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Generic ADHD Medications vs. Name-Brand Drugs

Generic ADHD medications can save you money, but are they as safe and effective as Mydayis, Vyvanse, Evekeo, and other name-brand drugs? Learn about these lower cost prescriptions before choosing them over name-brand meds for attention deficit disorder.

12 Comments: Generic ADHD Medications vs. Name-Brand Drugs

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  1. Super relieved that I found this forum! It was this past April or May that I went to CVS to pick up my prescription for my Adderall XR 30mg, however when I got home I seen that I was given Amphetamine Salts er 30mg…potato/tomato right?! WRONG! I felt nauseous to the point that I couldn’t take them anymore. I confronted the Pharmacist about why he didn’t consult with me and he replied “I don’t have to.” Anyway…I later learned that my insurance was no longer going to pay for the name brand that I had been taken for the past eight and a half years! I went a month without taking ANYTHING, and that wasn’t working out so now I’m back on the generic, which for a lack of a better word just makes me feel “STUCK”.

  2. I have been on amphetamine for over 35 years. started on desoxin 15 mg 2X daily. then DR. said they could not give that out any more. then I was put on Dexedrine 10mg time release 1 twice aday with 2 5mg taken with the time release. then for some reason the time release quit working. AT that time doc change me and other person that had same problem I can not name, but changed meds to 3 5mg in morning 2 5mg at lunch and 3 5mg in after noon, work good for about 5years. the cost at the time was 37.00 for 30 day then went to 75.00 30day, then went up to 132.00 for 30 day, then up to 2,000.00 for 30 days. that was to much. I got a job had ins. cost to me 10.00 dollers, then the same thing started to happen some were nothing some like Ritalin I got so angry I close out all my familys and mine ins. had doc change my meds to addrall worked good till about a year ago, same thing started happening I do beleave the gov. is allowing this to happen I have made complete to FDA filled out form it was not easy to change this everyone needs to do the same otherwise nothing will change because it is cheaper for everyone but us. James Foster Tombstone, AZ.

  3. Just returned from Ingles pharmacy with a different generic with not a word from formerly helpful pharmacist about the change. Terrified to even take this.
    Used to be more trusting.

  4. @Hast223, same and recently it’s been so drastic. I’d love to compare notes and hear about what you’re experiencing.

  7. I’ve worked in the Pharma industry for 20 years and I can tell you with certainty that generic drugs are definitely NOT exact copies of the brand name drugs. The reality for most medications is that they are allowed a 20% variance from the molecule they are purported to be a “copy” of. While the basic chemical compound may be very close the absorption of the medication may be as much as 20% more or less than the brand. In addition, things like the coating, fillers, coloring etc are all allowed to be totally different. The one caveat is for some drugs that have what’s called a “narrow therapeutic index”. These are drugs that are typically dosed in such small amounts (think micrograms instead of milligrams) ie: Synthroid and Coumadin. These generics have to be 88% like the brand. However, for anyone that’s taken thyroid meds you may notice that your doctor is adamant that you do not switch between brand and generic because a swing of 12% in either direction could throw you off. Anyway, the bottom line is we just need to be aware that while generics aren’t necessarily bad they are absolutely different from the brand.

  8. It’s so nice to see I’m not the only one who has had problems with generics. I was on the brand name Adderall XR 30mg 2x in morning for a decade then one day out of nowhere I was told my insurance is forcing me to start taking generic now & immediately I was extremely nauseous, I was tired all day as if I didn’t even take anything, & just nothing good. I had another generic that was a full orange capsule instead of the normal half orange half clear 30mg XR & that one was a lot better but I was given the first generic again the next month (the one that’s half orange half clear & says “M. Amphet Salts”) & I was right back to being nauseous & being so tired I felt like I swallowed sugar pills not a stimulant, but unfortunately I’m not allowed to request my brand name back or even a specific generic.. I was told to just tough it out & some people straight up didn’t even believe me which is why seeing others have problems makes me feel like I’m not crazy.

  9. I don’t have a choice whether I take the generic or not because of my insurance. My insurance only covers generics. I would like to see if I can get back on Concerta, which may require dropping my insurance. I haven’t noticed much of a difference with Methylphenidate ER as opposed to Concerta.

  10. Recently my insurance company stopped paying for the name brand & switched to the generic brands. I noticed an immediate reduction in effectiveness. Not only that but I get a different generic brand every other month & it has me all over the place. What I mean by that is some generic brands have no effect on me at all. It’s like I never even took the medication. Other generics work but not nearly as well as the name brand medication. I’ve called
    my Dr about this but it doesn’t look as though she can
    request the specific name brand. If I can’t find a solution soon I’ll probably have to switch medications.

  11. I learned something recently; there are G (generic) and AG (authorized generic.) I take Adderall XR, 25 mg., originally made by Shire. The two AG manufacturers are Sandoz and Prasco. My Sandoz-manufactured Adderlall XR works very well.
    Please correct me if I’ve misunderstood and have gotten this wrong.

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