Different looking simvastatin pill - High Cholesterol Message Board

dixieagle · 01-21-2007, 09:48 PM

Hi,

I refilled my Zocor prescription (may be the last time, what with my elevated LFTs and all...) and there is a mix of the pill I've been taking for a while, and a totally different looking one. I only noticed this when I opened the container for the first time. The new pill is a white, oblong "horse pill" with ZA 23 imprinted on it in black. I had been taking a round pink pill (both of these are evidently 80 mg., which I cut in half for my 40 mg. daily dose - insurance reasons.) The word "Ranbaxy" is on the canister, as it has been for a while; the drug company, I believe.

Does anyone else take a simvastatin that resembles this white pill? I can't find anything like this in the pill pictures online. I ask this because it was a new young pharmacist who filled the prescription. I can inquire tomorrow when they are back at work, but wanted to see if this sounds familiar to any of you.

Thanks!

Marie

Lenin · 01-22-2007, 07:17 AM

Marie,

Ranbaxy is an Indian based generic manufacturer with a presence in Princeton NJ.

They won the right, after much courtroom squabbling, to market generic simvastatin. The only question is the dosage. There is conflicting evidence of whether they are legally able to manufature the 80 mg. size.
You undoubtedly have simvastain in you bottle but give the pharmacy a call and ask him to double check whether the ZA 23 is indeeed the 80 mg. dosage.

Okay...yep, they make the 80 mg. doseage but I cannot find the pill identifier code...ZA 23.

What was the price differential betwen the patent drug and the generic for 30 tablets?

dixieagle · 01-22-2007, 07:45 AM

The retail price is listed on the receipt as $62.09 for 30 80 mg. tablets (thank God for good insurance; as it's a generic, we pay a $5.00 co-pay.)

I'll be speaking to the pharmacy this a.m., as I can't find a reference to a pill that resembles the white one anywhere. After a friend's recent pill mix-up and subsequent health issues, I am taking no chances.

Thanks!

Marie

Lenin · 01-22-2007, 09:58 AM

I asked for the retail price as soon as the generic was allowed a couple months ago. THEN it was still only a few dollars less than the Zocor and STILL over $100 for 30 pills.
At $62, that is about half the Zocor price so it's quickly coming down in price.
Thank God.

When I am ready for Medicare and give up my private insurance, I'll probably be making that switch (from Lipitor.)