Atenolol supply, upset by new alternative.

[cuttysark]

I am in Scotland and have been taking the same brand of Atenolol for over 20 years, it is the Almus Bristol brand which is also lactose free.

I have many gastric conditions and also biliary/ liver problems and for some reason this tablet has given me no side effects in all this time.

Fast forward to the last year and now it is totally unavailable up here as Crescent brand of generic has flooded the market and is the only one.

My chemists have been as helpful as they can but can basically they can do nothing as when they order this brand the warehouse just sends out what they have which is Crescent. There is no way round this even for the independent chemists, I have now tried so many chemists and all the same!!

I have tried many other brands and they all give me liver problems which take weeks to resolve. It is actually a nightmare now.

It might be a different situation in England but I am afraid in Scotland there seems no solution!!

Does any one have the same problem? Is there any way I could buy them somewhere as I have my GP prescription and they are very cheap.

[meadfoot]

Have you contacted the manufacturers direct they can sometimes help. I have had similar problems with flecainide one brand helps where other brands dont. I too am on atenolol and always ask for the same brand as with anticoagulant too.

Worth a try the manufacturer may be able to help if you explain the adverse symptoms other brands give you.

[cuttysark in reply to meadfoot]

Thanks, I will try that! They might have some suggestions.

[scentedgardener]

Has your GP stated on the prescription that it must be the Almus Bristol brand? I have twice requested a named brand of medication as they were brands that didn't give me bad side effects.Hope you can resolve the problem.

[fishonabike]

As far as I am aware the only option is, as scentedgardener suggests - ask your GP to specify the brand of the medication, using the full name - normally the pharmacies provide a generic version unless the prescribing doctor specifically requests something else, then they are obliged to do as instructed

[Blackcat99]

Perhaps you could contact some of the online pharmacies, ask which specific brands they can supply? If they can supply Almus, order through them - they’ll ask for sight of your prescription, and you may need to ask GP to give you a separate script just for the atenolol.

You’re right about Crescent flooding the market here in Scotland - mine also was changed to it but not so far aware of any gut impact, thankfully.

Good luck with getting things sorted!

[Qualipop]

Try an online pharmacy. I have the same problem with some meds. The fillers or colourings in some generics make me really poorly. My GP always prescribes one by brand name- not much help when it's not available. Do also check the details on the packet. Sometimes the actual manufacturer will be the same even when the package is different.

[Incah]

Try an online Pharmaceutical company , I still have the Bristol Brand but I am in England . But you may be lucky with an online Pharmacy . Good luck

[Aztec632 in reply to Incah]

I was prescribed Bristol lab atenolol for years and had no problems with them The last few months I have reluctantly been supplied with crescent which I don't like but my pharmacy can't supply Bristol anymore. Pharmacist told me it's no longer on their 'to buy list'. Crescent obviously cheaper. He also told me that the manufacturers don't care about the end user having to put up with the ingredients as long as they sell that's all that matters! I am in England too.

[cuttysark]

Thank you all so much for replying to me about the Almus Bristol Brand of atenolol.

My GP always puts that specific brand on the prescription but it makes no difference they say it will always be Crescent supplied as itnis the only one available.

Interestingly apart from all the gastric trouble it brings it also makes me have arrhythmia worse and then the pericarditis I also get surfaces due to the Crescent!!!

I was told by Boots a couple of days ago to ask my GP for Tenormin which is the brand name of atenolol. They said the warehouse would have to supply that as it is the brand name not a generic.

My Almus brand is lactose free and my GP has given me a prescription for Tenormin Lactose free.

We will try that and it might be more like the generic Almus which suited me so much better.

I will also takenon board your suggestions for contacting online pharmacies too and see if I could buy them.

My GP will give me a prescription no bother, it is a great surgery and really supportive!!

Thanks again to everyone who replied!