Generic Med Reactions

[valspia]

I have a question regarding generics for Amlodipine 10 mg. I recently started Amlodipine 10 mg. Got my first prescription for one month and it was a generic from Ascend Laborato and it worked beautifully, no side effects whatsoever. Now my insurance requires for long-term maintenance drugs you go to a mail order. Long story short I just started the generic from Cipla USA. I took the first one tonight and an hour later woke up and my heart is absolutely pounding and heart rate is up also. I know everything is scarier in the middle of the night. Aren't all generics supposed to be the same? This is awful and want to go back to the first generic.

I take other meds for BP also and finally have my BP under control. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Dovedale4]

I had the same experience when I started on amlodipine 10mg last year. There was one particular generic brand that gave me a really pounding heartbeat. The second time I ordered the medication I was given a different brand and I did not have the same reaction so I made sure that I always had the same generic. I am now taking 5mg amlodipine and I make sure that my pharmacy always dispense the same generic brand. A friend of mine who also takes amlodipine 5mg has a different brand almost every month and has no issues at all so I think some people are sensitive to the different fillers and others are not. I hope this helps.

[valspia in reply to Dovedale4]

Thank you so much for a quick reply! I'm glad to know it isn't just me and I'll call my doc this morning. Thank you 🙂

[Dovedale4 in reply to valspia]

You are welcome and I hope you manage to get it sorted. It can be very difficult when certain generic brands cause unwanted side effects so it is a case of finding one that does not and trying to stick with it. Good luck.

[springcross in reply to Dovedale4]

I have been having a certain brand of Amlodipine for quite a while now as requested by my GP on my prescriptions but I was supplied with a different brand last week which I refused to accept and was told that by it being on the prescription, it doesn't mean that they can supply it. Boots told me the same thing. I remember a few years ago they requested that it was named on the prescription in order to ensure that they could always supply it so I don't know what has changed.

[valspia in reply to springcross]

Thank you.

[Dovedale4 in reply to springcross]

Yes, my generic brand of amlodipine is named on my prescription. I think pharmacies tend to use one or two wholesale suppliers and if they don't have it in stock then there can be a problem. I haven't had a problem getting the brand I prefer thus far but there is always a possibility that it could happen. In my experience not all generics are the same and some give side effects that others don't so it is a bit of a minefield and I am very sensitive to changes in medication.

[springcross in reply to Dovedale4]

I had been getting mine OK for months until last week when they sent a different brand, but they didn't ring me to ask if it was acceptable, they just sent it in a bag with my husband and didn't say a word. We obviously have a certain brand for a reason - they clearly don't care what that reason might be. I was fortunate and got the script back and took it somewhere else and got it filled so obviously in two months time, I'm going to have the same problem.

😂😂 just read this again, they didn't send my husband in the bag too, they gave the bag to my husband.

[Dovedale4 in reply to springcross]

Yes, it is certainly a problem and I sympathize with you completely. I would be the same if I could not get the brand that I take. Is there any chance that you could contact the pharmacy that dispensed it for you and ask if they could get, say, 6/7 months supply and keep it on their shelf just for you? My local pharmacy did that with another BP medicine I take (losartan) and I only like the Teva brand. My pharmacy got hold of 6 packs which lasted me 6 months. Obviously they will not give it to you all at once but they might be willing to keep it on the shelf with your name on. They certainly don't understand how important it is to those who take the medication and they would say that all generic brands are the same but they clearly are not. Some pharmacies are more understanding than others and a lot of it comes down to which generic brand is the cheapest which is not helpful.

[springcross in reply to Dovedale4]

Thanks for your reply, it's worth a try which I will keep in mind for the next script. x

[valspia in reply to springcross]

That made me laugh so hard!😂

[springcross in reply to valspia]

😁😁 it goes to show you should read what you type before hitting the reply button. x

[valspia in reply to Dovedale4]

I went back to the same pharmacy and they said they normally use the same supplier and I got a 90 day supply. I'm paying out-of-pocket for this one though. It isn't that expensive so it's worth it!

[valspia in reply to Dovedale4]

I agree! All generics are NOT the same.

[Dovedale4 in reply to valspia]

I'm really pleased that you have it sorted. Not all generics are the same, they use different fillers and I think that is what people have reactions to. I have the same issue with another BP medication I take but amlodipine is the most difficult to get right. Good luck.

[shrock in reply to springcross]

have had same prob but boots have been v understanding & last time i pushed back on a new generic they got me the original one from another branch and have altered their records so I get my preferred brand in future.

[springcross in reply to shrock]

I usually use Tesco and have done for years but next time I will check before I request a repeat to see if they are in stock and if not, I will ring Boots again. Many thanks for your reply.

[Port01]

I'm afraid this problem is not limited to amlodipine, but to all generic medicines. My wife was once given a generic inhaler for her Asthma. She has her inhaler twice daily and within minutes of her first dose of the generic she had a severe allergic reaction. She now has the original specified on her prescription. Not all doctors and pharmacist are sympathetic about possible differences from brand to brand.

[Julieclev08 in reply to Port01]

This is why I’m so happy to be on this group.I thought I was going mad when I got a new prescription for Doxazosin.my old tablet was triangle in shape this was round .After a couple of days I was itching and my blood pressure went up 😬I got a doctor to contact me he said all Doxazosin is the same .He agreed to give me a new prescription and to go to a pharmacy and ask for the brand I wanted .I had to google and go hunting and finally found thd brand was different to the new one .I’ve learnt after two years on medication I know my own body and what agrees with me and doesn’t

[valspia in reply to Julieclev08]

I'm so grateful for this group also!

[springcross in reply to Port01]

Very true.

[Brisk61]

I had the same with Diltiazem (azidem)180mgProlonged release capsule the brand I use can be difficult to find but an alternative brand makes me feel unwell. I have a great independent pharmacist and he ensures I get the same brand. I really believe there are huge differences between manufacturers.

[Blue-Anglia]

Hi valspia I have had lots of trouble in the past when the NHS have got the cheapest drugs and we have no choice on what they get, which can upset systems hugely. In the past after being on the original drug for 11 years I was then put on whatever the pharmacy were allowed to buy every time I renewed the monthly prescription I was given what they had that’s when all the trouble started because of what they mix the drugs with. One month would be good and I would ask to keep getting that one but no gurantee. The amount I was told by gp will always be the same but the mixer would changed. It completely changed my life on meds. Some of them have terrible side effects. Go back to gp and ask for the supplier of original. If possible you might be lucky. I used to go to different pharmacies to try and get consistency also write to the yellow card complaining they then get in touch with your gp that some times helps. Best of luck.

[valspia in reply to Blue-Anglia]

Thank you!