Generic Suboxone Films Causing Withdrawals, Rashes and Stomach Aches – Alvogen Sandoz Dr Reddys Santoz Mylan
UPDATED 7/7/2020
Generic Suboxone sublingual films are somewhat new to the opioid addiction market. Their arrival was due in part to the appeal of Indivior UK’s patent of Suboxone sublingual films in July of 2019 (full article).
Indivior UK felt both Dr. Reddy’s and Alvogen generic Suboxone films were infringing on their copyright. The FDA however, felt differently. This allowed Dr. Reddy’s, Alvogen and now a few others to begin manufacturing and selling generic sublingual films for the treatment of opioid addiction.
Sounds great, right? Generic Suboxone films containing the same two ingredients (buprenorphine and naloxone) priced at roughly 1/3 the price of the original sublingual films. Sounds like a “win-win-win” for those addicted to opioids. Sadly, this has not been the case.
There seems to problems with most of these Suboxone film generic equivalents. Many problems indeed.
People Seem to Be Getting Sick on Generic Suboxone Films
Not too long ago we posted about the release of Dr. Reddy’s generic Suboxone films, followed by two more posts regarding the release of both the Alvogen and Sandoz brand generic films. We were genuinely excited about these new products coming to market, knowing they would save lots of money for those who suffer from opioid addiction.
While the cost savings are great, the product quality seems to be lackluster at best, often throwing people into withdrawal.
Since posting about the release of these generic films we’ve had no less than 100 people comment on their side-effects, successes and failures while using them. Keep in mind, most of these 100 comments are from people who are not new to recovery and have been using the original films or generic tablets for quite some time. They know the quality of the product, as well as can feel symptoms and side-effects when they’re not up to par.
Rather than repost the many comments, we’re placing links to the two busiest comments threads below. Please take a moment to read them. They are truly enlightening to read, especially to people currently in medication-assisted opioid recovery. We are aware of at least 10 people who avoided relapse by gaining this information who switched back to the original films and/or generic tablets.
The worst possible outcome from these failed generic Suboxone films is having someone fail who is new to recovery. If they fail to eliminate withdrawals or cause too many side-effects, people are likely to quit and simply go back to their drug of choice.
Buprenorphine & naloxone work beautifully in the original Suboxone film and generic tablet forms. It seems these generic films are just somewhat unpredictable, not strong enough, or seem to contain some sort of imbalance that causes stomach pain, rashes and withdrawal symptoms. Be sure to speak with your doctor about which medication is best for you.
Update 7/7/2020
It’s no wonder that Dr. Reddy’s generic Suboxone films may be causing issues for people in opioid addiction recovery. According to this article, Dr. Reddy’s had no less than five (5) citations from the FDA in 2019 alone. Read the article: Dr. Reddy’s knocked by the FDA for the 5th time this year
Read the Comments and Complaints from Actual Generic Suboxone Film Users
Why is anyone not talking about the mylan brand generic? It’s a really good brand compared to all the other generics (which I have tried) alvogen was horrible, so was dr reddys, sandoz was great but they pulled them like they really care for us we are only a dollar amount to these drug company’s, since sandoz was removed I got put on mylan, I am happy to say they work just as good as sandoz, they are made in america in west Virginia
Destin ,
Thank you so much! I want to try the Mylan . I liked Sandoz . Not a good as the brand but very close and I was used to it . Then they snatch it away. Hate that ! I’ll definitely try to find the Mylan here. So far , couldn’t find a pharmacy that carried it . Or they just won’t tell you what brand they have . You’ve helped me a lot ! Now if I can make it through the rest of the month on the generic tablets that aren’t working for me , I’ll try Mylan next month . Maybe people aren’t talking bout Mylan cuz it’s hard to find . Do you use a big chain Pharmacy? If so , can you tell me the name ? Maybe my local one carries it .
It’s strange that both the big and small pharmacies will carry different brands by location. One Walgreens carries this, and another Walgreens carries that. Very odd. I think the Sandoz brand was so good because it’s actually made by Indivior UK – the creators of Suboxone. It was their own generic version of the original, perhaps identical to the actual films. I hope they keep making them. However, I’ve used the generic tablets for over three years and feel perfect. I think we can get used to anything, except for the really weak generics. I hope you find the good ones!! Stay in touch and God Bless 🙂
The mylan and Dr reddy’s were exactly the same the both made me feel sick and barley able to function and I’ve noticed that the pharmacies are pushing them even though my Dr sent request that I cannot take them the told me that’s all they had and I had to deal with it
That’s awful. Can you possibly try other pharmacies?
Go to a different pharmacy. Pretty sure it’s illegal too!
The pharmacy can fill your prescription with any generic available unless your doctor states specific instructions.
Yes, every generic gave me deep headaches. The longer I took them the worse it got. I then told my Dr so he prescribed Name brand. He said I had enough side effects that my insurance couldn’t say no & had to pay for name brand. He said its an issue hes seen happening to others. My husband takes generic tablets & has zero issues. Im lucky I do see my primary care Dr for my sub’s so he knows my full history & doesn’t dismiss the issues. I have found going to a independent pharmacy gets better results too. They don’t treat you badly & actually care about health.
Stay away from big box store pharmacies.
Omg!!! Now I know why after 3 years my 12mg , I needed 3 to even stop pissing out of my rear end & runny nose & chills like crazy.
You’re not alone. The side-effects on the generic Suboxone medications varies from person to person. We are all unique, and some people just don’t respond well to some (not all) of the generic medications. And, that goes for ANY generic medication, not just Suboxone. Hope you find a great alternative Magz!
Why do you still take it ? Thought it was only to get off pain pills?
Actually Suboxone is great for pain management as well. Not everyone that takes is taking it for opioid withdrawal.
Which ones are the mylans and I have a couple other questions if someone willing to awns r I take them myself I just saw the Dr teddy’s for the first time recent
I’ve been taking Mylan for like 2 years this is after taking name brand indivivor for 3 years not a bad transition for me three 8mg strips a day im straight
Thank you, because I suffer from chronic pain. I swapped fentanyl to suboxone 11 years ago. Came off of my Xanax and Soma as well as 3 other meds. Generic suboxone not like the named brand. But Mylan is the better of all the generics out now. It doesn’t take all the pain away, but gives you a tolerance to pain. And I’m not like a zombie. Very good for pain with way less side effects.
I take it for pain management and has worked until these off generics. I have back pain that goes back to my teen so when they started treating me in the 90s I became addicted because of the major over prescribing methods that ruined my life for 25yrs I had no idea what there over prescribing, early refills would due to my life. Happy to say I met Michael Jackson’s road Dr and found Suboxone but these generics are turning my life upside down again the past 6 mo. I’m so glad I have this info now 🙏🏻
What an interesting story. Thanks for sharing this Gina 🙂
100% TRUE WOW FINALLY SOMEONE STATES THIS. It’s now being prescribed in states over vicodin they want vicodin GONE! I TAKE MINE 4 pain yes I was a addict methadone 3 years turned into a fat sob! Then took them they did $hi#! gave up then I danced well I had knee pains u name it and they also help the brain…. They are ALSO prescribed as a certain antidepressant cuz come on yall when you have your medicine your mood goes up so does the serotonin in your brain so now legally in my state any dr with a dr license can write scripts….
I too am on long term suboxone for pain management. I went on them to get off extended use of morphine for fibromyalgia & back pain. I found that the suboxone actually works much better for long term use. I now get by with occasional Tylenol & ibuprofen for flare ups instead of pain med increases.
I’ve now been on steady dose for 4 years & feel like a functional person again. I never dabbled in illicit drugs, mine was solely pain meds.
We all have unique substance issues as well as other physical or mental health issues that makes our road to recovery unique.
It’s a way to manage your addiction. The opiates are never ending but this actually stops the using from the opiate addiction and manages it. It gives addicts their lives back. It’s smart to stay in it long term or short term whichever you prefer.
Well said. I remember needing to take a pill almost every 2 hours just to avoid withdrawals. Suboxone relieved that need completely for me. I can honestly say, “I can live a normal life” while taking Suboxone, which was impossible with a 220 milligram daily pill habit.
How can I get on generic tablets…. Everytime I mention a tablet to my doctor he brings up zubsolv?? Which I hear those aren’t that great at all. I’m so sick of Dr Reddy.
Hi Jordan. That’s a little strange. Generic Suboxone tablets are everywhere now and easy to find at pharmacies. There are at least 5 different manufacturers and they seem to be all the same in quality and strength. Here’s an idea – Print out a GoodRX.com page that shows your doctor what you’re talking about. The cost savings should be enough reason to convince him or her that you want to switch. I put a link below to the GoodRX page. Enter your location so it can find your local pharmacies that carry them, enter the quantity and print it out. Take it to your doctor and ask to switch. Remember: This is YOUR medicine. You have a choice and are allowed to change medications at any time. Good luck, and please let us know how it goes. Link: GoodRX.com Generic Tablets
Ps – Zubsolv uses a different mixture. Instead of 8mg buprenorphine and 2mg naloxone (like most other brands and generics), Zubsolv uses 5.7mg buprenorphine and 1.4mg naloxone. Zubsolv offers 6 somewhat odd dosages:
0.7 mg/0.18 mg. buprenorphine/naloxone.
1.4 mg/0.36 mg. buprenorphine/naloxone.
2.9 mg/0.71 mg. buprenorphine/naloxone.
5.7 mg/1.4 mg. buprenorphine/naloxone.
8.6 mg/2.1 mg. buprenorphine/naloxone.
11.4 mg/2.9 mg. buprenorphine/naloxone.
You could try it “free” using their two weeks free Zubsolv program.
All of these dose levels are unique to Zubsolv. Maybe it’s for tapering. If there’s a more scientific reason, I have no idea what it is. We have less than a handful of patients on Zubsolv, and all of them take it because they were given a free two-week supply (free to most everyone) at the very start of their and didn’t want to switch. Hundreds of others also got the free two-week start, but switched to generic tablets due to cost savings. Zubsolv also provides a “Patient Savings Card” that makes it much cheaper than the retail price, so maybe that’s another reason people use it. Far as I know it’s the same as everything else. I hope this helps brother.
Here’s a link to the two week trial and patient savings card for anyone interested: Zubsolv two weeks free medicine (Suboxone tablets)
I got the Mylan’s from CVS and Walgreens, in Florida. I didnt like them as much as the originals. I just vot a RX for Alvogen, and they are horrible. I’ve never felt so bad since I started taking Suboxone.
I just got Lavigne and have one individual suboxone film left what are the horrible symptoms you are having? I get 3 a day but don’t take more than one a day so is it something that can be remedied by takin. More or what’s the issue please lmk
Mylan gave me awful side effects. Mylan made my ankles swell. Constant headaches, confusion and heavy leg syndrome. Meaning my legs felt like they were being held down by a ton of bricks all day, everyday. Mylan worked, but the side effects are awful for me. My hands are literally shaking and I’m writing this due to the side effects. I’m miserable!
Thats cause of the bioavailability like the zubsolve
That sucks!!! I’ve been taking the originals for almost 2 years, until last week when I got my prescription filled and didn’t realize I was given these nasty Dr. Reddy’s until I got home. I was so livid that I was going to call my pharmacy.. Then I decided I’d call my Doctor this coming week. NOW I feel I should of called my Pharmacy. I’ve been feeling dragged down and sick. I’m so pissed off for them giving me this crap. I’m going to end up going through them because I want to feel “right”. I’ve been a drug addict for well over 25 years and in Recovery for barely 3 years. I refuse to go back, but why would they give me something that would trigger me? It’s like their setting me up for failure.
I also agree the Mylan are great. The packaging on their 8mg strips actually says they contain 8.6mg bupe. I’m not sure why the others don’t tell you.
Just an FYI, Walgreens carries mylan and dr reddy. CVS carries alvogen, sandoz and dr reddy. (Where I live in the south east)
THANK YOU! This is the first time someone has posted WHERE we can get the different generic Suboxone films. Everyone seems to love the Sandoz, and that’s because they are made by Indivior, UK – the maker’s of the original Suboxone. Hope to try them soon. Thanks again Blue!
At the end of 2019, Invidior stopped the Sandoz deal. WHY THEY DO NOT SAY!!The big question is has Sandoz started afresh making their own generic, WHICH I CANNOT FIND! . Out of all generics I would pick Sandoz, as their Adderal formulation IS THE ONE!!. Maybe Sandoz wanted too much of =the cut, or a law suit precluded Invidior even having it’s own generic. But I am looking at 4 pages that tell about Invidior cutting the selling the relationship. Now on Google looking at Sandoz own product info , the US map shows that thyeuy do sell Sandoz Suboxone. HELP!!
I don’t have a addiction to opioids however I am taking Suboxone for pain management. I have noticed that I get nauseated constantly it seems and it’s mostly in the morning when I have not had my dosage yet but as soon as I do take it I am feeling better pretty quickly or at least on my way to feeling better. I am trying to cut back on them so that when I do start to notice the nausea starting I can take another one and not be short or out before my refill date.. CVS is the worst with refill dates as they tend to add a day or 2 to it whenever they don’t feel like filling prescriptions..
Hi Rich. I’ve heard that in Europe they prescribe Suboxone specifically for pain management. I’d really like to know if it works for you as well as Oxycodone or OxyContin. Can you share your experience?
I’ve been taking it for four years for that reason I haven’t had issues recently though I have a kid coming my stress levels went up and I started getting Anxiety so I started taking a quarter of a Xanax and I don’t know if it was from the Suboxone or the Xanax but now I have a stomach ache every morning and feel miserable till about 12 o’clock prior to all this I’ve had zero issues the four years of taking Suboxone the Dr. Reddy’s I didn’t realize there’s different ones
I have been taking it for three years now for pain management and in my opinion Suboxone works better than Oxycodone, OxyContin ect…it last longer and you don’t have the constant up and down of being in pain. I’ve had three back surgeries why on Suboxone and I was able to keep my pain under control.
Funny you sent this right now. I’ve been moving the last 4 days and my lower back pain is at its highest – Which is the reason I started taking Oxy 21 years ago in the first place. I took 8mg of Suboxone this morning and felt MUCH better within 20 minutes. It definitely helps with pain. Thank God. Thank you Angela 🙂
Taking it in quarters every four to six hours for pain works best for me and sometimes I only take two quarters a day
So the Mylan is a good replacement to the brand? At this moment my insurance will not cover my brand. So the only brand I’ve been informed of is Mylan and the yellow package which is alvogen i think. My pharmacy says they can give me the generic tablets which seems to be the best replacement for now right?
I prefer the tablets over any of the generic films, and a lot of people I know use the tablets instead of films. I think they’re more consistent, and I’ve never heard of anyone having issues with them – nothing like the generic films. Have you tried the tablets? Again, I love them.
Are you talking about generic tablets or original Suboxone tablets? I’ve been on Alvogen strips for about 8 months now and feel like crap everyday. No energy at all, sick to my stomache, headaches and go into withdrawal within 12-14 hours after my last dose. That’s way too soon and I’m 100% sure it’s withdrawal because as soon as I take another dose it goes away. I’ve had bloodwork done at my drs and was told everything is normal. The only change was having to switch from brand name to generic.
Just the generic tablets. They have been excellent with zero side-effects for over 4 years. And, they’re pretty cheap.
I tried the Dr. Reddy’s for about 5-6 weeks and felt terrible on them. I switched back to the generic tablets and my issues went away.
Other than the actual Suboxone films, these have been the one thing that work perfectly every time. I think I’ve had 4 different types of generic tablets, but there’s no difference to me. Best of luck Aaron. Please let us know how you do.
Interesting I been on Mylan for 6 years, moved, got different Insurance and was switched to Dr Reddys. I went into withdraws within 24 hrs and was stuck for 2 weeks. I’m now trying Alvogen my legs and hands both swelled up really bad. I go back Tuesday and am so upset I was stable almost 7 years on Mylan and and now fighting daily for my sobriety. I been asked to try the tablets, I have bever taken but was told they aren’t as strong and don’t last as long as the films. Now I wonder should I request tabs or Mylan, because I’m done with this guessing game after 6 yrs of stability, just because I moved across state lines. TIA.
Sorry that happened Tracy. I switched from original Suboxone films to generic tablets 4 years ago and haven’t had a single problem. It was only when I tried Dr. Reddy’s for 7-8 weeks that I got sick. Everyone is different, but I personally don’t know anyone who’s had issues with the tablets. I get the orange 6-sided ones, but have tried at least three different ones. All of them worked perfectly. Good luck, and please let us know how you do on the tablets. Happy Holidays 🙂
I think I figured it out, I was completely sick on the Alvogen but then I cut out the white “A8” letters and only take the orange part and waala headaches gone and actually starting to work like the sandoz version
I just started Sub 8/2 two strips once a day. I’m not feeling the comfort I’d expected (I’ve taken them a few years ago. Is it possible that my Dr would prescribe me 1 more extra, if I asked
Great question. It actually depends on which state you’re in, as the laws vary.
For example, in Tennessee doctors can prescribe up to 24mg (three x 8mg films), but only for a certain length of time since it’s considered a “high dose”.
I’ve heard that Alabama allows up to 32mg daily.
So – Let me know which State you’re in and I’m sure we can figure it out.
So for 11 years I’ve been on suboxone. Started out the first couple years on the orange octagon tablets, and then I was switched to brand film. Then after a few years of that, they switched it to Sandoz film. I don’t have an issue with any of those. I had been on the Sandoz film and just a couple years ago they took them off the market and gave me these Alogen (yellow wrapper) ones and it made me sick. High blood pressure, nausea, and was just feeling down and out. Had my doctor put in for brand film and I was back on that, still paying $200 with insurance but it is what it is. Now today all of a sudden my insurance will not cover the brand even with a doctor prior authorization telling them that the other brand makes me sick. So now I’m told they are going to fill it with this Dr.Reddy film. I’m very optimistic after what I’ve been reading that they will work for me. But at this point it seems I have no other choice. Why they make something that works and then take it away and replace it with something that’s no where near as good is mind boggling. I’ve been clean off drugs since I started suboxone and while I refuse to ever live that life again, I can see this deterring many addicts to stay straight, especially newer ones. If interested I’ll give you an update on the Dr.Reddys. I really wish I had the faith in GOD and just withdraw and get off these things.
Well, keep in mind that most people do just fine with Dr. Reddy’s. It just seems there’s a small group that experience side effects from using them. I really hope you’re fine with them. Thanks for keeping us posted. This really helps people, especially newcomers. Thanks Kevin. Have a great week.
I’ve been on Suboxone the octagon orange ones; the same dosage of 2 tablets per day with no problems until January of this year when I picked up my script and got home the pills were pink. I knew pretty quickly that I didn’t feel the same and soon started have severe stomach upset and diarrhea and withdrawal like symptoms and noticed blood in my stool and I started a menstrual cycle that I hadn’t had in 5 years. The pharmacy switched the pills out for me to the octagon orange pills after a week of feeling awful. My next script the pills were different again. They were orange but small and round and dissolved more quickly under the tongue than any I had taken before and feelings of cravings and no appetite started soon after taking these.. My doctor just wrote for films thinking I wouldn’t be getting different pills each time which was wrecking havoc on my body. I lost 25 lbs in two months. With the films (Dr. Reddy’s) so far I took my first dose and I won’t know if they are going to be effective or not. It is reassuring to find this review site because I don’t feel so crazy after listening to everyone talk about their struggles. The whole point of joining a program was for sobriety and I feel like this could jeopardize mine at this point. I have a feeling this is all about cost right now. They say the ingredients are the same but they are absolutely not using the same ingredients at each factory or so many people wouldn’t be complaining of side effects. Several companies are manufacturing them and generics are less expensive and it’s a insurance issue too I’m sure. I am supposed to call my doctor on Monday and if I’m feeling sick she said she would give me a once a month injection. Is there anything you can tell me about what the injection would be like from people who have taken it?
You’re not crazy and you’re not alone. Sorry this happened to you. At first I thought it was just Dr. Reddy’s causing issues, but I have a feeling some people can have a reaction to any of the generic Suboxone medications. I’ve never had an issue with the generic Suboxone tablets (3 different orange ones and the white ones with the crescent moon) – No issues. But we’re all different, se we have to assume we receive things differently. For instance, I’m allergic to generic erythromycin. There’s no difference to the original. None. But, I react to it. I guess even minor changes to medications and each of us react differently. So.,… Subolcade injections. Here’s what I’ve experienced, and keep in mind, everyone is different so you might do just fine with them. We had three patients come to us right after Sublocade was launched. All three were begging for more Suboxone because the Sublocade stopped working effectively at the three week mark instead of four weeks. All three were in minor withdrawal. As a result, we chose not to do the Suboxone injections. Someone going into withdrawal while taking any form of Suboxone is a failure in my humble opinion. My suggestion is to be honest with your doctor. Let he or her know that the pills were different this time and you can feel a substantial difference. Any good doctor knows that generic medication efficacy varies widely. You might also consider a different pharmacy. For example, two Walgreens’ side by side may carry very different brands of generics. I hope you find the one that works best for you. This is YOUR body and YOUR sobriety. You have the right to feel great every day – without having issues from medications that vary. Best of luck Susan. Please check back in after you see your doctor to let us know how it went 🙂
I must say that Mylan did nothing for me. I had been on both the name brand and generic for over 13 years and mylan was the worst. I take 2 films a day and at each of my doctor appts I have to take a drug test before I can receive my rx and my test came back negative after taking mylan for over 3 weeks. After doing some research I found that the name brand indovir contains 17.2 benenorphine and 4.2 naloxne no where close to mylan 8 6 beneorphine and 2.4 naloxne. I have to take two mylan just to feel normal. So it may work for you guys but it’s horrible for me.
Omg ON POINT THERE ADDERALL 10 mg are the ONLY ONLY ONES STRONG THE REST TASTE LIKE DUST TABLETS LOL IF IT DONT LEAVE YOUR MOUTH BLUE ITS GARBAGE OMG THESE CHANGED MY LIFE… sandoz makes the best everything so does mylan they used to make klonopin/clonzapam and STOPPED 100,000 ppl were writing petitions lol and were out raged cuz Teva sucks even actual klonopin name brand blows!
Any idea what kroger carries?
I just got Mylan 3 days ago and it has made me so sick. I am sick to my stomach, having chills and sweats. No energy and fill like I am gonna pass out. I guess each mediation is different with each person but I am going through hell right now.
I know how you’re feeling the Non-generic worked great and then all of a sudden they started with these Dr. Reddy’s well at first I didn’t like them but they were horrible just not as good as the non-generic of Course. I found out about a form Called A brand name over generic form and you have your doctor fill it out and explain the side effects it’s causing and apparently it’s not severe enough unless it’s life-threatening To the pharmacist that is the doctor was very awesome about doing everything he could to get the brand name for me but I said it is life-threatening when you have somebody who is an opioid addict who has been on opioids for years and then they all of a sudden start to get a generic that doesn’t work well on top of horrible side effects So it’s going to be life-threatening when you go back to your drug of choice and could overdose and die. So now about two weeks ago I get these Mylan ones oh my God before I could take a quarter piece of a strip and be fine 1/ quarter to a half but these Mylan ones I felt like I started going into instant withdrawals. I felt horrible Had goosebumps all over me and I was about in tears I told my mom and she said well they’re not doing that to me I like em I said everyone is different and I’m telling you I know myself and I’ve been taking this crap for ever and these things are not working and I do not feel good I don’t know what the hell is going on. I literally had to take three before I finally even fell asleep and I still didn’t feel good and then when I woke up I was just nauseated as hell. It’s bullshit and it’s all just a big Money racket they don’t care about peoples lives that they’re destroying and taking possibly By taking someone who is new to this whole Suboxone thing I’m trying to get help and then I’ll like to get a generic version that doesn’t even help them and then they go back do whatever they were doing and then die. Some type of petition something has to be done about this there’s got to be some thing I am very good at dealing with the medical board and I’ve actually gotten a lot accomplished for a lot of medical workers than you who knew of doctors that were going to end up killing a patient and I ended up getting one of those doctors fired and he lost his license so maybe we can all get together and do something to stop this generic Suboxone being prescribed out.
“But these Mylan ones I felt like I started going into instant withdrawals. I felt horrible Had goosebumps all over me and I was about in tears I told my mom and she said well they’re not doing that to me I like em I said everyone is different”
Stop lying to us and yourself, you stated you were a new user, no new user follows the program and most find a way to make money off there meds while also getting high and maintaining the program.
You still had opioids in your system when u took that piece of suboxone and few sick with the chills, its takes 20-25mins for film to absorb and about 45-50min for an patient to feels sublingual films effects.
The only way you can get worse when taking subox films is if your still using opioids/painkillers and then you take Suboxone and the strong affinity of Bupe pushes the full antagonist off your receptors causing your body to go into precipitated withdrawal “the worst kind of withdrawal” for hours or a day all depending on how deep your current addition is..
Dont play a Playa, Dont play someone who has been on subs, in the program and has experience all this shit before you guys even knew what an opioid is!!
Dr teddy generic suboxone 8mg/2mg put me in INSTANT ACUTE WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME within 1 hour of taking the generic strip. Full detox!!!! I switched back to brand name suboxone and 2 days later, I am no longer detoxing. The generic Dr Teddy was horrible for me. Be careful if you switch.
The Mylar is a joke. They are so thin, you can see through them.
I tired Mylan and went to the dr take my drug test and it came back negative when I took over 5o films leading up to this appt. Mylan is a waste or time and doesnt work at all.
Are you serious? They didn’t see any buprenorphine in your system after taking it? Holy cow. Were you feeling any withdrawal symptoms?
Bottle of Lies by Katherine Eban showed me why, despite the fact I am taking generic Klonopin, Suboxone, and Adderall, my every 6 weeks urinalysis was showing different. Every time it was different. Sometimes I had speed in my system that was not Adderall, I once tested positive for Morphine which was very disturbing. And for over 6 months I tested positive for Meth which I have never had in my life. I am on 9 medications for various chronic health issues (hypothyroidism, narcolepsy, ptsd, etc). I have always been very sensitive to withdrawals and side effects from different medications but the last few years I have felt just awful every day: sick to my stomach and oftentimes in the bathroom half the day starting the constipation and ending with diarrhea and it never feels like it is over, my teeth are rotting and I don’t know why, I am dizzy a lot, go between sleeping constantly and severe insomnia but always am bone tired and unable to think clearly and if I turn my head too fast I see silver sparks at the corner of my vision. I can’t even drive anymore. I don’t want to even talk about the state of my skin, my edema, weight fluctuations, distended belly and lower legs, and my hair falling out so that i maybe have 1/4 left (and I am female). And the thing is, generics change from pharmacy to pharmacy and from day to day. And I have a feeling that medication is causing most if not all of these symptoms based on past experience but which ones? More than one? I’ve been taking Suboxone since 2006 and since I’ve gotten down to 1mg the stomach issues started. It is the Alvogen. I miss the tablets. I miss the original. But my Viibryd (SSRI) is a nongeneric and costs $150 a month despite my paying $800 a month for a gold plan PPO and using a preferred in-network pharmacy and manufacturers coupon. But my Synthroid is brand name as well (Dr thought that may be the culprit) and it is $20. I don’t think I can afford Suboxone pills? How much more are they? I am in never ending withdrawal and honestly, that is what it feels like. I have just gotten used to it almost.
I am worried how many of my medications are made in India. I would urge anyone on generic medications to read that book – I don’t know if Kindle has it but I know Google and iBooks do. Bottle of Lies. It’s nonfiction about generic drugs made in India and how the FDA hardly, if ever, inspects the factories, tells the factories months in advance of when they are coming, the different medical emergencies and deaths caused by generic medication that contained little if any of the actual medication, how it is a way of life to cut corners and seen as clever business practice, not criminal or improper, to save money by not delivering what you’ve promised for all intents and purposes. The most upsetting fact was to learn that they may cut corners and deliver ineffective meds for US and Europe but when it comes to developing countries, esp. those in Africa, most companies don’t even put any of the active ingredients in the things they will send put as AIDS drugs, Malaria vaccines, etc and the doctors and NGOs there know it – and are desperate for our shitty generics to save their lives.
Thank you for sharing this Jamie! I’m going to buy the book today and read it, so expect a comment back in a week or so. It’s interesting how many medications are manufactured in India. It’s even more interesting how many of these manufacturers have been given multiple infractions from the FDA. We don’t hear about these infractions here in the USA unless we look for them. It seems as if manufacturers can continue operating despite serious issues in order to keep the supply chain moving along. After watching Dopesick and seeing how the FDA “trusted Purdue Pharma’s opinion” on OxyContin being “virtually non-addictive” tells us a lot about how things really work with big pharma. I can’t help but think that money is the only thing that matters in big-medicine because it certainly isn’t our safety and wellbeing at the forefront. Sorry for the rant, I’m done now 🙂 Thanks again for sharing this!
Question: There are two books titled Bottle of Lies. Which one do you recommend?
A: Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom
or
B: Bottles Of Lies : Ranbaxy and the Dark Side of Indian Pharma
I think it’s really nice that you are so much research on this situation. Are you by any chance in the medical field? I am trying to figure out why I feel so horrible. I have been on prescribed oxycodone and morphine for breakthrough pain for a few years. I then was just given more 10mg oxycodone 6 x’s daily. I felt like I was just masking the pain and getting worse because I thought I could pick up heavier things or sit in certain positions. Anyway long story short. I asked to be put on suboxone so I could start to feel like a normal person again. I was given 3 8mg strips a day for 7 months. I had neck surgery and went back to pain meds. I just decided to go back to subs. I was prescribed Mylan I have been feeling horrible. Just tired but do you think it’s possible I will adjust? I was taking 1mg of generic Sandoz and felt great and now taking a whole Mylan film and feel sluggish. It also taste really different compared to brand name and three generic films I’ve tried. I wonder why. It seems everyone is just different.
Hi Jenrocks! I own two addiction treatment centers in Tennessee and I’m in recovery myself, thanks for asking 🙂 I have the benefit of seeing hundreds of people every month. I noticed a lot of people (including myself) having negative reactions to certain medications. I wanted to start discussions like this one to help people. If I had started with Dr. Reddy’s I would have quit, gone back to drugs and probably be dead. It just didn’t work for me. The original films and generic tablets are great for me. Some people do great on Dr. Reddy’s and that’s awesome. But for those who have a reaction to these generic Suboxone films and tablets, they need to know they’re not crazy. If someone doesn’t feel great on one medication, they need to switch to another and get great recovery. I think we are all different, and subtle changes in medications cause reactions in some of us. Thanks for reaching out, and please – Tell your provider what’s happening. You should never feel sick from these medications. You should feel great. A good doctor will help you make the switch 🙂 Best of success in recovery Jenrocks!
Actually at first I did for about three days. So I had to take two at time just to feel normal. When my doctor came out and gave me my results I was shocked because I know I had been taking Mylan for over 3 weeks. After that appt he put me on the name brands but because the script was so pricey I ended up going back to generic but went with Alvalon and avalon seems to work just fine and shows up in my drug screen. But today I went to get my new rx and they mixed up my script and gave me mylan again and I can’t get it fixed until Monday and I am all out of my subs so I’m feeling pretty crappy right now.
I hear Sandoz is back! Well here in Maine!
Is it? I see someone here in Ohio has some and i was not sure it was real. I can’t find anything saying they started production again.
I was just told by a pharmacist in TN that my order for Sandoz didn’t come in because it was discontinued
I found a Reddit thread that says that too, but I can’t find a press release or anything that looks official. Anyone else know if this is true?
Im from Baltimore Maryland I just got sandoz the other day so they do have them . And they work the best outta generics. Then I would say mulan.. then avolgen then dr. Reddy’s but if u go to little ma and pop pharmacys u can get original brand or sometimes sandoz so try little pharmacys not the bigger ones like rite aid , walgreens,cvs .
They were back here in New York last month but my pharmacist just called me to warn me the supplier no longer has them available (he knows how much I hate the other brands and wanted to pre warn me before I get my script next week)..I’m soooo upset right now
I just found this out too as the CVS Pharmacy tried to give me Alvogen and they are the worst. I get head aches and usually feel withdrawal symptoms from them. They eventually won as I was lied to from the second pharmacy who said they had Mylan and I even had my own CVS call the second one who claimed they had and gave me Algoven again here in Maine.
Yes!! I was just given Algoven for the first time and they are giving me headaches, body aches, stomach aches, feeling like I’m going through withdrawals. Not only that, they are bogging me down.; like no energy. I have to go through a month of this shit? Hell no!!
I am experiencing the very same thing from Alvogen!!! Just like you said i feel like WD’s are starting! achey, tired all the time , never in a good mood and my sense of taste and smell is off. It has been a nightmare!
Until reading about it online i had no clue to what was going on.
I was fine with the Brand name stripes and even Sandoz. This all started when cvs started giving me the Alvogen brand.
I meant Dr Reddy
Hey just wanted to say thanks for your input I’ve had exact same problem here in Ohio now nowhere has the Dr reddy’s which were waaaay preferable in my opinion alot stronger then those crappy alvogen yellow package strips but now nowhere around me has the Dr reddy’s even so found 1 pharmacy today a small hometown one that says they have this new mylan generic so here goes nothing! Lol was praying it would be better 5hen the yellow ones
I was just given my first prescription of Dr. Reddys and they are terrible for me. The ones in the yellow package work great for me. It sounds like we are just the opposite.
But they dont seem to last either i had those one time and i had to take more then usually but the sandoz ones were the best and they pull them and keep all the junk ones on the market that is so sad u get rid of the good ones to keep junk ones on the market sa horrible now i see why so many ppl are dying from over dosing it is so sad.I had been on suboxone for over 7 yrs. and every month i have to deal with pain in my stomach throwing up and my skin inside my mouth is horrible my throat hurts and feels like it is closing up and i can not go with out my suboxone and the only ones that nevet ever bothered me was the real ones and the sandoz ones…this is such bs for us that we get junk ones cause they take the good ones off the market like wow who does that…
Sanoz were the best besides the name brand why would they take them off the market bring them back…
I second this. I had Mylan and loved it then one day the pharmacy ran out and gave me Dr. Reddy’s. They worked fine for about a week and then I started experiencing random withdrawal symptoms. I just switched back to Mylan and I’m doing so much better. They really do work well.
Thanks for sharing this! Would you mind explaining exactly what you felt when you switched to Dr. Reddy’s? It helps people when they share these posts with their doctor and pharmacist. Apparently, quite a few people have shown this thread to their doctor and were able to switch medications. It really helps. Thanks, and best of success in your recovery 🙂
It seems mylan is having manufacturing issues I called over 10 pharmacies today to get my script filled some even right over my state line in nearby state amd they all were out of mylan..what’s going on??
How do you call random pharmacies to get a script filled? I thought you had to stick with the same pharmacy.?
Ultimately, it’s your choice as to which pharmacy you buy medicine from. The tricky part is that many pharmacies will not tell you over the phone if they have a specific controlled substance in stock. They fear being robbed. The solution is to go inside a pharmacy and ask to speak with the pharmacist. Some are very helpful, others are so busy they appear rude. They are often underpaid and overworked. Good luck John.
I do not believe that is always the case as I am able to go to any pharmacy, I do know that if you have Medicaid you are”locked in” and not able to change as easily, at least in North Carolina, I’m not sure if every state does the same. I pay out of pocket so it’s it’s very easy to go anywhere you want.
I could swear I’ve tried going to cvs and they wouldn’t fill my script of Suboxone because I had been using Walgreens.
Making things worse – Kroger and Walgreens have been running short lately and unable to fill full scripts. Not sure if that means more people are in need or if they are cutting back supply. Either way, I wish a pharmacy was available who catered specifically to these types of medications, would stock all of them and treat the people with respect and kindness who need them.
They will, ultimately, fill it, if you insist, but they will call Walgreens. And your doctor. So it’s not like you can wait an hour or 2 and it’s ready. I’ve found most pharmacists, unless they’ve known you for a while, are, at least at first, naturally suspicious when it comes to anyone with a suboxone or any level 3 narcotic Rx (Adderall). I have the pleasure of the double whammy. And I just moved! I can therefore say Walmart is expensive and a headache, CVS will not give you anything same day first time, especially past mid afternoons, and Walgreens isn’t even worth it. I do best to get my meds at grocery stores, Rite Aid but I love when I can find a mom n pop. Unfortunately, the last one I went to, the 81 year old pharmacist was arrested for trading sexual favors for meds (It was a shock. Don’t believe me, Google “Murray Overhill, Media PA”) smh and there aren’t any around here.
You weren’t kidding about the pharmacist. Here’s the article: https://6abc.com/martin-brian-delaware-county-pharmacist-drugs-for-sex-murray-overhill-pharmacy/11189047/
I’ve been on mylans since they pulled Sandoz as well. Though I don’t feel good on them. I feel no energy, no motivation, I’m tired , my body hurts.
No wonder I’ve been feeling like dog sht for a year. I was on the regular blue and white film name brand Suboxone and then they changed me to a yellow pack and I have felt so bad on them not wanting to do anything at all. I have Medicaid and they are now paying for name brand Suboxone. The generic made me think of pain pills all the time and I have not felt good at all. From headaches, stomach aches, not wanting to have sex nothing at all, while taking generic. I actually took my Suboxone name brand an hour ago I feel the difference. I’m actually up cleaning my house first thing after coffee. I feel I have energy. So something has to be not in the Generic form cause I never wanted to do anything.
Yeah don’t let anyone tell you that “it is all in your head” I also have been feeling terrible since they switched me to Alvogen from the brand name(blue and white label)
I was perfectly fine for over 7 years then as soon as i switched i felt like Withdrawals were coming on.
Tired all the time,achey, sense of taste and smell are off, always in a bad mood and never want to do anything,
I could not understand what was happening until reading online about others taking the generics.
Honestly I’ve took almost all the Generic brands and for me they’re all junk unlike name brand Suboxone by.. Indivior Inc. Medicaid is now paying for name brand and doesn’t even require a PA, all the Pharmacist has to do is run name brand stright through instead of them trying to run the Generic form. This has just been changed thru the State. Thought I’d let ppl know this also. But like I stated the Generic Brands are junk and I think that’s why so many ppl are relapsing. Ppl knows what is best for them not these places making junk form of name brand Suboxone.
This is really awesome news. Thank you for sharing! Without telling us your actual location, which state are you in?
I was having same promblem but alvogen now in May of 2021 they r best out of all the rest generics. Im from Nj condos was good but than sucked and mylan ones r still all cracked up when I open them.
I’ve been on & off of Suboxone for 15 years these yellow packs are shit I have to dose twice a day & still feel like shit before my next dose .FURTHERMORE WITH THE BLUE NAME RAND STRIPS I DIDNT HAVE TO DOSE BUT ONCE DAILY AND IF I RAN OUT ETC IT WAS 2 DAYS BEFORE I FELT BAD & 3 DAYS BEFORE I WENT INTO COLD SWEATS EVEN THE BLUE GENERIC PACK HAS BEEN FINE BY ME BUT YELLOW PACKS ARE GARBAGE
I’m trying to find the Mylan brand because Dr. Reddys has had me so sick since my pharmacy switched generics. I happened to stumble onto this article. My husband even said the last 8 mo I have been on Dr. Reddys I’m sick all the time….stomach pain, rashes, all the things stated above. I thought it was just me and then I found this article. I’m so happy to hear I’m not losing my mind unfortunately I can not find Mylan to save my life and I can not afford brand. It is an awful situation to be in.