[nylon]

Ok can someone tell me in layman's terms what is the difference. Womenwithin67 made a comment about filling scripts (on my So Frustrated thread) and to make sure you get the Brand Name and not the generic version. Is there a major difference with strength?

I'm on 37.5's with the blue specks (mp273). I also have the yellow 30 mgs. (A-160) I know there is sticky up on top but it didn't really answer my question or perhaps I'm just being airheaded (which I have been accused of a couple of times in my life )

Hey thanks and Cheers...

[Ian]

Hey Nylon, I am not sure about what TheWomanWithin was talking about. There is a lot of confusion around generic vs. brand name with Phentermine.

The fact is, Phentermine is the chemical generic name for the drug. The brand names are Adipex (which is the 37.5mg tablet with white+blue specks made by Gate Pharma), Fastin (30mg type), and there are a few others I can't remember off the top of my head.

Quality generic phentermine is manufactured by a few labs, including Mutual, Eon, Amide, Purepac and a few others. Unfortunately, the stuff people get online these days is usually a cheap knockoff made somewhere in India.

The phentermine you get from your local pharmacy through your doctor should be one of the major quality brands.

I hope this helps!

[nylon]

Originally Posted by Ian

The phentermine you get from your local pharmacy through your doctor should be one of the major quality brands.

I hope this helps!

I think it did. So the one I received from my physician is actually Apidex? But if I were to get a script. filled should I go with Apidex or the generic version? My doctor told me that I can get it through her or have a script. filled. I chose the first time to get it through her.

[Ian]

Well, if you asked for Phentermine then that's what you should have received. Adipex is just a more expensive (way too much IMO) version of the 37.5mg Phentermine.

You said your 37.5mg is MP273, right? That's Mutual pharma, and it's generic Phentermine. They're one of the major quality brands I was talking about.

[thewomanwithin67]

My Physician told me on Friday there IS a difference between the generic and brand names.

Adipex is a bit stronger and does not "release" the medication into your system quite the way that "generic" Phentermine does.

Adipex is supposed to last a bit longer through the day in your system.

If they were the SAME thing, then wouldn't you think the pricing would be the same and effects the same?

I have taken Phentermine 3 times now, this is my first time on Adipex - there is a difference when you take it - talk to people who have taken it

[susanpesek]

I am stumped. The FDA site says the 37.5 mg phentermine is the same active ingredient, drug to drug, name brand to generic. I am writing and asking, hoping for a quick response. Anyone care to ask, too, and post to us ASAP after you hear?

Drug questions email: DRUGINFO@CDER.FDA.GOV
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Office of Pharmaceutical Science
Office of Generic Drugs

[thewomanwithin67]

Me too, so I researched some more... This is just crazy - the SAME company can let their patent expire and then turn around file to sell a generic drug then sell to us the consumers, both the brand AND the generic...interesting.

Here is some information about the differences:

What are generic drugs?
A generic drug is a version of a brand drug. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), compared to the brand drug, a generic:

• is chemically the same
• works the same in the body
• is just as safe and effective
• meets the same standards set by the FDA
• often costs much less.

There are two forms of generic substitution:

• A generic equivalent is made with the same active ingredient at the same dosage as the brand medication. You can expect the same results as with the brand counterpart.
• A generic alternative works like a brand drug and may be used to treat the same condition. But the chemicals in a generic alternative differ from the brand drug or its generic equivalent. So, overall results may be somewhat different.

Important: Your pharmacist can usually substitute a generic equivalent for its brand counterpart without a new prescription from your doctor. But only your doctor can determine whether a generic alternative is right for you and must prescribe the medication.

Bioequivalence, however, does not mean that generic drugs are exactly the same as their innovator product counterparts, as chemical differences do exist. Some doctors and patients emphatically believe that certain generic drugs are not as effective as the products they are meant to replace (ie. Prozac, Oxycontin), and consumers would undoubtedly benefit from more clinical studies done on drug by drug basis.

Generic drugs look different from brand-name drugs. This is because trademark laws do not allow generics to look exactly like brand-name drugs.

Colors, flavors, and other inactive ingredients may be different.

These differences may cause slightly different effects. Some brand-name drugs may be more easily absorbed by the body. Brand-name drugs may cause fewer or weaker side effects.

Never assume that a medicine looks different just because it is generic. Double check with the pharmacist that you have the correct medicine before you leave the pharmacy.


Why do generics typically cost less than brand medications?
When a brand drug first becomes available, the manufacturer usually receives a patent. This patent protects their investment in the new drug by keeping other companies from copying and producing it for several years.

When a patent expires, other manufacturers can produce a generic version of the drug – and the cost goes down. On average, a generic drug costs 30 to 80 percent less than its brand counterpart.

When a brand-name drug's patent protection expires, generic versions of
the drug can be approved for sale.

The generic version works like the brand-name drug in dosage, strength, performance and use, and must meet the same quality and safety standards.

All generic drugs must be reviewedand approved by FDA.

Why do generic drugs look different than brand drugs?

Trademark laws require that a generic drug look different than a drug already on the market. So, a generic equivalent will be a different size, shape and/or color than the brand drug.

Although the active ingredient in a generic equivalent is always the same as the brand counterpart, the generic may have different inactive ingredients, such as a coating or flavoring.

In addition, since more than one manufacturer may produce a generic equivalent for the same brand drug, generics can vary based on which supplier or suppliers your pharmacy uses.

Bioequivalence, however, does not mean that generic drugs are exactly the same as their innovator product counterparts, as chemical differences do exist. Some doctors and patients emphatically believe that certain generic drugs are not as effective as the products they are meant to replace (ie. Prozac, Oxycontin), and consumers would undoubtedly benefit from more clinical studies done on drug by drug basis.

For more reading visit:

U.S. FDA CDER Home Page
Office of Generic Drugs Home Page

Hmmm now I'm confused; going to ask the dr about this and see when I go back in 2 weeks. I noticed an immediate difference though

[susanpesek]

Hurray, Womanwithin!!!! This is more than I ever found there. It's much easier to find something on site if there are less than 500 katrillion articles!!
THANK YOU for this knowledge, Girl!

There are two forms of generic substitution:

• A generic equivalent is made with the same active ingredient at the same dosage as the brand medication. You can expect the same results as with the brand counterpart.
• A generic alternative works like a brand drug and may be used to treat the same condition. But the chemicals in a generic alternative differ from the brand drug or its generic equivalent. So, overall results may be somewhat different.

Important: Your pharmacist can usually substitute a generic equivalent for its brand counterpart without a new prescription from your doctor. But only your doctor can determine whether a generic alternative is right for you and must prescribe the medication.