Follow-Ups to Answer from Expert James R. Harris PhD

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moflash wrote at 2006-11-10 14:18:56
I really hate to say this Jim but you must be correct as my doctor told me not to take the generic dilatin as it may not be standardized like the brand name and he also told me the other things you told me.  He said pay more money and stick to the brand name or good luck if you try the generic!

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Darrell Brown wrote at 2007-11-02 18:46:13
    I have to add, a story to display how my body responded to generic's. I am 56 years young, and was having all the going problems, as advertised, on our TV's every night. After getting the prescription changed 3 times, I finally paid attention. My HMO was substituting generics for my prescription, which my Dr. and I were trying to get worked out, because of all the side affects the prescriptions were giving me. Which, of course, we were really lost because, we were addressing the prescription, but were really getting the generic! MY final prescription wasn't generic and it worked. So we've got to correct this at the HMO as well! This is about profit not your health! I now use diet and herbs, with no side affects!   thank you   Darrell

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DR wrote at 2008-01-15 05:25:33
Generic caused me a seizure...We need answers to this.  Phenytoin does not do its job that Dilantin does.  I would love answers...

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KJ wrote at 2010-01-22 05:41:30
Thank you for explaining why the generic of dilantin does not work for me! I have known this for years. When faced (today) with a county receptionist at the pharmacy who said they only have generics, I was unable to explain why I needed the brand name (even though that was very clearly written on the prescription in incredibly legible handwriting.) This confirms everything and I will now figure out a way to get the brand name. Thank you!

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Bob wrote at 2010-09-09 14:19:13
I took Dilantin,everything was good. Took Phenytoin and had headaches for two weeks. Tried with my Phd to get back,bunch of bull. Why the system can't just leave it alone. Don't get me wrong,I understand the cost thing. I have no insurance,I pay full prices. I think I have other problems from Phenytoin. Test rats is what we continue to be. I'm not a complainer or a negative person. Thanks for giving me a chance to vent. Bob

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Omar A. MD wrote at 2010-10-08 22:31:38


This is not exactly true, for most drugs the generic and the brand name are exactly the same and can be interchanged. However in your particular case phenytoin and dilantin are in fact not bioequivelent, which means you can not take the same doses of either drug and expect the same outcome. If you would like to switch, please discuss this with your local health care provider as in most countries on your script the box of "replacable" should not be checked for this particular drug !  

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