Is Generic Kadian Available Now? (Page 3) (Top voted first)

Has the generic Kadian been approved and is it now available?identifyvea

REPLY

REPORT

I just received my wife's prescription for Kadian 20 mg from the Mail order pharmacy. We were shocked to see morphine ER capsule 20 mg on the receipt. Didn't know there was a generic version out. Thanks for confirming the information.

She takes two tablets a day, and she had a prescription was for 180 capsules. We were charged $40 for the three month supply. Generics normally cost $20 on our insurance plan. So I guess there's still some special handling on.

Hopefully you will see relief soon at retial stores.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had been on the Actavis (previously Alpharma) Patient Assistance Program for almost 7 years. November 15 I received a letter informing me that November 10 the FDA gave permission for Kadian to be available as a generic, and that the Actavis Patient Assistance Program would end as of December 31, 2011.

I was able to get one last month of Kadian before their programs was over. I had to get Medicare Part D insurance, which I will be penalized for not taking Part D when it was first offered. Next month when I go to my pain clinic we will discussing what alternatives there might be for me.

I did write to Actavis thanking them for having the PAP but thought that it was so very unfair to give only a 45 day notice that the PAP was stopping. I told them that they should have at least given a 3 month window, it didn't do me any good because I did not get a response, only my last script of Kadian.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Has anyone who has started on this new generic noticed any difference in their pain control? I had terrible pain control on the old generic MS sustained/extended release tables and had to switch back to brand Kadian despite the higher co-pay. However, my insurance has now informed me that they will no longer pay for the brand Kadian because of the new generic. I am afraid to take this new generic because of my bad experiences with the old generic tablets. Can anyone ease my mind that I will still have the same pain control effect?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi - I've been on the "generic" for 2 months now, and I'll tell you - it's the exact same medication, in my case. I mean EXACT. I take 80 mg capsules, which are melon colored, and the "generic" are the same color, they say "Kadian" and 80mg. I think the manufacturer just dropped the patent, and still make the medication.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I thought the generic was made by Watson, and the brand was developed by Aventis. I would think that Watson would not be able to use the name "kadian" without violating trademark. Could it be that your pharmacy just didn't carry the generic and so they filled it with brand but only charged you the generic co-pay? It is not unheard of though for the company that makes the brand also be the one to make the first generic with the same factory and process in order to still keep a large market-share whether brand or generic. I know this is true for the anti-depressant Effexor XR. Well, I'll be getting the generic on the 1st so I'll post whether mine looks the same as well or whether my suspicions are true as stated above.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi, I have been taking Kadian for over 2 years now and I am on Worker's Compensation. Since they heard that a generic had come out for Kadian they will only cover the generic. I heard that if the doctor write "medically necessary" on the script that according to Florida law (where I live) they have to pay for the original Kadian. Does anyone know if this is true? I can't even find the generic 20mg Kadian anywhere that I live and Walgreen told me they are not even able to order it because they are only carrying the 30mg generic at this time..it can't be ordered either since it is not even in their warehouse! It wouldn't seem ethical to mandate that the doctor increase my 20mg to 30mg just to pay the generic price? Any info would really be appreciated! Thanks so much.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I live in Fla as well and I tried the route of saving Medically Necessary written on my prescription and my particular insurance company, Tricare, would not go for it at all. So in my situation, it did not work but it may be different with other insurance companies.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've been using geneic Kadian for 4 months now and do not notice any difference between generic nd brand name. Really strange though as the capsules are the exact same pink color and actually say Kadian on the capsule yet they are labeled as geneic Morphine Sulfate ER. Perhaps the maker is the same company ?..

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My post was directed to Sherrie, but ended up on top.....

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

where you able to find a patient assistance plan for this generic ?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thank you Tee Tee for helping me figure out the mystery of why my supposed "generic" Kadian was the same bright color (pink), and was even stamped with the word Kadian on the capsules! I've been receiving these original formula Kadians labeled as generic now for the past three months refills. (but only paying the generic price... Haa haa). Your info about excess brand name Kadian stock being sold to the generic company--to be sold as generic--makes sense now. That is probably why I did not notice any difference when I was switched to generic by my CVS pharmacy (Lakeland, Fl). I will now be watching for the capsule color change to two tone, then I will take note of any changes that may occur in the "actual generic" Kadian, which is labeled Morphine Sulfate ER. Again thanks for helping me solve the mystery. I'll surely report in if anything changes as I m sure others are going through the switch from brand name to generic, now that it is finally available.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Lynne, I ran into the same thing here in Central Fla. if you go t a pharmacy with a scrip for 60 Kadian, and they only have 50 in stock. You must choose to take the 50 and forfeit the last 10 or go elsewhere. There's no ordering the last 10 and piling them up later on. Considering the hassle we have to go through just to find Kadian, that rule really should be changed. They have no problem ordering remainders of other non-narcotic meds. It would be interesting to know why this wierd rule is necessary.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi, you guys. Regarding partial filling a prescription - the federal gvt. allows pharmacies to partially fill a prescription, as long as they can fill the remainder within 72 hours. I've found that all the big pharmacies (CVS, Rite-Aid, etc.) won't do it -even though the law allows them to, but the smaller, independent pharmacies will. My local Medicine Shoppe has no problem "owing" me pills. I guess the larger stores just have their own policy, and won't budge in this circumstance. Here is the section from the Federal pharmacy rules: Partial Dispensing

A prescription for a schedule II controlled substance may be partially dispensed if the pharmacist is unable to supply the full quantity of a written or emergency oral (telephone) prescription, provided the pharmacist notes the quantity supplied on the front of the written prescription, on a written record of the emergency oral prescription, or in the electronic prescription record. The remaining portion may be dispensed within 72 hours of the first partial dispensing. However, if the remaining portion is not or cannot be filled within the 72 hour period, the pharmacist must notify the prescribing practitioner. No further quantity may be supplied beyond 72 hours without a new prescription.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Walgreen's as of today, 2-21-12 is carrrying the generic Kadian. I just called to confirm it. 12 mile and Northwestern. Good Luck!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re. 8Year Kadian User: I'm sorry, but you are mistaken: you are NOT on the generic...

The pharmacy may indeed be charging you generic prices (as a courtesy) but you are still receiving the original, brand (Actavis-Kadian) one. A simple Google search of the physical appearance of the pill should further confirm this for you.

The generic pills DO NOT HAVE "KADIAN" printed on them--that is a brand name used by Actavis corporation alone. In fact, according to various pill identifiers, the generic Watson's are two colored capsule halves, labeled morphine (and the strength).

It'd be like buying the Safeway (or Costco or Albertson's or Kreugers or whatever ;-) discount version of Lucky Charms cereal...Since ONLY General Mills holds the trademark for that brand, only they can print it on the box. That's why every other manufacturer of frosted wheat cereal bits with marshmallows have knock-off names like "Fortuitous Omens" or "Marshmallow Jewels" or "Albertson's Auspicious-Ohs," ( etc. etc...you get my drift ;-)

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: 8year Kadian User and Health Angel et al: My bad, I failed to read on and see that TeeTee answered all!

my apologies!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Pain in the Butt - Yes, I know I'm still receiving the name brand Kadian - I think it was "Healing Angel" who questioned why her (or his) "generic" Kadian looked the same, and someone posted that the manufacturer sold a quantity of the name brand to suppliers, etc. I have yet to have a script filled with the generic. In fact, my pharmacy actually had the name-brand "Kadian" in stock when I went to fill my prescription, but had to order the "generic" (which my insurance will only cover). It came in the next day - and it was exactly the same pills he had on his shelf, but could not sell me.PUP

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I checked with the company of Kadian, Actavis, and they had earlier offered a patient assistant program or a needy patient assistance (free) and I filled out the form and got a reply stating that since Kadian is now available in generic form these programs are NO longer available, sorry. Watson is one of the new generics.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Wow. Thanks, PAC for the post; and all the interesting information you provided. I'm shocked at the minimal requirements from the FDA regarding generic drugs, especially when they seem so critical over other seemingly stupid things. What bureaucratic crap.
What caught my attention the most in your post, though, was the info on loss of energy/sleepiness and hormones. I had no idea long-term pain medication use caused hormone deficiency.
I'm tired and could fall asleep at any given moment. If I pick up a magazine in a waiting room, I can't get through more than a paragraph - and I'm nodding off! I don't even have to be actually reading; even just browsing the web on eBay, etc. puts me out. The scary part is that it happens when I'm driving - and luckily (so far) I've been able to avoid accidents by handing off driving to another member of the family.
My medication prescription is written each month by my primary care physician, who isn't what I would call "generous" with prescriptions. Having a child with a major birth defect gives me a better-than-average knowledge of the medical world, and with two other children - I'm in his office a lot over the last 10 years, but there's times that I know I'm right, and I have to go over his head to prove him wrong. I don't know if I could get him to work with me on this issue....his answer would probably just be to take less medication.
But I'm going to do some research, and go in armed with knowledge - thank you for sharing this info!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Which Pharmacy's carry the generic Kadian, I can't seem to find any major ones that can get it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been on Klonokin for 20 + years as it helps with my Dystonia. Look that condition up!.I don't trust generics,...

5 REPLIES

I've seen several websights selling what they say is Oxycodone, are they generic or what? Most if not all are in som...

4 REPLIES

would like to know when casadex is going to be available in generic form ## The standard proprietary drug term is 18 yea...

1 REPLY

When will some drug company start making generic Provigil? What can be done to speed this up? ## It was first approved a...

2 REPLIES

I heard that the patent for Hyzarr would be expired in 2009. However, I haven't found generic one for Hyzarr in US m...

3 REPLIES

I called Westward/Actavis, emailed FDA. All say it was a business decision to keep capsules not tablets. Tablets work be...

2 REPLIES

My husbands doctor says there is not a generic for Kadian. You say you are taking the generic Kadian...what is the name ...

3 REPLIES

Live in Jacksonville Florida. I have been to 15 different pharmacies and can not get refill on Kadian 60 mg (morphine su...

1 REPLY

Has anyone had success? Did the 10 mg work or was 20 mg necessary? Were there any bad effects? Did it work first night o...

8 REPLIES

My prescription for Brand Klonopin 0.5 mg tablets was just filled by my local CVS pharmacy. I had to pay for it out of p...

3 REPLIES