MINOCYCLINE

[Guest guest]

My two cents on generics:

1. The proof is in the pudding - if you are feeling better on a generic

don't get too concerned.

2. My understanding of the generic problem is that US drug companies are

buying the ingredients to make the drug from foreign countries, getting the

ingredients cheaper, but the ingredients are not subject to US inspection,

so the quality can vary. If I were on a generic, even if it seemed to be

working I would switch to the name brand IF I COULD AFFORD IT, but I

wouldn't be too concerned that I had been on generic for a long time by

mistake.

a Carnes

> From: NNoel@...

>

> Hi everyone:

> I have been taking minocycline 100mg 2x a day for 5 months (grey & yellow,

> made by schein) and didn't realize this was a generic. Have been doing OK

I

> think. Should I change to minocin name brand? Please tell me I haven't

wasted

> all this time. Thanks,

>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

Minomycin is the brand sold in Australia and it's fine - my daughter takes

it.

Chris.

On Fri, 27 Jul 2001, Dave Wood wrote:

> Dear Group,

> A while back someone wrote about purchasing Minocycline on the net through a

> place called LifeStylePharmacy.com. I looked at this site and they offer:

> Minomycin 100mg, 100 capsules Wyeth

> Isn't this the genenic form of minocycline?

>

> Best of health to all,

>

> Dave

> ---

> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

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>

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, and I never saw any follow up on the " paying duty " question.

This just might be the route for me to go seeing my HMO wants to claim

pre-existing (after Feb. they can't use that anymore).

Thanks!

deano

> From: " Dave Wood " <DaveTKO@...>

> Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 13:02:23 +0900

> <rheumatic >

> Subject: rheumatic Minocycline

>

> Dear Group,

> A while back someone wrote about purchasing Minocycline on the net through a

> place called LifeStylePharmacy.com. I looked at this site and they offer:

> Minomycin 100mg, 100 capsules Wyeth

> Isn't this the genenic form of minocycline?

>

> Best of health to all,

>

> Dave

> ---

> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

> Version: 6.0.265 / Virus Database: 137 - Release Date: 2001/07/18

>

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

No one answered me when I posted the question. I asked Geoff if he had

received a response but I haven't heard from him either!!

> Oh, and I never saw any follow up on the " paying duty " question.

> This just might be the route for me to go seeing my HMO wants to claim

> pre-existing (after Feb. they can't use that anymore).

>

> Thanks!

>

> deano

>

> > From: " Dave Wood " <DaveTKO@...>

> > Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 13:02:23 +0900

> > <rheumatic >

> > Subject: rheumatic Minocycline

> >

> > Dear Group,

> > A while back someone wrote about purchasing Minocycline on the net

through a

> > place called LifeStylePharmacy.com. I looked at this site and they

offer:

> > Minomycin 100mg, 100 capsules Wyeth

> > Isn't this the genenic form of minocycline?

> >

> > Best of health to all,

> >

> > Dave

> > ---

> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

> > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

> > Version: 6.0.265 / Virus Database: 137 - Release Date: 2001/07/18

> >

> >

> >

> > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I dont know Dennis... i buy my meds at www.drugstore.com they have really good prices

peace!!

Sherry No one answered me when I posted the question. I asked Geoff if he hadreceived a response but I haven't heard from him either!!> Oh, and I never saw any follow up on the "paying duty" question. > This just might be the route for me to go seeing my HMO wants to claim> pre-existing (after Feb. they can't use that anymore).>> Thanks!>> deano>> > From: "Dave Wood" <DaveTKO@...>> > Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 13:02:23 +0900> > <rheumatic >> > Subject: rheumatic Minocycline> >> > Dear Group,> > A while back someone wrote about purchasing Minocycline on the netthrough a> > place called LifeStylePharmacy.com. I looked at this site and theyoffer:> > Minomycin 100mg, 100 capsules Wyeth> > Isn't this the genenic form of minocycline?> >> > Best of health to all,> >> > Dave> > ---> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.> > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).> > Version: 6.0.265 / Virus Database: 137 - Release Date: 2001/07/18> >> >> >> > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups> >> >> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It is sometimes a trial and error sort of thing....people from this

group have reported good results with the generic mino from Schein,

so we base the recommendation on that...that is, unless or until

Schein changes their recipe.

I called a friend of mine who is taking the Schein mino and she said

that the capsules contain a powder. The pelletized version by

Lederle is supposed to enable you to take it with food and not lose

much of its effictiveness. I would assume that the Schein should

then be taken on an empty stomach if possible.

Hope this helps.....group, please add any additions or corrections :-)

Connie

> Could someone explain why the generic mino from Schein is

acceptable. Is it

> the pellets like the Lederle? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Ute, We, here in Canada, cannot get the pelletized Minocycline -real or

generic - and have been using the powdered version all along. It has worked

for me - about 80 - 90% recovered from dermatomyositis, MCTD with crest

syndrome.

Others have probably had the same results and others have used doxycycline.

I don't know about any of the other brands.

HTH

Carol/Piney

rheumatic Minocycline

> Dear group,

> I know we talked about it before, but it is becoming a more urgent issue.

> Now that Lederle/ESi pelletized Minocyline is no longer available (except

> for what is in stock here and there) what are people doing? Is there a

> Lederle non-pelletized version? Does it work? Are ther other generic

brands

> that have worked for people on this list? For those of us who can't affort

> the brand Minocin, should we switch to Doxycycline? Many of us have been

> doing really well on the Pelletized Lederle/ESI generic and are now facing

> these issues.

> Take care,

> Ute

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ute,

In Japan, we only have powdered minocycline named Minomycin of Lederle and this

work for RA, me and my friends. I'm running Japanese version of this list and

17 people are on AP. Comparing with the results reported here, we must admit

our responses are somewhat slow than that of reported here. We found that male

patients are quick responder to mino than female members as seen here often.

I found Mexican company sell Minocin and knew after buying it that this Minocin

is tablet (I mean not pelletized).

Norio

Nagoya, Japan

[Guest guest]

Norio,

E-Meds direct has the Lederle brand Minocin (Twelve 100mg capsules

for $19.00 USD), so I assume they are the pelletized version, but do

not know for sure since I have not ordered it from them. They are

located is San Ysidro, California, USA and their web site is:

http://www.emedsdirect.com/products/Catalog.asp

Select " Antibiotics " from the drop down medication selection list on

that page.

-- Ron

> Ute,

>

> In Japan, we only have powdered minocycline named Minomycin of

Lederle and this

> work for RA, me and my friends. I'm running Japanese version of

this list and

> 17 people are on AP. Comparing with the results reported here, we

must admit

> our responses are somewhat slow than that of reported here. We

found that male

> patients are quick responder to mino than female members as seen

here often.

> I found Mexican company sell Minocin and knew after buying it that

this Minocin

> is tablet (I mean not pelletized).

>

> Norio

> Nagoya, Japan

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/6/2001 5:02:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, Benjie1238 @aol.com writes:

Has any body found any information on any new sources for getting minocycline.........isn't anyone from Canada who can help with some information??? I heard that sometime in December pelleted minocin will be available there and my doctor said I should try and find a Canadian source since it would be much cheaper there...so far I found 30 100mg caps pelleted for $114... I can hardly afford that every month but unless I find a cheaper source I guess I'll have to live with it

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

Back on November 30, Ute Reeves wrote: " I know we talked about it before,

but it is becoming a more urgent issue. Now that Lederle/ESi pelletized

Minocyline is no longer available (except for what is in stock here and

there) what are people doing? Is there a Lederle non-pelletized version?

Does it work? Are ther other generic brands that have worked for people on

this list? For those of us who can't affort the brand Minocin, should we

switch to Doxycycline? Many of us have been doing really well on the

Pelletized Lederle/ESI generic and are now facing these issues. "

Now is the time for the members of our group to pull together and help each

other. Please answer Ute by sharing your experience with all of

rheumatic . Please do this now even though you may already

have posted about this topic in the past. Please tell us what brands of

generic minocycline (other than ESI/Lederle) have worked for you, and just

as important, what brands have not worked for you. In either case, please

ask your pharmacy about the name of the manufacturer.

Previous emails to our group as well as writings by Dr. Mercola have stated

that all brands of generic minocycline are not created equal. The

recommendation had been to go with the ESI/Lederle brand generic, which was

said to be identical to ESI/Lederle's Minocin. Our challenge now is to

identify the generics that are working for RA, and just as important, to

flag the generics that are not working. Sorry, I can't help. I have only

been on the ESI/Lederle brand generic for six months, and it has worked for me.

ESI/Lederle's Minocin is pelletized. This provides visual differentiation

from minocyclines which are powdered, but pelletizing should not affect the

effectiveness of the drug.

Cost is a huge variable. The following are typical U.S. prices for one

hundred 100 mg capsules:

Minocin: $320.

Generic minocycline: $70

Doxycycline: $28

Sincerely, Harald

soli deo gloria

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

INCREASING SALES THROUGH IMPROVED MARKETING

Harald Weiss, Technical Marketing Group

4911 Royce Road, Irvine, CA 92612, USA

Phone: (949) 786-1403, Fax: (949) 786-1403

http://www.tmgp.com, hw@...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Guest guest]

Harald, I live in Canada and have been using Wyeth-Ayerst minocycline since

jun98. It is the powdered form as that is the only kind available in Canada.

The capsules are orange and blue. They work quite well as far as I am

concerned.

Carol/Piney

DM, oct94

MCTD with crest syndrome jun2000(probably had it all along)

AP jun98

Re: rheumatic Minocycline

> Dear Group,

>

> Back on November 30, Ute Reeves wrote: " I know we talked about it before,

> but it is becoming a more urgent issue. Now that Lederle/ESi pelletized

> Minocyline is no longer available (except for what is in stock here and

> there) what are people doing? Is there a Lederle non-pelletized version?

> Does it work? Are ther other generic brands that have worked for people on

> this list? For those of us who can't affort the brand Minocin, should we

> switch to Doxycycline? Many of us have been doing really well on the

> Pelletized Lederle/ESI generic and are now facing these issues. "

>

> Now is the time for the members of our group to pull together and help

each

> other. Please answer Ute by sharing your experience with all of

> rheumatic . Please do this now even though you may already

> have posted about this topic in the past. Please tell us what brands of

> generic minocycline (other than ESI/Lederle) have worked for you, and just

> as important, what brands have not worked for you. In either case, please

> ask your pharmacy about the name of the manufacturer.

>

> Previous emails to our group as well as writings by Dr. Mercola have

stated

> that all brands of generic minocycline are not created equal. The

> recommendation had been to go with the ESI/Lederle brand generic, which

was

> said to be identical to ESI/Lederle's Minocin. Our challenge now is to

> identify the generics that are working for RA, and just as important, to

> flag the generics that are not working. Sorry, I can't help. I have only

> been on the ESI/Lederle brand generic for six months, and it has worked

for me.

>

> ESI/Lederle's Minocin is pelletized. This provides visual differentiation

> from minocyclines which are powdered, but pelletizing should not affect

the

> effectiveness of the drug.

>

> Cost is a huge variable. The following are typical U.S. prices for one

> hundred 100 mg capsules:

>

> Minocin: $320.

> Generic minocycline: $70

> Doxycycline: $28

>

> Sincerely, Harald

> soli deo gloria

>

>

> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

> INCREASING SALES THROUGH IMPROVED MARKETING

> Harald Weiss, Technical Marketing Group

> 4911 Royce Road, Irvine, CA 92612, USA

> Phone: (949) 786-1403, Fax: (949) 786-1403

> http://www.tmgp.com, hw@...

> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Harald, I live in Canada and have been using Wyeth-Ayerst

minocycline since

> jun98. It is the powdered form as that is the only kind available

in Canada.

> The capsules are orange and blue. They work quite well as far as I

am

> concerned.

>

> Carol/Piney

> DM, oct94

I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics

were no good, but the Lederle ones are. I've always been able to get

the Lederle (even Walmart still had them this time - probably left

over from 2 years ago when I was on mino - ha!). But I'm curious as

to what studies were actually done that proved that Barr or Schein or

some of these others were not effective? Is there anything beyond

just anecdotal evidence that would suggest this is true? Both of

those companies as far as I know are reputable drug companies - why

wouldn't they be able to make a drug that matched Lederle's? I

probably need to go back and reread the Road Back book by Henry S. as

I think he mentioned it in there, but still I don't recall seeing any

proof of this. It's a shame if people are taking drugs that they

don't have confidence in. Too much money and too much pain.

Personally, I find it a bit dubious that they wouldn't work - unless

someone can point to a study that proves that.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Mark and all,

I know people do not realize that generic drugs of all kinds are packed

differently and have different fillers that the non generic.

Fillers are what causes all sorts of allergies. They also what causes the

drug itself to be more effective or totally ineffective.

They can be coarse or fine. NOW what type do you think they put into brand

name drugs??

They also do not watch how tighty they are packed. If they are packed too

tight they will not be absorbed and just go thru the intestines. Another

reason for lots of water.

Lderle is a big company that can not have any of their reputation damaged so

that is why their generics are better. A company that only does generic just

does it generic-ly.

If you do no believe me just ask a GOOD druggest.

cooky

TyDrugs that are generic are

rheumatic Re: Minocycline

>

> > Harald, I live in Canada and have been using Wyeth-Ayerst

> minocycline since

> > jun98. It is the powdered form as that is the only kind available

> in Canada.

> > The capsules are orange and blue. They work quite well as far as I

> am

> > concerned.

> >

> > Carol/Piney

> > DM, oct94

>

> I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics

> were no good, but the Lederle ones are. I've always been able to get

> the Lederle (even Walmart still had them this time - probably left

> over from 2 years ago when I was on mino - ha!). But I'm curious as

> to what studies were actually done that proved that Barr or Schein or

> some of these others were not effective? Is there anything beyond

> just anecdotal evidence that would suggest this is true? Both of

> those companies as far as I know are reputable drug companies - why

> wouldn't they be able to make a drug that matched Lederle's? I

> probably need to go back and reread the Road Back book by Henry S. as

> I think he mentioned it in there, but still I don't recall seeing any

> proof of this. It's a shame if people are taking drugs that they

> don't have confidence in. Too much money and too much pain.

> Personally, I find it a bit dubious that they wouldn't work - unless

> someone can point to a study that proves that.

>

> Mark

>

>

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics

> were no good, but the Lederle ones are. I've always been able to get

> the Lederle (even Walmart still had them this time - probably left

> over from 2 years ago when I was on mino - ha!). But I'm curious as

> to what studies were actually done that proved that Barr or Schein or

> some of these others were not effective? Is there anything beyond

> just anecdotal evidence that would suggest this is true?

Hi Mark,

Can't answer the question about the studies. Anecdotally (just you were

NOT looking for), I can tell you a couple things. My AP doctor insisted

on the Lederle brand, Minocin, and wrote the prescription that way -- no

substitutions. The more cynical among us might think there's a

connection to the drug companies and I can't refute that (been known to

harbor more than a few suspicions myself in like matters!). I'd prefer

to think he had seen better results with the Lederle brand, however.

And the second thing is that, at a Road Back Foundation meeting I went

to, people were talking about generics and the RBF person told us, if I

recall correctly, that generics had a certain window, on either side of

the exact formulation of the brand-name drug, in which to deliver their

product. I thought I heard that it was as large as 20% either way, but I

could be wrong about that. Then there are of course the variations

concerning fillers and so on.

The bioequivalency is supposed to be the same in both generics and brand

names, but I can tell you of a neighbor who died after his insurance

company refused to pay for the brand-name heart drug he needed so he

took the generic instead, and this is probably not an isolated instance.

I doubt the minocycline would have such drastic consequences, of course,

but there could clearly be variations in efficacy.

I did find a couple of interesting links (which you may have already

been to):

http://www.pamf.org/health/toyourhealth/drug.html

http://ibscrohns.about.com/library/weekly/aa062101a.htm

It would be good to learn more about this issue, one way or the other,

wouldn't it.

--Louise

[Guest guest]

Hi Mark,

>I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics were

no good

Here is an article discussing the subject:

______________________________________________________

Are Generic Drugs as Effective as Brand Name? - Not Always!

A number of patients with a history of good results on brand name antibiotics

began experiencing difficulties when a generic was substituted. Therefore, if

you have prescribed a brand name tetracycline for a patient using antibiotic

therapy and have not specified d.a.w. or no substitutions, your patient is

probably

taking a generic version and may be having a less than significant response

to the treatment. Some generic versions have been found to be ineffective for

this treatment.

In order to market drugs, U.S. generic manufacturers must have a permit and

approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicating that the active

ingredient is approximately the same as that of the brand name. The

determination

of drug approval is made according to whether it is pharmaceutically equivalent,

bio-available, and bioequivalent.

Pharmaceutically Equivalent

Two drugs are considered pharmaceutical equivalents when they contain the same

chemically active ingredient(s) and are identical in dosage form and strength.

Tetracyclines such as minocycline are complex with many properties that may

play an important part in treatment response in the arthritic patient. The fact

that patients in remission (sometimes for years) while on antibiotic therapy

saw a gradual return of symptoms when switched to a generic alerted us to a

potential problem with some generics. In three test patients, these symptoms

began to reverse immediately upon a return to the brand name version of the

drug.

Pharmaceutical equivalence may be affected by many things.

1) variations in inert ingredients

2) plants in different parts of the world

may produce ingredients that vary in quality, and by batch and manufacturing

methods. Until recently, 80% of drug ingredients came from plants in Western

Europe. According to a NY Times article April 11, 1996, that is changing. Many

ingredients are now being used from plants in China, Japan, South Korea, India

and Eastern Europe where they are produced more cheaply. Bob Milanese, president

of the National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, indicates that

only a handful of these plants meet FDA standards. " Some others are

questionable "

due to the difficulty in finding people and budget to " get over and inspect

these plants. " Another factor which affects generic quality cited by the same

article is the international buy outs and diversification allowing the

combination

of questionable ingredients into generic production.

3) In oral drugs, capsule content may be 7% over or 7% under the stated content,

e.g. a 100 mg. capsule may be as low as 93 mg. or as high as 107 mg.

4) Manufacturers may shift their source of supply.

5) Once a drug has been approved by the FDA, manufacturers sometimes make

changes

to the formula which was originally submitted.

6) Many arthritic patients are elderly. The age of the patient may be a factor

in pharmacokinetics. Digestive tract absorption of an oral drug may be altered

by a variety of factors, including higher gastric pH, accelerated gastric

emptying,

and thinning and reduction of the absorptive surface. Bioavailability may be

influenced by the increase (or decrease) in percent of body fat which is common

in some with age. It may be even higher in sedentary persons (or persons in

pain who are inactive in order to minimize discomfort.) This increased fat to

lean ratio results in a reservoir for lipid-soluble drugs which is larger

allowing

those drugs to stay in the body longer, increasing the possibility of drug

sensitivity

by prolonging the half-life. Conversely, total water content declines with age.

This decline allows a decreased volume of distribution for water-soluble drugs.

In addition to general approval, the FDA rates drugs with codes. All drugs with

an " A " code are rated as being therapeutically equivalent; " B " coded drugs are

those not rated equivalent Some pharmacies fill with B-rated drugs. At this

time, it is recommended that no patient use a version of a drug with a B-rating.

Clinical differences or serious bioequivalence problems with B-rated products

have been reported for drugs such as prednisone, estrogen tablets, levodopa

and phenytoin. In addition to The Orange Book, The Physician's Generix lists

available generics as therapeutically equivalent or non-equivalent. Because

the antibiotic protocol uses such low doses, leeway between versions which are

effective and those which are not may be much more critical.

Bioavailability

In bioavailability, it can be assumed that the drug's effectiveness is related

to the amount of product absorbed and the speed of absorption. However, in some

cases, the pharmaceutically equivalent products can have different

bioavailability.

They may be absorbed either faster or slower than the brand name drug which

may or may not be clinically significant.

The pH-dissolution profile of a product may have clinical relevance. Even if

the coating is adequate to prevent release of the enzymes in the stomach where

the ingredients are irreversibly inactivated, it may not dissolve at the pH

of the duodenum after meals.

Bioequivalence

In bioequivalence studies, the goal of testing is to determine if the drugs

are functionally equivalent. The FDA requires that any approved drug be

effective

within a 20% range of the original patented or brand name drug. This means that

the effectiveness may be 20% greater or 20% less effective than the brand name

so that two generic drugs could contain as much as a 40% difference from each

other. Therefore, a drug may be legally chemically equivalent but not at the

same time clinically equivalent. A study run on a generic of the anti-seizure,

Tegretol, found the generic allowed breakthrough seizures.

An example of how the above factors may affect the bioavailability and clinical

effectiveness is seen by applying these factors to tetracycline. At one extreme,

a 500 mg. dose of tetracycline taken in 2-250 mg. capsules which is 20% lower

in effectiveness, 7% low in the mg. amount in each capsule (14% dose total)

and which is taken with food, decreasing the absorption rate (<50%), could

provide

as low as 136 mg of tetracycline that is available to the body. Correspondingly,

the same 2-250 mg. capsules making a total dose of 500 mg. which is 20% more

effective, 7% over on mg. in capsule and taken without food (increasing the

absorption rate to 77%), provides 555 mg that is functionally available to the

system. It should be noted the food-drug interaction is less a factor with

minocycline

and doxycycline as they are absorbed differently.

In addition to the ±20% difference allowed in bioavailability by the FDA and

the ±7% of the stated capsule content allowed by the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, there

are other considerations which should be considered when using a generic drug.

1) Some drugs loose potency while on the shelf, so drug companies increase the

strength so as the drug ages, it will still provide a therapeutic level. This

means patients who use the drug soon after production when the dose may be

stronger

may be getting an overdose.

2) There is a risk that a generic substitution could result in a change in serum

concentration

3) Such a change may lead to signifi-cant adverse effects or loss of benefit

4) The risk that patients may receive different generics each time they fill

their prescription, changing the response to the drug.

5) Cost of brand names is usually, but not always, higher than for a generic.

6) Blood tests can become necessary to determine adequate concentrations,

excessive,

possibly toxic concentrations or low, possibly ineffective concentra-tions

7) The cost of the time and effort spent in adjusting the dose (if needed)

Bioequivalence may be effected by the type of study; e.g. two brand name

pharmaceutical

equivalents were each compared with a placebo in separate trials but were not

compared with each other for bioequivalence. Thus while each was effective,

it cannot be assumed that they produce the same clinical effect. Bioequivalence

studies are performed on healthy volunteers and thus may not account for the

full pharmacologic and therapeutic impact of generic substitution on patients

with disease.

Conclusion

A pharmacist may legally fill a prescription in the United States with either

the brand name or a generic without consulting either the patient or the

physician.

A prescription may not even be filled consistently with the same generic. To

assure continuity for the patient, the physician should indicate on the

prescription

no substitutions or dispense as written (daw).

The purpose of this article is not to condemn generic drugs for many are as

effective as the brand name and even come from the same manufacturing company,

but are repackaged and sold by another company as their own generic brand. Our

purpose is, however, to provide a warning not to assume that all drugs with

the same generic title are equal and will have the same clinical effect, even

though many drug reps say they are equal. This is particularly true of the

tetracycline

family because it is one of the oldest families of antibiotics being first

patented

in 1953. Since a patent is good for 17 years, the original tetracycline has

been available for generic reproduction for some 25 years.

References:

PA, Resistant Prices, A study of competitive strains in the antibiotic

markets, 1976, Ballinger Pub.

Hendeles L, Hochhaus G, Kazerounian S, Generic and alternative brand-name

pharmaceutical

equivalents: Select with caution, Am J Hosp Pharm, 1993; 50:2, 323-329.

Medical Information Department, Lederle Labs, telephone conversations.

Mandell GL, RG, Jr., JE, Principals and Practice of Infectious

Diseases, Wiley Medical Pub, 1985.

Mikati M, Bassett N, Schachter S, Double-blind randomized study comparing

brand-name

and generic phenytoin monotherapy, Epilepsia, 1992; 33:2, 359-364.

Oles KS, Penry JK, LD, RL, Dean, JC, Riela AR, Therapeutic

bioequivalency

study of brand name versus generic carbamazepine, Neurology, 1992, 42:6,

1147-52.

Physician's Generix™, Data Pharmaceutica, 1996.

Reinstein PH, Regulatory status of pancreatic enzyme preparations, JAMA, 1990;

263:18, 2491-2492.

Stoughton RB, Are generic formulations equivalent to trade name topical

glucocorticoids?

Arch Derm, 1987; 123:9, 1312-1314.

Univ. of Chicago Drug Information, telephone conversation.

For insurance companies who will not cover brand name drugs when a generic is

available, a blood test to determine concentration may be necessary for those

using low dose antibiotics to provide data to require payment for the brand

name drug.

To assure continuity for the patient, the physician should indicate on the

prescription

no substitutions or dispense as written (daw).

[Guest guest]

and Chas Adlard wrote:

>

> >I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics were

> no good

>

> Here is an article discussing the subject:

> ______________________________________________________

>

> Are Generic Drugs as Effective as Brand Name? - Not Always!

>

> A number of patients with a history of good results on brand name antibiotics

> began experiencing difficulties when a generic was substituted. Therefore, if

> you have prescribed a brand name tetracycline for a patient using antibiotic

> therapy and have not specified d.a.w. or no substitutions, your patient is

probably

> taking a generic version and may be having a less than significant response

> to the treatment. Some generic versions have been found to be ineffective for

<snip>

Thanks very much for this article! This is a keeper.

--Louise

[Guest guest]

>Mark, Carol and group,

Dr. Mercola's web page

http://www.mercola.com/article/misc/Rheumatoid Arthritis.htm still includes

the following statement:

" Clinically it has been documented that it is important to take Lederle

brand Minocin. Most all generic minocycline is clearly not as effective. A

large percentage of patients will not respond at all or not do as well with

generic non-Lederle minocycline. Traditionally it was recommended to only

receive the brand name Lederle Minocin. However, there is one generic brand

that is acceptable and that is the brand made by Lederle. The only

difference between Lederle generic Minocin and brand name Minocin is the

label and the price. "

I made made contact with Lederle Laboratories' Customer Service department

and was told that Lederle discontinued the sale of their generic

minocycline in September 2001. While there may still be some of the Lederle

brand generic in the distribution channel, it is only a matter of time

until this supply comes to an end.

My thanks go to Carol/Piney, " Bob and Carol Zarn " <bczarn@...>,

for sending this helpful email: " Harald, I live in Canada and have been

using Wyeth-Ayerst minocycline since jun98. It is the powdered form, as

that is the only kind available in Canada. The capsules are orange and

blue. They work quite well as far as I am concerned. "

This is the only recent email that I have received that names a proven

alternative to Lederle. Has anyone else tried a generic other than Lederle,

and how did it work for you?

Sincerely, Harald

Mark had written:

>I'm curious as to where all the stories started that certain generics were

>no good, but the Lederle ones are. I've always been able to get the

>Lederle (even Walmart still had them this time - probably left over from 2

>years ago when I was on mino - ha!). But I'm curious as to what studies

>were actually done that proved that Barr or Schein or some of these others

>were not effective? Is there anything beyond just anecdotal evidence that

>would suggest this is true?

[Guest guest]

Hi Mark,

There would not have to be studies to prove the effectiveness of each

generic, because if that generic was not effective the patient would

quit the program or try another brand. I was given a different brand

and when my RA flared, I went back to my pharmacist and asked for the

same generic brand I had been using and the flare went away. That was

all the proof I needed. My pharmacist explained about the percentages

of how close the generic has to be to the orginal drug and I am amazed

generics work at all. My doctor had already told me to go to such and

such pharmacy and fill my perscription, because he knew that brand

worked. If we had to have proof everytime something worked or

didn't, we would still be in the stone age.

" If you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on, help may be

only a prayer away "

Theresa B.

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis, 13 Years

Antibiotics, 36 Months

Fibro ? yrs.

[Guest guest]

> Hi Mark,> There would not have to be studies to prove the effectiveness of each> generic, because if that generic was not effective the patient would> quit the program or try another brand.

The trouble with RA is that apart from the antibiotics, it waxes and wanes on it's own. That is what makes it very tricky to determine if something is working or the disease is just taking a rest break at the moment. I'm glad you are able to determine so easily what is and is not working - for me, it's trickier than that. And for some, their insurance won't pay for name brands so that is a complicating factor especially if they don't have the money to afford the brand name on their own.

Speaking of doxy, I should ask what brand she is taking. I know she claims it has been effective for her and she gets it at dirt cheap prices - think she buys it online. I'll get back to the group on that.

HTH,

Mark

[Guest guest]

ette,

Some information is found in my listing at

http://www.tmgp.com/generic-mino.htm

I would love to get additional inputs from members of our group.

Regards, Harald

At 09:22 AM 4/26/03 -0400, you wrote:

>I just finished my minocin prescription and I had a prescription for

>minocycline. I can renew the minocin - for a lot more money - or try

>taking the minocycline. Is there anyone on the list who takes the generic

>with no problems?

>

>Thanks,

>ette

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for your input about generic mino, which I have added to

<http://www.tmgp.com/generic-mino.htm>http://www.tmgp.com/generic-mino.htm

Regards, Harald

t 05:28 PM 4/26/03 -0500, you wrote:

>Hi Harald, Sorry this took so long to answer you. I take minocycline made

>by RANBA. At least thats all thats printed on the bottle. I've been taking

>it for several months and seems ok, but with all the other stuff I can't

>know for sure. Hope this helps.

[Guest guest]

,

The most comprehensive information available to our group is in my web page

www.tmgp.com/generic-mino.htm. As soon as you have definitive

results, I will add these to the web page.

Sincerely, Harald

At 08:45 AM 5/26/2006, wrote:

>Mr. Weiss,

>

>I read with interest your post from

><mailto:rheumatics@...>rheumatics@... regarding the

>efficacy of brand versus generic. I have been taking a generic

>version made by Teva for exactly 5 months today. My chart with my

>latest labs is missing from my doctor's office so I am not sure how

>my latest bloodwork looks but physically I do not feel significantly

>improved. Since I started the protocol very early in my diagnosis I

>had expected to see results by now. If anything I appear to be in a

>holding pattern. My AP doctor swears there is no difference between

>the brand and generic. Anyone else you know taking the Teva version

>successfully?

>

>Regards,

>

> Tidrick

[Guest guest]

Lee,

The issue of brand name Minocin vs. generic minocycline is indeed a

big topic with huge financial impact. It is brought up about once a

month by new members.

I have made a best effort to maintain a web page summarizing inputs

from our members. Please see

http://www.tmgp.com/generic-mino.htm

This is again a call to our members. If you have firsthand experience

with a generic mino and know the manufacturer, please send a reply

email. If you don't know the name of the manufacturer of the generic,

phone your druggist, then send your email. We will all be thankful.

Sincerely, Harald

At 07:35 PM 8/21/2006, you wrote:

>Hello,

>

>I am new to the group and new to antibiotic therapy. I am wondering

>about minocycline..the generic vs. Minocin. The antibiotic therapy

>websites seem to indicate that there is a big difference in the

>two, the generic being unreliable or less effective.

>

> My pharmacy priced the Minocin at over $500. per month with my

> insurance unwilling to contribute. So...I am on the generic minocycline.

>

>Does anyone have any opinions or information about this issue? Is

>there a generic brand that is preferable to others?

>

>I am taking it for Sjogren's Syndrome and daily headaches. The first

>month on antibiotics, the eye dryness and pain decreased

>dramatically (and my opthomologist was thrilled with the improvement

>in the surface of my eyes and encouraged me to continue).

>

>The headaches decreased by about 50% the first month but have

>returned to their previous level now in month two.

>Has anyone experienced early benefits followed by reversal?

>

>I really appreciate being able to learn of the experiences of others

>on this list as I am pretty much on my own, my doctor having no real

>experience with this therapy ( I asked him for the prescription and

>he agreed with my reasoning).

>Thanks,

>Lee

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lee-

I got well on generic. My original AP doc did not believe there was

a difference. Eventually I switched to name brand because at the

time my insurance would cover it. New insurance does not, so I am

back on generic. While name brand has some advantages...better

absorbed, less stomach irritation...it is possible to get better on

generic. If having problems...consider switching, but if you are

improving, and the cost is prohibitive (as it is for me) generic is

probably fine. Good luck...peggy

>

> Hello,

>

> I am new to the group and new to antibiotic therapy. I am

wondering about minocycline..the generic vs. Minocin. The antibiotic

therapy websites seem to indicate that there is a big difference in

the two, the generic being unreliable or less effective.

>

> My pharmacy priced the Minocin at oevr $500. per month with my

insurance unwilling to contribute. So...I am on the generic

minocycline.

>

> Does anyone have any opinions or information about this issue? Is

there a generic brand that is preferable to others?

>

> I am taking it for Sjogren's Syndrome and daily headaches. The

first month on antibiotics, the eye dryness and pain decreased

dramatically ( and my opthomologist was thrilled with the

improvement in the surface of my eyes and encouraged me to

continue).

>

> The headaches decreased by about 50% the first month but have

returned to their previous level now in month two.

> Has anyone experienced early benefits followed by reversal?

>

> I really appreciate being able to learn of the experiences of

others on this list as I am pretty much on my own, my doctor having

no real experience with this therapy ( I asked him for the

prescription and he agreed with my reasoning).

> Thanks,

> Lee

>

>

>

>