribing info and marketing materials for Zytiga don't seem to mention anything done to change that.

CantChoose profile image
CantChoose in reply to FCoffey

The fillers are often not the same. Inactive ingredients can make a surprisingly large difference.

Gearhead profile image
Gearhead

Been on Janssen (non-generic, I think) Zytiga for about 3 months. No upset stomach problems. Have always had moderate constipation , which seems to have gotten a bit worse since starting all my ADT + bone drugs, so can't really blame that on Zytiga alone. Zytiga costs me about $2,500 first month and now about $520/month (Medicare Part D...went through "doughnut hole" fast). That upset me in general but didn't focus on my stomach. Good luck and I hope your stomach issues subside.

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply to Gearhead

Thanks I'm thinking or rather hoping it's just a stomach bug. Who knew I'd be wishing for a bug huh ...

MMMayhem profile image
MMMayhem

I realize this may not help, but I was on ADT for 9 months and switched twice without any stomach issue. I was on Zytiga from last July through the beginning of this month. Last fall they switched me to the generic and I didn't even notice (my wife will testify I'm not the most observant man on the planet). I was on CarePath through Janssen so I discovered it in January when my copay was thousands of dollars because Janssen only covers their product. So for Jan I went back to name brand. Then in Feb after they got me on copay assistance for the generic I went back to that.

Never had issues so I'm inclined to agree the cause is something else and the timing is coincidence. Though I haven't checked to see if there are fillers and a difference in them might be what you're sensitive to. Anyway, good luck.

Mark

michael00 profile image
michael00

Im about to be switched to generic by my insurance company. I'm hoping for no difference because zytiga never bothered my stomach but MO prescribed prilosec with it and i wonder if that has helped

in reply to michael00

I switched two months ago. Not noticing any difference yet. It is a couple hundred a month cheaper.

michael00 profile image
michael00 in reply to

My insurance company gets a lower cost but my cost will actually go up due to losing the janssen copay assistance

in reply to michael00

I wanted to stay with the Zytiga just because things were working. So I assume you are staying with Zytiga?

michael00 profile image
michael00 in reply to

I want to stay with zytiga because it works but insurance company moved it to nonformulary list. When i pointed out i had nonformulary coverage they moved it to uncovered/excluded drugs list. The only way to get partial coverage is get my MO to put in writing medical reasons not to switch

in reply to michael00

You won’t get that one. I called Jansen to see if they would help me but if you are on Medicare you are out. Otherwise they would sign me up if I could qualify.

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply to

I'll know tomorrow when I see my Doctor.

Jimdoud1 profile image
Jimdoud1

I haven’t noticed any difference.

Joes-dad profile image
Joes-dad

This won't exactly help but I was taking two 500mg coated Zytiga a day for about my 1st year. In January my insurance switched me to the uncoated 250mg generic Zytiga. I had heartburn every morning after taking the generics which never happened with the 500's. The heartburn stopped after a couple of months though. A small price to pay. Psychologically I'd rather be taking the original Zytiga vs a generic...

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply to Joes-dad

I agree but insurance thinks different. I guess it's not thier gut hurting.

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

Are you taking the Zytiga with water vs generic water?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 04/30/2019 7:51 PM DST

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