Name Brand Vs. Generic

I had an office visit with my neuro today, a check up after 8 weeks. I had an incredible last 4-5 weeks in the headache area, in a good way. I couldn't account for any changes during the office visit, but when I took my oxycontin script to the pharmacy, it struck me---due to the unavailability of the generic form, I was forced to get name brand oxy the last time I filled it.

I now believe, as others have stated, the name brand truly is better. That is the only change I have made, and it has to be the reason for my improvement. I'm due to pick up the name brand again over the weekend. Let's see how the next 30 days go, and if I'm still doing alright, I will be convinced it's due to the name brand med.

you are absolutely right, at a migraine conference recently we were discussing this and and a lady said shed been given the generic meds and was still really ill but had to try then so she could go back to the gp and ask for the more expensive brand named ones she knew worked.

in this economic climate the drs are trying to just prescribe generic drugs to save money. its important we try what works and make sure we get it!!

I keep hearing this too Dawn, but so far havent been offered anything other than Migard.
They arent great, but all I have, I dont want anything lamer than that.
Pen
PS: We dont have Oxycontin here for migraine do we?

The reason for the generics is not the doctors, it's the insurance companies who will only pay for generics or who will only pay much less of the costs if the name brands (at least in the US). You really have to fight with them to get them to cover the name brand in most cases. A letter from your doctor stating that the generic is not effective usually helps make this case. It is a total hassle, but can be done if you are persistent. Often times the generics are not effective for some people because they are formulated differently, etc. so as not to violate the patents if the original.

in the uk its down to the funding with the gps they want to cut back as much as they can with the cut backs as they have to fund it out their own pockets if the surgery is in the red at the end of the year!!

I object to any drugs made in India or China. I just don't trust their manufacturing processes and quality control. I know that at least some of the Imitrex generics are made in India. There is no way I would take a chance on those. The problem is that sometimes it's very difficult to find out where a drug is manufactured.

Chris