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Has anyone had a bad batch of medication not work?
With my anti-depressant, Pristiq, 2 major side effects suddenly went away, the depression got bad, and I had the worst insomnia that I've ever experienced--a known side effect from tapering off of it. I got the pharmacy to get me an earlier refill. Then taking the newer batch, the 2 major side effects returned, the depression got better and gradually the insomnia went away.
HOW DISTURBING that you can't rely on your medication to be any good. Any actions that I should take now about this problem?
HOW DISTURBING that you can't rely on your medication to be any good. Any actions that I should take now about this problem?
Hiya sara!
No doubt it happens, I just don't think it's super common. I think, if anything, the breakdown probably occurs more during improper packaging, shipping, exposure to extreme temps (like you said), or screw ups at the dispensing levels (local pharms) versus during the manufacturing process.
Thank God there is a pretty strict system in place, and I would hope there would be penalties if it was discovered that someone was lacking in their role to mantain the hefty expectations.
You ever hear anything about your medicine? You're probably going to have to keep inquiring...even if they find something, I doubt they will be in a big hurry to contact you. People don't like to have to admit someone screwed up!
No doubt it happens, I just don't think it's super common. I think, if anything, the breakdown probably occurs more during improper packaging, shipping, exposure to extreme temps (like you said), or screw ups at the dispensing levels (local pharms) versus during the manufacturing process.
Thank God there is a pretty strict system in place, and I would hope there would be penalties if it was discovered that someone was lacking in their role to mantain the hefty expectations.
You ever hear anything about your medicine? You're probably going to have to keep inquiring...even if they find something, I doubt they will be in a big hurry to contact you. People don't like to have to admit someone screwed up!
Loved your humor above. And yes, I should have included about the wrench opening.
And what did you think about my doctor's response to the bad batches of Botox that he has had coming in to the University medical system?
Thanks again.
Sara
And what did you think about my doctor's response to the bad batches of Botox that he has had coming in to the University medical system?
Thanks again.
Sara
My mind is going....ugh.
I meant to add too, that I think we'd all agree that if you had posted the info about the bottle needing power tools and TNT to open, lol...our answers would have probably been a wee bit different. :0)
You should tell the Pharmacy to give away free table saws with each Rx. Ha!
I meant to add too, that I think we'd all agree that if you had posted the info about the bottle needing power tools and TNT to open, lol...our answers would have probably been a wee bit different. :0)
You should tell the Pharmacy to give away free table saws with each Rx. Ha!
Ditto. I appreciate it as well. It's always bothersome to think you upset someone, when you were only giving your honest take on the situation at hand. I think what happens sometimes is, when a person has themselves convinced of something, and then the responders tell them something totally different, they become disappointed. I think you sort of had a knee jerk reaction and took our comments as we didn't believe you...when we were just trying to offer possibilities that were much more likely is all.
In the 18 years I've been a nurse, I've never seen, heard of, been involved in ANY situation with a "bad batch" of meds. Does that mean it doesn't happen? Of course not! Just, from MY experience, it's not real common. On the other hand, I just may never have been exposed to a situation involving a bad batch.
You have to be cautious of some websites too...there are a few pharm related sites (I won't name them, lol) where LOTS of people have a very bad anti-big pharma attitude. They're very quick to grab an opportunity to bad mouth pharmacies, the fda, etc. I personally think (and I'm biased, lol)...WE tend to be much more open minded accross the board with the topics that we see. I know when I'm answering a question, I take in all the facts as presented by the OP, what I KNOW from my educational and professional background that may relate, and any personal experiences I may have...then I formulate the best possible advice I can.
We were never saying we didn't believe you, and I'm glad you are able to see that. I think you were frustrated by the whole situation (understandably so)...and because people on the other site sort of told you what you wanted to hear at that moment...we sort of became the "bad guys"...hence your reaction.
I can't tell you how cool I think it is that you basically swallowed your pride and were honest with us about your reaction. That takes guts, lady! I'm VERY glad you found us! I also hope you DO get to the bottom of the med situation...because this is info we should ALL be learning about!
Thanks again for being honest, candid....and above all, appreciative of our help. Your posts to others have been so helpful as well! XOXOXO
In the 18 years I've been a nurse, I've never seen, heard of, been involved in ANY situation with a "bad batch" of meds. Does that mean it doesn't happen? Of course not! Just, from MY experience, it's not real common. On the other hand, I just may never have been exposed to a situation involving a bad batch.
You have to be cautious of some websites too...there are a few pharm related sites (I won't name them, lol) where LOTS of people have a very bad anti-big pharma attitude. They're very quick to grab an opportunity to bad mouth pharmacies, the fda, etc. I personally think (and I'm biased, lol)...WE tend to be much more open minded accross the board with the topics that we see. I know when I'm answering a question, I take in all the facts as presented by the OP, what I KNOW from my educational and professional background that may relate, and any personal experiences I may have...then I formulate the best possible advice I can.
We were never saying we didn't believe you, and I'm glad you are able to see that. I think you were frustrated by the whole situation (understandably so)...and because people on the other site sort of told you what you wanted to hear at that moment...we sort of became the "bad guys"...hence your reaction.
I can't tell you how cool I think it is that you basically swallowed your pride and were honest with us about your reaction. That takes guts, lady! I'm VERY glad you found us! I also hope you DO get to the bottom of the med situation...because this is info we should ALL be learning about!
Thanks again for being honest, candid....and above all, appreciative of our help. Your posts to others have been so helpful as well! XOXOXO
Thank you for understanding. No one upset me with their remarks. It's always very generous for people to spend their time trying to help someone else. Thanks to all.
Oh Sara don't worry about it. You sound a lovely lady. Thank you for posting the last message. It means a lot, as I would hate to think I had upset you.
I do always appreciate any comments. And I do understand that they are made to be helpful. I shouldn't have said that the other site was supportive, implying that you guys weren't. I just didn't feel at the time that my remarks were taken seriously to say that it could have been a normal reaction. I probably wasn't clear enough about the severity of my symptoms. And I left out the fact about the cap needing to be opened with a wrench :) The other site had people referencing that their pharmacist told them to return a bottle of medication that wasn't working and they would get a refill much sooner, as I got my refill much sooner after complaining about it. No one thought it was rare, but then that site is mostly focused on drugs, so the people on it have a lot of experience with medications. Also there were some very hostile complaints about the FDA not doing its job. It led me to believe that it's not rare.
And another experience illustrating the lack of the stringent FDA requirements. Two months before my bad experience with the Pristiq, I also had my Botox injections suddenly not work. When I questioned the doctor at my next appointment, if it could have been a bad batch, he said that he couldn't know since I was given the whole vial. But in other patients where the vial was divided between 2 or 3 people, sometimes all the people getting the same vial complained about the Botox not working. So it would have to be a bad batch of it. He said that the University has an alarm on the refrigerator which is monitored 24/7, but that he couldn't account for the condition of the medication when it arrives there!
So who knows about the temperature of the storage facility or the transport vehicle with my Pristiq medication. We've had very hot weather this summer.
So thanks again for your responses which I do appreciate.
And another experience illustrating the lack of the stringent FDA requirements. Two months before my bad experience with the Pristiq, I also had my Botox injections suddenly not work. When I questioned the doctor at my next appointment, if it could have been a bad batch, he said that he couldn't know since I was given the whole vial. But in other patients where the vial was divided between 2 or 3 people, sometimes all the people getting the same vial complained about the Botox not working. So it would have to be a bad batch of it. He said that the University has an alarm on the refrigerator which is monitored 24/7, but that he couldn't account for the condition of the medication when it arrives there!
So who knows about the temperature of the storage facility or the transport vehicle with my Pristiq medication. We've had very hot weather this summer.
So thanks again for your responses which I do appreciate.
Sara, in no way were we not being supportive! We were offering our opinions and suggestions. Truly, getting a "bad batch" of medication is rare, which is why we offered some alternative possibilities.
Thing is, until you receive word that indeed something was wrong with the med, you simply can't be sure either way. We would be doing you a major disservice by not offering alternative possibilities and things to consider. No one every said it wasn't a possibility, we were simply saying it was highly unlikely.
You did the right thing by reporting the problem, which I also mentioned should be done. I'm very sorry you didn't care for the answers you received here, we tried to offer you helpful suggestions. The main thing to focus on is that you're back on track. I'm not sure you will have any recourse even if you do find out there was a faulty batch. I'd be interested in hearing how this turns out. We're a very caring bunch here, and many of us spend a lot of our time trying to help others. That's all we were trying to do.
Let us know what you find out. Take care!
P.S. The comment about the generic version was made to another member, rainlover71, as it was irrelevant to the conversation.
Thing is, until you receive word that indeed something was wrong with the med, you simply can't be sure either way. We would be doing you a major disservice by not offering alternative possibilities and things to consider. No one every said it wasn't a possibility, we were simply saying it was highly unlikely.
You did the right thing by reporting the problem, which I also mentioned should be done. I'm very sorry you didn't care for the answers you received here, we tried to offer you helpful suggestions. The main thing to focus on is that you're back on track. I'm not sure you will have any recourse even if you do find out there was a faulty batch. I'd be interested in hearing how this turns out. We're a very caring bunch here, and many of us spend a lot of our time trying to help others. That's all we were trying to do.
Let us know what you find out. Take care!
P.S. The comment about the generic version was made to another member, rainlover71, as it was irrelevant to the conversation.
It's funny that I got such different responses from another site with Drugs in the name where people were supportive and offered me options for reporting it.
If the rest of you have ups and downs with depression, perhaps you don't have the right dose of your anti-depressant. It may need to be increased. But my down was severe which is not normal at all.
If you find that a whole new bottle gives you differences in your depression, perhaps you should question the bottle as well. If you have the ups and down on the same bottle, then it shouldn't be the medication.
I was not taking a generic. I did report the medication to MedWatch by FDA and to the manufacturer. I've asked if they want to test the pills. Will let you know.
If the rest of you have ups and downs with depression, perhaps you don't have the right dose of your anti-depressant. It may need to be increased. But my down was severe which is not normal at all.
If you find that a whole new bottle gives you differences in your depression, perhaps you should question the bottle as well. If you have the ups and down on the same bottle, then it shouldn't be the medication.
I was not taking a generic. I did report the medication to MedWatch by FDA and to the manufacturer. I've asked if they want to test the pills. Will let you know.
I did return the bottle, but didn't think that the pills wouldn't be any good and kept them. I won't ever do that again!!
My goodness! You should have returned it to the Pharmacy right away. It's not normal to need tools to open a Rx bottle! It's not impossible, not highly unlikely there was something wrong with the meds.
Anyway, just keep in mind to always notify the Pharmacy if anything like that happens again. Hopefully you won't have any more problems like that!
Anyway, just keep in mind to always notify the Pharmacy if anything like that happens again. Hopefully you won't have any more problems like that!
I never have my ups and downs with depression with the medication. Not anything like I had at that time of crying constantly. And I always had bad dreams to nightmares with the Pristiq which totally went away when the depression got so bad. And I have never had insomnia with all the pills I take at night.
And something I forgot to mention was that the bottle that it came in had a cap that had to removed by my husband with a wrench to break it open. Then the cap could not be replaced.
Another sign of some possible tampering with the med.
And something I forgot to mention was that the bottle that it came in had a cap that had to removed by my husband with a wrench to break it open. Then the cap could not be replaced.
Another sign of some possible tampering with the med.
As I said above lots of people with depression have ups and downs. That is what the mood trackers are for. They show you how your mood varies from week to week, or month to month. You are lucky if your mood does not vary.
Do you really think the medication was defective, or do you not think you have your ups and downs?
Do you really think the medication was defective, or do you not think you have your ups and downs?
A generic medication is a totally different topic. The OP is talking about basically getting "defective" medication that was made improperly.
The efficacy of generics greatly varies from person to person, and med to med.
The efficacy of generics greatly varies from person to person, and med to med.
I have found recently that I have got quite depressed again, even when taking my anti-depressants. Also, like you, suffering with really bad insomnia.
I think the anti-depressants can do so much, but we still get our ups and downs. I have had depression for over 20 years, and been on many anti-depressants, but still have my ups and downs. The medication can only do so much. It is not a cure.
There are times when I feel really well, and then for no reason I go "down" again, even when I am taking my medication which I have been on quite a while.
I don't think it is the fault of the medication. I accept it as just part of the depression. I think that was what happened to you too. I know the generic did not suit me, and asked to go back on original. Apart from that, I just wait for the lows to go away, and keep taking my tablets.
I do hope you feel better now. At the moment nmy insomnia is very bad, and that makes the depression worse.
Take care.
I think the anti-depressants can do so much, but we still get our ups and downs. I have had depression for over 20 years, and been on many anti-depressants, but still have my ups and downs. The medication can only do so much. It is not a cure.
There are times when I feel really well, and then for no reason I go "down" again, even when I am taking my medication which I have been on quite a while.
I don't think it is the fault of the medication. I accept it as just part of the depression. I think that was what happened to you too. I know the generic did not suit me, and asked to go back on original. Apart from that, I just wait for the lows to go away, and keep taking my tablets.
I do hope you feel better now. At the moment nmy insomnia is very bad, and that makes the depression worse.
Take care.
Hello!
Thing is, there is no way of knowing WHAT could have caused that. I know it seems like the obvious answer was you got a "bad batch". Truth of the matter is, there are VERY stringent requirements that must be met when making a medication. That's not to say it is impossible, but it would be so rare. I've NEVER, in 18 years of nursing ever seen or heard of a case.
SO many different factors can affect the things you described. Sometimes something in your body can cause a change in absorption, diet, illnesses, lengthy travel, other meds, etc. Menstrual cycles can be a factor!
Just saying, don't chase your tail trying to find an answer, because you likely won't ever find a concrete one. The important thing is, that you're back on track.
Incidentally...did you communicate your concerns about the med to the Pharmacy? If so, what did they say? Did you have any meds to return to them? Did they take them back? If that kind of thing is reported to the Pharmacy, they will usually return the meds to the manufacturer, but not always. There are too many factors involved, especially after it's dispensed and out of their hands.
There's no "action" you can take, other than letting your Pharmacy know. If the problem persists, you could change to a new Pharmacy, or ask for a different manufacturer (of the med, if available). Honestly...I wouldn't give it anymore thought.
Thing is, there is no way of knowing WHAT could have caused that. I know it seems like the obvious answer was you got a "bad batch". Truth of the matter is, there are VERY stringent requirements that must be met when making a medication. That's not to say it is impossible, but it would be so rare. I've NEVER, in 18 years of nursing ever seen or heard of a case.
SO many different factors can affect the things you described. Sometimes something in your body can cause a change in absorption, diet, illnesses, lengthy travel, other meds, etc. Menstrual cycles can be a factor!
Just saying, don't chase your tail trying to find an answer, because you likely won't ever find a concrete one. The important thing is, that you're back on track.
Incidentally...did you communicate your concerns about the med to the Pharmacy? If so, what did they say? Did you have any meds to return to them? Did they take them back? If that kind of thing is reported to the Pharmacy, they will usually return the meds to the manufacturer, but not always. There are too many factors involved, especially after it's dispensed and out of their hands.
There's no "action" you can take, other than letting your Pharmacy know. If the problem persists, you could change to a new Pharmacy, or ask for a different manufacturer (of the med, if available). Honestly...I wouldn't give it anymore thought.
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You are truly very lucky not to have ups and downs. I have had depression for over 20 years, and have been on many different anti-depressants. In all that time I have certainly had ups and downs. Count yourself lucky that you are not one of those people too.
I in no way meant to infer I did not believe you had a bad batch of medication. When you mentioned you thought the bottle had been tampered with, that threw a whole new light on things. You had not mentioned when you first posted. Of course I believe you. Like nursegirl said, we are supportive here. I am so sorry if you think otherwise.
Yes please let us know what happens when the pills are tested. This is very worrying.
Take care.