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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SharonBerg on June 5, 2000, at 9:25:57
Hi!
Does anyone know of or experienced a negating effect of
generic(g) Ritalin when combined with higher than average
intake of Iodine (the kind in Cellasene from bladderwrack)??
any other supplement and/or OTC medication?
Anyway, upon re-medication on last Wed., one
20 mg SR (g)Ritalin did not "kick-in". So, I took another
and still no effect.I called the pharmacist and he was not
aware of any recalls of the batch that he took my pills
from, he did mention that they had opened a new bottle to
fill the prescription. Well, today I took two more and still
no effect. Just as unfocused and spacey as when not medicated.
So, I called the pharmacist again and mentioned the Cellasene.
He said it could be a possibility that something in the product
was interfering with the uptake of the Ritalin, so that
absorption was being blocked in some way.
He suggested going off the Cellasene and seeing what happens.
I know the Thyroid gland is a big iodine absorber, but what
does that have to do with the absorption of Ritalin? Or maybe
the Iodine is not the problem???Thanks,
Sharon
Posted by PB and J.C. (my dog) on June 9, 2000, at 19:39:55
In reply to Generic Ritalin (methylphenid) Iodine?, posted by SharonBerg on June 5, 2000, at 9:25:57
Sharon:
I don't have any experience with generic methylphenidate and iodine consumption.
However, about five years ago when I started on methylphenidate, I initially
chose the generic brand. It didn't work for me. I only experienced the medications
intended effects (which were immediate for me) when I switched to the BRAND Ritalin
by Novaritis (formeraly Ciba). My PDoc stipulates on my scripts "No Substitutions Allowed."
You might want to try the Ritalin Brand rather than the generic. Couldn't discern from your
posting your daily dose of Ritalin. It appears that you took at least 40mg on one occasion.
I take 60mg a day - I believe that is the "suggested maximum daily dosage." But hey,
whatever works - damn the FDA and the pharmaceutical companies!Best,
PB & J.C. (my dog)
Posted by harry b. on June 9, 2000, at 20:05:10
In reply to Re: Generic Ritalin (methylphenid) Iodine?, posted by PB and J.C. (my dog) on June 9, 2000, at 19:39:55
Thanks for the info PB (& J.C.). I've been taking
the generic, 30-40mg/day, and it certainly has
not given me the boost I had hoped for. I see my
pdoc Monday and will ask her about it.Do you recollect if there is a significant cost
increase for the name brand?
hb
Posted by PB and J.C. (my dog) on June 10, 2000, at 17:03:27
In reply to Re: Generic Ritalin (methylphenid) Iodine? » PB and J.C. (my dog), posted by harry b. on June 9, 2000, at 20:05:10
HB:
There is a price differential. If memory serves,
Ritalin brand is about 30% more expensive than
generic methylphenidate - of course, that figure
can also vary depending on the pharmacy filling your
Rx (I've found that Rite-Aid Rx prices are more than
the same script at CVS).As with all medications, once a pharmaceutical
company loses its patent protection on their
drug, thereby enabling other companies to market
their generic equivalents, the original drug company
typically lowers the consumer cost of their brand
name drug. I don't know how long ago Novaritis (Ciba)
lost its patent protection on Ritalin, but I'm sure
their pricing structure was "revised" to better
compete with the generic manufacturers of methylphenidate.Another thought on drug prices: occasionally I'll
have to get a script refilled before the "75% used"
rule imposed by my insurance company (BC/BS). This
means I'll have to pay for the med out of my own pocket.
After I had to go this route several times, I noticed
that the TOTAL cost for meds when insurance is paying,
i.e., the insured patient copay PLUS the amount the
insurance company pays the pharmacy, is quite a bit lower than the TOTAL cost of the med
when paying cash. My pharmacist told me (and believe you me,
I know him well since he sees my ugly mug every week) that the
insurance companies negotiate price-caps with pharmacies
on covered meds. I was amazed - but probably just
naive to the fact that insurance companies possess
this type of clout.So ends my long response to your question! :-)
PB and J.C.
>
> Thanks for the info PB (& J.C.). I've been taking
> the generic, 30-40mg/day, and it certainly has
> not given me the boost I had hoped for. I see my
> pdoc Monday and will ask her about it.
>
> Do you recollect if there is a significant cost
> increase for the name brand?
> hb
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