Mast Cell Disorders Forum

Mast Cell Disorders Forum
http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl General Mast Cell Disorders Discussion >> Medicines >> brand name vs. generic Zantac http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1311972858 Message started by jenwic on 07/29/11 at 09:54:18

Title: brand name vs. generic Zantac
Post by jenwic on 07/29/11 at 09:54:18

I started taking Zantac today for the first time. I bought the brand name thinking it would be less likely to irritate me. I know that when we first start a new med our mast cells get stirred up for a few days. Today I have been quite a bit wheezier than usual (I have asthma) and it feels like drainage down the back of my throat. My throat also feels tight or swollen. It has actually felt that way for a few days , even before I tried the Zantac. My heart rate was up this morning, but is better this evening. My bp was 117/75 and heart rate 72. That is Great for me!

I am wondering if these side effects are just from my mast cells being stirred up because this is a new med or if I'm reacting to something in the med. I'm about to run to Walmart and get some of their generic and try it tomorrow morning (think I'll skip the Zantac tonight).

Thanks in advance for any advice! :)

Jenny

Title: Re: brand name vs. generic Zantac
Post by DeborahW, Founder on 07/29/11 at 15:39:31

Everyone is different. I only take brand Zantac and because it works so well for me, I have never tried the generic (although it would save me hundreds of dollars per month!). I believe that Ramona found that some generic zantacs affect people differently that other generic zantacs -- meaning that there is not just one generic zantac! So, the question is which is the best generic zantac? Ramona [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif], what did you figure out about this?

I would say that from your description, you sound as if you had the symptoms before you tried the zantac. So, if that is the case, then you can't really attribute those particular symptoms to the Zantac.

Title: Re: brand name vs. generic Zantac
Post by jenwic on 07/30/11 at 03:41:10

True! I will await Ramona's conclusion about the generic Zantac... :)

Jenny

Title: Re: brand name vs. generic Zantac
Post by Lisa on 07/30/11 at 14:03:21

I take nothing but generic meds if I can!!! Here in Brazil our heath insurance doesn't help out with our meds, so we pay cash for everything and cry, cry, cry for a discount!!! Yet for this reason I go for generic for it saves a great deal on the end result! I spend about $300 dollars a month on meds, and this is on a Brazilian income!!

Every little bit helps!

LISA

Title: Re: brand name vs. generic Zantac
Post by Riverwn on 07/30/11 at 18:28:57

Believe it or not the generic Zantac at the Dollar General store works ok for me.. my favorite is the orange/brown prescription one that feels like peppermint as it goes down mmmmm all better.. there is a yellow one that doesnt work for me at all... anyway that is my take on it so far :)
hugs
Ramona

Title: Re: brand name vs. generic Zantac
Post by kimtg68 on 08/07/11 at 03:56:42

Now that I'm taking and paying out of pocket for all these over the counter H1 and H2 blockers I am realizing how quickly the costs add up. So I started searching for generics. With the generic Zantac I'm discovering, for me anyway, that it isn't working as well. I have the green and white box labeled 'equate' and I take 300 mg in the AM and then again in the PM. but the generic doesn't work as well for me for it leaves me in need of at least a 150mg dose in the afternoon due to horrible Gerd and indigestion. All the other generics I purchase for Zyrtec and Allegra seem to be ok for me now.
Hope you find what works for you!
Kim