More Mallinckrodt! PLEASE POST if you have experience with them.

I am currently on 30 mg IR's for breakthrough pain. I have had the Ethex, amine, and the mallinckrodt brands. Now I don't know which is the brand name and which are the generics, for I pay the same price with my insurance but on the original brand name I am supposed to pay much more.I can honestly say that to me they all work exactly the same. I have read posts where many say the Mallinckrodt's brand name are not as effective as the other 2.  At one time I had 2 brands mixed together by the pharmacist because they did not have enough of one brand. Because I have no real life I did a test on both of them by having someone distribute one or the other without me knowing which was which. I still could not tell the differnce, but that's just me

In my personal experience I have never found anything bad with a mallinckrodt products. I have tried hydrocodone 7.5/750, 7.5/325 10/650  10/325 and oxycodone 5/325. All of these had no noticeable difference between watson brand. I personally have a distaste for the watson 387 which is a 7.5/750, I would take a mallinckrodt m360 any day over those. I have only taken the mallinckrodt oxycodone a couple times but I have taken the hydro enough to say that I feel no difference between brand name, watson, and mallinckrodt except for in the 7.5/750 which I actually would prefer mallinckrodt, qualitest, or anything other than watson.

Personally I like mallincrod'ts Methadose 40mg compared to Roxane they seem fairly equal to me.  I think their morphine ER products are horrible compared to any other company.  I think their IR oxycodone 30's are not bad but are inferior to amide and ethex.  Hydrocodone products seem fairly equal.  Can't think of anymore but overall I think they make a somewhat inferior product, but it could all be in one's head.

Check with a liscensed MD before you take any suggestions!

Hydrocodone

MCK 5/500mg DUR=PR; POT= AV

Watson 5/500mg DUR=AV;POT=AV

Qualitest 5/500 DUR=VG;POT=GD

MCK 7.5/750 DUR=PR;POT=AV

Watson 7.5/750 DUR=AV;POT=GD

Qualitest 7.5/750 DUR=VG;POT=GD

Vicodin ES Name Brand DUR=AV;POT=GD

MCK 10/660 DUR=PR;POT=PR

Watson/(ANDRX) DUR=GD;POT=AV

Qualitest DUR=VG;POT=VG

MCK 10/650MG DUR=AV;POT=AV

Qualitest 10/650 DUR=GD;POT=GD

Watson 10/650 DUR=GD;POT=GD

MCK 10/500 DUR=AV;POT=PR

Watson 10/500 DUR=AV;POT=AV

Qualitest 10/500 DUR=GD;POT=GD

Watson 10/325 DUR=GD;POT=AV

Oxycodone

MCK 10/325 DUR=GD;POT=GD

MCK 5/325 DUR=VP;POT=VP (maybe several bad batches?)

Qualitest 5/325 DUR=GD;POT=VG

Im sure it can be seen that I prefer Qualitest/Vintage Pharmaceuticals over both Watson and Mallinckrodt.Does anyone have any experience with the Inwood Labs or Interpharm Hydrocodone Products?

We all know you had that "vicodin" v solo as your image,lol 

Check with a liscensed MD before you take any suggestions!

I have to use this pharmacy per contract, as far as Mallinckrodt I use the 30 mg and definatly is the worst I have used. In the past when on percocet it was the same thing. I cant change though. If you want to put together a class action, I will definatly jump on board simply just to get them to make a decent product like the others. What can be done? I dont want money, just a good product! Same with Teva OC's, I now have to get brand written on my Rx because even my PM doc knows they are no good. Maybe he will write that on my 30mg Rx??? Lightbulbs just went off in my head!!!

--MUDEBONE--

It can be tricky to tell when you actually are sick when you're dependent on opiates.  What I do like is that you seem to get less sick or never get colds when on them.   I know they have cough suppressant qualities, but I can't remember the last cold I had. Like I said I like roxane, esp. compared to mallin, I just never found much of a difference, but then again I never really got into comparing them that much.  The only thing I don't like about Roxane's is they are a little softer(the 40's atleast) (not the tens).    

Check with a licensed MD before you take any suggestions!

I did read several articles on the AB equivelant. From what I gathered when the FDA 1st tests it's potency and half-lifes and other tests they are supposed to be "equivalant" to the brand name except for fillers, dyes, or other ingredents not pertaining to the active ingrediant. Then from what I understood it is up to the company to make sure the medication is in accordance with the FDA policies. It sounds to me that particular manufactuers might not following FDA rules, I just cannot understand why they would do such a thing.

well my 2cents with mallk generics is. From personal expirience I have taken their percocet 5/325 and 10/325. I feel that their oxycodone apap combos work well for me. I was also given watson 5/325, 10/325, and 7.5/750 and i didnt get the same relief. To me watsons oxycodone apap combos are not as effective. I have been prescribed mallk oxycodone hcl 5mg and 15mg and I thought they were very effective, in which i have also received the 5mg and 15mg from ethex, amide and roxane. I feel that I got the best pain relief from the Amide brand. Now when it comes to mallk hydrocodone apap. They are worthless. I have been prescribed 5/500, 7.5/500, 10/500, 10/325, and all of the strengths are worthless. I think for me the watson and qualityest are the best. I also found that the brand norco by watson sucked, its weird to me. I think everyones body is different. A couple of times my doctor would ask me if I wanted the brand name and with percocet 10/325 and the few times I got them besides them costing me like $325 for 50 or 60 I forget it was a while ago I do not feel as they were effective as the mallk..???? weird to me. my dr was very good about working with me, he told me that he thought it was all in the patients head, but would do anything I asked him to. and on top of it workers comp was paying so, i didnt care what it cost. Out of all oxycodone products the MOST EFFECTIVE for me are Roxicet 5/325, which in my area are almost impossible to find unless it is written for ROXICET 5/325 DISPENSE AS WRITTEN. Every pharmacy is going with mallk because they are cheap as dirt. I was told that walgreens stopped carrying their products and uses watson for oxycodone apap 5/325 who knows, thats my 2cents for what its worth.

my buddy is on morphine extended release 200mg, before he started with mallk version generic he was only taking 2 60mg pills twice a day. Once his insurance changed and wouldnt pay for the brand name, he had to increase his dose by 80mg twice a day..going from 240mg a day to 400mg a day. His dr is very understanding and willing to help him.

It was pulled twice in its history from stores for not meeting FDA guidelines and walmart and others WHO love to push the junk had to pull there products off the shelf. a 10/325 in qualitest last 4.5 hours on average to metabalize Yours Mallinckrodt last less then 3.   So ask your self why buy white filler when you get the yellow pain killer!

I want a dime for all who use that quote :)

Austindirect

Yes, in my personal opinion, the pills marked M### arent good at all. I prefer the Watson, or QUalitest... My pick of them 2, would be Qualitest.

I know the pharmacist will tell you. there is NO DIFFERENCE at all. But I think there is. Its like the difference between PEPSI and a store-brand cola. Sure, they are both soda, and maybe the same ingredients, but the quality is NOT there.

all of my local pharmacies used to carry the Watson or Qualitest, but last year around this time, they all switched to the M### junk. (probaly cost less, since they didnt hace the quality)Now, they have all dropped the M###'s and are now back to the Watson and the V#### (qualitest).

Wonder what happened? I am glad I dont have 2 have them M's anymore! And it doesnt matter, whether it is oxycodone or hydrocodone or hydromorphone.

Now, as far as the name brands, it does seem to make a difference there 2, the brand-names have always seemed "stronger" or last longer as well. But REALLT close to Qualitest.

KNIGHTMETAL

 Wow, someone who believes the same as I do. They always tell you at the pharmacy that is NO difference, when I KNOW THERE IS! I get 180 Lortab 10/500's a month, and I will NOT get them filled without asking the pharmacy what generic they carry. If they say Malinkrodt, I go somewhere else and try until I find atleast WATSON, but I would rather have QUALITEST.

I will not take the M###'s, they are NOT what they say they are. There is a big difference in the QUALITY.

I also think in MY OPINION that the name-brand LORTAB's , the quality is better also. But the name-brand and the qualitest are really close in quality. The price difference betweeen the name-brand and the qualitest are so great, that it just isnt worth it for me to pay the difference, since I really cant tell the difference between them; they are so close.

I was taking the 7.5/750 (vicodin es) for awhile, but got tired of taking all that Tylenol. So i did some researching on the Hydrocodones that were available, then asked my doctor to raise my Hydro level and lower my tylenol intake. Which he did, with no problem. They should make a hyrdocodone pill with no tylenol. But that would make it harder to get, since that would make it a Class II narcotic instead of a III. I have tried the Oxycodone, but it just doesnt seem to work any better, even though, it is supposed to be stronger.

KNIGHTMETAL

You will hear people say, "they are the same exact thing". It is good 2 see that other people think the same way I do about the brand names and generic-brand names.

It is worth my time to go to another pharmacy that is totally out of my way, to get the QUALITest ones.

-(My opinion ONLY, I am not a doctor. )- 

KNIGHTMETAL

Just had my first experience with malli.  Completely terrible!!!  Half the relief of Amide.  It never ends.  Just when I thought I switched to a good pharmacy getting away from the dreaded Wallgreens, I get junk meds. grrr.

I know quite a few of us here will agree with you on the disappointing Mallinckrodt brand. They just don't work as well as Qualitest..even tho they say they are the same strength I just don't find that to be true at all. I definitely prefer the Qualitest brand , but its not easy to find pharmacies that carry them lately it seems..at least thats my experience...so many pharmacies only carry the M' brand these days.

Wrong, Mallinckrodt does not use Hydrocodone HcL.  It's all Bitartrate. 

gtrplayer

Well, I just posted in a new topic and was advised to come here. I have had HORRIBLE experiences with Mallinckrodt. The first time I took it it made me vomit (in addition to giving me a headache, and doing nothing for my pain). I actually gave my whole bottle (minus the 1 I took) to the police, to be checked out by the narcotics lab, because I thought it must be counterfeit. That test came back "normal".

I just cannot believe so many people are having this experience, and every drug store is switching to this brand. It's crazy!

I literally cannot find a drug store that carries any other brand. I do not know what to do.

And I totally sympathize with (and am relieved but disturbed to find) so many others who get treated like lowlife addicts for asking valid consumer questions--about the brand of medication being dispensed. I guess the "Patient's Bill of Rights" does not entitle people with chronic pain to be treated with dignity or respect, or to get answers to valid consumer healthcare questions when it comes to narcotics--even ones that are legitimately prescribed by the same doctor, and filled at the same pharmacy, every month.

Here's a Class Action suit I'd love to see: psychologically harmful pharmacy prejudice against legitimate chronic pain patients who are prescribed legitimate pain medications--rudeness, harassment, accusations, dismissive refusals to provide information or address concerns, the list goes on.

I'd love to hear specific stories people here, legitimate patients, have to tell about what they've been forced to put up with in pharmacies accross the country, just by being guilty of having pain and seeking some valid and legal relief, so they can go on with their normal lives and function like everyone else.

I have a few (a lot really), but here's a favorite:

I was told by one pharmacy clerk that it is standard practice that if a patient calls and asks about their narcotics brands, that they are assumed to be an addict and are routinely LIED TO and told that the pharmacy does not carry whatever they are seeking. That CANNOT be legal.

I believe we are routinely denied information and treated in a dishonest and demeaning manner. I believe our complaints are dismissed on the basis of the medication we are complaining about, and that is why I think nothing has been done about Mallinckrodt. Who listens to our opinions? We're not "real" consumers, we're assumed to be "junkies". We are the second-class citizen of healthcare, and no one even bothers to pretend it is otherwise.

This is outrageous to me. In the age of Hippa and Patient's Rights, I do not understand how pharmacies are getting away with this. Here's a suggestion: start taking a tape recorder (they have the little digital ones for $30) when you go into a pharmacy to ask questions about your prescription. I could see a nice little lawsuit epidemic breaking out against pharmacies all over the country, then maybe they'd start listening.

Does anyone know the specifics of our consumer rights when dealing with a pharmacy?

This whole thing has me fired up. I think I've finally snapped, after being made to feel like this for so long.

GRRR

-Jo

I have been on pain medication for around 15 years now for a multitude of medical problems stemming from shattered knees and shoulders to neuropathy, charcot marie tooth syndrome, fibromyalgia, amputated right leg, there are just too many problems to list but most cause severe cancer like chronic pain. I will be on pain medication for the rest of my life so i would like to know im purchasing the best brand medication possible. ATM im taking 110mg oxycontin 4 times a day with 30mg roxicodone for breakthrough pain. I buy brand name oxycontin because they have been the most effective in my experience, but they are very expensive. I have to pay for my medication out of pocket and then get reimbursed a certain %. As for the brand of 30mg roxicodone im getting Mallinckrodt. There is only 1 pharmacy that carries and can fill my 30mg roxicodone prescription and they only carry Mallinckrodt and brand name. Now i used to be taking 15mg roxicodone for breakthrough pain and there were a few more pharmacies that had them available. I've had the Actavis, Ethex, and Qualitest generic brands. I have noticed that the Mallinckrodt 30mg roxicodone does not work nearly as well as when i would take 2 15mg roxi's in the other generic brands, but since my current pharmacy is the only one that even carries the 30mg roxicodone i guess i will have to switch to brand name.

I was being prescribed 60mg mscontin before the oxycontin and always got brand name. Well one month in the past my pain was getting worse and i wanted to try mscontin again to see if they helped any better. I was given a prescription for 100mg mscontin and got the Mallinckrodt generic brand. They were absolutely worthless. I remembered the 60mg brand name working better than the 100mg Mallinckrodt. It was the worst month of my life in terms of pain control at that time.

When it comes to my pain medicine i try to buy brand name everything and most likely will out of fear of the generics not working as well, and it costs me a fortune. Since there is only 1 pharmacy that carries my 30mg roxicodone, and they only carry Mallinckrodt or brand name i dont know what to do other than switch to brand name. I dont think the pharmacy would switch the brand they carry because of my complaint, although i know im not the only one who has complained because the pharmacy is right next to all the pain management practices, and other people are obviously experiencing problems with most medications in the Mallinckrodt brand. What can i do when theres only 1 pharmacy in my area, that i know of, that carries the 30mg roxicodone and can fill the quantity i get? I guess i have to just pay the extra money for brand name...

First thing I want to say is there are two generics that start with M. One is Mallinckrodt the other is Mikart. I have never seen a Mikart but some of you could be confusing them with Mall's. I say this because the Mall's are TOTALLY USELESS.

 I am using Lorcet 10/650 I have two generics in my possesion at this time. Mallinckrodt (Blue M361) and Watson (Green 503). I used the Mall yesterday. Went through 10 pills in one day got little to NO pain relief, did get a headache from them though. Today I am using the Watsons I have used 3 today. I am pain free and feeling fine.

I will join anyone who wants to shut down the Mallinckrodt Brand. They are USELESS to me, a total waste of money. I get more relief from Advil than the Mallinckrodt Lorcet.

And I thought it was all in my head. I live in a small community where there are the big 3 major chains, (CVS, Walgreen's and WalMart), and one "Mom and Pop" chain. I always use the Mom and Pop store because they get you in and out in a relatively shorter time than the major chains, that usually tell you to come back in a few hours. My concern is that I've been on percocet 10/650's for a few years now, (one 4xday), and my pain dr is going to change that to roxicodone 15 or 30mg. I've been lucky so far in that the mom & pop store usually gives me either Endo or Watson for the perc generic, and I notice that there is a difference between the two - the Endo works better. Now with all the bad Mallinckrodt hype it concerns me that I will wind up with the Malli's when the dr changes my rx to roxicodone. As other people have mentioned, the Malli's are an inferior product, and needing BETTER relief would be thwarted by this if I have to settle for the Malli's. I've noticed a lot of people on here are taking higher qty's and/or dosages than I am - that's because I have a pain pump implant and use the perc's (or soon to be roxi's) for BT pain. And as mentioned by others in this thread, if you ask the pharmicist what brand they carry, they look at you as a "lower than the lowest class person". Just my 2 cents worth, I hope that I'm worrying for nothing. But going a full month without relief until you can get the next rx filled with a better brand is not something to look forward to.

 Just had a few days experience with the M brand in the hospital, I take kadian at home and the generics they gave out were very poor. I would not pay money for them.

I think I might have to update my opinion on the Mallinckrodt Brand 10/500 generic Hydro/Apap combo. For the most part I hate Mallinckrodt, I usually get p'od when I open up that Pharmacy bag and read that my script was filled with Mallinckrodt. For the past couple days I have been pleasantly surprised though. I would deffinately go out on a limb and say they are 1.5x's better than the Watson 504 blue generic 10/500mg combo.

M 363

Image courtesy of Solo5010

I think it would be rated as:

Duration=Good

Potency= Good

I know they have to have the same amount of active ingredients I posted a link to where it says it on the FDA's website in another post. The plasma levels and time it takes to enter your system is what they allow variables on. They are allowed a variable on the time it takes to get to certain plasma levels and are allowed a variable on the the plasma level itself. (80-125% of the original name brand counterpart that a generic is being submited against).Tmax and Cmax. With some people who have very sensitive systems, if you are used to taking a certain brand of drug for an extended amount of time and you take another that is suppose to be "equivalent" (which techinally) it is because it has the same amount of active ingredients, but how long the drug takes to get in your system and how long it stays in there can very between 80-125%. Very rambley I know, the question I have does a Gas chromatography ("GC") and mass spectrometry ("MS") analysis show Tmax and Cmax levels, or is it just used to determine what a compound is?

60 pills should not cost $200 if on a legit script. You can pretty much get #90 name brand for that price.