November 12, 2007 - 6:34pm
due to an insurance change (which included an increase in premium) I now have to pay $187.00 for generic oxycontin 40s.
The brand I was given was Teva, is it just me or do these just not work well? I have read that Watson is supposedly the best generic available. Are Frederic and Purdue affiliated and just who makes Watson? I appreciate any help given...I cannot continue to pay these high premiums plus the amount charged for the drug.
Thanks. I did stop by CVS and was told they carried Frederic brand.
November 12, 2007 - 10:43pm
#2
Just as a side not Teva is
Just as a side not Teva is the only generic still being made. The watson brand of oxycontin was discontinued. Your only other choice is to spend the money for the name brand by Purdue.
November 13, 2007 - 5:22am
#3
"just as a side not Teva is
"just as a side not Teva is the only......"
Huh??
November 13, 2007 - 1:14pm
#4
Due to a court ruling all
Due to a court ruling all generics of oxycontin have been discontinued. Teva is allowed to make them till the end of the year and then you will only be able to get brand name by purdue iirc.
November 13, 2007 - 1:37pm
#5
Generic OxyContin so far...a (somewhat) brief summary
Can the generic OxyContin saga be added as a FAQ or something of that nature, moderator(s)? Versions of this seem to be asked at least once a week, and some of the misinformation I've read is downright disturbing.
I will try to sum up as briefly as possible. OxyContin was originally manufactured by Purdue Pharma as a breakthrough in extended pain management. It was introduced in late 1995 in 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160mg strengths. It soon became apparent that this was on its way to becoming a "blockbuster" drug, it sold like crazy, Purdue was making billions on it and sent out drug reps left and right, touting its ease of administration, the need to take less pills per day for chronic pain sufferers, etc. As the product become more well-known and prescribed, drug abusers quickly found ways to bypass the pill's time-release mechanism in order to get, for example, 40mg of oxycodone, designed to be released throughout a 12-hour period, all at once.
Things began to spiral out of control when the media caught wind of what they soon started calling an epidemic around 2001; large areas, particularly in the rust belt, experienced alarmingly large numbers of abusers and addicts of the drug. Purdue claimed to be working on an non-abusable version of OxyContin, but apparently still have been unable to do so.
Around 2004 or so, several generic manufacturers started to market OxyContin (which was always a very expensive drug to begin with; a switch to generic didn't help much, if at all, in that area.) Endo, Teva, Ivax, and Watson got relatively quick approvals from the FDA to go ahead and produce their own versions of Oxycodone ER. After a falling-out with Ivax (not sure of details on this), Purdue decided to make Watson the "authorized brand generic" distributor for OxyContin. These were basically the same pills as the brand-name OxyContin, but instead of stamping them with OC, they stamped them with ABG.
The generics sold as well, if not better, than the brand OxyContin soon upon their release. However, Purdue, seeing how much market share they were losing from their #1 drug, brought suit against the generic pharmaceutical companies for patent infringement. Long story short, Purdue settled with all of the generic companies with the stipulation that the various generics would cease production and manufacture in the near future. Most of these lawsuit settlements took place in 2006/early 2007. For whatever reason, Purdue allowed Teva and Dava (Impax) to continue to market their generic OxyContin through an unspecified future date.
So after the Endo and Watson generic pills ran through the last of their supply, the only available generics now available are Teva (an inferior product in no way "bioequivalent" to the brand, IMO) and Dava/Impax (same quality as Teva, again IMO.) And the brand, of course, is still available and just as costly as ever. I still have yet to see any news releases as to when Teva and Dava must stop their manufacture, but it is supposed to happen in the near future, at which time the brand will again be the only available form of OxyContin.
I guess this wasn't as brief of a summary as I'd intended - in fact, there's even more to the story than this, available all over the Web. But hopefully you get the "gist" of the situation as it now stands. MD's and pharmacists (and I have checked with many of them) seem to be just as confused about the situation as consumers.
I'm sure eventually there will be more to come, but for now, this is my version of the continuing saga.
November 13, 2007 - 2:18pm
#6
I have the same problem. I
I have the same problem. I take 3-40mg's of Oxycodone ER and it is true that Teva has rights to manufacture or sell their generics until the end of this year. Hopefully there is another drug company ready to hit the market with their brand name until PF sues them which will take some time. I just don't understand why PF does not make their own generics. Hopefully they will and I can save quite a bit of money. My insurance plan charges $150.00 for all brand names no matter what they are. The Teva's work for me just fine. The acute pain I have works just as well with TEVA's as they do with the PF or all the other generics which have been dicontinued.
November 13, 2007 - 2:29pm
#7
I have been seeing my doctor
I have been seeing my doctor for 15 yrs and I was told that drug seekers are now not asking for Oxycontin but for the 30 mg Oxycodone IR's Not being a pharmacist I wonder what the difference would be except for the dosage. I have heard the story that they are the same except for the dosage then I have heard that the way Oxycontin is made it is much more addictive with a "stronger" kick then the IR's I guess all it comes down to is who you ask as I see it
November 13, 2007 - 4:04pm
#8
30 mg of OxyContin if
30 mg of OxyContin if adulterated to allow the entire dose to be released at once should have the same potency as 30mg oxycodone. Oxycodone is much less expensive however, $126/100 30mg tabs. OxyContin is $120/30 20mg tabs. I think OxyContin only comes in 10, 20, 40, 80, maybe 160mg
November 13, 2007 - 4:49pm
#9
I am pretty sure that the
I am pretty sure that the 160mg OxyContin was discontinued a couple years back due to its abuse potential. I cant believe the price difference between the IR and ER oxycodone pills. Does anyone know if there is any specific reason for this?
November 13, 2007 - 7:18pm
#10
Im glad to see you "clear
Im glad to see you "clear things up". Unfortunately some of you information is also a little bit off.
First off Teva has made a press release stating that "they will continue to manufacture Oxycodone ER through the end of 2007". Im pretty sure thats a specified amount of time.
And reguarding Dava/Impax, Dava is the marketer and distributor for Impax who is the manufacturer. These are two different companies working together. You can read in this press release that Impax was to stop production of Oxycodone ER on June 14, 2007. So they are no longer manufacturing them.
November 13, 2007 - 7:38pm
#11
Oxycodone is an old drug
Oxycodone is an old drug that is off patent, so lots of companies make it, so there is a lot of market competition. It is also cheap and easy to make. OxyContin is still patent protected, and the time-release drugs are generally more complicated and expensive to make.
November 13, 2007 - 8:29pm
#12
I am aware that Dava and
I am aware that Dava and Impax are two different companies working together insofar as generic OxyContin goes - hence the slash and parentheses I used when mentioning the company names in my original post. I should have been more explicit in explaining that Dava distributes and markets generic OC's which are actually produced by Impax. Apologies for any confusion.
I am also aware of the press release dated 4/2/07 which grants Impax a license to exclusively sell generic OxyContin through June 14, 2007. However, unlike the situation with Watson and Endo, both of whose generic Oxycodone ER products were available well after their official stop dates due to the exhaustion of *prior* manufactured and produced stock, Impax/Dava is still *actively* selling their generic OxyContin product. Again, unlike what happened with Watson and Endo, Impax/Dava's generic OxyContin products are still available for pharmacies to purchase/place orders for new shipments, rather than just letting the existing, already produced and purchased stock run out. I verified this with an Eckerd (sorry - Rite Aid) pharmacist last week, which was obviously well past June 14.
As far as Teva's press release dated 3/6/07, which states that Teva will continue to sell their generic OxyContin product "at least through the end of 2007", I don't believe I ever disputed that point. What I questioned was why there have not been any updates by either Purdue, Impax/Dava, or Teva as to what the future may hold as to who may or may not continue to manufacture past the end of 2007, if Purdue will go with a completely different generic manufacturer company for production/distribution of an authorized OxyContin generic, etc. "...through the end of 2007" is ambiguous at best, and as we are nearing that date, still not having heard a peep from either company just raises some questions.
November 13, 2007 - 10:20pm
#13
GENERIC OXYCONTIN
thank you so much for the feedback it clarifies quite a bit for me. I read on Google the other day that Purdue was shocked at their last quarter profits. I may be wrong but they had expected a $322 billion or million increase and they came out with something like $367 billion or million (I just cant remember if its billion or million, both seem so "out of sight")
The article stressed that the increase was due entirely to their branching more into the production of the generic pain killers. I really cant see a company letting something like that slip away. I was told time and time again today (phoning pharmacies) that there really was no difference in the Purdue/Teva so my complaint must be psychological or perhaps my doc should "tweak" my dosage. Most of them acted like I was calling to obtain the security codes to the Bank of America. I do thank you for your time and sharing your knowledge, it has been most helpful. Here in Jacksonville FL the most reasonable prices I found were $556.94 for 40 mg #90 (Purdue) and generic $464.99. I will just have to bite the bullet one way or the other and my comfort and peace of mind just knowing I can deal with the day is certainly worth the diffference. I wish to thank insurance companies throghout this great nation for helping those of us caught in this "catch 22" quandry. Oh yes the strange thing (to me) was that if I ordered by mail thru my ins co (no name given)it would only cost me about an $80.00 co-pay per RX but I've been told they would be generic and may encounter difficulty in having this drup shipped thru U.S. Mails. Again many thanks my knowledgeable friend. Sandy K
November 13, 2007 - 10:26pm
#14
SAME SONG DIFFERENT VERSE OXYCONTIN 40
Thank you so much for the feedback to my puzzled brain. It does help clarify things. I never even knew there were different brands of generics as I was always fortunate enough to be able to obtain Purdue brand with no trouble until.......NEW INSURANCE......... boy am I getting educated in a hurry but this is something we must do in order to fight the battle of chronic pain........ thanks again, Sandy K in Florida
November 13, 2007 - 10:32pm
#15
OLD DRUG OXY 40
tHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT, IT HELPS CLARIFY THINGS QUITE A BIT. I ALMOST FEEL THAT MAYBE THEY SHOULD SHIFT SOME THINGS AROUND AND OBTAIN A NEW PATENT, AT LEAST I WOULD GET WHAT I PAY FOR .... WHICH IS THE RELIEF OF THE CLOAK OF PAIN THAT SURROUNDS THOSE OF US WHO TRY AND FIGHT THIS HORRENDOUS DEMON. Again, many thanks for taking time and explaining about the cost of manufacturing the time relese druge.
Sandy K
November 13, 2007 - 10:37pm
#16
quiescentlyhot wrote:I still
quiescentlyhot wrote:
I still have yet to see any news releases as to when Teva and Dava must stop their manufacture, but it is supposed to happen in the near future, at which time the brand will again be the only available form of OxyContin.
Is why I supplied links to both Teva and Dava's press releases.
November 13, 2007 - 10:40pm
#17
160 MG OXY
thank you so much for taking the time to give me some info. I agree with you that the 160 mg was discontinued as abusers were crushing it and it was too much for the heart. I heard of one young lady, a student at Univ of Florida who chewed one 160 mg and "WHAM" IT TOOK HER RIGHT OUT. I know life is tough and life is hard but it is not bad enough for someone to take something that could take your precious life. I understand it is quite expensive to manufacture the extended release tabs perhaps that is why the difference in price.
God bless and keep you safe, Sandy K
November 13, 2007 - 10:54pm
#18
30 MG OXYCONTIN
Dear Dr. Lois, I thank you very much for taking time to give me input on my problem. It seems I shall have to bite the bullet and pay for the brand in order to obtain the relief needed. If you come up with anymore suggestions please, please shae them. I can tell from your numerous postings you are a caring and involved individual.
Tnanks again, SandyK
November 14, 2007 - 1:09am
#19
generic
I also take oxy 20's and 40's and I feel the same way, I do not get the generic any more, I feel the generic form does not work I thought it was just me, so I ask my doc, he said not to get the generic any more. so I get brand now.
I'm not a doc, I just put his kids through collage. lol Bob
December 31, 2007 - 2:17am
#20
Oxycontin Users
What types of injuries cause doctors to prescribe such a high octane medicine, such as oxycontin??
December 31, 2007 - 5:35am
#21
Oxy Contin
Due to a court ruling, as of just about 2 months ago or less, you can only get the name brand oxy's. My Father is on them, and the pharmacy said it does not matter no more if it is wrote out may substitute or not, you will still get name brand. Oxy Contin won that lawsuit...
Dr Mike
December 31, 2007 - 9:09am
#22
30 mg roxi's
druggies that i used to know or that i meet in meetings have said that they want the 30's, because as these geniuses say they "go down" meaning they are alterable for their purposes and i think the 30 is the largest Ir made like that but there may something bigger it just makes sense that that is what they would transition to... thanks a whole bunch
December 31, 2007 - 3:28pm
#23
It is usually reserved for
It is usually reserved for patients who have chronic pain that has not responded adequately to other treatments who over time develop tolerance to lower doses and less potent narcotics. A documented workup for the cause of the pain and a diagnosis for what is causeing the pain is also necessary.
December 31, 2007 - 4:16pm
#24
I just filled 90 40mg
I just filled 90 40mg Oxycodone ER distributed byTEVA so TEVA is still available as of now I somewhere read where TEVA as of today can no longer manufacture their brand of Oxycontin but I would be surprised if they do not have enough in their warehouse for at least another 60 days or more. I do not know for sure but I would be surprised if Pharma did not allow them to sell the remaining stock of hand
December 31, 2007 - 4:21pm
#25
They had to seize
They had to seize manufacturing...they can still sell whats left because I knew of people getting the watson and other generics after they were discontinued. I am pretty sure they still are able to sell the rest of their stock that would be pretty messed up if they had to destroy all of their product they already made so I am pretty sure it was just that they had to seize manufacturing.
Is that the price your insurance charges, or is it what the pharm charges? You can always shop around to see if you can find lower prices at another pharm.
I'm a social worker, not a medical professional. All comments and thoughts are simply my opinion and experience.