Lupin Lisinopril 20 Mg Pill Size Change Is A Problem (Top voted first)

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I've been taking lisinopril 20 mg twice daily for several years, filling it through Walmart Mail-Order whose supplier is Lupin Pharmaceuticals. The pills have always been pink and the same size until my most recent refill, when the size is now half of what it was previously, about the same as the hydroclorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg pill I take as well. Although the latter is pale peach in color while the former is pink, both pills are round in shape and the similarity between the two is quite problematic, especially for seniors like myself or anyone with poor vision, particularly when trying to distinguish between them in low light. Apparently pharmaceutical companies are legally allowed to change a pill size without FDC permission and with no requirement to advise customers of the change before or after the fact, but I believe the practice to be a dangerous and unconscionable one that ought to be prohibited by law. Consumers -- especially the elderly and handicapped -- need to have safeguards against confusing the medications they depend on that could lead to very serious consequences, even death. But how can corrective legislation be achieved with a Congress that's indifferent to all but its corporate donors?

17 Replies

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3

Pharmaceutical companies do not care if they confuse us. And furthermore did you know if a generic did you harm there isn't anything you can do.

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5

Some pharmacies in Canada actually can put a weeks worth of your medication in a blister pack which outlines what time you need to take your pills. It's a great system and is very similar to the medication cases that you can purchase and do yourself but this way the pharmacist does it for you. Good luck with this. It's sad that these companies don't care about the people that take their medications.

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11

Yes I did, I maintain a Diary, take note of adverse reactions, how many & when for reference and "follow up visits" to be more precise to that "famous question and hand shake, how you doing?". I've also done dissolution time tests with brand names vs. a generic. 41 more minutes for nights med's, that way when taken around the same time daily I noted fewer complications too. Similar to mixing paint or making supper, blue & yellow = GREEN, steamed veggies 25 minutes. And be certain to get an adequate amount of water. Less Build Up.

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14

Re: Joe (# 4) Expand Referenced Message

I have found that doing something like this causes problems (mostly with companies). The experience I had is that unknown to me they change prescription numbers and some companies do not keep a record back for say 6 months. When you go to refill the number is invalid. You then have to call multiple times to get someone who will go the extra mile and track it down for you. I have had mixed results with doing that. That is why it takes 2-3 phones calls. The whole story is complicated and too long for here, The best advice I can offer is to make sure when you get your med, empty the old one into the new one, that way your prescription number is always current (also they may change the phone number as well). I know others will tell you not to do this, but it works for me and the people at the other end of the phone line are happy as well.

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2

You make a great point. I put a weeks worth of medication in a container and use size/color to identify which pill I take at what time of that day. When one is on multiple medications, a person rarely takes them directly from the bottle. Anyone know if there's any pharmaceutical guidelines for manufacturers on this? My size/color of medication changes frequently by my drugstore to give me best price.

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4

I found taping an Original Med onto the Original Cover with TRANSPARENT SCOTCH TAPE and empty New Meds into the Original Container for easy identification. Also write the re-fill prescription number onto it or put the re-fill number in a diary , along with date and amount of re-fills left to be filled . Those few minutes can avoid a lot of aggravation , 42 years experience taking med's daily in varying amounts . Or else buy enough daily compartment containers to last a month and perform once a month instead of daily etc.

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6

Walmart is famous for changing vendors and not telling their customers about it. I.E., the changed the Lisinopril to a different color, Oxycodone different vendor not the same formula, again no notice verbal or a sticker telling you anything about it especially if your a senior. Something else about them. They appear to be afraid to put labels on their bottles. I noticed Safeway did a prescription for me stating if pregnant and taking this antidepressant while pregnant be aware of the baby having severe withdraw symptoms that could be serious to their healthy. Where the hell was my label about withdraw issues on my bottle from Walmart. God forbit it takes the customer to know of severe withdrawal problems with all antidepressants but noooooooo. But big Pharma doesn't want you to know about it ..........

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7

I too take Lisinopril and about 25 other medications. I get mine from CAREMARK. They change not only the color but the shape of almost all of my scripts (except PRADAXA), I had a stroke which killed my short term memory, so when I load up my pill box for a week's worth of medication, I find that it confuses the heck out of me and so I have to call Caremark and verify the change. Although I will admit once the change occurs it doesn't seem to happen again.
Somewhere I was told that big medicine dispensers like Caremark, Walgreens, and other place go over seas (usually India) to get their meds as they are cheaper. I agree with your point that they should tell you about the change, somehow I don't think they care, they just want cheap medications so they can make more profit.

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8

A few years ago, I was talking with my doctor about how many meds I was taking and it was to the point of confusing. In the next visit, he produced a plastic flat square device and it had a sliding plastic cover for each day of the week and it also had 4 slots for each day. Once a week you load the dispenser with the medications for the next week. It has been a real life saver for me. The only issue I have come up with the use of the device is that say in midweek (or any other day) the doctor orders a change in medication. I have had issues with trying to get the meds out of the pocket for each day. I have decided that for the first week is to put the bottle of meds on top and as I take the meds out I then do the switch. The other *extremely* minor nit is that ad the cover of the pills is drawn down towards the end of the day there is a small chance that you could accidentally hit it and the pill dispenser goes flying.

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9

I just picked up my spouse's refill from Costco. On the top of the bottle was a little green label that said, "This is the same medication you have been taking. However, color, size or shape may appear different." I appreciated the alert and brought it to my husband's attention so he was aware. This is a fairly standard practice of pharmacies to change vendors when price changes to benefit the patient. I know it's a hassle at times, but that's what we all want: cheaper prices on our medication.

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10

I get my medications from Caremark. Lisinopril as well as many other of my medications change from time to time. They do not inform me of any change.I usually find out about the change anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks after I get my medication shipment. I only notice the change when I open the bottle to put them in my weekly pill dispenser. I call Caremark and ask for a pharmacist there. Apparantly they are use to the question. I asked them to notify me of a change, they put me off.

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12

20mg Lupin Lispinopril Size Change - I also noticed a change in the physical size of the tablet. I contact CVS and they informed that Lupin changed the size/design of the bulk shipment bottles that are sent to the various pharmacies. Therefore Lupin had to make the tablet smaller to accommodate the same quantity being sent but in their smaller bottle.

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13

Wal-Mart ndc 68645-0553-54 is the same pill as the blister packs lisinopril 20mg. Hope this helps.

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15

Lisinopril doesn't work now 20 mg since they've changed at the ingredient in the with Lupin Pharmaceuticals

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16

Did this issue just come up? Has this been an issue that has been around for years? Quit blaming "the administration" and find a way to separate your meds so that they are not confused with each other. This Country has bigger fish to fry than the color of a pill.

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17

If they make a pill smaller what do they take out of it not air

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1

JCT,

I've helped family members and elderly friends come up with an easy system for taking your meds and has worked very well. I use the weekly pill dispensers. If you take once, twice, three times or even more, they make them labeled AM, PM, etc. every week if you can do it or have a family member, go through the bottles one at a time setting them to the side when finished, and put the pills in whatever time of day they're prescribed. Many of my pills look same in color and size, but I never question it because they've been done in advance for the whole week. Hope this helps.

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