most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-05-19T12:42:32Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/question/133131 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/133131/generic-prescriptions CJ 2012-07-07T17:40:49Z 2012-10-17T10:22:01Z

<p>Have been doing paleo diet since January of 2012. Initially it seemed to be helping a lot with migraines. I got knocked off balance (I think) when I did some HRT for some premenopause symptoms I was having. I ended up having to stop to hormones, but shortly after went into menopause. From January to June I lost 32#. </p> <p>I was having strings of terrible migraines for days on end about mid April. I've been on generic topamax since last October and have never felt like it really helped my migraines that much. Because of the increased migraines, night leg cramps, numbness in my hands and feet and a a terrible trashy taste in my mouth I was ready to stop it altogether. The pharmacy told me that the side effects usually were seen in about 16% of people, but usually at higher doses. Lucky me. Anyway, before I quit I decided to switch the pharmacy and go for a different generic. I went from using my triptan medication like candy to one migraine during the past month and knowing what triggered it. </p> <p>I'd had a short period of inactivity due to an injury but now I'm back doing an hour of aerobics 3x week and some moderate weight lifting and have been trying to increase the amounts. I'm only lifting up to about 15-20# right now on fitness center machines. On days off I walk and (or) pool walk. I've gained about 6# though and seem to be stalled at the weight loss. Wondering if the old med was driving some of the weight loss more than I thought. I know that one of the side effects is weight loss. I wouldn't switch it back because this is the first time in 13 years that the migraines seem to be under really good control for any length of time. But I've been working hard and I'm feeling just a bit discouraged. I'm open for suggestions. </p> <p>I guess the bigger question is, has anyone seen that big of a difference between different brands of generic meds? </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/133131/generic-prescriptions/133156#133156 Sarah 2012-07-07T20:06:46Z 2012-07-07T20:06:46Z

<p>Short answer: Yes. Generic Ambien gives me horrible headaches. Name brand, no problem.</p> <p>I did time on Topamax 1.5 yrs ago. It was probably generic. I suffered unrelenting tingling in my hands &amp; feet so I quit after 6 weeks. It didn't work very well anyway. Oddly, my cycles, which had never been regular, have been regular since then. Neuro said some of her other female patients reported this as well. I don't take any preventives now, just Relpax as an abortive.</p> <p>Like you, I've been paleo since January 2012, also for migraines, also lost weight (27 lb so far). Aren't compliments fun? However, my migraines tapered off very gradually. Only now am I going weeks without a migraine.</p> <p>Weight loss: I doubt it's the medication, although I am not a medical professional so this is pure speculation. Back to basics. Make sure you aren't cheating very often (less than once a month). Review which foods are paleo and examine your diet, esp. any ingredients lists. Are you sneaking in dairy? Soy? Commercial salad dressing? Too many nuts? Are you eating out frequently? Any of these can derail weight loss. Might try two big meals per day, no snacks, and don't overexercise (aerobics, ahem).</p> <p>I can't yet address the HRT/menopause issue, but of course that too may play a role in weight gain.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/133131/generic-prescriptions/133180#133180 MiMintzer 2012-07-07T21:41:54Z 2012-08-05T00:33:25Z

<p>IIRC, generic drug manufacturers have to show that their generic is within +/- 10% bioavailability of the brand name drug. Theoretically, the generic you had could have had a stronger effect on you than the name brand increasing the likeliness of side effects. Additionally, the inert ingredients are often different from those in the name brand. Those may also have an impact on the side effect profile.</p> <p>Often, the name brand manufacturer may have a subsidiary generic manufacturer and so the generic is identical in every way to the name brand. If you don't have a problem with the name brand drug then try to get the generic produced by its subsidiary. </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/133131/generic-prescriptions/133197#133197 Thrak 2012-07-07T22:54:49Z 2012-07-07T22:54:49Z

<p>I used to work in a pharmacy and the pharmacists would say up and down that generic was identical to brand name, however a friend that works in brain cancer research, that just developed (well was lead for a team that developed) a new drug (I am not sure exactly what it does but it seems to be something that is capable of delivering other chemicals like dyes and drugs straight to the site of the tumor) told me something that blew my mind a bit.</p> <p>Apparently the drug itself with be identical in a generic drug, but the delivery system and binders are not, and can greatly affect the efficacy of the drug. Think of it like a brand name drug being a water soluble vitamin that is delivered in water, vs a generic being delivered in, say, jello. </p> <p>I can't find anything online to back this up but she seemed pretty certain, and as a scientist that is making the drug I would tend to trust her.</p>