Generic Drugs

LBD caregivers are usually very aware of their loved one’s drug sensitivities. You avoid those drugs that you know can cause problems even if they haven’t for your loved one. You know your loved one can be sensitive to almost anything and so you monitor every new drug carefully. But what about generic drugs? Do you use generic drugs? Do you monitor each new generic version of an old, trusted drug as carefully as you would a new drug?

You should. Generic drugs are required to be the same as the brand name drug they replace “in all ways that matter.” Generic drugs can use different dyes, filling agents, chemical binders or coatings. Although the drug company must show that these differences are “trivial.” However, what is and isn’t trivial for an individual, especially one with the severe sensitivities that LBD imposes can differ widely.

I first came across this years ago when my sister, Lucille, who had PD, broke out in a rash after taking a generic drug for migraines. When she went back to the brand name drug, her rash disappeared. Over the years, Lucille learned that she was likely to react in some negative way to many generics. Her doctor explained that she appeared to be super sensitive to certain fillers or other non-regulated parts of generic drugs and that she should avoid them. Because these ingredients are not regulated, they are not shown on the labels; thus Lucille had no way of knowing what she was sensitive to.

Kathy’s husband, Jerry, has DLB. He too reacted poorly to generics. He’d been taking Seroquel to successfully stop his frightening hallucinations. They tried a generic, but it didn’t work. In fact, it made the hallucinations worse. However, their pharmacist suggested they try a different generic brand before they returned to the more expensive brand name product. It worked well. Later, during an after-hospital stay in rehab, Jerry started hallucinating again. Kathy checked with the nurse and sure enough, the nursing home was using a different generic. They allowed Kathy to bring in the prescription bottle from home and they used that kind the following night. The next day, everyone commented about the unbelievable difference.

The bottom line is that all generics are not the same. If like Lucille, you can’t find a safe one, you may be better off using brand name drugs. However, if you can find a helpful pharmacist, you may be able to find a generic that works as well as the brand name drug. The difference in price definitely makes the effort worthwhile.

For information about Lewy body disorders, read our books:
A Caregivers’ Guide to Lewy Body Dementia
Managing Cognitive Issues in Parkinson’s & Lewy Body Dementia

Helen and James Whitworth are not doctors. As informed caregivers, they share the information here for educational purposes only. It should never be used instead of a physician's advice.