I've always worried that generic drugs aren't quite as good as the brand name version and now there's mounting evidence to prove it.
Wellbutrin XL 300 (Budeprion XL) works just fine for depression and many ADHD symptoms. But when some patients are switched to the generic formulation, they reported frightening symptoms: fast onset of severe depression and serious suicidal thoughts.
In a recent article published by the People's Pharmacy a woman reported no problems with the original Wellbutrin XL 300 but said that she had "the worst case of depression" she could remember when her pharmacy substituted the generic equivalent. It should be noted that the difference has not been reported in the 150 XL formulation at this point.
Apparently the generic version releases the medication at a different rate than the original, thus creating quite different response rates and effectiveness.
This news scares me - because a lot of ADDivas take Wellbutrin, including me - and there is the potential for serious repercussions. Suicide is not to be taken lightly, especially when antidepressants are supposed to ward off those thoughts and actions.
Equally important, however, is that many ADD women and men have already experienced differences in generic medications vs. brand name drugs that treat ADHD. I cannot take generic Adderall, for instance. Other people cannot take the brand name version. Ditto for any of the other drugs on the market today.
There are two ways to look at this issue, in my opinion.
1) We need to make SURE that we are receiving the exact drugs prescribed for us with NO substitutions by the pharmacy or insurance company (this may take some lobbying by you or your doctor).
2) If generics really do release their active ingredients at different rates than the original drug, it gives us even MORE options to play with to treat our ADHD symptoms.
After all, drug companies are making a fortune by adjusting the release time of ordinary drugs like old fashioned Ritalin, slapping their brand on the bottle and charging 10 times the price of generics. I know folks who can't take the brand name drug but have good results with the generic. It works both ways. But the bottom line is the same: we all react differently to medication release schedules, to the type of drug prescribed, to the interval we take the drug, etc.
OK, now the disclaimer: this is NOT something to play with on your own. Obviously there can be serious consequences. Drugs are not a smorgasbord from which we can pick and choose. Work with your doctor to find the best combination for you.
But if you are switched to a generic and suddenly notice your symptoms change, call the pharmacy AND the doctor immediately. You deserve to take the meds that work best for you,
brand name OR generic.
Read the full report at Consumer Lab.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Travelin' ADD-style Part 2
More travel tips from ADDiva One:
7) Use travel-tight screw lid bottles to pack only a week's worth of shampoo, conditioner and other products. I refill them when I get back home so they are travel-ready again.
8) Anything that can spill inside my suitcase goes in plastic. My cosmetic bag is plastic-lined and I have several smaller plastic-lined bags for hair products, medication, hair dryer and brushes.
9) Buy a duplicate set of cosmetics and hair products just for travel. It's less expensive to buy your favorites at home then to try to replace them in a strange city (where you have to first FIND the right store and then GET there and back).
10) Carry 2-3 days worth of meds in your carry-on just in case your luggage gets lost in transit. In my experience, medications do not need to be in their original bottles or labeled (for the security folks) as long as you pack a reasonable quantity for your trip.
11) Pack some lightweight snacks in your carryone: pretzels, energy bars, nuts, dried fruit. And buy a bottle of water after you get through security. You never know when you might end up sitting on the tarmac for hours because of weather or other delays. And yes, those airport gift shops are a complete rip-off...and we can't do anything about it.
12) Take a lightweight bag for dirty undies and socks. Mine is a Tyvek bag designed as a super light bag to bring home souvenirs. Find them at travel stores or online shops.
13) Pack only two pairs of shoes - shoes add a tremendous amount of weight to your suitcase which must weight under 50 pounds or you'll pay big bucks in penalties.
14) Wear slip-on shoes that are comfortable - you will have to remove them in the security line so make it easy to get them on and off. I prefer to wear socks so I am not barefoot on those dirty airport floors, but hey that's just me.
15) Don't drag along heavy books. If you want something to read, try magazines that can be discarded along the way (tear out all the pages with ads only before you leave to lighten your load). And don't BUY books to bring home. Ship 'em if you must buy them.
16) Think black coordinates for clothing. Everything goes with black, even in the summer. You really don't have to be a fashionista when you travel. If a special occasion calls for something fabulous, pack a crushable black dress or dressy pants, then decide whether you're willing to sacrifice one of your "shoe slots" for shoes you may wear only once.
17) Take one super comfy outfit to hang around the hotel room. I pack a pair of cotton sweat pants and a casual T-shirt that won't be worn "in public" but lets me feel completely relaxed.
17) If you're taking your laptop, pack in an easily accessible place so you don't hold up the security line fishing for it. It must go in a "tub" by itself on the conveyor belt.
18) Buy an Eagle Creek padded bag to contain your computer charger, travel mouse, earbuds, flash drive, blank CD, USB cord, camera charger and battery, three-pronged plug expander and USB hub if you need it.
19) Eagle Creek also makes mesh bags in various sizes which are wonderful for packing underwear, socks, hose, swimsuit, etc.
20) Don't forget the charger for your digital camera. Otherwise, when the battery dies, you are stuck using disposable cameras. Ditto for the camera download wire to your computer ... to avoid using all your memory card the first day.
21) A featherweight umbrella used only for travel will seem like an extravagance...until it rains on the entire tour of the prehistoric ruins you were eager to see.
Foreign travel
22) Check the electricity voltage before you leave. No sense taking your 110v curling iron if the 220V will burn it up the first day. There are good dual-current appliances on the market at reasonable cost.
23) Check the connector type, too. New Zealand and Hong Kong both use 220v current but the plugs are vastly different. Get a converter kit before you leave home; don't expect to find them in the country you are visiting!
For long trips that require crossing several time zones (my internal clock goes beserk) allow several days to readjust. Don't plan BIG events the day after you arrive. Be gentle with yourself.
24) If you need a break from local food, try stocking your hotel room from the nearest convenience store. Sometimes a few cookies and beef jerky tastes good after spicy hot kim chi or heavy cream soups.
More later....
7) Use travel-tight screw lid bottles to pack only a week's worth of shampoo, conditioner and other products. I refill them when I get back home so they are travel-ready again.
8) Anything that can spill inside my suitcase goes in plastic. My cosmetic bag is plastic-lined and I have several smaller plastic-lined bags for hair products, medication, hair dryer and brushes.
9) Buy a duplicate set of cosmetics and hair products just for travel. It's less expensive to buy your favorites at home then to try to replace them in a strange city (where you have to first FIND the right store and then GET there and back).
10) Carry 2-3 days worth of meds in your carry-on just in case your luggage gets lost in transit. In my experience, medications do not need to be in their original bottles or labeled (for the security folks) as long as you pack a reasonable quantity for your trip.
11) Pack some lightweight snacks in your carryone: pretzels, energy bars, nuts, dried fruit. And buy a bottle of water after you get through security. You never know when you might end up sitting on the tarmac for hours because of weather or other delays. And yes, those airport gift shops are a complete rip-off...and we can't do anything about it.
12) Take a lightweight bag for dirty undies and socks. Mine is a Tyvek bag designed as a super light bag to bring home souvenirs. Find them at travel stores or online shops.
13) Pack only two pairs of shoes - shoes add a tremendous amount of weight to your suitcase which must weight under 50 pounds or you'll pay big bucks in penalties.
14) Wear slip-on shoes that are comfortable - you will have to remove them in the security line so make it easy to get them on and off. I prefer to wear socks so I am not barefoot on those dirty airport floors, but hey that's just me.
15) Don't drag along heavy books. If you want something to read, try magazines that can be discarded along the way (tear out all the pages with ads only before you leave to lighten your load). And don't BUY books to bring home. Ship 'em if you must buy them.
16) Think black coordinates for clothing. Everything goes with black, even in the summer. You really don't have to be a fashionista when you travel. If a special occasion calls for something fabulous, pack a crushable black dress or dressy pants, then decide whether you're willing to sacrifice one of your "shoe slots" for shoes you may wear only once.
17) Take one super comfy outfit to hang around the hotel room. I pack a pair of cotton sweat pants and a casual T-shirt that won't be worn "in public" but lets me feel completely relaxed.
17) If you're taking your laptop, pack in an easily accessible place so you don't hold up the security line fishing for it. It must go in a "tub" by itself on the conveyor belt.
18) Buy an Eagle Creek padded bag to contain your computer charger, travel mouse, earbuds, flash drive, blank CD, USB cord, camera charger and battery, three-pronged plug expander and USB hub if you need it.
19) Eagle Creek also makes mesh bags in various sizes which are wonderful for packing underwear, socks, hose, swimsuit, etc.
20) Don't forget the charger for your digital camera. Otherwise, when the battery dies, you are stuck using disposable cameras. Ditto for the camera download wire to your computer ... to avoid using all your memory card the first day.
21) A featherweight umbrella used only for travel will seem like an extravagance...until it rains on the entire tour of the prehistoric ruins you were eager to see.
Foreign travel
22) Check the electricity voltage before you leave. No sense taking your 110v curling iron if the 220V will burn it up the first day. There are good dual-current appliances on the market at reasonable cost.
23) Check the connector type, too. New Zealand and Hong Kong both use 220v current but the plugs are vastly different. Get a converter kit before you leave home; don't expect to find them in the country you are visiting!
For long trips that require crossing several time zones (my internal clock goes beserk) allow several days to readjust. Don't plan BIG events the day after you arrive. Be gentle with yourself.
24) If you need a break from local food, try stocking your hotel room from the nearest convenience store. Sometimes a few cookies and beef jerky tastes good after spicy hot kim chi or heavy cream soups.
More later....
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