Had a interesting sceanrio happen to me recently I thought I'd share with you all re Brand nbame VS Generic meds.

I recently broke out in another "Undiagnosable" Skin Rash. After trying a Steroid Cream for 1 week, Doc finally put me on Anti-Biotics Plus Oral Pred to try to knock it out (the Rash) once and for all.

I am allergic to many many anti-biotics. They are all listed, in their generic name, on my typed Allergy/Medication & Supplement List I keep onm the computer & update for each dr between visits.

Anyhow, Dr prescreibed "Cleocin" for me. I went to Pharmacy to get & found out that was the BRAND NAME for "Clindamyacin" which is on my drug allergy list. So I had to call the Dr & get hime to prescribe something else. Funny though, if he'd of just READ the list, I'm sure he should have known that Clindamyacin & Cleocin were actually the same drug?!!

Anyhow, for our own safety, it just reiterates how we must try to learn the Generics and brand names of any & all meds given us.

Recently my Doc suggested I try the new "Veramyst" Nasal Spray. Well I reminded him that even tho it was a "NEW" formulation, it was still the active med. compound of "Fluticasone" which is same medicine as FLONASE which I've used in the past & it did NOTHING for me.

Most NEW allergy meds they're coming out with theses days are just "Combo" meds of two other already existing & patented medicines. Sometimes the NEW combo's will actually be the key for some, but I have found it most cases that if the drug DIDN'T help you at all - or worse yet gave you unbearable side effects - chances are it won't help you now in it's most recent "Reincarnation".

Many Dr's are actually surprised that I know this. Also a lot is do to NOTES, as if I used it a long time ago I may not really remember if it really helped or not, although I'm sure I never would've gone off it had it helped, so I must assume that it did not help.
Since the cost of these new "DESIGNER MEDS" are so ridiculous, we MUST police then very closely, as there's no sense wasting your money on something thats not going to help you at all, and still being miserable.

I have a sample of the new Veramyst...it is the finest spray I've used. It has a very fine mist...but I know I want be getting it as it will be so expensive and I can get a generic of Flonase for less.

Kathy...sheesh ....you really have to be on your toes.....yes the doc should have caught that....
Or maybe does your pharmacy have an 'allergy alert' system they could mark on your acct?
good thing you are vigilant..!
Keeping track of your meds is like a full-time job!
Diane

Yes, I made sure the Pharmacy updated my list. Thank God Indeeed!! I'm glad the Pharmacy filled it w/ generic rather than Brand name or I'd have never known!!

I didn't recognize the name "Cleocin". There are SOO many antibiotics I cannot take!!

Clindamycin is one I can not take anymore...I took it for dental work for several years but the last time I took it, I felt awful for weeks...left this horrible taste in my mouth...nasty stuff.

I wonder why this is....see I'm allergic to every antibiotic. I have quit breathing, hived, swollen to unbelievable proportions and thrown up all over the place while taking antibiotics. I went to an allergist to do testing. And when they put the histimine in my arm it itched but when the put the scratch of penicliin I thought I was going to go crazy with how much it itched. The histimine is supposed to be the biggest reaction and then they compare it to the reactions of the other sites... well the penicilin site was twice as big as the histimine site. Oh that was so dreadful. I had reactions to every single one. The allergist said in 35 years of practicie he had heard about people who are allergic to every one but had never seen one before me. That is why you'll notice I often refer to them as the dreaded "A". I really wish there was more insight into why this happens because technically they are chemically so different I really shouldn't be allergic to all of them and yet...? I get really nervous when a doc mentions infection....cuz I know it's going to be an awful ride. The allergist said that when approaching an infection the doc would have to decided which would be worse ...the infection or the antibiotic. I seem to get alot of infections too which really scares and annoys me. I have had some success taking a z-pak while being super drugged up on prednisone and benedryl. I'm sure glad you caught that as having an allergic reaction is no fun...no fun at all!!
thanks for the heads up!!

(grh)