Change of Metformin brand

[Ladynijo]

I’ve been on Metformin slow release 1000mg 1x daily since diagnosis about 18 months ago. Initially it gave me the usual unpleasant gastric symptoms, but after a couple of months that all settled down & I seemed to tolerate it well. Also the H1abc was coming down so all good.

The last prescription, for some reason the pharmacy gave me a different brand of Metformin SR called Rudimet, and it seems to have triggered the gastric problems again. No recent changes in diet, no antibiotic meds which may account for the issue.

Obviously I’m going to ask the doctor when I next see him but I wondered if anyone else had experienced anything similar with a change in a branded version of a generic medication?

My working hypothesis is that possibly it’s a different mechanism of slow release that doesn’t agree with me. Be interested to hear if any similar experiences.

 

[Kentucky]

My mum did, not a diabetic medication but an anxiety one. Her usual brand she was absolutely fine with but whenever they gave her the alternative brand it made her feel really ill. The chemist said it may have been down to different fillers. So they put it on her notes that she had a reaction to that brand and was to be given the other one at all times.

 

[Hopeful34]

I've had it happen many times with different brands of the same medication. (I'm not on Metformin) It's caused by the fillers that each manufacturer uses being different, and some of them just don't agree with me. I'd contact the chemist and explain the problem, and ask them to make a note on your records to not give you that brand.

 

[carty]

I had the same problem with one brand of Metformin from a certain company. My pharmacist made a note not to dispense Metformin from this company and I have never had any more problems . Speak to your pharmacist .The GP just prescribes Metformin and the pharmacist orders from a company .
Carol

 

[Nigel C]

I’ve been on Metformin slow release 1000mg 1x daily since diagnosis about 18 months ago. Initially it gave me the usual unpleasant gastric symptoms, but after a couple of months that all settled down & I seemed to tolerate it well. Also the H1abc was coming down so all good.

The last prescription, for some reason the pharmacy gave me a different brand of Metformin SR called Rudimet, and it seems to have triggered the gastric problems again. No recent changes in diet, no antibiotic meds which may account for the issue.

Obviously I’m going to ask the doctor when I next see him but I wondered if anyone else had experienced anything similar with a change in a branded version of a generic medication?

My working hypothesis is that possibly it’s a different mechanism of slow release that doesn’t agree with me. Be interested to hear if any similar experiences.

 

[Nigel C]

I am having the same problem with Rudimet. Since being diagnosed with type 2 i must have been prescribed five different brands of metformin er, all with minimal side effects. The side effects i am experiencing with Rudimet are awfull. Makes me thinks it,s all to do pharmacy cost cutting

 

[Deleted member 596235]

Here in Australia, any "generic" prescription medication must by
law be bioequivalent to the innovator brand. Pharmaceutical
equivalence implies the same amount of the same active substance(s),
in the same dosage form, for the same route of administration and
meeting the same or comparable standards.

Product quality and bioequivalence data are required before a generic
product can be registered in Australia or listed on the Pharmaceutical
Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Does this not apply in the UK or the US? And if not, why not?