Watson Lortab Formula Change (Top voted first)

Updated

Does anyone know what Watson did or why they changed their formula for Lortab 10/500? It used to be blue and when I picked up my refill today they are now white. I still have a few days of my blue left but I swapped a few so I can try the white. I'm waiting for it to start working and I took it over 2 hours ago. My rx is 1-2 every 3 hours not to exceed 7 in a day. (my pm dr wants me on a stronger med but anything above hydrocodone makes me euphoric and I can't function) The blue color lortab starts to work within 15 mins. I took my first white color lortab 2 hours ago, waited an hour and took the 2nd and nothing. I will wait 30 mins longer and switch back to the blue until I run out. This sucks. I'm a full time law student, disabled, single mom and can't use my dominate arm because the pain level is too high. (My shoulder dislocates every time I move my arm, even after 3 surgeries the last one being a bone transplant to the shoulder.) Sorry about any typos, I am typing with my left hand and don't have the coordination in this arm/hand that I do with my right. Thank you for any information that you can provide me.

202 Replies (11 Pages)

Page:1Next PageLast Page
Earliest Newest Votes
9

I've also noticed a big difference between the two. I truly believe some type of formula was removed from the white 540. I believe more than just dye was removed. The blue 540 helps with pain instantly and also last longer. On the other hand the white is like taking a muscle relaxer or something. Though should kept the blue and came out with the white for those that where allergic to the dye. And those that wasn't allergic to the dye could have continue taking the blue 540. With that being said, there is definitely a difference in the two.

Was this helpful? 18
17

NOT TRUE!! I know fir a FACT that drug mans. can use 95-100 percent of the actual narcotic in its pill formula. Some people feel the difference, but MOST don't. IT IS NOT in our heads. I know my body so well that I can feel the difference!!

Was this helpful? 18
19

If You Are Looking For Someone To Blame It's The DEA. They Are Now Making Healthcare Choices for All of Us Now.

Was this helpful? 16
11

I have MS and have had several neck operations.I have been taking Lortab 10 (blue) and now they are white. I called and asked why are they a different color and the pharmacy said Watson has removed the dye from pills and same strength. This is not true on same strength because I can take 4 a day and usally feel some relief every morning after taking 1..I now take one and a couple hours later still the same pain..I have damage now in C-3 and my dr. said due to a MS plaque also in C-3 they can only treat the pain, I am 53 yrs. old and do not abuse my meds but this pain is really hard to fuction daily. I have tried Morphine in past and does not like the effects.My Lortabs Blue were working fine and I DON'T WANT TO GO ON ANYTHING STRONGER...WHY THE SWITCH,,IS IT THE DYE THAT WAS EASING THE PAIN OR IS THAT AN EXCUSE AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY CUTTING STRENGTH????????????

Was this helpful? 14
10

I have noticed a difference to. I have been on lortab 10 500 for seven years. I recently had surgurey and had my wife pick up my prescription. Without noticing after my blue ones were out, my wife would bring me the white ones and it did not work. They must have changed something.

Was this helpful? 12
20

Got my hydrocodone for fibromyalgia, and it's changed from peach to white. The white doesn't work. I feel stupid, my pain is still here, and I'm very sleepy. It felt so good to finally be pain free recently, and then they changed the medication and I'm back the beginning. I called the pharmacist and they said only the color is different but that obviously is not true because I am in pain again, so something else changed.

Was this helpful? 13
5

I strongly disagree with your thoughts. I have taken this medicine for 8 years due to a bad spine injury. I tried the walmart version of the same med, it had a different manufacturer so the price would be less. It gave no help at all. I suffered for 30 days until new prescription was written and went back to Walgreen quickly. This month's price at Walgreens was cut in half and the color changed from light blue to solid white. I am sure there has been a change of some sort or the price would not have changed so drastic.

Was this helpful? 14
3

In sept of 2012 there was a voluntary recall of this drug. I guess it took this long to rid the supply, Who knows the government is doing so much these days. just another way to control the people

Was this helpful? 14
7

I've been on it for over 7 years and my pm doctor really wants me to be on morphine and oxycodone for break through. I am allergic to morphine and oxycodone makes me higher than a kite and I'm a full time law student and cannot be "high". I'm maxed out at 7 per day due to the tylenol in them. Even though he says I can take 2 at a time, it's rare that I do. Because I am maxed out at 7 if I take 2 in one dosage that leaves my pain unmanaged for 6 hours. Along with my shoulder dislocating every time I move my arm, the muscle rips from when they put the screws in. I also suffer from RA, arthritis in left shoulder joint, and atrophy. I don't want to be on 7 pills per day, I'd rather take 1 or 2 that work all day and be done with it.

And to those of you that said there is no difference, there is. I spoke with Watson in great length. Yes, they removed the die, they also added other binders. People's bodies act differently to the binders. Yes, it's still hydrocodone 10mg and 500 apap that hasn't changed. As my pharmacist pointed out to me that my system is very sensitive to the various binders and inactive ingredients and that is why he always ordered me Watson. I've used the same pharmacy and pharmacist since my injury in 2005. He suggested that I switch over to a compound in capsule form, this reduces many of the binders. Unfortunately, the cost of the compound can be up there since insurances usually don't cover them. I see my pm doctor on the 28th and I'm hoping he doesn't force the stronger meds on me again.

To the person that mentioned Norco, it doesn't work for me. I need that extra tylenol. I know that the FDA is changing the laws effective in 2014 and my pm doctor is aware of the upcoming change and he's working on another plan of action for me.

Was this helpful? 12
18

TAMMY and all others concerned I today picked up my hydrocodone 10/500 , Walgreen s gave me half scrip of blue Watson 540 @ the other half white Watson 540, I'm not sure if there is a difference. I do know that these white ones are somewhat cheaper. Also pharm tech said this is what they will be carrying from now on (at this location) I 've had to take one of these and had no water ( not a great taste) so I did a "taste test" you could say. It had the same taste. I'm just expressing my experiences. THere is however a brand of hydrocodone 10/500 they are pink and the manufacturer is Qualitest. I wonder when those too will change over. AND if they have to change Colts the Watson 10/325 s are yellow the Qualitest 10/325 @@are yellow.....If the FDA made this law to change the color to white I wonder how long it's going to take. ALSO I read this post some time ago about a month ago,I couldn't believe that there was a whit Watson 540! But today witnessed for myself.....Thx to all who share info. And ask questions I also learn things that way too. I think we all have something in common here and its nice to have an unbiased people to ask and share information with GOD BLESS AND may those who struggle with pain continue to live to our fullest potential.

Was this helpful? 8
27

Hedda1227,I agree with you completely.I called the FDA and there are numbers they will give you so you can file a complaint.I'm calling first thing in the morning.There is definitely something different with the white one's.They are weaker and take longer.My pain level has been off the chart since being on the white 10/500.The more people complain the the more attention this will receive.Something needs to be done.

Was this helpful? 7
31

I called FDA and filed a formal complaint. They said that anyone who has a problem with it should do the same. A person at Watson (Activas) told me DEA is responsible and that the formula changed more than just dye and that they have had a ton of people complaining. So please file complaints with FDA so they can look into this.

Was this helpful? 7
12

Ive been on the blue lortabs for years and I have seen the change too. I have noticed that the details on my scipt on the bottle has changed too. My old bottle,with blue lortabs,reads:HYDROCO/APAP 10/500 with under it saying substituted for:LORTAB 10-500MG and my new bottle,with the white watson 540,reads:HYDRO/BIT
/ACET 10/500 TAB, and there is no subtituted for

Was this helpful? 8
33

Martie, it IS NOT mind over matter. I use to get the yellow Norco until I went off meds for months. Recent Watson script was white, I paid no attention and yet I got no pain relief and was made extremely ill. I am so sick of people claiming mind over matter just be ause they work for them. There are more complaints to the contrary! I'm sorry, but tons of people who don't know eachother and coming from all over the states yet having the same complaints DOES NOT sound like a mind over matter thing to me!

Was this helpful? 6
55

I think that this also is one of the major influences. They are really fighting & making a fuss over them releasing this pure hydrocodone called zohydro er. They want to make this a schedule 2 drug, making it just like oxycodone & me like many of us do not wish to become addicted to that stuff, I'm not saying hydrocone is not addictive, but it doesn't need to be labeled a scheduled. Thus is documented, they claim hydrocodone is the most abused drug in the United States, I think everyone knows that our rights both constitutional & other our other rights as noted in the bill of rights, are being slowly stripped away daily. This company is based in Florida the state under the most attack from the DEA & narcotic medications & all of us that suffer from true legit pain must suffer from this BS, & it's not cool at all. I would like to see if someone could reference this law to remove all the dyes & in watsons case the aluminum as well, please. Ok, done writting on multiple posts about this, just bothers me. Everyone should stop buying from them, that's how you send the message they are a newbie ( ACTAVIS ) to being a fortune 500 company, so let's take that from them, seems only fair till they get their s*** together & give us our monies worth in what we pay, funny that you guys are saying you script was cheaper as well, not mine but I don't do large pharmacies like them, but regardless this is just not cool, I would say that they are around 50% as effective & in strength to the old the REAL watson 10/325 norcos, as they have done this to all of Watsons pills, seems strange that Watson is no more, yet someone is still printing their meds, wonder how this is possible, maybe it's an excuse to get all their old customers & let Watson take the blame before their chemists get their things together and the make the own named generic version. As of now SCREW ACTAVIS.

Was this helpful? 6
29

I have taken the generic Watson Norco for years due to a severe chronic pain condition.Just a couple days ago I got the ones that are white and they don't work for me, either. In fact, they come on very strong at first, giving me a headache and making me feel messed up for about an hour but not giving any pain relief. Then it is as if I have taken nothing for very long time. I see I am not the only one. Now what do we do?

Was this helpful? 4
34

You are absolutely correct. I took have stayed with Walgreens for the specific purpose of getting the blue watson 1-/500. A few days ago I picked up my new script and see they are white. They are NOT the same formula and dont work any where near the original blue ones. It sucks.

Was this helpful? 4
38

dontlikechange...give the 10/325 a chance, as long as they aren't Watson brand. I was switched to the Norco as well before I went off narcs and after the first month they did work just fine. Mind you that was before Watson change. But if you can find another brand, say Mallincroft or Qualitest, I think u will find they do work. I've had to go back on them now and my husband gets Qualitest and they work great...so, I switched to his pharmacy. Good luck. I got extremely ill, not to mention the lack of pain relief from the new Watson whites!

Was this helpful? 4
47

Ow my god and I thought I was going CRAZY.I went from Yellow 10 to10 Whites and BELIVE me they don't work like my others did it is not in my DAME HEAD.They did somthing to them.I live GA.

Was this helpful? 4
48

There is a difference in the pills they do not work nothing like the others

Was this helpful? 4
Page:1Next PageLast Page

More Discussions:

Watson changed its formulation

I've been on 7.5/325, I was using Walgreens Pharmacy to get my script filled. However, I have noticed that the "...

2 REPLIES
formula change oxycodone

I know this is going to sound a little weird but has anybody noticed with Oxycodone 10mg that your bowel movements are m...

2 REPLIES
formula change coming for oxycodone and dilaudid

Anyone hearing about oxycodone and dilaudid's formula being changed? ## Hello, Maty! How are you? The formulation fo...

2 REPLIES
formulation change of Levoxyl

I took Levoxyl for about 10 years. I have tried almost all other drugs synthroid, unithroid, armour, cytomel and Levoxyl...

3 REPLIES
Formulation changes in opana er

I heard there is a newly formulated opana er, is this true? Do they make you sick like the newly formulated oxycontin? #...

1 REPLY
Teva Changes Formula of Actavis/Purepac Generic 2mg Xanax

Now I will preface this post by saying that this is IMO, and not based on any actual testing, but my own empirical data ...

2 REPLIES
Percocet formula changed

I have been taking percocet 10/325 for horrible fibromyalgia pain and have had no issue with it's effectiveness. nI ...

2 REPLIES
Oxycontin formula change stomach issues

I have been on oxycontin for years...I have terminal illness and suffer every day...only relief i had was from oxycontin...

17 REPLIES
Opana 40mg change in formulation

I was just at my pm appt and my doc informed me that endo pharmaceutical has won the legal case on stopping other pharma...

4 REPLIES
Mylan Fenofibrate 134mg Formula Change?

I have been taking Fenofibrate 134mg for almost 7 years now. I have hereditary high Triglycerides. Mine was 633 the firs...

2 REPLIES