New White Watson 853 10/325 Problem - What Is Going On!? (Page 9)
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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.

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BL: Yes, I agree and already know everything you said regarding the variation in generics from reading these posts (mainly yours because you sound like you know what you're talking about). And yes, the pharmacist probably said FDA. I really had you on my mind when I was explaining my position to the pharmacist. And I was really tired, LOL. I am being frugal with the pills, but depending (of course) on my pain level, I just can't tell when I'll need another pill. We have had quite a bit of rain and that honestly lowers my pain threshold. And I have another problem with both of my feet that I'm seeing a specialist for (first time) but that isn't until May. Seems so far away right now. But, I really believe in the power of positive thinking so I'm gonna tell myself I can do it. Mind over matter and all. My dad always told us kids, "Heal yourself well." I used to think he was bat-s*** crazy (pardon my French!). But, now that I'm older & wiser, sometimes it really works!

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BigPharmaMessingWithOurMeds, if you want to get the increase, the Prior Authorization will have to be approved. Maybe you can decrease the amount that you take daily or every few days, so you will have some left to cover the time it takes for the PA. Some pharmacist don't believe that there is much, if any difference, and some do. There is no way for a pharmacist to know when or if an order is going to come in. Chances are the pharmacist said FDA and/or DEA. The active ingredients for generics have to be the same as the are for brands. But, if a med says 10 mg for a brand, it has 10 mg in it. If a generic says 10 mg, it can have anywhere from 8 mg-12 mg in it. A lot of people that take these generic meds regularly believe that until the past few yrs, the active ingredients were 10 mg-12 mg and in the past few yrs they are have decreased to 8 mg or closer to it.

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I have pink 7.5 325 hydro from mom n pop they usually don't work these do??? Crazy .

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Update: I went to a smaller pharmacy, but they only had the Watson 853. I asked the pharmacist if I could special order a different manufacturer next time and she told me I could try but she couldn't guarantee delivery. She was nice enough but seemed clueless as to any variation or degradation in the Watson meds. I can't remember what she kept repeating exactly, but it was something to do with the percentage of active ingredient having to be exactly "such & such percent" (seems to me she said 21%, but that can't be right, can it?) which is regulated by ?? (The pharmacist said some initials of an agency, but I can't remember!Argh! All I can think of is BL, which I am sure is because that person is on this thread).

Anyway, bottom line is, I have to report that after being without Norco for a week prior to my doctor appointment today, I feel much better than I did yesterday. We'll see how I feel after continuous use. I'll maybe check in after a week or so.
Oh, I almost forgot, I asked my doctor to increase the amount I get and he did. But when I went to fill it the pharmacist said I have to have pre-authorization for the change! Hahahahaha!
I went back to the doctors office and told them what the pharmacist said and they said they would submit the pre-authorization today and I should hear from them by Monday or Tuesday.
Well, I've dealt with this kind of thing before and they never respond that fast. So I ended up getting the same amount because I could not even fathom waiting any longer for relief. Come the last week of the month I'll probably be sorry....

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Brokennbruised: sorry, that message^^ was for you about the manufacturer.
Lo: that is good advice and I am going to a smaller pharmacy today instead of Walgreen's. I will report back here the outcome.

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What manufacturer did you get? Thank you! I am at the doctors office right now. Happy April Fool's Day! (But this is no joke, I really am sitting in the doctors office)

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Never use chain stores to fill prescriptions. Find a local drug store and fill your scripts there. I've been dealing with pain due to a disease for years and found it much more enjoyable to deal with mom and pop pharmacy I'll never go back to a chain. Ie. Walgreens, cvs, grocery stores.

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Most pharmacies fill so many narcotics, that nothing sits for more than 5 days

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You can't be so trusting. You are in the minority. Especially if you are in chronic pain and can tell the difference in the medicines that work versus the ones that don't.

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I noticed too that the white watson hydrocodone dont work at all. walgreens in independence mo still has the yellow

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brokennbruised, it does not matter where a drug is manufacured. If it is sold in the U.S. it has to meet FDA standards.

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There's some pain meds without tylenol but doctors don't want to prescribe them much: demerol, morphine, codeine, etc.

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Here's what's going to happen,people are taking more to relieve their pain and the Tylenol is going to destroy their liver. Way to go medical field.looks like you have it figured out. And I agree they work for crap.I'm in alot of pain right now.

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In my case since activist bought out watson I could no longer absorb the new pills due to one of the 20+ inactive ingredients and had to switch to name brand. Main problem is most pharmaceutical companies have moved over seas due to legal suits and they do not have to meet the 21% required active medication in the pills. I tried almost every generic through every pharmacy too yet to no avail, absolutely nothing happened. So I had to switch to name brand which cost me $15 a pill which was absurd......until recently my pharmacist recommended another manufacturer. Speak to your pharmacist they can special order for patients who are having these problems. And maybe these companies over seas will be put out of business. Who knows what crap they are putting in there. It's bad enough we have to poison our bodies with pharmaceuticals just to be able to function, grocery, cleaning, take care of our kids, work, etc. Good luck to everyone with this issue. Please advise your pharmacist and doctors. Most pharmacist will be more aware than your doctor so please communicate with them and the experienced ones will try to help. Good luck.

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Rose, the pharmacy won't exchange what they gave you. Just be sure in the future to check you r prescription before you leave the pharmacy to see iwhich ones they gave you. It is always best to tell the pharmacist what generics cause you problems Before the prescription is filled.

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Yes for cancer patients and only 3 days after any surgical procedure.. guess I won't be having my knee replacement.

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I'm sure everyone is aware by now that it was announced last week another crackdown on doctors who prescribe narcotics,the only exception is for cancer patients.

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Here is the Patent application I alluded to in my previous post: google.com/patents/WO2015103379A1?cl=en

Or google the phrase below:

Abuse-Resistant Drug Formulations W02015103379A1

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To reiterate what others have already said, not much can be done about this, at least not through conventional means. This problem is something that's being orchestrated from the "untouchables," so to speak. I don't mean to sound so bleak about the situation, but for those who have the patience, here is the patent proposal released by the government in 2013. It gives a rather nebulous picture (done intentionally to confuse the "masses" ) of how they're changing the formulations of all controlled drugs in order to prevent abuse. Key words: ALL controlled drugs, not just the time-released Oxycontins that were originally targeted, but all controlled drugs including benzos, amphetamines, amphetamine combinations, opiates, etc.

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Ok I just had ankle surgery and I've been getting the yellow ones,this time they gave me the white. That's why I'm here right now I'm looking them up and I've read all your post.these better work or I'm taking them back and tell them I only want the yellow . that's a shame if that's what their doing to us.

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