do different manufacturers of pregabalin have different effectiveness

[hosbay]

I just changed from one manufacturer's tablet to another one of the same strength but it doesn't seem to be nearly so effecti. Has anyone experienced this?

[Madlegs1]

Quite possibly!

If it is a generic, coming from overseas then highly likely to be not up to scratch-- according to a recent survey.

Our drive to get cheap, may not be the best approach.

[hosbay in reply to Madlegs1]

My previous one was manufactured in the UK while this current one was manufactured in Spain. I suppose the important aspect is how well licensed manufacturers are examined/checked for correct production.

[springersrule]

Hi Hosbay, I've had this with gabapentin. I was getting 2 different manufacturer boxes through my repeat prescription and one of them gave me terrible side effects, the other didn't. I spoke to the surgery pharmacist and they put a note on file to say that it had to be particular brand dispensed. It solved the problem for me xx

[hosbay in reply to springersrule]

I suppose the important aspect is how well licensed manufacturers are examined/checked for correct production.

[springersrule in reply to hosbay]

I agree that its worrying when they are supposed to be the same drug!

[janiemc]

I had this experience with different Pregabalin packets. I went to the pharmacist who denied there was an issue and told me I must have suddenly been under a lot more stress. Strange how that stress suddenly disappeared again once I received a different pack of Pregabalin two months later

[hosbay in reply to janiemc]

I suppose the important aspect is how well licensed manufacturers are examined/checked for correct production.

[Paul_Wakefield]

I have used several different brands of Pregabalin. Some seem to work faster. I was told I was imagining a difference. In my own very unprofessional, very amateur tests, I put two different manufacturers capsules in 80ml of water mixed with 20ml of vinegar. Definitely not the same as stomach acid but it gave me a result. One of the capsules dissolved much faster than the other. So I don’t think there is a huge difference in the dose of pregabalin but I suspect there is a difference in how quickly it gets into your blood.

If you know that one brand works better you can ask your GP to name it on the prescription. Then the pharmacist won’t just give you the current nhs favourite. I do this with my fentanyl patches. One brand stays put for the full 3 days. One brand often comes off when the pain makes me sweat.

[hosbay in reply to Paul_Wakefield]

I suppose the important aspect is how well licensed manufacturers are examined/checked for correct production.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

I same hear I do think the

Lyrica is a lot better

A doctor actually asked me a while ago if she can change the

Lyric as would save £270 no sure if that's a month or year

The ones I have the now are not the same

They the doctors say there's no difference

I told my own doctor and she change it to ask for

Lyrica

Months on I'm back on the cheap versions

[seeder]

Hosbay. Hi. I absolutely can back you up on your reported experience, as others have.

Thankfully, I'm off Pregabalin now but different companies definitely make different pills with variable methods and, often, variable results.

I mainly had this issue with diazepam though. Trying my hardest to go through a tapering process to get weaned of that; a few years back now. It wasn't fun. It was working though.

Then my pharmacy started stocking one particular brand and it upset my gut instantly.

Called my GP but he dismissed my report as "they are generic and therefore have to be chemically identical."

Spoke to the pharmacist about it and it turns out I wasn't the first to experience the side effects from that brand. He just made a note on my file that I was only to get my preferred brand.

Most people won't notice any difference between generics. Some do, and it's not in our heads. Pharmacologists are the authority on meds. Doctors seem to be dogmatic.

At the end of the day, we are all different. Hopefully your pharmacist gets this and does help you.

Unfortunately, yes, our NHS is having difficulty keeping up supplies of some medicines so, sometimes they have to look further afield. I get a melatonin supplement but sometimes it's coming from Spain. I can't tell the difference between them. I suggest that nearby countries are held to pretty much the same regulations, assuming they want our business?

But no, I don't agree that generic drugs are all equal in every way.

Good question. We can only go by our own experiences. Best of luck getting the brand you are used to.

[stenosis49]

I had a difficult time trying to get lyrica pregabalin after so many different brands that didn't stop my nerve pain. It was a terrible time till I got an appointment with the doc and insisted on getting lyrica.

[hosbay in reply to stenosis49]

I thought that pregabalin was just another name for Lyrica.

[stenosis49 in reply to hosbay]

Hi lyrica is the only brand that's works for me. That and amitriptyline combined. On these for life nerve pain never heals not mine anyway. Good quality of life being on this combination.