Can't Find Brand Name Dexedrine Spansules And Zenzedi (Top voted first)

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I usually use CVS, but the pharmacist told me that their wholesaler does not carry Zenzedi. Those who take this medication, what pharmacy do you use? The only mom and pop pharm in my town said it was too expensive to order, but that chains that use a certain wholesaler different than the one CVS uses would be able to get it. I am not asking about (the vastly inferior, IME) various generics of dextroamphetamine IR. Been there, hated it. Zenzedi 15 mgs works for my ADHD-C and narcolepsy the way brand-name Adderall IR used to when it was manufactured by Shire, before it was taken off patent and the original formula changed. I am having similar trouble finding brand name Dexedrine Spansules (manufactured by Amedra and Amneal). I do not find the generic by Actavis/Teva supplied by all the pharmacies in town to be equivalent. The Mom and Pop pharmacy told me that they didn't think any of the chain pharmacies could order brand Spansules or even the authorized generic at all. I know the pharmacies save money by ordering the generics, but I am willing to pay out of pocket (since my insurance doesn't cover brand) an exorbitant amount so I can have back the quality of life and symptom control I had when I was on brand Dexedrine Spansules with Zenzedi as a booster as needed. Why is it impossible to obtain a brand name medication instead of these poor quality generics? And why is it just as hard for a pharmacist to obtain an authorized generic if I'm willing to pay the difference? Finally, why does every single pharmacy in my area carry the SAME generic of Dexedrine Spansules (ie, the unauthorized one that has the most inactive ingredients and the least efficacy)?

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Re: Miss Kosovo (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

Actually, no, it's not the same.

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First. Thank you for your intelligent clear post... Like you, I've done the legwork and research and feel similar frustration. Many posts share our frustrations, but aren't solution oriented. Hopefully we can help each other, so here's a very brief summary of tens of hours of investigative work (I've accumulated a lot of info).

1. Mckesson is the main distributor for CVS and Walmart. Amerisourcebergen is likely Walgreens main distributor. An article was published recently about the "LDN issue" or Limited Distribution Networks, meaning 4 distributors are controlling the marketplace, and "segmenting" the country giving pharmacies LESS buying power, choices, and availability. This also fixes higher prices (less supply, high demand means higher prices). https://www.ajmc.com/view/limited-distribution-networks-stifle-competition-in-the-generic-and-biosimilar-drug-industries

"LDNs also hamper provider access to pharmaceuticals and facilitate price gouging."

This partly answers your question about lack of availability. It's arguably corrupt. Like a cartel.

2. DEXEDRINE SPANSULES "BRAND" and authorized generic. This is a very complicated mess. Here is the NDC and label for Amneal "Branded" DEXEDRINE SPANSULES NDC# 64896-675
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=cc717b9b-22ea-4c60-a1d4-ee38a40bce78

Amedra was bought by Impax and Impax then bought by Amneal. So, Amneal's NDC ID is 0115... Not 64896. Hence NDC 0115-9929 is the active NDC for the authorized generic by Amneal. My pharmacy benefits manager ENVISION ran this NDC, confirmed it was active, and a fully covered generic. Note 0115-1704 is inactive, but still comes up. Nevertheless, if your pharmacist can order 0115-9929 then it's AUTHORIZED GENERIC 15mg, not the Teva/Actavis "approved" generic.

3. My pharmacist suggested I try to shift to Vyvanse because that patent is intact for 5 more years so all the generic nonsense won't happen. And then use an IR as a boost. I know you don't like the regular generics, but my experience is that Teva/Barr and Mallinkrodt are ultimately the best bet, least risky. The total worthless crap, to me is AUROBINDO, Wilshire, KVK Tech. Note, CVS told me that the entire field where they could request a specific Manufacturer has been deleted, which means they take what they get, no requests can even be made anymore by the pharmacist. WALGREENS however said that if my doctor writes the NDC Code and DAR after, they will definitely try to get it because the DAR is taken seriously by the Company. Note, that because of price guaging they won't lose $ on it with mediocre insurance reimbursement,, so clarity around cash is a great incentive for them to acquire it. Finally, COSTCO and Walmart have a lot of power with distributors if CVS and Walgreens don't pan out.

Would love to know how this works out for you. Please. Also, ever try the Vyvanse? It's an interesting concept and I'm sure the quality will be consistent with Shire.

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Re: Rcma (# 3) Expand Referenced Message

Any thoughts about Zenzedi? Interestingly, the same company also makes the Wilshire generics.

Shire doesn't make Vyvanse. They were bought by Takeda. They also use third-party manufacturers to make the "brand name" med Vyvanse. It used to be perfection, and then the quality and consistency got spotty. Drugs are a mess right now.

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Re: ADHD patient (# 4) Expand Referenced Message

Agree that drugs are a mess right now, like just about everything tbh. Profitability is their #1 objective, the fiduciary being to shareholders not patients. And regulatory agencies are half awake. Anyhow, all resources indicate that Zenzedi and Wilshire dextroamphetamine sulfate are the same.The NDCs are different, but the ANDA is exactly the same, which means the FDA approved ONE ANDA but that doesn't preclude repackaging. ARBOR seems to be the parent and they can label and market it as they wish. Same deal with Actavis which is the Manufacturer for Teva ER, and Mayne.

As for Vyvanse, yes Takeda bought Shire in total but from what I can tell the Manufacturing is the same, so Idk about the 3rd party changing when Takeda purchased it. Supply chains for active ingredients could change however....like 1 tsp of Tumeric is different depending on who supplies the tumeric even when the recipe/kitchen/chef is same. It's frustrating and nuts. After 3.5 months of making myself nuts about this, I'll probably stick with the Teva Barr 10mg I've used for 10 yrs with Mallinkrodt as a backup. Ultimately it's the quality/bio availability of the active ingredient that can change the effect; the quantity of the active ingredient: or both. Considering Adderall has 4 active ingredients and Vyvanse has 1, the constant inconsistency w/ Adderall makes sense. I was hoping on Vyvanse but ppl online say the crash is brutal. Good luck

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Re: ADHD patient (# 4) Expand Referenced Message

Arbor was taken over by Azurity and now it's a big scam. The Zenzedi 10 mg is virtually the same as the Wilshire 10 mg that is touted as authorized generic but it isn't on the FDC list of authorized generics. Can no longer get any strength Zenzedi.

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Re: Miss Kosovo (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

there was no replacement for restoril and dexedrine spansules. The spansule is what made dexedrine so smooth acting.

I have been taking dex for over 25 years with no problem. Now I can't get it anymore. The old spansules were labeled SB for smith and beecham (sp). Now they say XI on them. These XI capsuls are terrible!

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Re: steve (# 6) Expand Referenced Message

Please fill out a Medwatch form to report on the FDA website.

Also please tell your doctor and pharmacy.

We need to start speaking up louder and demanding proper treatment

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1

Zenzedi is the same thing as generic Dexedrine.

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