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Generic for Lialda

Mon, December 04, 2017 1:53 PM

When it was time for my Lialda to be renewed, I was informed there is now a generic. I recently started to use the generic, Mesalamine Tab 1.2 GM by ZyGenerics. Within two days, I was getting sick. It literally tore my stomach up and developed flu like symptoms. I googled to see if others might be having an adverse reaction and YES, there were. I know that generics are supposed to be the same thing but I noticed one concern. It seems the coating on the pill is not the same as the Lialda. I know that Lialda is supposed to go right to the colon before dispensing the medication. I am thinking with the generic this did not happen. So, I called my pharmacy and now am paying a premium price to get the Lialda back. When the new year comes, my insurance is changing and I believe I will be forced to have generic, when available, or pay a HUGE fee for my meds. Is there something that can be done about this? I used to have a Lialda card and this really helped but they wrote me when the generic came out and said this would no longer be available.
When I take Lialda and I take it as prescribed, I hardly know I have Crohn's. I am not looking forward to what I will have to go through in three months when this prescription runs out.
Can anyone help find out why the generic is making me sick when the brand name did not?
Janet Motley

jmmotley
Joined Dec 4, 2017

Sun, March 08, 2020 8:42 PM

Reply posted for jmmotley.

I also have the issue with the Lialda generic version. I have tried two different manufacturers. O to one works, but I have to double my maintenance dosage from the Lialda.

Pjmatthews
Joined Mar 26, 2019

Tue, May 14, 2019 10:18 AM

Reply posted for jmmotley.

I also am having the same problem the doctor sent a letter to CVS they will not change me back to lialda due to insurance or i can pay 1600 out of my pocket for a 90 day supply , the coating is not lasting and i have now become out of remission after 8 years since the change

theresamaz
Joined May 14, 2019

Mon, December 04, 2017 4:20 PM

Reply posted for jmmotley.

Janet,

Thank you so much for your post! My insurance company switched me from the name brand Lialda to the generic without my knowledge. This happened the end of July and I have been sick ever since September (August was my first month taking the generic). I talked to my GI doctor and she doesn't think switching from name brand to generic causes flares, but I know she's wrong on this one. The last bottle of generic Lialda I received smelled so strongly like rubbing alcohol. Something isn't right!

When I went to the pharmacy and talked to them about it, they said my doctor would have to fill out a new prescription and sign where it says "No substitutions." This way they can't switch to generic for any reason and Insurance will still be forced to pay for it. I'm wondering if the Lialda Savings card would do the same thing. I also have the Lialda savings card and received the message that I no longer qualified. I had no idea what they meant until I realized a few months later my medicine had been switched.

Do some research on it and I will too. I'll let you know if I find anything out.

Thanks,
Jodi

daltonjo
Joined Jan 29, 2015

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