Intuniv Vs. Generic

Updated

Hi, my daughter was on Intuniv for several years...she's a high functioning autistic teen, and Intuniv helped with her ADD and behavior issues. Last month, we were able to get the new generic version which was just released in December. After about 3 weeks of her taking it, we've noticed behavioral problems begin to crop up again...mostly in the evening. I'm wondering if it has to do with the drug change. Has anyone made the switch and began seeing differences???

17 Replies

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1

We started noticing a change as well, about one week after starting the generic. Definitely more emotional, and when we scaled back the dose we started getting the defiance and impulsivity that had really been under control.

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2

Thank you so much for your reply...we're now back to daily tantrums, which is not good. I'm wondering if the time release isn't doing it's job, shes been ok in school. Once home, later in the afternoon/evenings is when they're occurring. Going to call the doc today.

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3

There is a way to report this to the FDA. I plan on doing so tomorrow. Doctor said there are others that experienced the same problems

fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/ReportsManualsForms/Forms/UCM349464.pdf

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4

Yes, same problem. My son has Aspergers. He's 7. Within 2 weeks he became aggressive again. He's attacking teachers and administration again. His psychiatrist said this is not an equivalent drug and all her patients on it are having the same problem. Report it here: fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm

This is the FAERS fda reporting system.

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5

We switched back to the name brand from the generic and 24 hours later thngs were back to where they were pre-generic. Really, the change was that notable and fast.

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6

We too had the same issue. Noticed a change right away after switching to generic and couldn't understand why. Talked with doctor and she said other kids were having the same issues. We now are only taking Intuniv name brand!

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7

My son has been on the Intuniv for several years as well. He just started the generic and I also am noticing all of the previously controlled behaviors coming back. He has become extemely impulsive again. It actually just clicked with me.

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8

I think I'm noticing the same thing. 9 year old son...We are on 3 mg. We just switched about a week ago. I'm noticing hyperactivity upswing and definitely oppositional and mean talk. I have a few branded pills left. I'm switching back tonight before our doctors appt on Thursday. Thanks to all for this feedback.

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9

I have seen the same thing. My 9 year old has become just awful at night time. He does fine in the morning, throughout the day and then evening hits and he is beligerent, defiant, talking about how he's going to run away or hurt himself, refusing to go to bed, screaming, kicking walls...

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10

Oh my gosh! Thank God I looked this up! I have dealt with this same problem for my little guy! We have been on the generic intuniv for three weeks and I am not kidding when I say the change was almost immediate! I just now today figured it out. He is acting out, aggressive, tantrums and his sensory issues are to the extreme. He is adhd, fetal alcohol syndrome, and sensory disorder. He takes the intuniv with focalin everyday. Has worked awesome until the switch this month to generic. I will be paying the huge price difference and going back to the regular intuniv!

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11

Call your insurance company to ask for details on appeals and reductions of copay if your physician states that the name brand is "medically necessary" due to the patients reaction to the Generic. The doctor can help by writing letters, etc. In fact they may even have to submit the forms for the appeal on your behalf.

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12

I'm so sorry to hear that you are experiencing exactly what we have experienced. In addition to the generic not working, my 15 year old son is constantly sleeping. I mean constantly! He has missed school because he is so tired. He is cranky and irritable because he is so tired. Has your daughter experienced the drowsiness? I'm fighting my insurance to cover the name brand. What a challenge!

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13

Yes! My son had the exact same problems - he was on Intinuv and saw some success and then after we switched to the generic version he told me he felt like he stopped taking his medication.

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14

We also need to switch to Quanfacine ER manufatured by Activas from Intuniv when the generic form is available due to the insurance policy. Within one week, we saw a major fall back in our son's behaviors. It was like living the nightmare over again. He got suspended from school two weeks after he started taking the generic form of Intuniv. Has anyone ever tried quanfacine ER made by TEVA or Sandoz? What is your reaction to these meds comparing to Intuniv?

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15

If your doctor will write a letter stating it is medically necessary for the brand name they may cover it. It worked for us. The generic did not work for us. If your child got suspended I would say it is medically necessary. They wil say no at first but don't give up. We didn't and we won!

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16

Re: Jessie (# 14) Expand Referenced Message

Picking up this thread. Anybody have feedback on generic guanfacine from different manufacturers? TWiP vs Teva?

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17

Re: Amy (# 16) Expand Referenced Message

Yes, my daughter was taking the Actavis generic of Guanfacine ER and was having success. Her insurance switched us to mailorder and they sent us TEVA, which did not work at all. My doctor's office said that was common and they often have to write brand specific prescriptions for Actavis, so I would say that is probably the best generic.

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