6 replies to this topic

[Antilogical]

I took GLEEVEC for 5 years.  Whether in the original packaging or in an amber bottle, the tablets were consistently shaped and coated.

I switched to GENERIC IMATINIB (by Apotex) 7 months ago.  Many tablets in each bottle - perhaps 20% or so - have chipped edges, where the coating is broken and the white pill is exposed.  The brown chips are never in the bottle, so this must happen in the plant following the coating step.

My latest shipment of 90 100mg tabs had 89 full-sized tabs (some with dinged edges) and one partially-coated "chunk" about 1/6 the size of a normal tab.  When I called Briova-Rx for this month's order, I mentioned the funky-chunky-looking pill, and they are sending me a replacement tablet.  The pharmacist called me in order to document the issue so they can monitor it.  I was told that I am the only person who has complained so far.

QUESTION:  Has anyone here noticed any quality issues with generic imatinib?

[shweflen]

I have been taking generic imatinib for the past 11 months and have not noticed any issues like that but I will pay more attention and post any issues I see.  I buy mine from a retail pharmacy and not mail order.  Of the 11 months, 10 were manufactured by Apotex and one came from Sun Pharmaceuticals.

[chriskuo]

Are either of you getting the pills in the manufacturers packing or is the pharmacy rebottling them?

[r06ue1]

I was on the Sun brand last year for about three months, seemed okay to me; this year (after the Novartis card ran out) I was put on Apotex and I can tell you that I have been having nothing but problems physically since I began it.  The hip joint popping problem started again not long after and I have had pain in my left hip joint ever since.  I told the doctor about it at my last appointment and he said if I am still experiencing the problem next appointment (next week) that he would write a letter to the insurance companies to get me put on a different brand (assumption, maybe he meant medication?).  The only benefit I have seen with the Apotex brand is the red bumps I typically have had on my arms (never had them before medication) have mostly disappeared.  

[shweflen]

Are either of you getting the pills in the manufacturers packing or is the pharmacy rebottling them?

What I got from Apotex has been rebottled by the pharmacy.  The ones from Sun were in blister packs.

[Antilogical]

Are either of you getting the pills in the manufacturers packing or is the pharmacy rebottling them?

The bottle appears to be the original packaging from Apotex.

[SandyG353]

My daughter, who is on Gleevec, has a prescription plan.  At one time she was told that she would have to take the Generic Gleevec.  Recently it was changed because according to customer service of her prescription plan Novartis lowered the price to match the generic drug.  So, anyone on the generic drug, check with Novartis to see if the company lowered the price in your area.

Sandy