New White Watson 853 10/325 Problem - What Is Going On!? (Page 16) (Top voted first)

Hello all,

I am a longtime chronic pain sufferer. I have taken opiates for pain for over 10 years. I recently got a prescription filled (from a well known pharmacy chain in the U.S.) and I was given these new Watson 853 white (not yellow) hydro 10/325 pills. I wanted to ask the forum here if any of you have had the same experience with them as I have. I know there are some very smart people with advanced chemistry knowledge here that may have delved deeper into whats going on with these things. They are ineffective for me. I've taken hydrocodone 10/325 for 10+ years and have never ever had a problem with pills being ineffective but that is the case with these pills. I've had about every brand you can think of and never an issue. Ever. I thought nothing of the color change when I got the pills home from the pharmacy... I've had the yellow Watson 853's before and figured they just changed the coloring. I've seen people complain before about differences in brands before, but I've never experienced anything like that.... Mallies, Watson, Qualitst... all the same to me. I didn't start looking around for answers until I noticed these pills were not working well at all. Something is 100% wrong.

Based on some initial research I do see that they have taken the yellow dye out but there are other reports from people with the same issues as I see. Obviously you just don't know how reputable some of these reports are... I've seen posts talk about pharmacists telling the patient that the pills now are structured to release hydrocodone slower (even though its an IR pill... what?)... that Actavis/Watson employees have claimed there could be "kinetic imbalances" in their formulation when upset customers have called them... etc.

The only truth I know is that there is something amiss with these things. Any response would be appreciated from you guys.... experiences/info/links to other similar reports, etc. This is the most frustrating thing I have ever run into and it just doesn't make much sense to me at the moment with whats going on....and the implications this could have if these pills have been truly altered by the manufacturer in some way.

I know it doesn't mean much to just say it on an internet forum, but I'm not the type to cry wolf over something like this. I realize it could be a bad batch I've received, but it looks initially like the problem is more widespread.

TIA for any responses to this thread! I came here because I believe this site has people that have the intelligence/knowledge to get to the bottom of it. Again, any info at all in relation to this would be appreciated greatly.

REPLY

REPORT

I go to an apothecary and I get my yellows there. Also, much cheaper. About 1/3 the cost!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Is the white Watson 853 (325/10) extended release? Also I have been having diarrhea for 30 days, ran all stool tests, labs, etc... all negative. Has diarrhea ever been problem with this med?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I heard from my pain management team in Fl before long there will be no hydrcodone, no vicadin,norco,percents. As per DEA. They not going to be making drugs like that for chronic pain
They are going to stronger time released meds to keep people who just pop pills and don't need them out of their hands? Not sure it's true but it's what I was told?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Could someone pls chine in and tell me if The hydrocodone bitartrate has cause diarrhea - or maybe Tyrol even. Would appreciate as this been going on several months . Thks ahead of time

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have the same problem with the Methadone they have me on. The oval ones take away my pain and the round ones I swear are placebos. They don't take away my pain like the oval ones do

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I been his pill for five years the new pill does not work Ian in contain pain please

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

The future of all narcotic based painkillers such as Codeine, Hydrocodone and Oxycodone will be abuse deterrent period! This will prevent people from taking the medication via the most abused route know, orally en mass!

I read several drug manufacture proposal trials of such abuse deterrent formulations stating such things as if you took 10 Norco you would only get the effect of taking say 3 of the original non abuse formulation! But what this means is that the abuse deterrent much either inhibit more of the drug from being activated via agonism with a set amount of antagonist or it will have a release mechanism with which it will slowly release the drug and if too much is ingested it will release a noxious chemical to either make you sick or unwell!

You see the government wants complete control over how one takes these medications and I for one hope the FDA does not force doctors to prescribe these new formulations over the existing ones unless one is known to have a history or opioid use disorder!

Even so, no abuse deterrent formulation for the new brand name/generics commonly know instant release opioids (Norco,Percocet,Tylenol 3/4) has yet been full approved by the FDA as far as I know! Something though must be done about the Opioid Epidemic in this country and I think with the legalization of Marijuana, that will help offset some of this stigma and leave pain patients to have some quality of options back!

All I can say is I don't contribute to this problem! I follow the rules set out by my doctor and the government! I feel the documentation on my medical case is strong and I don't feel this change to Schedule 2 has affected me in anyway period. If your going to a regular doctor and having pain issues, they are not likely to prescribe you anything strong because of this enforcement! I see a specialist and while I don't take anywhere near the high quantity that some pain patients take, I do take enough to manage my pain along with non opioid options such as steroids like Methylprednisolone (Medrol).

To come around back to topic I will say I will be getting a different brand of Norco this time from another pharmacy to compare and see if its as crappy as people say and report my findings soon!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

No just the opposite..they usually would constipate you

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Sorry to say but there's no such thing as a "bad batch" and generics are just as effective as the others. It's either in your head, your tolerance has grown (which can still happem after years of use) or your medication was affected by what you ate, the amount of sleep you got, the level of acidity in your stomach, other medications you took that day, or any number of other factors.

The FDA tests all manufacturers and the only thing that has ever changed is the abuse potential and the amount of dye in the meds, usually in the coating. The amount of pain relief is guaranteed to be the same. Maybe your pain is getting worse or was worse at the time.

Tell yourself it's going to work the same and it will. It's usually that simple. I've been in pain management for 10 years and have been on hydrocodone for the majority of the time. If you want the most out of them, eat a fatty meal 30 minutes before taking your meds, as well as a couple extra strength Tums. This will increase the bioavailability of the opiate itself, not by much or enough to be worried about, but at the very least it will lower the acidity in your stomach and increase the enzymes that absorb the opiate. Stay away from citrus and juices as well.

The mind is a powerful thing. Be positive about it and tell yourself it will be the same, and remember it's for your pain, and "feeling" anything other than that isn't necessary and doesn't help the pain relief anyway. Assuming you're in America, the active ingredients are all there, as much as they always were (minus the apap of course). Your body chemistry changes every day though, and the effects change because of that. So try to have a consistent dietary routine and lifestyle, exercise if possible, and take them at the same times every day.

Most people have their minds made up and cannot be swayed in their opinions, but just try to tell yourself otherwise, even if you don't believe it. Repeat it every time you dose, and definitely don't dose on an empty stomach. Your stomach acidity can block some of the effects and the enzymes needed to absorb the medicine don't work at 100% on an empty stomach. Many people have been told the opposite, but it isn't true. A fatty meal 30 minutes prior will do more than you think. And whatever you do, don't take more if you don't feel better. Wait until your next dose. All you're doing is increasing your tolerance otherwise and also, the meds won't work as well when it's time for your next dose.

I hope you all find relief somehow. Less can be more. And more can cause less relief later. Trust me.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Can anyone explain why pain mess have never had any effect on me ( never worked) but at 33 finally made a bad life choice and used my first illegal controlled substance for around 3 months and right at the end of that phase I had a major surgery where moraphine had to be used on me. Now hydrocodone will work on me for pain but only hydrocodone (I have not been exposed to any further morophine which I assume would still work nor oxy which I have no desire to try ). Just wondering if the morophine or the controlled substance could possibly alter a persons chemical chemistry?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Curios in Cali , yes morphine stopped my menstrual cycles at the age of 40, I'm 41 now, it definitely changes chemistry, all these opiods do.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thank you so much Chaos and I hope all is going well for you

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Few drugs are abuse-deterrent. So far hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination medications are not abuse-deterrent. Hysingla, one of the Extended Released Hydrocodone medications is the only hydrocodone abuse-deterrent medications on the market.

Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen combination drugs have not been allowed to have more than 325 mg acetaminophen in each tablet since March 2014. Nor has any other prescription medication.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm a sheep I hate to say. I'll leave out the bio. But it was 6 years before I new I was physically addicted to pain meds. Mine wasn't and isn't a small thing that can be fixed or could've been fixed. However they could've explained what addictive meant to a 17 year old guy who enjoyed working 60+ hours a week. Having a brand new car, awesome girlfriends etc. That all lasted from 3/27/87 until about March of say 1991 @ the latest. When I realized that these 7 total Lamenectomys I was being sold & the promises of how just 1 more surgery will do it, not only was unrealistic but borderline out right lying. As for the current Opiate craze, I've seen it go full circle. In the late 80's, early-late 90's it was nearly impossable to get enough meds for my tolerence going up & the constant changing of Doctors. Even if they were in the same practice together, different m.d's had different meds they preferred. Yes now since the explosion of Pain meds in early 2000 & now the fall out from that. It's gotten so people in need can't get the amount or drug that works best because the M.D's are being told what & how much to give by & large. So yes Sheep beware we are headed to the slaughter. Funny how the movie the "Bourne Ultimatium" Jason had to cycle on blue & green "Chems". Funny those colors were picked. lol

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I heard from a pain management doc. that they can have up to 30% less active ingr. and still be labeled 5, 7.5 and 10. same with oxy. shame. on them. But at this point I'm thinking of paying the difference and get brand and use some sort of coupon.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Go to CVS THEY GIVE YOU YELLOW PILL STOP GOING TO WALGREEN

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Wow I have had nausea for about a week and a half and the doctors want me to take all these Gastro test. I had blood work and everything came out fine but thinking it's the pills makes more sense than anything else. I have been on 10 325's for six years and when I'm in severe pain they gave me now 4 mg of mophone... ( sp) which helps a lot. I have also cut my pills in half trying to get off of them but now they cannot give me any more of the other medication because the pharmacy won't fill two alike medications which in fact they are not like at all. Hydrocodone barely works anymore that's why I get the other meds.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I've been taking Watson 3203 for 6 months or so due to a neck injury. At first they were peach colored and worked fine. 3 a day. Then switched to white, and then they were still fine. Now after the second month of no pain relief from the white Watson 3203, what's up?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I think they are making me extremely sleepy.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

U r not wrong. My fellow chronic pain friend, agrees, something is amiss w the efficacy of the change in pills. My pharmacy just changed to the less effective too. I asked why, the co. Saves money. Smh...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

What is a white oblong pill imprinted WATSON 325 with a line in the middle of the back? ## yellow oblong pill with watso...

9 REPLIES

Whit oblong say . Watson 853. Divide mark on back. Is it vicodin 7.5mg? ## This tablet is manufactured by Watson Pharmac...

2 REPLIES

I have both M360 and Watson 853 pills. I'm not exactly sure if the are the same of if one is stronger. ## The tablet...

8 REPLIES

I just recieved a new prescription of norco 853 10/325. The last script was yellow and the new ones are white. The pharm...

384 REPLIES

are these fake. The bottle says Hydrocodone 10/325 Norco but have seen watson 19/ 325 printed on the pill ## Has anyone ...

21 REPLIES

I took a couple from my new prescription yesterday, and let me tell you, they ARE NOT THE SAME. It felt like I had taken...

4 REPLIES

what is difference ip110 and Watson 853? ## Hello, Mary! How are you? The tablet with the IP 110 is manufactured by Amne...

8 REPLIES

found two pills with watson 825 white pill and oval what is it? ## Found a match it's Acetaminophen 650 mg and Oxyco...

1 REPLY

w hite watson, 397, tablet. ## I think the marking may have been WATSON 387, since it's a bit hard to read on these ...

1 REPLY

My prescription was changed from blue Watson 540 to white Watson 540 pills. However, I felt that the strenght was differ...

7 REPLIES