Was Given Tussionex Generic After Paying For Name Brand (Top voted first)

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I have cough variant asthma and must take tussionex. I was happy about the generic until I tried it. The suspension is not right. A lot of it winds up dried in useless chunks on the side of the bottle. Also, of secondary concern, it tastes and smells bad. I took my prescription to be filled and they only have half. When I picked up the second half, I was greeted by the bad smell when I opened it (at home, days later). I think this second half is the generic mixed with some reall tussionex. It's scaling on the side of the bottle now. So, this tells me it's the generic. The generic does not take care of the coughing. But, I paid extra to get namebrand. It seems to me, if that is what I bought that is what I would get. What can I do?

19 Replies

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5

I finally was able to get the correct stuff. I had to talk to a pharmacist. He knew about the patent and ordered a bottle of real Tussionex. The stuff I got prior to that, despite what they said or wrote on the label, had been generic. My doctor wrote my new prescription so that generic couldn't be substituted. I don't know how the generic was ever approved, it is not worth the price because the time release suspension doesn't work like the brand.

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10

I am also one of the generic Tussionex sufferers. I believe the manufacturer in question is Par. For some reason, the medicine smells terrible, clumps to the side of the bottle and produces far more side effects. I have had arguments galore with pharmacies saying the this is equivalent to *brand*. But as my stats husband tells me to reply, "Equivalent is not identical."

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2

I haven't needed to get it filled since that happened. I was going to a different pharmacy when the generic became available. After one fill of the generic, I have gone back to namebrand. They said they would keep the namebrand for me as I was the only one (then) who wanted it. But, that pharmacy is hundreds of miles from where I am now. The pharmacy I gotten the problem fill from has filled prescriptions for me before. However, this is the first since the generic became available. I got it in two bottles on two different days because it is a small place. The first bottle smelled and tasted like Tussionex and the suspension seemed all right, but it did seem oddly thin. I had no idea there was more than one way pharmacies could get Tussionex as I have seen the bottle from the manufacturer. BUT, not at this pharmacy... at the other one. The two places store their medicines differently. The place I haven't seen it keeps all of the prescription medicine out of sight of the customer. But, they might show me if I asked.

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4

I have gotten another two bottles. They are both not right. I think insisting on the real stuff only means they charge me more. I don't know how to handle this. They are the only pharmacy in town. The second bottle is marked as the generic. It is exactly what I had before. Does the tussionex brand come in a powder. I think the generic must. How is it even legal? I thought generics were supposed to be the same? But they are not.

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6

Every fall I get sick. It starts as an allergy and becomes an ear/sinus/chest infection. Last year I got a bottle of the name brand, gold colored Tussionex from CVS. This year got sick, went to doc, went to CVS without asking me I got the generic crap (yellow color). When I came home, wife mentioned we still have some dated 9/20/10 and so I took a teaspoon. Wow, what a relief. Stopped coughing, went to bed woke 8 hrs later after much needed sleep. Next night same plan, but decided to use the new bottle (generic). 1 teaspoon, helped a little lasted 1 hour. Took another teaspoon, still some cough and got another hour. 3rd teaspoon same story.

At 3 am I took 1/2 teaspoon of the name brand and 15 mins later I was out for 7 hours... no cough. This generic stuff is a crap. Went back to pharmacy and they said tough luck. Must get new script from Doc, pay the extra, bill the insurance, etc. So much for CVS ! I hope the generic antibiotics they gave me work!

Another corporate /healthcare rip off dressed up in a white lab coat. If I had not had the old bottle I would have nothing to compare. Countless people who are getting duped with inferior meds and do not know it. This, so pharmacies and insurance companies can squeeze out a few cents more profit.

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7

I had a refill on my real brand Tussionex but little did I know the phyarmacy gave me the generic. The minute I took it the taste was so different so I looked at the bottle, but I took it for 3 days anyway, it surly doesn't work like my brand name Tussionex. Can I take it back and tell them when I gave them my old bottle it wasn't generic, I want the real Tussionex, not this stuff, doesn't work. Don't they have to give it to me without paying for it since my doctor gave me Tussionex not generic?

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8

I don't know for sure what to do in your case.

My doctor writes my prescription for Tussionex and checks "no substitution."

I am finally getting the name brand. They order it especially for me. Tussionex now puts out a 4 oz. jar that ships to pharmacy and they just slap a label on it.

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9

The Tussionex is definitely far better than the generic. I know people always say it's the same thing but if you've tried both then you will agree that the generic is NOT the same.

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15

This country has become a police state medical dictatorship...Tussionex should be available as a class five exempt narcotic...and for maintenence dependency....the old good tussionex used to stick to the sides of the bottle too. If they mix it in pharmacy it may be being apilfered by a glazed eyed pin point pupiled druggest or tech.I loved it and as a seventeen yearold kid used to call in my own prescriptions in the area of New Orleans with older buddies...six ounces tussionex used to cost from ten to twenty bucks from 1975 to 85 ..and enhanced the quality of life till John Hinkley shot pres Reagan.... causing a Republican temper tantrem war on drugs

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1

The only thing you can really do this point would be contact the pharmacy and ask them about it.

It might not even be a comparison between the name brand and the generic, you may very well have gotten the name brand, but the pharmacy might not be storing it properly.

If they also get it as a dried product, then they mix it themselves with sterile water or something else to make it a liquid, someone might be mixing it wrong.

If it were me, I'd definitely contact them and insist they look into it.


https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Tussionex/­

Have you tried purchasing it at a different pharmacy?

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11

From what I understand, there is no more name brand Tussionex. I just received a bottle of the "generic made from Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals. I think this is the generic version, the ingredients are identical. Prior to this, I had a generic that didn't work at all. I would like to know if you got the bottle from this brand or not? I will keep you posted on the value of the product. How is this legal for this to be substituted? I deal with horrible allergies and rely on the real stuff to help me. I am very sensitive to medicine. The same thing happened to me with Imitrex, the generic does not work, and I have no recourse but to purchase the name brand for $250.

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12

I've been doing without tussionex due to the cost but last month I was so sick I had to get some. When I got home and opened it the smell almost knocked me off my feet. When I took a spoon full it taste so bad I thought it had spoiled. I read the label and found out it was generic. I didn't know there was a generic for tussionex. I went back to the pharmacy the next day and told them I want the real deal and was informed they didn't carry it because it cost to much but would try to find a pharmacy that had it and would replace it for me. After waiting over 30 minutes they still couldn't find a pharmacy that carried it. I had to go home with the generic and I still can't believe how bad it was and doesn't come close to the brand name. Went back to the doctor today and have another scrip for tussionex but I can't find any pharmacy that has it in stock or will order it for me. Does anyone know where I can order it online?

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13

I suffer from asthma,sinus and bad allergies. Codeine makes me extremely sick so when it comes to cough issues I've always taken tussionex. I had sinus with a sore throat and went to Longs Drugs to get my prescription for tussionex. They gave me their generic brand by Par. It didn't work at all. Tussionex usually gives me relief from cough and sore throat symptoms and makes things bearable but the Par generic did absolutely nothing. What is going on before I read some of the other replies on this blog I thought maybe they didn't put in any of the medication that relieves pain and cough. What exactly is going on with this cough syrup? I'm in my late 50's and have taken this off and on since I was in my 20's and have never encountered this problem. I'm concerned because coughing brings on my asthma and I cannot take codeine. Help!

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14

I also have cough variant asthma and Tussionex is the only thing I've found to stop the coughing. My new Medicare insurance says they won't pay on it. Any ideas?

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16

I have had the same problem with the Par brand. I thought is was ruined the first time I took it.

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17

I can't take the generic brand for tussionex it doesn't work and it makes me sick on my stomach. But every pharmacy saids they can't get it anymore. You ever decided to come out with this generic brand must not ever have to try it cause they would know that it doesn't work. Frustrated

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18

Cold turned into bronchitis, given promethazine DM at first, no help & was still coughing until I got a migraine & terrible back pain. Got rx for tussionex and I think I got the generic brand too. Like most of you said, it's sticking to the cup I use or the bottle even after shaking really well; can I call the pharmacy & ask for replacement or for them to take a look at it for me, make sure it's ok? I've never taken this before so I really don't know what to expect or do.

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19

I use tussionex for allergy/bronchitis. The generic is not as thick and the flavor is not the same. I have not had any problems with the consistency, but is does not work. I'd rather pay for the brand.

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3

I talked to them. They said they do not carry the generic. It is a small place, so if it is possible any place is only carrying one then it would be them.

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