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Changing a medication because of the make, after starting.

Teresa156 profile image
30 Replies

Hello All,

In late January, I had an ablation, but the consultant accidentally caused a pericardial effusion during the ablation, which has left me with acute pericarditis. I was prescribed Colcichine, which I initially thought was causing my sickness and headache, but it turned out it was the post ablation migraine that I was suffering with, so I restarted the Colcichine with no issues and have been taking it for the past month or so. Many of you helped me as I posted about the pain at the time, which has eased a lot, thankfully.

My problem now is that I picked up another two month’s worth of my prescription recently as I’m to carry on taking it for that time and this different generic is causing me stomach issues which I never had with the other manufacturer. These pills are made with different fillers as I checked the ingredients on line.

Has anyone ever managed to get another prescription from their GP to go back to the Chemist and get a different manufacturer after they had taken some of the medication already, or do you think it’s impossible they’d give me another prescription ? I know it’s the pills, it can’t be anything else. I’ve only taken three so far.

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Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156
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30 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Teresa in the twenty odd years I have beeen taking heart meds I have never experienced eithr side effects or any difference in brands but I do know some people are sensitive to such and your complaint is not unknown. I would urge you to speak to your doctor and ask specifically for your original brand to be noted on the prescription. I know others have done this.

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply toBobD

Hi Bob,

Thankyou for coming back. I know, I wish I wasn’t so sensitive. I feel bad though because I’ve only just started a pack of 60 and want to change to a new box, so it will mean these get disposed of, so it’s a waste.

I’ve since emailed the GP and they’ve said they have put it through to the pharmacist to call me, so it could be hopeful. 🤞

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply toTeresa156

I'm amazed you have such a large amount. Here in Devon you can only get 28 days supply of anything!

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply toBobD

I know, it’s strange isn’t it? It’s because I’ve been prescribed them for just three months I think and they knew I needed another 60…perhaps.

kkatz profile image
kkatz in reply toBobD

I get my regular meds 3 months at a time.Leeds.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply tokkatz

I think it is a policy thing amongst most CCGs. They don't want large quantities of medication wasted if you suddenly die! Hard but practical. lol😂

Vonnegut profile image
Vonnegut in reply toBobD

I have “my preferred brands” of Flecainide listed but still get a variety of different ones. My heart is well controlled but guess it’s the fillers you mentioned that mess with my digestion and possibly add to my fatigue.

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX

I would give it a try. I had a terrible allergic reaction because of the coating on a medication. It actually caused anaphylaxis.

I have been on that several times and even within a week. I feel a big difference because you had acute I could understand keeping you on it. I don’t know if you realized that originally was made for gout. The first time I was taking I was chatting with my pharmacist on the phone and I was taking it for. He did not know the and was concerned so he actually looked it up and then came back and said my doctor was OK about it. It’s nice know someone has your back because of its actual usage though it could be another reason why it could be affecting you when a different brand. They must have different things in them, obviously, or they would not be more than one brand they must have to change something.

when I was put on amiodarone, I was extremely sick, but they had impressed how I had to keep taking it not just how sick I I was meant to take it six months. I finally saw my doctor and when he saw how ill I had he stopped at same day no withdrawal, thankfully in fact by the next day, I felt better

it’s your body and you’re right to question and ask just tell them you’re not going to keep taking it. They are making you sick. They need to do something or liability will be on their end. I would somehow.

oh yes, that headache after a procedure is a beauty. I don’t think I ever had them as bad as I did after my AV node ablation. Nothing was helping it. Thankfully, my nurse in the hospital told me it was very normal to have so I was not worried, but I was still miserable. They finally had to give me something stronger because the headache was making me sick. I was told it had something to do with the anesthesia although I usually have something put into mine because I am so prone to being sick from anesthesia. Can’t they make things to just fix? What’s wrong without creating new problems? Everything seems to have a side effect to keep them in business.

feel better, honey. FYI, going forward if you should need other ablations or any type of procedure. Don’t be surprised if you get pericarditis again and if you start to get that speak up immediately because it seems to be a good possibility of it chronic. Whether it’s a cold I manage to get it now.

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156

Hi Dawn,

Thankyou. It’s alwful being so sensitive to these meds isn’t it? I know when I’ve been in our Pharmacy before abd have asked about a particular make they look at me as if I’m mad sometimes, but I try and stand my ground 😊 I just feel bad this time, because I’ve already started on them…but I think they’re a fairly inexpensive medication from what I’ve read, so hopefully not too much wasted.

Yes, the post ablation migraine….I got it 36 hrs after my ablation. I didn’t think it was the post ablation migraine, as it seemed so soon. The sickness was awful with it, but that’s another story. Sounds like you had an awful experience as well.

I hope the pericarditis doesn’t come back, it’s hard enough getting rid of this one though.

Take care,

Teresa

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk

Yes, I refused a medication based on the fact it wasn't the original prescription, this is several years back now but yes, they did change it back. Generics are cheaper for the pharmacy to buy in hence the change.

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply toopal11uk

Thanks Opal11uk,

Hopefully the pharmacist at my surgery will put through another prescription. The problem I have is I already have a box of 60 and started them. I didn’t know they would cause me problems, due to the make. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a new prescription 🤞

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk in reply toTeresa156

If the drugs are not suitable and you get any resistance from the Pharmacy who orchestrated the change of supplier in the first place then put call into the prescribing medic and explain they will then change them for you.

wwatson280283 profile image
wwatson280283

Hi Teresa, like you my brand of medication caused intestinal problems. I spoke to pharmacy who put a note on their (Boots) system to fulfil the correct brand. They also asked me to contact GP and have it put on their system for prescriptions.A warning though this is all dependent on your pharmacy and who supplies them.

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply towwatson280283

Thankyou wwatson 280283

Hopefully the pharmacist at my surgery will put through another prescription. The problem I have is I already have a box of 60 and started them. I didn’t know they would cause me problems, due to the make. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a new prescription.

reinaway profile image
reinaway

I had this problem when I was taking Nebivolol. I took the tablets back to the chemist and after experimenting with several other brands found the ones that I could take. He then kept a basket with my brand in for future use. You will need to find a small chemist who will do this for you and use them regularly.

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply toreinaway

Thanks reinaway,

It’s a one off medication ( hopefully) to get rid of this horrible condition they’ve left me with….and I know my chemist unfortunately wouldn’t be that helpful and would insist I went back to the surgery….and it’s a small chemist. Hopefully, I’ll get a new prescription from my surgery today and they’ll take pity on me 🤞

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003

I had the same with eye drops. Ok with one brand but then a reaction with another. Spoke to my pharmacy rather than GP and they noted my records to only supply the first brand.

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply toDucky2003

Thanks Ducky,

It’s a one off medication for a course ( even though I had the initial lot from the hospital) which makes it worse unfortunately, but I know it’s these pills because the first lot were fine….hopefully my surgery will give me a new prescription for a different make today….my pharmacy are not as forgiving as yours unfortunately, they always say go back to your surgery 🙄

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003 in reply toTeresa156

Oh dear. I am very fortunate that I have an excellent pharmacy. I was once prescribed medication for my gallbladder by a nurse practitioner, which was red flag contraindicated with my other meds and soon as I handed the prescription over, my pharmacist said absolutely not and rang the GP to complain. I was amazed that he could remember what other tablets I took, without having looked at the computer. So reassuring when you have someone like that in your corner.

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

I have been having and continue to have the same issues. I take Accord brand Flecainide and Xarelto Rivaroxaban. Others have been less effective or caused further gastric issues.

After wrangling with chemist and being sent back to my GP who now has to strictly request these specific brands on my monthly prescription I usually get the correct brand but the chemist likes to slip in alternatives so I have to check them while in there so I can get them exchanged there and then. If i take them out of the shop before checking they will not exchange them.

I have noticed all my Accord Flecainide expire December this year. So I am also concerned about their efficacy towards the expiry date and will I be able to get anymore thereafter. I have asked six chemists and they all say Accord is expensive so wont stock them.

I told my EP about different brands and she said I must stick with what works and not all brands suit everybody. I have enough problems without being inflicted with this hassle. Fight your corner, you know what works for you and doesnt.

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156

Thankyou. Hopefully the pharmacist at my surgery will put through another prescription. The problem I have is I already have a box of 60 and started them. I didn’t know they would cause me problems, due to the make. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a new prescription - I hope!

Alicant profile image
Alicant

The Pharmacy / Chemist buys the cheapest version to make the most money…

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac

Yes I’ve had this with my eliquis apixaban. My chemist actually phoned my GP and he changed the prescription to always be eliquis. All I had to do was return the generic tablets and collect the new ones. (Actually our chemist delivers snd collected)

Don’t hesitate it will be ok to do that

Bestceishes

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply toTapanac

Thanks Tapanac,

My chemist isn’t as helpful as yours unfortunately. I’ve had a few problems in the past and they always tell me to go back to my surgery 🙄 an HRT preparation I have changed it’s name last year and the communication to the chemists were awful. I knew the new name of it and they found it on their system, it was exactly the same manufacturer, medication and preparation and the system told them what it used to be ( even in same box) but because the prescription was in the old name, they wouldn’t give it to me and I had to go back to my surgery. It was a pain, as you know how difficult it is nowadays to go back to surgeries. They also make a big thing about disposing of medication and it being wasted ( which of course, I understand) I hope the surgery take pity on me today. I’ll get a call later 🤞

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac in reply toTeresa156

Oh we are lucky with our chemist as I said earlier they deliver snd collect. Even if say I’ve run out of something they even just add that snd I either pay at the door or the next time I go up to the village. It’s just one chemist in our village. Not a big boots or anything like that

Would it be possible to change your chemist as I know it is a pain keep doing the online notes. If left to my husband he is definitely not computer literate and our children and grandchildren live a long way from us so I don’t quite know what he would do. Have to rely on our pharmacist I guess

I hope you get sorted out as I can imagine how frustrating and possibly even frightening at times

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply toTapanac

Thanks Tapanac,

They are usually a good Chemist, I can’t fault them really but they can be sticklers and the manager is very money orientated. It also has the added benefit of being 2 minutes away as there’s a little parade of shops just around the corner from where I live…so I’ll just have to persevere through gritted teeth on this one 😊

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac in reply toTeresa156

Oh good luck then

Xx

shiftcolors profile image
shiftcolors

number 3 cause of death in the United States is medical error

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

I get my painkiller prescribed by brand name because I too react badly to the generics. For other meds my chemist tries to stick to eh one I know don't affect me. Ask your GP if he can prescribe he branded version

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply toQualipop

Thankyou.

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