Question about generic medications

[gbn_]

Hello. Has anyone had any problems with generic medications made elsewhere? Some disturbing info about possible problems arising from their use. My situation--was put on Xarelto, plan from hospital lasted for 1 year, which has expired. Found out that I could not afford it afterwards, called the company for another plan, and was floored with all the info they needed, way too complicated for words, called my doctors office for guidence, was told that I could go on Warafin, but nurse confided that she didn't recommend it. I then contacted the office where I signed up for my medicare plan to see if they could help. They said that they see this a lot and they sent me information on a pharmacy that they recommend for their clients with these types of situations. Sure enough, they had generic Xarelto, which is Rivaroxaban with a brand name of Rpigat. The pharmacy is located in Florida. They needed a prescription from my doctor which I obtained, and was able to get a 90 (3 month) supply for 159 dollars, far cheaper than the 560 dollars for only 30 pills. However, they are manufactured overseas in another country. Getting ready for my 2nd refill, just getting a bit concerned about manufacturing practices for these types of generics. Any thoughts?

[javo123j]

I've had Generic tablets quite often, mainly with blood pressure tablets but also with apixaban and not noticed any problems with the medication.

[gbn_ in reply to javo123j]

Thank you javo123j.

[JudiHalf]

I have been taking a generic Xarelto for a while now without any problems. I am lucky that I don’t pay for it, thanks to NHS im UK.

[gbn_ in reply to JudiHalf]

Hi JudiHalf. Is it the same brand as mine? It is a 20 mg. dose once a day. I just wish when I read these reports of problems that they would be more specific with what actually might be going on with patients taking these generics.

[FraserB]

I realize you're getting ready for your 2nd refill but have you asked a pharmacist (doesn't have to be the one in Florida) about whether this generic has been approved by the FDA? A pharmacist may be able to provide more information about the medication manufacturing source. As you've mentioned, "Rpigat" is a brand name for a generic version of rivaroxaban which will cost much less and medications from international sources can be just as effective as the other much higher price brand names. But a pharmacist should have details on the brand name Rpigat.

[gbn_ in reply to FraserB]

Hi FraserB. I will check.

[ozziebob in reply to gbn_]

According to this info there doesn't seem to be any generic Xarelto approved by the FDA in USA ...

drugs.com/availability/gene...

... although the generic you are using has been recommended by a reputable agency, so hopefully all is ok.

It would be useful to know whether JudiHalf 's generic xarelto from a UK source is the same as yours (rpigat).🤔

[wilsond]

Generics I find are just the same. On the NHS here in the UK,i often get different manufacturers of the same medicines, no ill effects.Sorry it seems so complicated over there,here we are prescribed meds and that's it.

We pay National insurance which covers health,surgery etc,but not dentists..weirdly.

Best wishes ❤️

[gbn_ in reply to wilsond]

Hi wilsond. Yes, it can get rather complicated here in the U.S. , the situation is that there are yet no generics for this particular medicine here, a true situation of either paying big for the script or paying for food and utilities when on a fixed income.

[wilsond in reply to gbn_]

Not a good situation. Hope you get sorted out soon xx

[mike1961]

For me (i.e. me in my capacity as my own unique experiment of one!), the old original Tambacor Flecainide (3M and 100 imprints on white tabs a bit chalkier than shiny looking) available up until 2 or 3 years ago was FAR better at 1) preventing AF episodes and 2) converting AF episodes on a PiP basis than the generics available now.

[secondtry]

I believe there are problems with some factories in India, which put me off ordering another drug.

[gbn_ in reply to secondtry]

Hi secondtry. That is where the generic Xarelto that I have is made. There was some information that some generic medicines caused problems from there, but no specifics on just what the problems were, along with no mention of specific brand names made there. It's not what I need to see after finding this as a much more affordable option, it just always seem to be something. Was your drug replaced with another, or did you just stop using it?

[secondtry in reply to gbn_]

Your source may be fine. As everywhere some sources are good some are not.

[Qualipop]

In the UK everyone has meds prescribed by the name of the main ingredient so that pharmacies can give any brand they like- far far cheaper than the original. The UK has very strict testing for imported drugs. I've never known a problem with the manufacturing process but I do know they often use different fillers, colourings and preservatives. I personally have a lot of problems with those but have never been able to find out which filler or preservative causes the problem. I've been taking oxycodone for 22 years and have tried every generic brand there is and have found I can only tolerate the original so my GP has to prescribe it specifically by the original brand name and needs permission to prescribe it because it's so much more expensive.

I'm also allergic to yellow colouring so my pharmacist is really good and makes sure none of my other neds are yellow regardless who makes them. I've never had Rivaroxaban .

The manufacturer won't be a problem but the fillers or preservatives may be but unllikely.