Advice about generic medication

[Pollyboo]

Hi, just asking some advice about generic cholestyramine Mylan vs Questran. I tried Mylan end of last year and seemed to have lots of bloating tried 2 sachets as opposed to 1 to try to make things better.

Things did not seem to improve and I was having to take Gaviscon every night and not sleeping too well. Went back to 1 sachet of Questran and bloating eased somewhat.

The last couple of days I have taken Mylan again only 1 sachet this time as we have had problems getting Questran. Last night the bloate was back and still feel the bloated today.

Just wondering if others have problems with generic medication. Have tried to find out if the ingredients are different in each one but unsure.

Sorry to go on but feel a bit frustrated.

Thanks everyone Pollyboo

[artisticmum]

Look at the patient leaflet inside both medicines and it will tell you what the ingredients are and then compare the two. I have a very sensitive bowel, so recently my pregabalin tablet (brand Lyrica) was swapped for a generic and I had awful problems. Had to insist my GP put me back on Lyrica.

[Pollyboo in reply to artisticmum]

Hi thank you for your advice. I have looked at both leaflets seem to be about the same. Not sure about the E numbers though. Although they seem the same the taste is slightly different. Questran that suits me is always in short supply. Thank you once again . Pollyboo

[EOLHPC]

My husband (67) has early onset Crohns & been taking daily questran for decades. A few years ago, our GP dispensary began struggling to get Questran, so I went here + on BAM (bile acid malabsorption) support group forums to find out what equivalent generics etc folk were being given instead. Folk seemed to be missing uestran a lot & needing to try several equivalents before settling on one that suits them best. My husband has ended up on 2:

Questran Light

medicines.org.uk/emc/files/...

&

Colestyramine Light 4g powder

webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4803...

Mainly our GP dispensary gives him the colestyramine light 🤷🏼‍♀️

Hope you find a version that suits you better 🍀🤞✌️

[Pollyboo in reply to EOLHPC]

Hi, yes seems to be a problem with Questran light unfortunately it is the med that suits me best. I will look into the BAM forum thank you as I also have had my gallbladder removed. A bit new to this site. Thanks once again Pollyboo.

[EOLHPC in reply to Pollyboo]

You’re v welcome pollyboo ( fun name 😄 )

[Whitesugar]

I take the Mylan brand of colestyramine after Questran became unavailable a few years ago. When it appeared again on my prescription I asked for the Mylan brand in future as I didn’t want to keep chopping and changing. I do get windy, but it’s better than the diarrhoea! I take one sachet before bed and it suits me.

[Pollyboo in reply to Whitesugar]

Hi Whitesugar. Yes I totally agree with you. I take my Questran before my evening meal about 5/5.30 just the one sachet tried two sachets to see if improved diarrhoea but no, so have gone back to one. May try to take at bedtime to see if mornings are better. I also take Imodum a couple of times a week if I am going out. But them come the cramps. Seems to be a viscous circle. I am always looking for answers. Thank you Pollyboo