Lialda and Generic - are they really the same? Need help

Last night after taking the generic Lialda for 5 days and having increasingly worse symptom of dark, bloody diarrhea (which I've never seen before in this manner) gas, increased frequency to use the restroom, waking up and having to go right away, and skin breakout, I came to the decision generic might not working as good as Lialda.
(I did not significantly change my diet during the holidays and have been relaxing at home over the winter break so stress and diet do not significantly play a role in this situation IMO.)
So, I called Walgreens, and the pharmacist who answered is actually a friend I know. I tell him the generic medicine isn't working and can I switch back to Lialda and get an override so the insurance will pay for some of it? I just paid almost $800 for 120 of the generic so this is a hard decision to make to be willing to toss a bottle of bills when I make $15 an hour working part time. Lialda is about $100 more which is why I went with Generic instead. He says he will call the insurance company and see what he can do during the night and call back in the morning.
This morning I was able to pick up my Lialda, but he says don't throw the generic away because it's the same exact drug, according to online sources he read. It's made in the same factory, on the same line (in India) as Lialda. In addition, he mentions there are only 2 medicines in the entire pharmacy that a company pays off other drug companies NOT to make it to avoid competition. Lialda and an ADA medicine.
Generic Lialda JUST came out this year and on here I'm seeing other people complaining about when they switched to Generic they came out of remission or had worsening symptoms. So, if the two drugs are supposedly the exact same, then why the all the issues? Is it possible someone in India is messing around with the formula for the generic in order to discourage people from saving money and they can continue to charge these huge amounts for a drug that according to my doctor costs less than $20 to make. Is there anywhere I could send in a sample of each drug to have it examined to see if they truly are the same? I would love to know for sure. Obviously I'm frustrated!

What's the alpha numeric sequence printed on your pills?

Lialda uses S476

Generic Lialda (Zydus Pharmaceuticals Mesalamine Dr 1.2 grams) is 711.

The delayed-release coatings are entirely different. The only reason Zydus beat Shire in the legal battle is because the coatings aren't remotely the same. The pill gram-size is the same: 1,200 grams per pill of mesalamine, and a once-a-day taking of the pills. But otherwise, you are talking different inactive ingredients and different coating. Most pharmacists or doctors will say they are the same, and technically they should both work the same. However, those differences do affect the point in which medication starts to be released, and the rate at which the medication is distributed within the bowel. So, could you or I do better or worse as a consequence of those differences? Sure! They're small differences but do have consequences.

Lialda uses a polymer-based MMX, PH-resistent coating. Generic uses a different coating that leaves orange dye on your fingers if you touch the pills with wet fingers.

Did you go a stint without meds?

How long on the generic? And treat this as a flare. I suggest rectal meds as well.

q

Quincy - I'm on rectal meds. No break in-between meds either.

ipoop - I agree either a bad batch OR not the same despite the claim...

It states in your signature that you've been on generic Lialda since Sept.....would you clarify please?

And what rectal meds, how often, etc......?

q

I started the Shire "generic" about two months ago. They seem exactly the same as regular Lialda to me. If anything, I'm feeling better than before.

Aruff8815 said...
Hi I know this is an old post but did you see results with lialda after switching from the generic?? I am experiencing a very similar experience with the generic. I swear it’s different than lialda. Lialda worked great for me for 5 years. I went off of it while I was pregnant and recently got a new prescription from my doctor but it was for the generic. I told him I felt worse after taking it so I just called my pharmacy and asked for the name brand. Hoping it will go through with my insurance! Hope you are feeling better!

I understand the motivation for your question. But I think the period of time off Lialda, and the changes in your body post-pregnancy make it harder to say the only difference is the generic.