... on my quite severe neuropathy (burning foot soles, stabbing pains, RLS) has been good. Instead of driving me crazy around midnight, it has become bearable. During the 2 years, I have had different versions of capsules made by three different manufacturers or different batches, as can be told from the markings. Two versions were effective and one felt like I took nothing. I tested this out several times by going back and forth between versions to confirm the effect. Two weeks ago I received a fourth version and after testing again by switching back and forth, I have the same problem again that this version seems to not work well. Is it possible to have such a variability depending on the manufacturer or the batch, or am I loosing it?
Neurontin - I have been taking generic Gabapentin 4x300mg per day for the last two years. The effect
Question posted by Galand on 21 April 2016
Last updated on 18 May 2022 by Missy1315
6 Answers
Missy1315
19 May 2022
Yes it’s absolutely possible that generics vary in effectiveness. It’s your right to request only a specific brand of generic for your prescription, the pharmacy will order it for you in advance but you need to give them a few days’ notice!
Personally the generic Gabapentin I’m dispensed by CVS is made by AMNEAL Pharmaceuticals and is effective, I recommend it. It seems to be consistent in efficacy every time.
blue-sky
26 May 2019
Can one of you name the generic that worked? Can you please name the one that did not work?
Hnicolap
26 May 2019
Gabapentin is the only generic I know of but depending on the manufacturer it can vary in strength according to respondents. I have also found this to be true.
blue-sky
26 May 2019
Which GENERIC MANUFACTURER WORKS and which one DOES NOT?
Name the generic. I know that GAbapentin is generic for Neurontin
Hnicolap
26 May 2019
everyone reacts differently to drugs and every supplier uses different mfg’rs. there are many.
Drugsdotcomb30
2 May 2021
I believe the answer you’re looking for is who the manufacturer of each generic that worked best. The manufacturer can be found on the prescription label but isn’t always obvious.
I just experienced this issue myself, where one manufacturer of the same drug had different effects than another. The last time it was prescribed to me the bottle said “GABAPENTIN 300MG CAP AMN (“AMN” is the manufacturer Amneal Pharmaceuticals) and this one worked better for me (faster and more effective) than the one I’m currently taking which had the letter “ASC” which is Ascend Laboratories. Not sure which manufacturer produced the generics which worked better for the other commenter but hopefully this helps.
I’ve always heard this could be the case and the claim is that each manufacturer uses different additive agents which aren’t supposed to change the pharmacokinetics of the drug but, the fact this difference seemed to change the efficacy of this particular drug so drastically in my case, I’ll definitely be requesting manufacturer information next time I get it filled and I may take it where the proffered manufacturer’s drug is in supply.
Mich7007
24 Feb 2019
I searched this question because I also experienced reduced efficacy when I refilled by Gabapentin. Former version was pale green. new version is white, a little smaller and has has makings NT|15. This one seems about 50% less effective. I take 600mg 3x's/day. I'm hesitant to believe a pharmacist will take the time to discuss this with you and have a solution, but I think I will try. I get my meds for Walmart.
Hnicolap
25 Feb 2019
I get mine from Walmart also and have had 2 different mfgs. and I do request one over the other because I think it is more effective but I also would have to try them again to be sure. They are both white capsules. I do have to request them each time I get a refill.
grnelson
27 Jan 2019
I have been on 1600 mg for 4 years and have not noticed any difference in the generics. But I am in a small town and know my pharmacy. Be sure yours is reputable
Hnicolap
26 Jan 2019
I have used Gabapentin manufactured by 2 different drug co.’s and THINK that one was more effective than the other so now use only the one I thought was better, but would probably my have to try the other again to be sure.
chuck1957
21 April 2016
Galand; Really you should not have this problem,But it does happen what I would do is Talk with your Pharmacist about which 2 generic brands work the best for you and see if there is a way they can only fill your prescription with those generic companies.Granted this is not always possible because things have changed a lot when we order we just put in a number and they send us whatever company they have at the wholesaler And some chain stores well not let us order anything but a brand that they have made a deal with the generic company.But it is worth a try I still did it even when CVS would tell us not to.Even if they are all supposed to work I never dought a customer if they were having a problem I would switch it back to what they preferred. As you may know, the generics are the same active ingredients but the binders don't have to be the same.And most people like myself I rarely have a problem but we are all different.
And be it in our head or it really happening who is to judge and as long as you are comfortable on these regular ones why should you be having to deal with increased problems. You could tell the Pharmacist that you well also call a day or two early to make sure he or she has time to get your brand in.working together really helps. TRY THIS FIRST AND IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM PLEASE LET US KNOW and I can give you a few other ideas. It would make it so much easier on everyone if the brand name drugs had to release all of the inert ingredients also so the generics would even be closer. I don't know where you are from but in the USA the FDA is watching much closer on brand and generic's they are now only allowed a 3.5 to 4% difference in active medications both generic and brand are held to the same standards.And they are going so far as test patients at all different hours of the day draw blood from them and make sure that the same amount of active ingredients are in the blood level at the same times of day etc so they really are trying.But there is a problem with some old medications not Gabapentin but others that have never been really approved by the FDA SO THEY ARE GRANDFATHER IN FOR NOW. but when you think about it with as many generics on the market these days lucky for us very few are in that group.But I am sure this well work for you. It really is kind of funny there are a lot of people that no matter what won't take generic's but the Insurance companies don't give us any choice if they only knew that many of the drugs such as Gabapentin, Erythromycin, and many others excluding brand name meds.Are even made in the same building and the only difference is the markings and bottles many of the generic companies are only distributors and repack them in there generic bottles And brand name ones are made by the generic company because it is much cheaper for them but marked with the brand name companies logo's and packaged in there bottles this is more the mass produced fast moving medications not all.Well, I hope this helps you some my friend, And have a great day but there is a way around this. Chuck1957 medically retired Certified Pharmacy Technician Cpht.
Related topics
neurontin, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic nerve damage, pain, restless legs syndrome, gabapentin, diabetic neuropathy, generic, burning, neuropathic pain
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