Different brand of meds given.... should I be worried? - NRAS

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Different brand of meds given.... should I be worried?

Ssmart profile image
19 Replies

My pharmacist says all ingredients same etc etc but I’m sure I read some people have side effects with different hyrdoxychloroquine tablets?!

I searched but couldn’t find the posts.

I usually take the blackrock tablets, and have been fine on them for 14 months...

Picked up prescription today and have been given Bristol laboratories ones... mine are usually cream to yellow and these are white.

Is it silly of me to be concerned???? 😊

I have taken one so far of the new ones, but I also have a tooth abscess so have taken antibiotics tonight too... which I also started tonight...

Sorry just panicking a little and now off to bed.

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Ssmart profile image
Ssmart
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19 Replies
PinkLamb profile image
PinkLamb

Hi

Try not to worry too much about this!!

I think 🤔 that it is happening more and more now, probably to do with 'Money"as with a lot of things, it happens to me with Naproxen,

If you are still concerned, leave a message for your rheumy nurse in the morning, or call your GP's surgery

X

Deniseelk profile image
Deniseelk

Funnily, that is exactly the same, recent, change my GP pharmacy have made! I am not aware of needing to stick to same brand for Hydroxychloroquine. However, if you have an intolerance to certain “ additives “ then you should check the ingredients ( like, say, fructose, etc). However, there are some medications where you should not change brands ( like for example Epilepsy medication)!

AndrewT profile image
AndrewT

Dear Ssmart,

I'm sure this is 'Fine' but....I am on Tacrolimus, as 'Advagraf' Prolonged-release hard capsules, which Is A Different 'Form', of this Drug- that is NOT Directly Compatible. So whist MOST Drugs are Directly 'Swappable', just Double Check, with the Pharmacy. With all MY 'Other' Drugs there isn't a problem, at all.

Have a Happy Bank Holiday

AndrewT

I’ve had both these hydroxy tablets before and not had any problems. My pharmacist said they’re the same too. Has happened with mtx too. If you are going to worry then I’d speak to the rheumy nurse just to reassure you but you would hope that your pharmacist is giving you correct information 😊

Mmrr profile image
Mmrr

I heard somewhere recently that generic drugs are okay, think of a very simple household item you buy that requires to be put together. Most people could do it following the instructions. Its the same with your generic medicine, a generic drug company puts the chemicals together to get the same drug.

(But due to the complexity, biologics and biosimilars are different. It would be like trying to put together a new 747 jet from an instruction manual, with no previous experience of how everything fits together).

I might have heard this from a NRAS webinar !

sylvi profile image
sylvi

If in doubt seek advice from your rheumy. xxxx

woodstar1 profile image
woodstar1

Hi, I can only have Zentiva brand hydroxy, I have been on them for years with no issues. They did change them once, I didn't notice but I ended up with a bad stomach for weeks, couldn't work out why until I noticed, the change. I went back and spoke to my pharmacy and they told me that the active ingredient is the same but the fillers are different and can cause lots of people issues. They just changed them back to the original brand and I'm fine again. Maybe try them and see how you go but generics can cause some folk issues, it did me!!

Perhaps search Zentiva on here, there has been several posts on here ref this.

Good luck.

Woody.

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

I get different brands of pills all the time...just ignore the change unless you feel unwell after taking them.

We have enough to worry about without worrying “just in case”!

wishbone profile image
wishbone in reply toAgedCrone

To quote a line from a Tom Petty song..."most things I worry about never happen anyway" :-)

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply towishbone

Yeah..but I don't worry & they happen anyway!

wishbone profile image
wishbone in reply toAgedCrone

Haha, I was going to add the trouble is that some of them do happen!... but thought better of it as I didn't want to be branded a gloom-monger. :-)

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply towishbone

I always seem to expect the worst.....then I’m ecstatic when it doesn’t happen......that’s If it actually doesn’t happen of course!

Ssmart profile image
Ssmart in reply toAgedCrone

😂

Ssmart profile image
Ssmart

Thank you all 😊

I guess I’m just a worrier by nature and am very funny about meds...

They did have a bitter taste to them whereas the original ones I had I could leave in my mouth a few seconds with no taste, but I suppose even paracetamol tabs vary in appearance etc.

Lots of things to worry about at the moment here, tooth problems, money worries and my dad is rather unwell to name but a few, so I will try not to over worry about this 😁

Thank you again everyone xxx

Caza profile image
Caza in reply toSsmart

Yes I find the white ones very bitter. I couldn’t take them they made me feel really sick. It now says on the prescription that I can only take the yellow ones. I’m sure lots of people have no trouble with them let’s hope your one of them 🤞

Smiler53 profile image
Smiler53

Same here, with the exactly same medication! I personally don't like it when they do this, probably a cheaper option.

Some time back, my neighbour's mum's meds were swapped with a cheaper version and it upset her. The doctor had to insist she had the original make there after. She is now fine, probably due to quality of ingredients.

Fra22-57 profile image
Fra22-57

I always had the zentiva brand but have moved so this chemist here keeps trying to give quinoric brand instead for the hydroxychloroquine. If you open packet exactly the same but I have now had it put on my records I dont want this one as fillers in it upset my stomach.

L-ttie profile image
L-ttie

Hi there I completely understand that you feel anxious and unsettled about the change. I have the same reaction when I’m prescribed a different brand of Methotrexate. The first time this happened I assumed i all would be ok....but developed a very upset stomach.I eventually tracked it down to the change in meds and managed to be swapped back to the ones that suit me and I’d been on for 4years.Even tho it’s recorded on my prescription that I need a particular brand the pharmacist doesn’t seem to register this so invariably I’m not given the one I should be and have to wait to get the right ones because they don’t normally have them in stock.I suspect it’s to do with cost !

It’s important that you feel confident in the meds you are taking so perhaps talk to your doctor and or Rheumy nurse and if you do decide to insist the pharmacist gives you what suits you stick to your guns !

Hope you feel better soon.

soootired profile image
soootired

Many find the generic hydroxy a problem, they can cause gastric problems. I'm also on the lupus UK group here and this issue comes up A LOT. Many can only take the zentiva brand. I take the BlackRock ones (yellow colour) and they're fine, but if ever I'm given the white generic ones I get gastro problems, and they taste vile! My pharmacy makes sure I always have the BlackRock ones.

Apparently the companies making generic don't have to go through all the vigerous trials etc the same as the original manufacturer, also, the percentages can vary slightly of the "ingredients".

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