Is generic Ribavirin as potent as the name brand?

[St. George]

I understand that the generic version of Riba is supposed to be the identical chemical formula as the original, but I must say I notice a differnc between the two. What I mean is that I have taken the generic and the non-generic and have found the difference to be profound.  The generic version does not give me the same feeling of hyperactivity as does the name brand version.  This is troubling to me because what if I'm taking an inferior version and what are the cosequences of this?  Anyone here have SVR with the generic form?

[friole]

I was on Copegasys for 6 or 7 months of treatment and then forced to change to the generic for the last 6 months.  I relapsed.  Any connection?

[Penelope1911]

Did the experement. inch of vinegar, put both pills in different "shot glass". In 30min. the Ribavirin was already broke open and "clear"...the generic took 15min. longer and wasn't so clear, but by the time an hour was up, they both looked alike. HMPH.

[Lady E]

Mine says the common brand name is Rebetol

[NYgirl]

There are several different names for the meds...I've never noticed ANY difference in Riba Rebetol etc.

The "Brand" is just that "branding" that makes something a familiar name. For example Tylenol. It's really just "acetaminophen" but...people know the BRAND of Tylenol.

Once a certain amount of time goes by the company that developed the medicine loses the ability to hold it any longer and anyone else can copy it and create a "generic" name. Generally it is much cheaper because they did not have to invest their money to create the drug.

But it should be the same damn thing.

[hippygem]

What is the Generic Brand called, they usually have another name?

Linda

[sallyo]

Generics are the equivalent of the brand so chemically I beleive them to be identical.  It is my understanding however that the other ingrients may differ which can cause them to be absorbed differently. I read that if you put one in vinegar , stir occasionally and observe it after one half hour, you will have a better understanding of how much is being disolved in to your system and how much is just passing through.  It would be interesting to do that test on one of each.  I would do it but only have the brand.

[PasoPerson]

I thought ribavirin was the actual name of the product and that Rebetol and (the other company's version) were those company's names given to ribavirin.

Corn-fuse-ed !!  ??

[Penelope1911]

I have a bottle that has both the generic and the brand mixed. They gave me that the last time I picked up the script. The label on the bottle says DO NOT BE ALARMED: Although your medication may look different, the are equivelent, blah blah etc. SOOOOO, I think I will try the experement..lol. I'll post soon and let you know. Tell me what to look for etc, and exactly how to perform it.

[crsrph]

also have to prove solubility and and bioavailability within 5 %+-

[spacecst]

"The generic companies, on the other hand, are only required to prove that their product is chemically equivalent to the brand-name drug. They don

[FlGuy]

I think the key phrase is bio-equivalence.  I've had riba made by several different manufacturers. In fact, the next bottle are white, not pink, pills.  But I've had different capsules too. It doesn't seem to matter, I relapsed the first time.  Hey, wait a second!  (just kiddin' dragon slayer)

[spacecst]

This is a good question, they tried to push the generic on me!