AboutMichael Anisfeld Expertise Disclaimer:
SORRY BUT I DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATED TO: DRUG ACTIONS/INTERACTIONS, INTERNET DRUG PURCHASES, RESULTS OF DRUG TESTS, IDENTIFYING DRUGS (FOR WHICH YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST IS THE BEST PERSON TO CONSULT).
My expertise is answering questions relating to pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality technologies, drug regulations and specifically GMP requirements
Experience
Past/Present Clients UN agencies (UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIDO)
Governments (Australia, Canada, India, United Kingdon, United States
Companies - over 200 companies in 37 countries
Question I have a question about these two medications. My mother takes both for her high blood pressure and quite a few times our pharmacy has changed the manufacturers. They have said that they are the same medications and that the manufacturer doesn't matter, but my mother has felt differently when taking them. My question is when these medications are made by different manufacturers, does the drug actually stay the same, or are there different "fillers" that they use? There have been many cases reported of fake/altered medication and I worry about my mom, because with some variations, she seems to be more dizzy and doesn't feel as well. Is there a way to make sure she gets the "true" brands of Clonidine and Atenolol? I've been considering changing pharmacies, but I'm concerned about these different manufacturing companies/processes. Thanks for any advice or suggestions you might have.
Answer Sheryl:
Welcome to the wonderful world of generic drugs.
When the product patent expires, look-a-likes (generics) can be manufactured and sold as long as they are approved by FDA as being identical in dosage delivery to the originator's brand name product. Although all generics are 'bioequivalent' and deliver the same product dose in the same profile as the brand name, you are correct that they use different 'fillers' (technically termed 'excipients') - which your mother might be sensitive to.
Health insurance companies, and many state laws (e.g. Illinois, where I live), mandate generic substitution, unless the physician prescribes otherwise - and pharmacies are always searching for the cheapest generic version available, as they only get reimbursed for dispensing the cheapest generic version. This means that all of us get the same drug but from different sources whenever we refill a prescription. All pharmacies do this, and changing pharmacy will not eliminate your problem.
The only way to solve your problem is for your physician to mark the prescription as "generic substitution not permitted", which means your mother will always get the same brand name version, but .... and there is always a but ..... you will end up paying 2-3-4-or more times the price you pay today for the generic.
