Epic Pharma Adderall Review (Page 2)
UpdatedEpic Pharma Adderall does not seem to work at all no matter the dosage. Anyone else experience this?
I've been literally struggling every single day since I received this script from Epic Pharma Adderall 15mg - (hot pink oval tablets) from Optum Rx. I have read over 50 patient reviews complaining about this manufacturer Epic Pharma's Adderall- all strengths. They are probably about the the worst I've encountered- and I just received 400 tablets---- I can only compare them to the very first ADHD med I was prescribed--- the non-stimulant- Strattera! I've barely gotten anything done at work all week.
There is Tylenol in that now
They are putting Tylenol in every pain med
Re: Deb (# 22)
It’s not a pain med
Re: VerFree (# 2)
There can be individual differences between people. For example, 15% of people respond best to the 50/50 dextro/levo amphetamine mix of Evekeo. But, most people respond best to dextroamphetamine (dexedrine, zenzedi, etc.) while some to the 75/25 dextro/levo of Adderall.
That being said, most amphetamine based generic meds are terrible. Reason being, the inactive ingredients (excipient) help or hinder the active ingredient (amphetamine) from crossing and staying across the blood brain barrier. I don't know if it is due to the good brands having adjuvants (excipients that assist or improve the active ingredient). Or if the junk brands have excipients that hinder crossing or staying across the blood brain barrier.
In the 80s, the FDA dropped the therapeutic equivalency requirement to promote generics in the market. Bioequivalence (proves matching absorption to name brand into the blood stream) almost always predicted therapeutic equivalence so it generally worked well. But psychoactive medications have to additionally cross the blood brain barrier which is not accounted for with the bioequivalence requirement. So, ANDAs for psychoactive med generics assume therapeutic equivalence but never actually tests for it. Which is why we have problems with so many generics. Name brands tend to use high quality ingredients while generally, generics use cheaper options. Even then, if a generic used high quality ingredients, not checking therapeutic equivalence means it still may fail having the API cross and stay across the BBB.
Generally, for Adderall IR at this time:
Good: Teva, Sandoz
Mediocre: Mallinckrodt
Between Mediocre and Good: Elite (more explanation below)
Bad: Most, maybe all the others. Don't know every single brand. But have looked into most in reviews at least. And tried quite a few myself.
Elite is a special case. Before summer 2022, most people who tried Lannett if I recall correctly, thought that one worked best. But, Lannett only marketed it, while Elite made it. Elite decided to market their drug themselves. And the list of ingredients is the exact same as it was when Lannett was marketing it. It did take them a long time to complete the ANDA which makes me wonder if they kept the same ingredients but modified the amounts. Maybe a little less amphetamine as it was often considered a bit stronger than Teva or Sandoz. Or an excipient adjustment. I have not seen any info on adjustments or no adjustments. I can say that I have responded to Adderall generics in line with the general sentiment of people on social media. I never tried the old Lannett that was well liked. I did try the new Elite which may or may not be the exact same. For me it was pretty good but noticeably less effective compared to Teva or Sandoz. So, at this time, a bit undetermined. Others have thought it was decent in reviews but not raving about it like when Lannett marketed it. Which may be just bias and similar to effects of expectations as most don't know this stuff. I do know the new Lannett replacement formulary is not liked.
Re: Optimistic (# 3)
If other generics caused sweating and jitters, that is because the dose was way to high. Not because of the brand. Epic is weak. Which is the equivalent of a very reduced dose of your other brand.
If yours are prescribed, I'd call into question your therapist's understanding of the drugs the prescribe. If obtained for recreation or for school or work, then taking a half or a quarter of your other brand would be an approximate equivalent.
Re: CourtD (# 5)
For Adderall IR: (not sure of Adderall XR good/bad generics)
To save you time, tell your prescriber to write "Teva or sandoz only" on the script. If they can't get those then....
Good: Teva, Sandoz
Mediocre: Mallinckrodt
Probably between Good and Mediocre: Elite
Bad: Most or all the others.
Re: Jules (# 8)
Drug identification tool I personally prefer. I am guessing you have used one of these tools as you listed Norwich which on some tools would show up instead of the labeler Alvogen:
https://www.drugs.com/imprints.php
Brand should be listed somewhere on the prescription you have filled. But, the tool can help also. Some brands may be white labeled under a different brand name so don't worry if you find discrepancies. Example both Aurobindo and Sun Pharma have been white labeled as NorthStar. The pharmacy you get it from does not really matter. It is the suppliers and backup suppliers they use, which may be different for the same stores in different locations. So, brands aren't pharmacy specific. And suppliers may "allocate" a limited amount to each store during a shortage. And some pharmacies can request certain brands while others you are stuck with what they are sent.
The Norwich one you like is labelled as Alvogen. Norwich is the maker, Alvogen is the labeller.
You would likely find Teva or Sandoz to be way too strong for you. Mallinckrodt likely too strong but not nearly as bad as the other 2. Elite, stronger than Mallinckrodt and not as strong as the first 2.
These are not 100% true for everyone, but, most people respond about the same to generic brands.
You can do a couple things that may help. Have the prescriber write
"[preferred brand or brands you will accept list] generics only please" on the script.
If not available the pharmacy should contact you and you can accept what they can get, or choose to have the script transferred to another pharmacy (if electronic) which varies by state whether you can do it once per script yourself or always needs the prescriber to do it.
Or, get a paper script with the same thing written on it, and go pharmacy to pharmacy till you find it.
Can also call pharmacies. but they don't always tell you what they have in stock or can get. Some even lie to you. They are afraid of getting jacked by people, so, can't necessarily blame them. I have had mixed results over the phone. But, may still be quicker than physically going one to another.
I'd also recommend Vyvanse for you kid over 5 mg Adderall as it has lower chance of causing side effects and tolerance vs other amphetamine based drugs. And has a longer duration. (skipping the technical info). The good brand for Vyvanse is Teva. I do not know what others are good or not good, but that can be researched.
Re: Jules (# 11)
Testing for amphetamine in pills is a waste of time and money because the problem is the inactive ingredients that may help or hinder crossing and staying across the blood brain barrier.
The bioequivalence requirement for the ANDA already proved the active ingredient is absorbed and lasts in the blood nearly the same as the brand name. Which ignores the fact that psychoactive drugs have to cross and stay across the BBB to have any therapeutic effect. It is possible to have more amphetamine in the pill than a brand name and still not be effective at all.
You can also check the inactive ingredients in any generic and name brand here. So, if you know what excipient (inactive ingredient) you or your family is sensitive to, such as causes headache or stomach ache, you can use this link to sort out the brands you may want to avoid. The search in this link brings up genetics and name brand drugs for several different drugs. So, will need to pay attention to the exact differences and check the label to be sure you look at the right drug. (ex. Adderall IR, Adderall XR, MyDayIs, etc.). May mis some generics which may list the active ingredient slightly different.
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=dextroamphetamine+saccharate%2C+amphetamine+aspartate%2C+dextroamphetamine+sulfate%2C+and+amphetamine+sulfate&pagesize=200&page=1
Can also use the advanced search option to filter by excipient etc.
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