Watson Is Now Actavis Generic Percocet 5/325 What Is Up With This (Page 35)
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I had been taking 5/325 generic Watson percocet for 4 years. Suddenly I get notified by Walgreens which I have insurance that there is no more Watson brand and I was given generic percocet 5/325 by Actavis. It is not the same at all. It has no pain relief for me. I used to break the watsons in half sometimes and never had a funny taste. I just broke one of the actavis white tablets in half and it immediately tasted like salt or alka seltzer? Has anyone had any issues with this drug too. Also, along with it not working right it has made my GI tract and stomach so ill feeling and cramping. This is not right how can they take away a medicine that someone has been on for 4 years without any problems and tell them to suddenly switch. Would a peson who has been on a certain heart medication for years be told to suddenly switch that he can't get that medicine anymore? I don't think so. I don't know what I am going to do but when it comes time to have my rx re-filled it will not be with Actavis and I will have to pharmacy shop I guess to see if I can find Watson. I am very depressed now and so unhappy I can't believe it.

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Hi everyone,

I hope your pain levels aren't too bad today. I called Rite aid, and the have Qualitest brand percocet. They said, they have not had any complaints with it. I have used their pharmacy before, and will use them nest month. I feel that it can't be much worse than Actavis! I found this summary of an article, about the differences in generic pain meds.

There can be differences in generic brands. It's really not BS. Some can be slightly stronger than others. Here's a excerpt from an article to support my claims:

" Janicak explained that Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements around bioequivalence of generic products are fairly strict: a generic must have between 80 percent and 125 percent bioequivalency to its name-brand product"a window of 20 percent less or 25 percent greater potency.

“Generally, that kind of variation is not going to make a difference in terms of efficacy or toxicity,” Janicak said. “But imagine a large pharmacy that negotiates with different generic manufacturers and buys a generic formulation from one manufacturer that has 80 percent bioequivalency to the name brand. Then imagine the pharmacy switches manufacturers to one that markets a generic that has 125 percent bioequivalency.

“That's a 45 percent difference in bioequivalency that theoretically can make a significant difference for the patient,” he explained.“ If it's a downward shift, it could affect efficacy; if it's an upward shift, it could affect toxicity.” "

Source: Physicians Question FDA's Confidence in Generic Drugs' Safety, Efficacy, dated June 1st 2007

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I have been taking 5-325's for years to deal with my chronic pain. I have been switched to & fro, numerous times due to the Pharmacy going with a new generic each year (basically it's whichever Pharmacuetical that gave the best bid) CVS went with the generic form Endocet 5-325. They seem to be working good for my pain. The only difference is I feel more tired, which is the downfall for me. I wish everyone the best of luck with their battle with pain & finding relief.

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When I asked how much non-generic percocet was, I was told it cost over $700. I don't know about others, but I can't afford that every month.

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These actavis are BS and I am like you I am having bad intestine issues and it doesn't relieve the pain. There is a number to call Actavis and a website I believe, but don't know how much good it will do but they say the squeaky wheel gets the oil so we should at least try for those of us that can't tolerate this new med. This is so awful that they can just switch a medicine that we need on a DAILY basis and have been on for years just to be able to get out of bed in the morning.

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First off, to all, sorry to hear that your meds aren't working as intended. Most of us take these to ease our chronic pain conditions, and life is a struggle without them, especially if they aren't working right. I've been getting the Watsons 7.5/325 for the last 3 months (previously taking Watson 10/325's for 1-2 years) from Walgreens. When I turned in my script today I got the Actavis (7.5/325). The last week I really haven't need much pain med (maybe half to 1 pill a day), but when I took 3 pills throughout the day, they definitely worked. I just hope that it's not because of a weakened tolerance. I've been having a queezy stomach since taking them; no cramping yet.
If your meds still aren't working in a few days, call your doctor and explain. Hopefully you can get a new script, and I'd recommend calling local pharmacies to see if they carry a different brand that's in stock (less embarrasing than showing up and leaving if they carry Actavis). Or if you have a preferred generic, you can ask the pharmacies if they can order it special for you each month (I've known a few chronic pain patients who've done this). I hope you find the relief you're needing.

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I'm not alone !!!! I'm in terrible pain with the new actavis. I get no relive , only serious stomach cramps. I have not been in this much pain since b4 I was enrolled into a pain managment program. Who can we contact? I plan on calling my doctor tomorrow to let them know my pain is getting out of control. I don't want to have to go into the hospital to play catch up for pain relief . This is terrible , would it be the same thing if I were to request brand name percocet & not the generic

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Yes the Actavis is just terrible - it doesn't relieve the pain and it causes upset stomachs and anxiety. It is NOT the same as Watson. I have been going through withdrawals now because I have no choice seeing the Actavis is just BS and has way too many side effects. Very sad that a drug company can pull a medicine that people need to take on a DAILY basis to have a life. This is just wrong.

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I thought that it was just me! I just refilled my script as well, and searched several pharmacies only to be told, no one has Watson brand. This Actavis is terrible. I am back to using my lidocaine ointment and heat for my shoulder. Riteaid has a different brand, I can't remember the name, but it can't be any worse. I will try that next month. I use Walgreen's as well. This is so upsetting!

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Hello, thank you for your reply. I am sorry to hear that your heart meds have been changed also. A medication that we take everyday is so important that is why I hate that the drug companies just go ahead and change it without notice. With the Watsons i never had any side effects and my pain was all but gone. I checked the pills and they are round white and say A 349. Maybe the A333 are the 10 milligram? Not sure. Are you hearing complaints about the pills being ineffective and causing side effects? I am going to have to find another generic when I see my pain management doctor next week. I have been looking online to find out what other people are experiencing but havenot been able to find anything. I am sure there are tons of complaints.

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Hello, Lola! How are you? I'm sorry about the problem that you're having.

However, I can assure you that this type of thing does happen to us heart patients, too. I've had several that worked well for me, only to have them become unavailable and I've had to switch, so it happens with virtually every therapeutic category.

What are the markings on the one that you're having a problem with, is it the A 333 one?

Many have been complaining about it.

This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

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