I had this happen to me in Norco 10/325 generics. For some reason one wouldn't work hardly at all where the other manufacturer of the generic worked just fine. I talked with my pharmacist when it happened and they now specifically order the one that works for me.
I guess they are allowed small lead way one the amount of the drug in the generics some have up to 5% less or more in them than the name brand, or so the pharmacist said.

Hope this is what's happening and that you can fix it by getting the other kind, call your pharmacist and explain what's happening with the different generic drug.

gentle hugs,
MM

I had that happen several times with MScontin. It got so I knew the shapes of both kinds, so when they sent me home with a different color and size, I immediately questioned it. Sure enough, they'd given me 30mg instead of 60mg. That was like, 5 years ago.

There is a website where you can identify pills. It works perfectly. You said you identified it, but if you want to recheck, this is a good site.

http://www.drugs.com/imprints.php

Most likely you're just getting tolerant of the drug, but check the website for shape, color and imprints and you'll see what it is. Unless you're buying your pills out of country, I doubt it's a "bad" pill or anything. In almost 15 years that's never happened to me, but I can never say never. I just don't think the company is making a lesser drug.

My guess is that you just got a generic as mentioned, and/or you are getting used to it. That happens. Does it not help the pain at all? Have you told your doctor? Check it on the website, and hopefully it's just a fluke and you'll feel better soon.

Good Luck!

I did check it against an ID website as soon as I saw it looked different. It says it is methadone 10mg just like it should. I mean I guess maybe I did just suddenly become completely tolerant, but it is so strange because it went from practically bringing my pain level to "0" to not helping at all.

Thanks you guys. Anyone else have an experience like this?

MM,
I have heard of this happening with others and they have talked about this in the past on here. It sounds like you should ask to have the other manufacturer for your Methadone.
Good luck.

Tamale

Oh sorry I meant to say Lisa Loo.

I've had that problem with not all generics being equal. I used to ask the pharmacist for a certain manufacturer. Just had to make sure I went in a day or so early and talked to them.

What do you mean when you say to ask the pharmacist for the other 'manufacturer'??? There is usually a 'generic' version n a 'brand name'. Is that what you're saying??? To ask for the brand name if the generic isn't working??? Just sounds a little confusing to me....... Thanks in advance for clarifying.
hugs n best wishes for a healthy n prosperous N. Y.

the generic probably has the same amount of methadone in it but might be compounded differently, or with different binding ingredients, perhaps this could be what's happened.

Have your doc write the script for the generic made by the other drug mfgr. They have to fill it as the doc wrote it.

Good luck.

nrthngl4ever,

Generics are made by many different companies. For example, when I was on Vicodin--other brand names are Lortab and Norco--I always got the generic hydrocodone. But over those few months, I got the hydrocodone from at least 3 different companies. I never knew what color or shape the pills would be, lol.

HTH,
Theresa

drug tolerance is definitely possible, but the different looking pills gives me some pause.

not a month ago i picked up my morphine er at a pharm that was far cheaper than the other. the pills were a different color and mottled instead of opaque. after two months trying to make it work, i had to go back to the old pharm to get the more expensive purple tabs and i have noticed a huge difference now that i'm back to "normal" on that front.

if you have an old bottle around check the name of the manufacturer against yer new stuff. there apparently ARE differences in generic meds. at least, my doctor and i are now pretty certain of it.

-jen

Different generics can be compounded different and it may be that the change in generic is just not working with your body or you may just have a flare and it is a coincidence with the pill change, that would be odd but maybe, have you been really active lately or doing anything that you normally, would not be doing?

This has been a huge topic over the yrs.
I ran into this problems a few times.

Sat down with my PM & told him that when I had different generics they simply did not work the same.
He came right out & said there are certain types of medications where generics do not work the same & one being pain medication.
He had the same problem with his wife's BP med.

Now you wont know for sure unless you get the old generic back & most stores don't have control over what they get in.

Maybe a independent pharmacy.

Ive met others on meds that will only use them because of this problem. My PM allowed me to go to another pharmacy for one of my meds because of this.

Now my one pharmacy told me Walgreens was the only one that could order a certain generic, not sure if that is true or if its changed.

Really think the FDA should get with it.

As far as I know these companies have a 20% filler they are allowed to use, . only that filler can change the way that medication works for patients.

Big story on the news about generic medication for seizures, as people were dying because the generic did not work.

All medications are not created equal & it was like pulling an impacted wisdom tooth to get my pharmacist to somewhat admit that. He said well you must be sensitive to this generic.

Which I thought was BS, I have no doubt they know exactly what is superior.

There was a company others complained about on a regular bases in one of my other support groups. Not sure if I can spell it correctly but I'll give it a shot, Mallinkrodt (sp?) Some were fine with it but tons of complaints.

Now I picked up a script one day & right away noticed it was different but never looked at the manufacture. So got the bottle out & took a look & guess what it was? You got it the company many deem Malincrap.
So I experienced first hand. One month stuck on a med that did not work near as well.

Lots of stories out there. Some people claim the difference is so huge that when they get a brand that does work its like being on a new medication. I am apt to believe it after what Ive been through.
So wrong there should be enough complaints that this stops.

Let us know if indeed you do find its the generic. Call & explain it to your pharmacist & your doctor. They know I promise you that & it wont be the first time they hear it.
My PM was not one bit surprised.
Good luck,
Sammy

Sammy, the new med is, indeed, Mallinckrodt. I am so sick right now. My nerve pain is about five times as bad right now as it has ever been, plus I have what I'm guessing is withdrawal-type symptoms from not having my "real" methadone. I am very nauseous, feel like I'm gonna throw up, have chills, and just have an intense ache in the area where my nerve pain is. I have called my doctor's office and am (im)patiently waiting for him to hopefully write me a new script so that I can go to Walgreens, which has the legitimate medication. I also was itching all over my body last night after trying a larger dose of the Mallinckrodt stuff. I just googled Mallinckrodt methadone and do see a lot of similar complaints. I'll be able to confirm this is the case (for me, at least), once/if I get my old methadone.

I am grateful for your post and the information it elicited. I had never heard of this before, but now, looking back, think it happened to me with Methadone, also. This was several years ago. Thanks again for info.