Re: Generic Metformin
From: Holly (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 15 Mar 2002 17:40:24 -0600 (CST)
I found this article from the makers of Gluc. This may explian the
difference between Gluc & Met.
GLUCOPHAGE is a medication made by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company in
its own laboratories and facilities in the United States. The active
ingredient in GLUCOPHAGE is called metformin. Generic metformin tablets
contain the same active ingredient, but are manufactured by other
companies.
Like most oral medications, Glucophage® (metformin hydrochloride
tablets) contains inactive ingredients that allow the active ingredient
to be swallowed and absorbed into the body. In generic products, the
type and proportion of these inactive ingredients may vary. Generic
metformin may also vary in appearance from GLUCOPHAGE (e.g., size,
shape, color of tablets and tablet markings).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors all medications
available in the United States. Makers of an original brand name
medication need to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of their
product to the FDA. Manufacturers of a generic version have to prove
"bioequivalency" to the name brand medication. In other words, they
need to show that their product delivers approximately the same amount
of the active ingredient into the body as the original medication. They
do not need to show an exact match—only that the amount of the active
ingredient their product releases falls within a range of 80% to 125% of
that delivered by the original medication.
Each person's experience with a medication is slightly different, so you
should talk with your doctor if you notice any changes in your condition
in the event you are switched to generic metformin.
Sorry so long hope this helps!
At Thu, 14 Mar 2002, cw wrote:
>
>METFORMIN DID NOT WORK FOR ME EITHER!
>
>A couple weeks ago, I posted my negative experience with Metformin here,
>but received no responses. So I'll tell my personal story again.
>
>8 days on Metformin did this to me: 1) My headaches began to return 2)
>Morning dizziness returned 3) Frequent hunger returned 4) Sugar cravings
>returned 5) water retention and constipation came back.
>
>I didn't stay on it any longer to see what else would happen. I went
>back to the pharmacy and asked them to switch it back to glucophage.
>They did. Within 4 days, I felt myself again. Phew!
>
>"They say" it's the same. But after my experiences and reading
>everyone's posts, I say that there must be some sort of chemical
>imbalance or something.
>
>At Thu, 14 Mar 2002, Sonnet wrote:
>>
>>Okay guys, I got my refill in generic form on Friday, the 8th. If
>>you're considering or facing the switch, here's what I have experienced
>>so far:
>>
>>1) The price was not the savings I had pictured. I pay $180 for a month
>>(no insurance and a high dose) of Glucophage, and I paid $130 for
>>Metformin. My father, a pharmacy manager, says Met costs him now less
>>than half what Glucophage does, but each pharmacy sets their own price
>>to sell it on I guess.
>>
>>2) I read some of you guys thought it smelled worse - I think the Gluco
>>smelled like death and this one, in contrast, smells and tastes vaguely
>>like vanilla. Sweet and kinda creamy. Much better than rotting fish /
>>wet dog!
>>
>>3) By Sunday, I was noticing my hair was falling out again. And I don't
>>know, but I think I've gained a little weight, my tummy feels saggier!
>>(Saggy-er? I made up a word!) I was annoyed.
>>
>>4) Today, Wednesday, I took a PB&J sandwich to work because I haven't
>>gone grocery shopping in ages and that's what we have! Sugar, I know,
>>but I have eaten sugar before, pretty much daily, without problems. Well
>>about an hour after I ate, I was so sick I went home! I was nauseated,
>>dizzy, seeing things, heart pounding, flushed, and my heart felt like it
>>was quivering. I was sure I was going to pass out. I made it home in
>>about an hour (YAY California commutes!) and tested my blood sugar. I
>>was feeling MUCH better by then and it was still up over 150mg/dL. Mine
>>usually runs low, between 60 and 90. This is way out for me. I only
>>wonder how high it was earlier!
>>
>>So now, I am annoyed AND scared. I can't pass out at work. They'd send
>>me to the hospital, if nothing else, and we have no insurance!! I don't
>>want to be quasi-diabetic. Stupid Metformin. How can a drug that is
>>EXACTLY THE SAME MEDICATION causes such different symptoms????
>>
>>--
>>Email always welcome: sonnet@pcosupport.org
>>
--
Holly
![[ PCOS Discussion Forums ]](../../images/pcos_at_obgyn.gif)