Generic meds

[momoftwoboys]

I went to pick up my Coreg perscription and am now being charged more than I was before for a one month supply instead of a three months supply. Apparently the insurance company upped the price and lowered the amount I can get because there is now a generic form of Coreg available. I'm not too happy with this news because I'd prefer to just stick with the original Coreg. I don't mind using generic when it comes to other stuff but I would rather just stick with what I've been using when it comes to my meds. Does anyone else feel this way?

[melissamph]

Wow! I would love the Generic. What is it called? My pharmacy told me that there isn't one.

[JAMESFETT]

Yes, where and what is the generic carvedilol in the USA? In South Africa, Soweto, Dr. Karen Sliwa uses generic carvedilol from an Indian pharmaceutical, Carloc, at 10 cents per tablet, and it works fabulously well. It has also been approved by the World Health Organization list of approved generics. We in Haiti cannot even afford the 10 cents per tablet carvedilol, so we do without, and for all 21 PPCM deaths in our PPCM project over the past 5 years, not a single mother ever benefited from carvedilol. I have great confidence in generics in the USA, except still insist upon Lanoxin as my source of digoxin, because testing showed it to be more potent, i.e., had the potency the dosage indicated. In fact, I recently started a medication my own physician prescribed for me, and I requested generic--at a 200 percent (at least) cost savings.

James

[momoftwoboys]

Sorry, sorry, sorry, I meant to say Accupril, not Coreg. Didn't mean to get you all confused and worked up ;) . The generic for Accupril is called Quinapril. Are any of you taking this instead of the Accupril? I'm just a little nervous about it because of the experience I had with the Toprol XL (I use to be on) VS. the Coreg (which are supposedly suppose to be "in the same family" as they would say). I saw no improvement in one year on the Toprol XL then got switched to Coreg and saw improvement within six weeks of taking it.

[melissamph]

Thanks for clearing that up! After reading your other thread about insurance type and cost of meds I figured you ment the other. I trust emphatically generics here in the US! As a nurse it is what hospitals use anytime they can! I worked in a pharmacy for years in the late 70's and early 80's before becoming a nurse and the pharmacists swore by generics. My cardiologist does too exept for Lanoxin as Dr. Fett said. Interesting. Anyway, thanks again for the clarification. I did get in an uproar as I could pay alot less for a generic! I am blessed with a large family and $25/mos is $300/yr! :eek:

[tabs]

Momoftwoboys,
Generics are the same meds just made by other pharmacies. They come out when the patent time is over. The only difference between the main drug and the generic is the "fillers" or non-medicinal ingredients (sp?). Coreg and Toprol XL are in the same family meaning that they are both beta-blockers, but the medicinal ingredient is different and works differently to have the same end product.

We have the generic for Coreg in Canada and I have been on it for over 6 months without any problems. The majority of the patients in the heart function clinic were able to handle the switch without any problems.
Twilah

[momoftwoboys]

Twilah ~ Do you have the Generic for Coreg, or did you mean Accupril?

[Karen T]

My insurance company stopped paying for my Accupril with my last refill (mail order). My doctor switched me to Lisinopril. I was extremely reluctant to make the change as I had difficulty going from Toprol to Coreg. (Once I adjusted to the coreg, I was fine). I noticed absolutely no difference when I made the change to Lisinopril.

[tabs]

I have the generic for Coreg. I live in Canada and it has been approved for use here.
Twilah

[Shannonkk]

I feel the same way. I don't mind generics on anything except my heart meds. I think it is probably psychological thing, but for some reason it makes me feel more safe...whatever works I guess, huh? :confused: