5 replies to this topic

[knoppl]

I have been on Gleevec 400 mg for 7 years. I just received my medication and the pharmacy switched it to the generic Teva Imatinib. I know generics can be slightly different than brand name medication in effectiveness and strength. I have done some reading and the bulking agents can be different and apparently some people get different side effects. How worried should I be about effectiveness and side effects? I have been PCRU for 6 years. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[xGunner]

I have been switched to generic provided by Apotex. I have no choice (unless I want to pay it all out of my pocket). Not point in worrying about it.

[Rissa]

I had to switch to Apotex too.  I'd like to know if anyone has had increased side effects.  I've had a lot of pain/cramping lately and I'm not completely convinced it's the generic causing it.

[Silvertabby]

I was on the Apotex version for five months. I had a lot of cramps in my feet and occasionally in my hands. But the increased gastrointestinal issues were bad enough that I asked My Onc to put in the order for the Gleevec. Started back on the Gleevec last month. Things have improved. Still have occasional foot cramps but not nearly as much.

[Trey]

The GIST tumor folks who take Gleevec and generic imatinib (because it targets c-Kit as well as Bcr-Abl) have some good info:

 

https://liferaftgrou...able-in-the-us/

[r06ue1]

I was on generic Sun for three or four months, had doctor switch me to brand beginning this year with new insurance.  The insurance company requires me to pay the difference between the brand and generic, but Novartis is picking up the tab on that.  If the co-pay card completely drains, I might switch back to the generic.  

 

I had more diarrhea issues on the generic which seemed to be getting better before I went back to the brand, other than that, no issues and my PCR continued to fall.