Changing to Generic

BioGirl · 03-02-2005, 11:28 AM

I wonder if anyone has had blood pressure increases when switching from Norvask to the generic Cartia. My BP was reasonable at 130/80 or so. I've been at 154/100 or so since January when my doctor prescribed the generic! Since I have reverse whitecoat, my doctor is not concerned. I'm worried!

mgraylorn · 03-02-2005, 11:45 AM

Generic isn't exactly the same as the brand name. Some people sometimes do not get the same result with a generic as the brand name.

Tell your doctor about your concerns and see if you can get him to write you a script for the brand name specifically. This would be cheaper, insurance wise. If your doctor is uncooperative, talk to the pharmacist and see if you can get the brand name filled. That will probably cost you more, but worth it if your bp goes down.

Lenin · 03-02-2005, 06:05 PM

Biogirl,

These are quite different drugs. Among the BP meds the calcium channel blockes have probably the largest differences among them.
Norvasc is amlodipine and Cartia is diltiazem.

You may do very differently on one or the other. Stay with the one that has the best combination of price, results, and side effects for you. Since the Norvasc is NOT available generically, it's at least twice as expensive as diltiazem.

Palamedes · 03-02-2005, 06:51 PM

Yes, Cartia is significantly different than Norvasc. They are both CCB's. But, that's about where the similarities end. Plendil (available as generic felodipine) is probably the closest substitution for Norvasc available.

Pal

pal7778 · 03-05-2005, 01:25 PM

What about generic diltiazem (such as Cartia) vs. Tiazac (which is very expensive)?
Are the the same?