Fiorinal With Codeine #3 (Page 3)
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I've been taking 4 capsules per day for migraines and pain control. I've been taking this drug for 30 years and it seems like the only thing that works yet allows me to be productive. Since the unavailability issues about a year ago, it seems like they are now not as effective. It feels like they don't have the same amount of active ingredient. I agree that Watson was the best generic I tried. Does anybody know which manufacturer may be better to get from? I find I've been needing more like 6 per day and still am not getting the same relief. Any ideas?

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Greetings Diana and Mickey)
Thank you so much for sharing and your friendship. I can't tell you how much you've all helped take away the fear, anxiety and confusion with the Alzheimer's. My wife is a wonderful advocate, but wasn't sure how to go about with the issues I was having with the med basically not working. The Breckenridge is working, and my doc changed my breakthru med from Lorcet to Tylenol 4, (another cp issue) Maybe this can be of help as adding a Tylenol 4 has made a huge difference.

Peace, blessings and love.
Jobe

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Hi Jobe .. We are all friends here sharing similar problems. You are not alone. I have saved my bottles of fiorinal from years ago ... Watson, Brekenridge, Sandoz, etc. (empty of course) . About 6 months back, I called Sandoz and they told me they didn't make the generic fiorinal anymore. So, the ONLY one that works is the Brekenridge. The Watson and Lanette either do not work, or make you feel sick. So, Brekenridge it is. Have a good day. Mickey

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Hi Diana .. And many hugs to you too. We all have to stick together and give each other advice. I have been taking the Brekenridge for almost a year now, and so far they are the best of the bunch. Not as great as the Watson from years ago, but those days are over I presume do to changes in controlled substances from the government. Last year was a big hassle between getting a script from the primary dr. To getting fiorinal from the drugstores. Nowadays, you have to see the neurologist. .. Then find a pharmacy that will order for you. They always seem to be out of fiorinal. This is the ONLY thing that works, and I just hope nothing changes again. I just can't take the stress anymore. Xo Mickey

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Hi Jobe! I just checked the Sandoz product listing on-line and don't see it under any name (Butalbitol, Fiornal or Ascomp). Sure was a good thought though! And, thanks, I am getting Breckenridge next script...there was a new pharmacist who must not have read the notes on my record. Hope you are doing well! Peace and Love...

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Hope you can get back to the Breckenridge soon, Diana. Hate to hear anyone suffering needlessly. Take care

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Thanks Diana. Appreciate the info. I recall years ago like yesterday. My wife of 26 yrs has been a true blessing. Anyway, when I was 20 or so, 30 yrs ago the fiorinal with codeine was manufactured by Sandoz, and it worked very well, without a need for taking more than 3 for a headache. Nowadays, it's 6 I am glad they are still available, as my doc says he and most others will not rx them. We have a very trusting relationship, and he knows the violent vomiting with out the medicine used judiciously. Does anyone know if Sandoz still makes them?

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Oh, Jobe...I forgot to mention...these names are all for the same medication:
Fiorinal with Codeine
Ascomp with Codeine
Butalbitol with Codeine
Depending on the manufacturer, they name them differently. I am so sorry to hear about your ALZ. Geez, I can't imagine what you deal with. Good Luck!

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Hi Ann. I agree...it's so frustrating when drug companies are telling you something is "the same" and you know darn well it's not. I wish I had the money to have the pills analyzed to proved they are filled with other junk, then I'd sue those companies and take the money and manufacture the medication correctly for all the migraine sufferers in the world!! Sometimes I dream of three years ago when they were made properly. Good Luck to you, girl! Peace and Love...

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Hi everyone. Thank you for sharing this valuable information. I'm disabled from alz, and was very scared and confused till I found this site. Take care.

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Hi Jobe, Diana and everyone .. I now have been using generic Brekenridge for about 11 months now ordered thru Walgreens. They are the best out of Watson, Lannet, brands or generics. The others either were not working or making me feel sick. The Brekenridge take a little longer to work, but they do take the pain away and are the best these days. I just hope that nothing else changes from now on. Enough is enough already.

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Mickey, I just wanted to thank you SO MUCH for suggesting Breckenridge last May. I have been using them since with better results. This month, somehow, Lannett was ordered and they are horrible. Weak (I feel like I need two at a time) and they make my mouth and throat itch. It is, however, a reminder there is a difference in manufacturers...no matter what the drug industry says. Anyway, THANKS MICKEY...your input has made living with chronic migraines much more manageable! If I could give you a hug, I would! Thank you!

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Jobe, I agree. I've had the best results with Breckenridge and my pharmacist at Rite-Aid happily orders it for me. Unfortunately, this month, he must have been out and somebody else order and I got Lannett. They are so weak, I feel I have to take two. And, they make the roof of my mouth and throat itch! The current Breckenridge is the best I have found, but still not even close to the way they were about three years ago before they were mucked with. Good Luck!

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Currently, generic from Breckenridge, 'ascomp with codeine', has worked very well, after having a horrible experience with Watson generic. 30 yr ha sufferer. Hope this helps. Use walgreens, who can order quickly, just ask for it as they are currently using Watson.

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Hi Lenny! I just check out the site for Qualitest and all I see is Fioricet (Butalbitol, Acetaminophen and Caffeine). I take Fiorinal w/Codeine (Butalbitol, Aspirin, Caffeine and Codeine). I'm not seeing where they offer either Fioricet or Fiorinal with codeine. Which, specifically were you getting from Qualitest? Because if they have what I need, I know my pharmacist will order it for me to try. You have made me hope, but I think it's too good to be true. LOL. Thanks, and have a good day!!

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Hi Lenny .. I have been taking the Brekenridge for about 5 months now. They work about 50 percent relief compared to the Fiorinal /codeine from years ago when they gave 100 percent relief. But, something is better than nothing. Qualitest is the only generic I've never tried. Please let me know if the Brekenridge works better than the Qualitest. I would appreciate it. I'm driving my "wonderful" pharmacist crazy changing manufacturers. Good Luck.

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Diana and Ann,
I have sufferred from chronic migraines since college and was prescribed Fioricet w/Codeine by my neurologist about 10 years ago. The brand was amazing and did help mitigate the pain and nausea. Today, we're all at the mercy of lower cost generics. Have had excellent results with Qualitest brand although today, CVS dispensed Brenkenridge. Qualitiest is challenging to find in any pharmacy. I trust that Brenkenridge will be just as effective.

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Hi Ann. I am so sorry for our terrible situation. I have been taking Fiornal w/Codeine for 35 years and also have found them to be re-formulated the past two years or so. The only thing I could suggest is trying Fioricet (butalbitol, acetaminophen and caffine) then get a separate script for codeine sulfate, which is just codeine. Personally, I can't take the acetaminophen... I need the aspirin. My next appointment, I am going to ask my doc if there is a way to get separate scripts for the butalbitol, codeine sulfate, then add aspirin and caffeine (which you can get over the counter). I'm thinking if I can get them separate, then the fillers won't be there. I don't know what else to try. If you figure it out, let us all know!! Good Luck!!

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Hi headache suffers, I have come to the conclusion that the Fiorinal with codeine made by Watson/Activis, Lannett, Brekenridge and whoever, Brand or Generic, all are being made weaker and with more fillers and are government controlled. That's why they all are not working as well as they used to! Of course, the pharmacists won't agree with this, naturally. They took a good drug that worked well and screwed it up and are making people suffer. What to do? Guess I'll have to ask my neurologist the next time I go, but I just hate to start changing to other medications and start over again. Any suggestions anyone?

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Just an update for my fellow migraine suffers: My wonderful pharmacist has been ordering from Breckenridge for the past four months. They are definitely the best I have found, although not like two years ago. I believe the problem is the pharmaceutical companies don't want this drug to be as effective because it is so cheap. Well, I pay $8.00 for 100 capsules (with my insurance). The newer, "fancier" drugs are MUCH more expensive...they have to make their money. I wish there was some way for us to ban together and approach the industry to simply make this drug the way it was for 50 years.

One thing I have found that helps when I am suffering an extreme migraine...I take the Fiorinal w/Codeine then supplement with 3mg of codeine sulfate. The codeine sulfate is simply codeine. Not the processed, wacked-out versions like oxycodone and hydrocodone, which have even more additives that seem to worsen my migraine. But, I still daydream about the good old days when two pills a day worked great with no side effects. If anybody knows what powers-that-be we could petition, I'm all ears!!

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Hi Alexi, I agree with what you are saying about the manufacture of fiorinal with codeine. Years ago, you took one pill and it worked perfectly with no side effects and made you feel productive. They were a Godsend. For the last 2 years I would say, they are definitely different. Either they don't work, make you feel ill, etc. I read somewhere that government cut the strength, but the pharmacies won't admit to that fact. For many years I have used the Watson Brand until they actually made me feel SICK. I then switched to Watson generic and they hardly worked and made me feel sleepy after about 1 1/2 hours. I won't take Watson / Activis anymore and switched to Brekenridge generic. They seem to work the best out of all the other manufacturers. The strength is not like it used to be but to me at least they give relief without lousy side affects. The last 2 years have been hell between the changes in these pills and the BS with the pharmacy. I am a senior with other problems and don't need all this stress over pills that I need to function. Hope I helped you in some way as you are not alone.

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