Zolpidem Generic (Page 2)

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ALL CVS pharmacies just changed the zolpidem from MYLAN manufacturer (out of PA) to TORRENT in India. Because generics can certain behave differently, I am nervous about taking the (10 mg) oblong peach Torrent brand one after reading some things online. I also don't like the idea of CVS using from out of the country manufacturer which HAS to be due to a better price because MYLAN brand is still very readily available. Any comments?

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21

I am also trying to locate a pharmacy where I can get generic ambien by Mylan, the others are worthless. But CVS says they can't get it. I have not been able to find another pharmacy that carries it. Is there one online? I haven't been to sleep yet although I took the new generic 3 hours ago.

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22

I use Kroger and they carry the Qualitest version of generic Ambien which didn't work at all for me. I knew I had taken Mylan before and it seemed to work the best of the generics I had tried. I asked my pharmacist about it and they now special order the Mylan brand for me. I also had my doctor specify Mylan on my Rx so there wouldn't be any issues. I've heard other pharmacies will special order a certain manufacturer for you. It's worth a try!

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23

I am happy to hear that CVS is selling the peach colored generic Ambien manufactured by Torrent. I have tried the big white generic pill and it does not work for me. The peach colored ones are much better for me.

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24

Winagers carries mylan

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25

I've received various generics from CVS pharmacies... they, like many large chain pharmacies, are inconsistent in where they purchase generics. Yesterday, for the first time since the FDA brouhaha my 10 mg Zolpidem tablet is usual oval shaped, slightly off-white E 79. Manufacturer is Aurobindo (India). It seemed to work quite well. At various large chain drug stores, I've gotten generics from Mexico on multiple occasions -- I don't know what reasons there would be to complain about medications manufactured in India. What makes you believe Quality Control is not as good in New Delhi as it is in Mexico City?

I believe it is important to remember two things when taking this medication. The first is to take it ON AN EMPTY STOMACH and not eat anything substantial after taking this medication. The second point is to consider the possibility that grapefruit or grapefruit juice might delay the onset of action of this medication -- although this is not specifically stated, I believe it is best to exercise caution and avoid "anything grapefruit."

I've chosen to ignore the EMPTY STOMACH advice because it was late and I needed to sleep and... what a waste of a dose of medication! I took a perfectly good 10 mg Zolpidem tablet at 9 PM and was still wide awake (feeling goofy but not sleepy) at 3 AM!

So for anyone who takes Zolpidem without waiting at least two to three hours after eating a moderate meal, you WILL get inconsistent results -- and sometimes terrible (as in negligible) results. To get results that are like "speed", as someone wrote -- this is a paradoxical or allergic reaction and I would return the pills to the pharmacy in the event that you encountered a "bad batch" or were possibly given the wrong medication, entirely.

There are people who react in an opposite way to medications, so if you take Zolpidem and feel as if you've taken "something that keeps you awake" and haven't been taking other medications for sleep that may behave very differently (e.g.: Chloral Hydrate) and you have not done an appropriate titration from the different medication, you may react strangely to this drug.

Other medications one takes (including OTC drugs) might cause a person to react in strange and potentially dangerous ways to Zolpidem. Pharmacies usually check for prescription drug interactions, but won't know about OTC meds unless you specifically ask -- and it's simpler and less time-consuming to do an interaction check online yourself.

If you do not trust the generics you get from the large chain drug stores, I recommend you find smaller stores that accept whatever insurance or discount card you have -- I've found these stores have consistently higher quality generics and tend not to switch so frequently as the big chain stores do. For example, in NW Arizona, we have three Uptown Drug stores and I usually choose to go to Uptown Drug and only rarely to CVS -- Uptown's quality and generic brands are consistently very good. CVS is variable, as are Walgreen's stores.

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26

Hello. I have taken Ambien for about 7 years off and on (mostly on). I have taken Dr.Reddy, Teva, Aurobindo, and Sandoz at the least. At this point, I'll drive over 10 miles to get Mylan. What DON'T you like about Mylan, curiously?

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27

As I stated in my original post, I have been taking a 10 mg CVS generic from India that is not "Torrent" (it is Aurobindino", but had taken a peach-colored oblong tablet in the past (from Walgreen's) -- but do not recall the generic manufacturer's name. I didn't recall any problems with it, but it may not have been the Torrent product. I recommend researching extensively for information on generics and checking the Torrent and the FDA site for adverse effect reports.

I am concerned that CVS and other large pharmacies are uncaring and basically "profit-driven" and so all of my prescriptions are being moved to a small local pharmacy with three stores in the region where I live. I believe we are better off, if our insurance covers a large percentage of cost, or even paying a few more dollars out of pocket, to take our business to these small pharmacies. By refusing to buy from these "mega-pharmacies", we effectively boycott them and send a message that we will not take whatever they substandard generics they can supply.

If you are genuinely frightened of taking this medication, you may want to discuss this with your Doctor and ask him or her to fax another Rx to a different pharmacy which does NOT use the Torrent generic-- and email whatever evidence supporting problems with Zolpidem supplied by Torrent to your Physician.

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28

I am in the medical field in psychiatry and also use generic ambien. I have had a number of complaints from patients on generic equivelants especially Ambien and Lithium. According to my very knowledgable small pharmacy the FDA insists that generics can only deviate 20% or less in trials of generics as opposed to the brand name product. I recently had a serious surgery and wanted Zolpidem CR. I got something that did not work AT ALL and was costly. I then asked to go back on Qualitest Ambien. I learned from my patients that there are various generics that work differently and my pharmacist notes unless you write letters nothing gets done. I do educate my patients that not all generics are alike and like this forum most ppl like different things. If you read enough you can find a generic brand that most ppl like. Teva also seems to make decent generic products. I think with the Zolpidem CR it is a round peach colored pill and made by some company called Auredis or something like that and they are not worth it

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29

I recently filled a generic Ambien RX at CVS. It was filled with TORRENT's generic version. I haven't slept in 2 weeks. Like another poster on this blog, it almost works OPPOSITE of Ambien. It puts me in a very weird wired, but zombie like state.

I called CVS to complain and they said that they could order another generic ambien for me if I want.

The generic problem is much bigger than just me not being able to sleep. I want everyone to be aware that the FDA giving "approval" for a generic manufacturer in India, or anywhere else in the world, means NOTHING about the contents or quality of your pills.

I am currently a rep for Merck and worked for Pfizer for 10 years. I'm aware of the multiple hoops that major drug manufacturers have to jump through to get a product on the shelf. When it comes to generics, there are NONE.

Please read this article from Fortune Magazine dated May 15, 2013.
features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2013/05/15/ranbaxy-fraud-lipitor

The FDA knew for 10 years that the Indian generic manufacturer, Ranbaxy, was producing generic drugs and exporting them all over the world with NO ACTIVE ingredient in them.

I don't think my current bottle of Zolpidem has anything in it, let alone 10 mg of Zolpidem.

CVS and every other pharmacy should be doing quality checks on there products. They don't. They say that if the FDA OK's the company, then they don't have to.
This is MORALLY incomprehensible. They buy it, and resell it. If I am not getting the medication that my doctor prescribes, they are at fault.

Shame on CVS for importing anything from India after this story came to light.
I am trying to find a lab to analyze me current prescription. Who knows what is in it.? What I know for sure is that I am not sleeping.

Don't think it's in your head people. Most likely you are getting, AT BEST and inferior product, AT WORST a placebo.

I am going to contact CVS and find out how they can justify importing any generics from India after the RANBAXY verdict.

Meanwhile, I'm forced to drink Nyquil, take Advil PM and Melatonin, and trying not to lose my mind.

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30

THAT is precisely the same generic I have been getting from CVS, from a Manufacturer in India called Aurobindo. White, Oblong. E on one side, 79 on the other. And it has consistently worked well for me.

Switching to another related subject: I AM concerned, though, because the state I live in is now forcing everyone who had my insurance plan to drop it and sign up for one of two other insurance plans, which may totally change the Pharmacies which will accept my insurance and increase the expense of medication and Doctor co-pays. And it has ALREADY been too expensive for Doctor visits and a one month supply of generic medication..Plus, I am still uncertain whether my Doctor will accept both plans and whether medical transportation is available (I have a car that no longer functions and live in an area with no public transportation). Things seem to be going from bad to worse.

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31

Mylan is now headquartered in India, so I am wondering about the quality of Mylan Products.

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32

My perscription filled by CVS was changed from Mylan to TEVA. Not only do I not get proper sleep but experiencing side effects such as peripheral dark spots on eyesight; and sleep inducement works off and on, quite inconsistent. I will notify my primary doctor so that he can be aware and notify my pharmacy, and go to Rite Aid.

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33

We get them at Costco

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34

I personally find the torrent brand which is the oblong peach pill works great. I am able to snap it in half with my fingers and take 1/2 now and if still awake in an hour I can take the other half. I am very please with this manufacturers product. Far, far superior to the branded extended release product. (The dark blue round pills). Your not suppose to cut the er pills in half and I feel totally hung over when talking this pill.

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35

Because of the story in Forbes. Please see the link in post #29 for more details.

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36

Thank you for this topic being addressed. I spoke to CVS pharmacy and was treated as though I was making this up.... I have been taking generic Zolpidem for 2 years now with NO PROBLEMS--- until now that I was given the new "peach" pill!! I have not slept the entire night since the switch. I feel so much relief in knowing I am not alone in this problem -- and not "crazy"!

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37

Wrong, the country does matter. The FDA just pulled Rambaxy. I've taken 2 of their scripts and they cause severe leg cramping that was unbearable painful. All ingredients are not the same in all generics. Lipitor and Cipro were the culprits. 3days on Cipro I couldn't sit, lay down or walk. The pain was from the waist down to my ankles. Extreme pain that I've never experienced before.

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38

Anytime that I had the purple mylan generic, it never work. If I take another one my stomach gets upset, so no sleep until time for next refill and will ask for the long white ones or tranfer

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39

Of course it is because of price. Everything is about money.
They won't switch back until enough people complain. Tell your pharmacist.

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40

All you can do is voice your opinion...

cvs.com/help/email-customer-relations.jsp?callType=store&topicid=200018

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