Pharmacy says a generic form of Imitrex injections are cheaper to purchase.

Anybody with experience on effectiveness of generic as compared to Imitrex from Glaxo?

By Federal law, any generic must be equivalent to the brand in terms of clinical effectivness.

Bob Johnson wrote on Nov 21^st, 2011 at 1:57pm:

By Federal law, any generic must be equivalent to the brand in terms of clinical effectivness.

Kinda.  When I was having seizures I was told that I could not just switch my Dilantin to the generic Phenytoin, because although they are SUPPOSED to be the same, they are not 100% the same--When I talked to my General Practitioner about this recently and about the perceived difference in my regular imitrex compared to the generic, he told me that Generics have to be 80% similar, not 100%.  He then told me he has seen a big difference in effectiveness of some generic vs brand name drugs, especially with Thyroid medications.

The generic shots worked as well as the name brand, for me. 
They are MUCH less expensive.

Jeannie

Ricardo wrote on Nov 21^st, 2011 at 3:51pm:

Bob Johnson wrote on Nov 21st, 2011 at 1:57pm: By Federal law, any generic must be equivalent to the brand in terms of clinical effectivness. He then told me he has seen a big difference in effectiveness of some generic vs brand name drugs, especially with Thyroid medications.

I have been told the same by my doc (in regards of my thyroid) he wants me "only" on the name brand

In regards of the imitrex (generic) it takes 15-30 minutes to kick in...where the real McCoy takes 5-10 minutes tops...this is "my experience" (and i have plenty of it  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'() now i have been told that the generic is mfg. by gsk...it just does not seem as it the same

I make my own, cut down from Suminat Nasal.
Just wrapped up a cycle (I think).  Did at least 250 such injections. 

The generic has worked the same for me as the original. It's been 2 years now since I've used it though.

And wow Lobster - 250!   :o

Well I hope you were able to abort every single attack and that the cycle is definitely over now.

bejeeber wrote on Nov 21^st, 2011 at 9:26pm:

And wow Lobster - 250!   :o Well I hope you were able to abort every single attack and that the cycle is definitely over now.

That is exactly what I did.  About a month+ into it I said f-it... as soon as a hit was coming on I jabbed myself.  And it worked like a charm.
4-5x jabs per day... a largely PF cycle. 
Busted my way out of it at the end. 

Update:  Just ran the count on my logbook. 374 doses of sumatriptan, with the first on June 29th. 

Generic works just as well for me.  It's a lot cheaper, but still very expensive if not covered by insurance.

Lobster wrote on Nov 21^st, 2011 at 10:37pm:

bejeeber wrote on Nov 21st, 2011 at 9:26pm: And wow Lobster - 250!   :o Well I hope you were able to abort every single attack and that the cycle is definitely over now. That is exactly what I did.  About a month+ into it I said f-it... as soon as a hit was coming on I jabbed myself.  And it worked like a charm. 4-5x jabs per day... a largely PF cycle.  Busted my way out of it at the end.  Update:  Just ran the count on my logbook. 374 doses of sumatriptan, with the first on June 29th.

Well I stand up and vigorously salute you and anyone else who can knock down every single hit in a cycle. Dangit if I didn't just bonk my head when I stood up though.  :D

Glad you were able to bust your way out of it and were able to pass Go without collecting any K10s, and here's to the hope of  trex no longer being required thanks to maintenance busts!

Before investing an hour of valuable PF time calling every pharmacy in the Las Vegas area and asking which is less expensive?

Which of these below is less expensive, on a per shot basis?

A. (NDC 0173-0478-00) Two 6-mg single-dose prefilled syringe cartridges for use with IMITREX STATdose System with a patient information leaflet with instructions for use.

B. (NDC 0173-0449-02) Imitrex Injection single-dose vial (6 mg/0.5 mL) in cartons containing 5 vials.

It works the same for me. And yeah, much cheaper! When it was brand only I was paying $50, I think, for 4 shots. Now it is $10 for four. That is with insurance though, without, the prices are insane! And I've found that if you can get the vials, and don't mind drawing the stuff up yourself and doing the actual injection, it comes out even better. There's 5 in a box and they usually give you 2 boxes. My insurance stopped covering that method though for some reason.

But yeah, works great for me. And it doesn't seem to burn as bad to me as the brand. Not sure why. Really weird, but when I've had both at the same time, there was a notable difference to me.  *shrugs* might just be me though.

Been using the generic for over a year. Seems the same to me. Packaging is identical, just no Glaxo. Marginally cheaper at retail pricing. Fortunate now, 16 shots for $8 co-pay. Wasn't always the case. Old insurance company used to only cover 4 shots for 30 days. Unfortunately I'm Cobra and runs out soon. Hopefully pick up new job and start the game all over.