Comments on: Generic Adderall XR in the US http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/ A blog about Attention Deficit Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:39:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Caryn http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/comment-page-5/#comment-849626 Caryn Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:18:03 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=477#comment-849626 What lies about the cost and the effectiveness of the generic Adderal! First, my insurance charged me the same price as if I were using a "non-listed" brand medication. And as I was being switched from Vyvanse to this medication--as I was complaining about losing focus and drowsiness, of all symptoms--I'd hoped for something better. Almost immediately, I lost all hope in this medication as I experienced panic attacks and heart palpitations. Being that I work in the health care industry, when several nurses took my pulse, they stated a high number and irregularity. In addition, I had heart palpitations. My doctor switched me back to Vyvanse, explaining that perhaps the generic Adderal acted in "spurts." Well, perhaps one of those spurts could have sent me to the ER, or worse! What lies about the cost and the effectiveness of the generic Adderal! First, my insurance charged me the same price as if I were using a “non-listed” brand medication. And as I was being switched from Vyvanse to this medication–as I was complaining about losing focus and drowsiness, of all symptoms–I’d hoped for something better. Almost immediately, I lost all hope in this medication as I experienced panic attacks and heart palpitations.
Being that I work in the health care industry, when several nurses took my pulse, they stated a high number and irregularity. In addition, I had heart palpitations. My doctor switched me back to Vyvanse, explaining that perhaps the generic Adderal acted in “spurts.” Well, perhaps one of those spurts could have sent me to the ER, or worse!

]]> By: Tracy Green http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/comment-page-5/#comment-716096 Tracy Green Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:01:56 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=477#comment-716096 Just wanted to add here that yes, there is a generic for Adderall XR. My son has had the 10 mg, 20 mg and now the 25 mg in generic form. The 20 mg is considered the "average" dose most who use the drug are on, so lately getting the generic 20 mg is more difficult because pharmacies tell us there is a shortage because of this. My son has been mostly on the generic form, but last month since we didn't have a choice due to the shortage, we filled the prescription with the name brand. It is the orange pill. We believe the name brand worked better on him. Just some more info to consider. The prices of both have skyrocketed and since we have to meet a high deductible first, our out of pocket is unbelievable for the price of both drug types. Schnucks price - $202.19 for generic and $300.39 for name brand. Walmart price - $166.72 for generic and $239.62. Thankfully, our local small town pharmacy is about $15 dollars cheaper for the generic and $30 cheaper for name brand. Hope this helps. Just wanted to add here that yes, there is a generic for Adderall XR. My son has had the 10 mg, 20 mg and now the 25 mg in generic form. The 20 mg is considered the “average” dose most who use the drug are on, so lately getting the generic 20 mg is more difficult because pharmacies tell us there is a shortage because of this. My son has been mostly on the generic form, but last month since we didn’t have a choice due to the shortage, we filled the prescription with the name brand. It is the orange pill. We believe the name brand worked better on him. Just some more info to consider. The prices of both have skyrocketed and since we have to meet a high deductible first, our out of pocket is unbelievable for the price of both drug types. Schnucks price – $202.19 for generic and $300.39 for name brand. Walmart price – $166.72 for generic and $239.62. Thankfully, our local small town pharmacy is about $15 dollars cheaper for the generic and $30 cheaper for name brand. Hope this helps.

]]> By: James http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/comment-page-5/#comment-588624 James Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:57:47 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=477#comment-588624 Hi, there's not really a generic (as we normally think of a generic) for Adderall XR. There are two companies selling "Authorized generics", which is very different from a true generic. Essentially, other companies challenged the validity of Shire's patent, and this dispute was resolved with the following agreement: The companies challenging Shire's patent agreed to recognize the validity of the patent; in return, Shire agreed to provide them the right to market the medication (which, last I heard, was still being manufactured by Shire). So, essentially we have the main company holding the only patent (Shire), and two additional companies acting as distributors for the medication. As you can see, the competition (and lower prices) that result with a true generic (as a result of the expiration of a patent) does not exist here; as a result, we won't see a huge price difference between brand and "generic" (which is actually an authorized generic). See Wikipedia listing for more on authorized generics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorized_generics . Hope this helps... Hi, there’s not really a generic (as we normally think of a generic) for Adderall XR. There are two companies selling “Authorized generics”, which is very different from a true generic. Essentially, other companies challenged the validity of Shire’s patent, and this dispute was resolved with the following agreement: The companies challenging Shire’s patent agreed to recognize the validity of the patent; in return, Shire agreed to provide them the right to market the medication (which, last I heard, was still being manufactured by Shire). So, essentially we have the main company holding the only patent (Shire), and two additional companies acting as distributors for the medication. As you can see, the competition (and lower prices) that result with a true generic (as a result of the expiration of a patent) does not exist here; as a result, we won’t see a huge price difference between brand and “generic” (which is actually an authorized generic). See Wikipedia listing for more on authorized generics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorized_generics . Hope this helps…

]]> By: Bill http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/comment-page-5/#comment-577708 Bill Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:56:31 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=477#comment-577708 My mother went to pick up her prescription of 10 mg generic adderall (amphetamine salts). She had been paying 19.00 for 60 of the 10 mg. The pharmacist explained to her that this drug was being discontinued. He did have enough left in stock to fill the prescription but the price was 74.00. Does anyone understand this? What is going on? My mother went to pick up her prescription of 10 mg generic adderall (amphetamine salts). She had been paying 19.00 for 60 of the 10 mg. The pharmacist explained to her that this drug was being discontinued. He did have enough left in stock to fill the prescription but the price was 74.00. Does anyone understand this? What is going on?

]]> By: JON CIANCHETTE http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/comment-page-5/#comment-550244 JON CIANCHETTE Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:02:43 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=477#comment-550244 The important difference is the "XR". This is the extended-release type, and I believe there is no generic. All other Adderall comes in pill form or regular release. For these there are many generics. I insist on the Teva/Barr brand. The brand is sometimes called Sandoz. The prices can vary greatly, even from one pharmacy to the other. I've found Walmart or Sam's Club to be the cheapest by far. Good luck. The important difference is the “XR”. This is the extended-release type, and I believe there is no generic. All other Adderall comes in pill form or regular release. For these there are many generics. I insist on the Teva/Barr brand. The brand is sometimes called Sandoz. The prices can vary greatly, even from one pharmacy to the other. I’ve found Walmart or Sam’s Club to be the cheapest by far. Good luck.

]]> By: Confused parent http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/comment-page-5/#comment-526081 Confused parent Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:29:05 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=477#comment-526081 I'm totally confused and wondering if anyone knows the answer to this: we just recently switched my 7 year old son from Concerta to Adderall XR, and I was shocked when I filled the rx at Walgreens that it was $60 (brand price under TotalScript, my rx plan, wherein generics are only $10). I asked if there was a generic and was told that this was it, so I called TotalScript when I got home and they say there there is no generic of Adderall XR and something about a pending lawsuit? The confusing thing is that the bottle says "generic" and no where on the bottle or paperwork does it mention the brand name. Instead, it says "D-Amphetamine Salt Com XR 5mg caps" and they are 1/2 blue and 1/2 clear capsules with the little bead of med inside. So is this the brand or the generic that I have?? Should I be concerned that I don't have a safe, quality product? I can see where it says who the manufacturer is... I’m totally confused and wondering if anyone knows the answer to this: we just recently switched my 7 year old son from Concerta to Adderall XR, and I was shocked when I filled the rx at Walgreens that it was $60 (brand price under TotalScript, my rx plan, wherein generics are only $10). I asked if there was a generic and was told that this was it, so I called TotalScript when I got home and they say there there is no generic of Adderall XR and something about a pending lawsuit? The confusing thing is that the bottle says “generic” and no where on the bottle or paperwork does it mention the brand name. Instead, it says “D-Amphetamine Salt Com XR 5mg caps” and they are 1/2 blue and 1/2 clear capsules with the little bead of med inside. So is this the brand or the generic that I have?? Should I be concerned that I don’t have a safe, quality product? I can see where it says who the manufacturer is…

]]> By: Harvey http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/comment-page-4/#comment-513195 Harvey Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:13:41 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=477#comment-513195 Joseph & Jennifer are right about the Therapeutic equivalent issue. There are no substituable generic therapeutic equivalents to ADDERALL XR...yet. These generic alternatives are still generics, in that they haven't done nearly as much R&D to get a new brand drug to the market; but they haven't done sufficient studies to verify the AB rating I mentioned earlier. [I guess I didn't expect someone to bring it up] This fact that they're not AB rated could be a very good reason why some poeple are reporting different effects from the generic. So...what does this mean as far as prescribing & dispensing? As long as the Dr writes the generic drug name on the Rx: in parenthesis, as the drug, ect; the pharmacy CAN dispense the generic alternative. BUT if the physician ONLY writes for ADDERALL XR, technically the pharmacy can not substitute for the generic, since it's not therapeutically equavalent (AB rated). Do pharmacies still substitute it if the patient wants? <> Doing so wouldn't technically be legal. 1 last comment - I'm not sure why an insurance Co would ever reject the generic. Regardless of the equivalency, 999 out of 1000 it's cheaper for everyone involved. That being said if you notice a change in efficacy switch back. Joseph & Jennifer are right about the Therapeutic equivalent issue. There are no substituable generic therapeutic equivalents to ADDERALL XR…yet.

These generic alternatives are still generics, in that they haven’t done nearly as much R&D to get a new brand drug to the market; but they haven’t done sufficient studies to verify the AB rating I mentioned earlier. [I guess I didn't expect someone to bring it up]

This fact that they’re not AB rated could be a very good reason why some poeple are reporting different effects from the generic.

So…what does this mean as far as prescribing & dispensing?
As long as the Dr writes the generic drug name on the Rx: in parenthesis, as the drug, ect; the pharmacy CAN dispense the generic alternative. BUT if the physician ONLY writes for ADDERALL XR, technically the pharmacy can not substitute for the generic, since it’s not therapeutically equavalent (AB rated). Do pharmacies still substitute it if the patient wants? <> Doing so wouldn’t technically be legal.

1 last comment – I’m not sure why an insurance Co would ever reject the generic. Regardless of the equivalency, 999 out of 1000 it’s cheaper for everyone involved. That being said if you notice a change in efficacy switch back.

]]> By: KB http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/comment-page-4/#comment-500917 KB Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:12:16 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=477#comment-500917 you know, I had Cigna as well, and was very curious as to why they would not cover the generic at all... After my own negative experiences with generic, I figured thar had something to do with it.. Your post was very helpful, thank you (o; you know, I had Cigna as well, and was very curious as to why they would not cover the generic at all… After my own negative experiences with generic, I figured thar had something to do with it.. Your post was very helpful, thank you (o;

]]> By: Alex http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/comment-page-4/#comment-434668 Alex Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:58:28 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=477#comment-434668 Calling reps does not translate to lobbying. Calls do not equal MONEY which is what politicians are interested in. People that believe a politician actually cares about them are either hopelessly naive or terrified of facing reality to the point of cowardly denial. Calling reps does not translate to lobbying. Calls do not equal MONEY which is what politicians are interested in. People that believe a politician actually cares about them are either hopelessly naive or terrified of facing reality to the point of cowardly denial.

]]> By: Jenifer http://www.addadhdblog.com/generic-adderall-xr-in-the-us/comment-page-4/#comment-395816 Jenifer Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:02:32 +0000 http://www.addadhdblog.com/?p=477#comment-395816 Joseph is completely right. My insurance company explained there is NO generic for Adderall XR, there are only alternatives. Currently,my insurance company does not cover alternatives at all. Until the FDA approves the alternative for generic, there is nothing we can do. In the meantime, I would suggest calling your local Congressional reps. If the drug companies can lobby them, why shouldn't we? Joseph is completely right. My insurance company explained there is NO generic for Adderall XR, there are only alternatives. Currently,my insurance company does not cover alternatives at all. Until the FDA approves the alternative for generic, there is nothing we can do. In the meantime, I would suggest calling your local Congressional reps. If the drug companies can lobby them, why shouldn’t we?

]]>