Some day, we might not have a choice if we want generic Concerta; this poor M substitute might be our only choice, if we cannot afford the brand. In the meantime, the marketing agreement with Watson still holds to sell the brand as generic. So, if Costco is cutting corners already, I’d take my business elsewhere. That Costco pharmacy is simply buying the party line that the the M generic is just as good as brand — and want you to buy it, too. But consumer beware!

We use a mail-order pharmacy, via our healthcare insurance. Might be worth looking into, if your policy features it.

That’s actually what I did. My husband was the one who filled it, so when he brought them home and showed them to me, I immediately called the pharmacy. They tried to tell me it was fine. I took them straight to the doctors office, and they said to take them back. I did that, and the pharmacist was adamant they were fine, but finally said he would refund my money, but couldn’t take the pills back, but that I needed to take the pills to my doctors office and give it to them. He did reverse it on my insurance too, so I can still go get a new prescription of the correct stuff (in my opinion). I felt extremely stupid, but stuck to my guns because I really didn’t feel good about the M27 stuff. He even called my doctors office while I was there and got after them. He was apparently talking to someone different than I talked to, and he had that nurse talk to me. She was actually quite rude and made me feel even more stupid for not listening to the pharmacist, and that I was costing the pharmacy a lot of money, but in the end I was able to stick to my guns and say that I really wanted to take my prescription somewhere else. Once I left I felt so glad I stuck to my guns, but still felt stupid at the same time. I returned to the doctors office to give them the prescription and get a new written prescription, and the doctor and nurse there that I talked to reaffirmed that I was in the right. They made me feel better, which I was so thankful for!

It is possible that your child will do okay on these Ritalin LA-like generics, but I sure would not bet on it.

Frankly, I’m angry at this manufacturer’s cynical, craven exploitation of people with ADHD for their mining of FDA loopholes. Shameful. I’d like to mount a nationwide boycott.

Stay tuned.

g

I haven’t kept up with the shortage controversy. Last I heard, it seems that the DEA has decided there will be limits on the “raw materials” for the stimulants, no matter how many people are diagnosed legitimately. Talk to your congressperson.

re: 90-day supply, this might or might not be a feature of your insurance company’s prescription plan. Ask ‘em. We send in my husband’s Rx to Arizona from California (previously, it was Texas, I think). Somehow, mail-order is different. You do have to send in a new script each time; no refills.

I’m glad to have come across your info on generic v. brand or good generic v. bad generic. I have noticed the grades slipping from straight A’s to B’s with difficulty. Still, I am not complaining. I am hugely concerned with the shortage of the Meth 20mg ER. It appears to be a national shortage of raw materials. Any suggestions???

I also want to ask how can I get a 90 day supply by mail when 1) it is a controlled substance and requires a script in person 2) my MD or my mail order pharm (can’t recall which) has said I can only have a Rx for 30 days at a time. I live near Chicago, IL. Am I getting bad info?

If you can take the time to complain – to anyone and everyone – that might do some good.

best,
g

My child has become very forgetful, difficult to deal with and is unable to fall asleep at night. We did not experience any of these problems with the Concerta.

Mallinkrodt’s ER 27mg tablet is a completely different shape from the Concerta tablet and may not be dissolving properly. I also suspect the formulation is different. I just did some searching on the internet and learned that Mallinkrodt just started manufacturing and selling this medication this year after receiving approval in December of 2012.

I am going to call my pediatrician tomorrow and go back to Concerta.

I do know that some of us will be in worse shape, when insurance companies start charging an even bigger premium for the brand and forcing people to take the “generic” — especially with this Malinkodt …..garbage…that is basically Ritalin LA. They’ve exploited the letter of the FDA law, it seems to me, in showing bioequivalence with Concerta. Shameful stuff, in my opinion.