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

Just as a fresh update, i have no tolerance and i took 20mg of the white 853 and felt nothing, 30 mins later i took 2 more (now at 40mg) 30 mins later i again took 2 more (now at 60mg) its now been 2 hours and 60mg later and i feel NOTHING. These pills are fake straight from the manufacturer

REPLY

Was this helpful? 41

I agree. Not only did I.suffer through the past 3 weeks with my month worth of 10/325, but I decided along with my excellent physician, that I would prefer reducing the milligram to 7.5/325..as I have been taking this medication 10/325 for several years due to severe disc disease and two recent knee surgeries. My reason for reducing mg, is to wean off. It has become extremely difficult to pick up my med every month, I use the same pharmacy, they switched to white Watson norco which was extremely noticeable in its effectiveness, and I am tired of battling pharmacies. I took new rx for LOWER mg norco 7.5/325 to same Walgreen s I've been filling monthly pain med. Not only did I sit in pain, for 45 minutes until finally having to get back up and ask if it was ready, but immediately I had two pharmacists in front of me telling me I could not fill my medication yet. I asked why, and was told to "cut my other week remaining pills in half"
I explained I still had pain, and cutting 10/325 in half =5/175. Not 7.5/325.. so, no it's not the same. " yes it is" yelled the rude pharmacist.I had never seen him and he was new or filling in. The other pharmacist mouthed" you going to dump the other stronger ones..". in a degrading manner.
My doctor called, arguing with them and they refused to fill but wouldn't give prescription back.im complaining to corporate about this, btw..but to my original point..I'm afraid there are new changes..they are not working as long or even nearly as well. Something terrible is going on, especially when they won't even release a lower mg ( however, they processed it through my insurance) and lied to me. Well, today I'm suffering minor withdrawal due to generics. I can definitely state it's a difference in generic as well as a change in generic white Watson from the past two days experience. I was given duplicate rx of 7.5 & went to a different pharmacy. They were great in processing my rx, arguing with Walgreen s to release their rx that they billed my insurance for but wouldn't give me, confirmed that my doc rewrote rx..and filled it. I received the m366 generic..took it and noticed I felt a bit off. Today I felt worse so I did following test..one 10/325 Watson generic white did not last as long but did help somewhat just made me nauseous and groggy. Unfortunately, the m366 generic 7.5/325 not only did nothing for pain but started to have withdrawal. So on next dose I took two(which in directions it said I could) doing the math, that equals 15mg of hydrocodone and 650of acetaminophen...so why did it still only help barely for pain and do the same relief duration as the 10/325 white Watson!!!# they both are horrible..both generic..this is what is happening to us that truly need this drug. Im miserable right now and stuck. After yesterday ordeal, I just want to quit this ugly med. It used to help...now they treat us like criminals..I wasn't the only one very upset at Walgreen..I state which pharmacy because they all are becoming sick.that chain has turned into thieves of pharmacists quick to make money, but act like doctors and override doctor orders even when on phone with them.embarrassing and they haven't heard last from me. Im exhausted from pain..and now this...what do we do to find help or quality legit medicine that hasn't been altered and cheaply made.??

REPLY

Was this helpful? 35

I I'll never go back to any Walgreen's. They were always very slow, rude, condescending, and treated me like a criminal because I had hydrocodone script filled every month. I've been on hydrocodone since 1999 and cannot get out of bed with out it. Just wanted to agree with this person and say that Walgreen's Sucks! And the new 10/335 Watson generics don't work for me either. Insteadnof going to something stronger, I am going to ask my very competent doctordoctor to switch me to percocet. Over the years I have discovered that switching betweenbetween Lortabs and percocets usually works. But back to Walgreen's...don't go there! They only care about the money and themselves.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 25

No change for me in day 2 of taking this medication. I'm 100% certain that something has changed and I think you are on the right track in that they may have added something to discourage abuse of the medication.... just like what happened with changing the OxyContin formula.

Here is the problem though. OxyContin was extended/timed release in the first place.This medication is instant release. It's purpose is to help with breakthrough pain. It really does seem like they have altered it to curtail the instant release or have decreased the amount of hydrocodone in it. I think its the former as they could get into a lot of trouble easier if they were fraudulently labelling it as 10 mg hydrocodone. They have to be within 20% of what is labelled.

I think you are right on the money with suggesting that the release mechanism of the pill has been altered. I have taken slow-release medication and it feels like this is what these pills are. The problem is that for people who need breakthrough pain medication, many need instant release. I need it and this medication doesn't cut it.... it's garbage.... and its supposed to be instant release. I really hope I don't have to get switched to oxycodone because of this. The sad truth is that is what is going to happen to countless pain sufferers because of this outrageous BS.... something that has worked great for many people for many years is going to have to be substituted for something much stronger. Part of me believes the alteration of this pill is designed just for that purpose... maybe to get everyone switched over to the new instant release hydrocodone product that is going to hit the market soon if it already hasn't. The one without any compounding of acetaminophen... just straight hydrocodone. Think of how many pockets could get lined over that kind of thing.

If this is what they have done, its just as fraudulent as decreasing the amount of hydrocodone in the product.

We need an analysis done on the contents of the medication and someone with some pharmaceutical/chemistry expertise who can identify any ingredient that would act as a timed release agent.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 29

get away from watson brand and walgreen drug stores. and never listen to what the pharmacist tells you because there is a big chance that you know more than he does about this medicine. too many pharmacist think they are doctors. so do not argue with them. if you argue with these i****s they will bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience. i suggest going to another drug store and try another brand such as qualitest. these are a lot better than that watson scrap you get at walgreens.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 20

I have just been given the "white" version about 15 days ago. After almost 20 years! I AM IN PAIN! I hurt so bad I have to stay in bed all day. What the Hell is going on?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 22

WOW .. I am so glad I read these comments. Although I don't take these particular painkillers, I have had so much trouble concerning another painkiller made by Watson Activis. Either they didn't work at all, or a couple of batches made me feel sick. I spoke to Walgreens and Activis, and they said nothing was changed by the manufacturer. BOLONEY !! I know my body and what works for me and Watson Activis pills are not the same anymore. My next refill will be from another manufacturer, either Breckenridge or Qualitest. Does anyone know which is better?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 19

I just got a script of these Watson 853 and I haven't taken a narcotic in over 6 years. I took one of these and have gotten no relief. I am suffering from carpel tunnel. They make me tired and swimmy headed is all. It's almost like I'm taking a sleeping pill. Something is definitely wrong with these new pills.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 19

Walgreens claims they have not had any complaints about this medication, which I find hard to believe! I thought I built up a tolerance, but had a few yellows and realized I was going to suffer for a month because Walgreens doesn't care. What pharmacy still carries the yellow ones? I have been trying to move away from Walgreens - horrible customer service - I am counting the days to my next refill @ a new pharmacy -

REPLY

Was this helpful? 19

I think it's vicoden. Watson makes vicodens & I've never seen Watson produce NorCo. In reading many of the above posts I so think that laboratories are making these pills less strong ( like a placebo effect). Then they're secretly laughing & judging those in pain thinking that they are getting their same pain pills, but they're not the same. They blame it on high tolerance but after weeks of not taking 10 mg and then finally getting the prescription, I took one and it did absolutely nothing. My Motrin worked better than that.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 20

At this point, they are still claiming to have only removed the dye…..but from your post, as well as many others, it does seem that something else has been changed.

There were very similar problems when the Oxycontin formulation was changed to help prevent abuse, it just didn't seem to work as well for many people and it was also found to cause very unusual side effects.

I wish I could get to the bottom of it, but without them listing any changes in the ingredients, there's no way to do so, at this time. They are listing everything to be the same, just sans the coloring agents.

Learn more Vicodin details here.

I wish I had more information for you, but at this time, I do not. However, I will keep searching for more details and post back, when I do have info on it.

Does anyone else know anything new?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 25

Yes I've had the same problem with the white Narco. Yellow ones are the only ones that work to relieve pain. My pharmacist said this is a common complaint of patients no longer getting the pain relief. To be honest...I think big pharma has something to do with it...hate to sound like a conspiracy weirdo but because of the high incidence of addiction, I think they are trying to slowly take it off the market. They are definitely putting different kinds of fillers as well as the pain killer part.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 14

Yes I couldn't agree with you more. These ones actually make you very sleepy and tired like you took a sleeping pill!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 13

Yea, certain norcos do have less hydrocodone because as a generic they have a 1.5mg of leniency. Aka. A 10mg Norco generic may only have 8.5mg of actual hydrocodone in it-

REPLY

Was this helpful? 12

I'm another person on this growing list of BS narcotic analgesics. I've taken different hydrocodene and oxycodone generics that are basically worthless and no one seems to care or be willing to investigate this. This has been going on for many years.
You just get treated like a drug addict if you complain about the pills potency, but others that I personally know along with myself who need these to survive our lives of chronic pain know different!
Until someone important or influential gets shafted by inferior quality narcotic analgesics nothing will happen.
Basically once you become a chronic pain sufferer on narcotic analgesics you just became a third class citizen in America under the thumb of big pharma and the government

REPLY

Was this helpful? 11

YES .. Sleepy. For the past few refills of generic Watson - Activis crap, I take one in the morning about 8 o clock after getting a full nights sleep and about 2 hours later I get so sleepy and have to lie down and close my eyes for about an hour. What the hell? Thank God I am retired. Years ago, when I took a pill, it took away the pain and made me energetic and "normal", ready to start the day. After reading this thread, I now know I am not crazy for complaining about this pill situation, and I hate when you complain to the pharmacist and they look at you like you are nuts. At this point in my life, I shouldn't have to go through this nonsense of getting prescriptions for legitimate pain like I was an addict and then deal with the pharmacy BS. What irks me is how all these rich and "important" people have no trouble getting what they need.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 10

IDK if this is relevant but it almost killed my mother in law 3 days ago and then my daughter's aunt who is 70. takes them just exactly as prescribed and were I live the police are A**holes yet they are putting her in jail due to overdosing herself. that is just bs. this is scary to me because it's screwed up if the government is doing this to prevent people from abusing. we all no when a real abusive addict can't get one thing they are getting something else. it's sad the government is killing people. also why are they having the effects of xanax? something is not right. it's a legal case if you get these prescribed. fight tooth and nail please. my mother in law almost died

REPLY

Was this helpful? 13

I'm with you something is amiss. Not the same mediation.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 11

Anyone who is actually in chronic pain knows unequivocally that they have ruined narcotic analgesics because of drug abusers! We who actually have to take this stuff know that it's far less effective on pain than it use to be and that's an undeniable fact! This so called wasted effect has to be the biggest load of BS that I've heard to date. Sounds like another government funded study that always gets the same outcome which is a load of BS the government wants to parade around and shove down our throats! Like I said before anyone in chronic pain unequivocally knows that narcotic analgesics have been tampered with to be less effective because of drug abusers. Those of us in actual severe chronic pain are tired of the government, the FDA and blind doctors peeing on our feet and telling us it's raining! Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows what is going on and government funded studies are the biggest joke in our country today! The wasted effect is the government's attempt at more deception toward suffering human beings which unequivocally proves just how low down people are on this government funded bandwagon! We all know when the government gets involved in anything the innocent always suffer and this is NO different! When Odumbo is gone so are all these government funded BS studies, the only thing that's double blind is anyone who believes this load of BS! Talk about wasted effect!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 8

I agree 100% these pills do not have the same effect I just took 3 at one time and it's been over a hour and still I have not felt anything.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 9

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