I have tried generic brand Adderall XR it only lasted me an hour and I feel I would trust brand name better, but can the pharmacist reject my plea for Name brand.My doctor now wrote me a script for Adderall IR (20 mg), My doctor didn't write " To be dispensed only as directed" because he didn't believe there was a difference even though I know with my gut that there is. Would I still be able to get the pharmacist to give me name brand Adderall instead of generic. Yes, I do understand there is a major price difference between the two, but I my insurance pays 50% of the cost of name brand Adderall, but wasn't specific on whether that was for if the doctor writes no substitution. My insurance did write " Your price will be higher for choosing name brand over generic" so is that implying that I can ask my pharmacist for name brand even though my doctor didn't write down no substitution. I'm afraid I will go to pharmacist and they will refuse to give name brand instead of generic if I just ask them without have the doctor write the no substitution. BTW, I live in Maryland and have Aetna Open Choice PPO.
Can I get a pharmacist to give me brandname Adderall (my doctor didn't write "do not substititute")?
Question posted by Adamrocks2468 on 29 Jan 2019
Last updated on 3 April 2019 by Stirvim
Answers
First, if your doctor writes the script and adds "Brand Name Only - No Substitutions" the pharmacy has to fill it with the brand name, whether it is "IR" or "XR," (unless they do not or cannot carry it for some erroneous reason)!
Next, your doctor does not know anything about pharmaceuticals if he thinks there isn't any difference, especially for the "IR" Adderall Tabs. I have been using Adderall for well over a decade, and have used primarily the Brand Name, tried many of the generics (both "IR" & "XR"). All of the generic immediate release tabs are not even close to the brand name, some are as good as taking a sugar placebo.
I have also done extensive research, and spoken to several head Pharmacists on the topic. The FDA allows generic pharmaceuticals to vary in the amount of active ingredient (I believe it is 5% less, and may be more). Some other factors affecting the effects of a particular generic on you are other ingredients in the pills; in particular the binders, and fillers used. Many of those ingredients do not dissolve in your system completely, or as fast as others will. The problem still exists, but is not as bad for the "XR" Caps.
I have found that, for my system, generic IR Tabs do absolutely nothing for me, and because my insurance companies would not pay anything for them I stopped using them well over a decade ago. I used the Adderall XR brand name until 2 years ago. Medicare pharmaceutical companies will not pay anything for the brand name, and if I get my Dr. to prescribe "Brand Name Only," and get the insurance company to special order it for me the price is prohibitive! So I have been using various generics for the past 2 years, and not having much success. Some of the generic XR caps do nothing for me, some do very little, and I have found 1 that does slightly more than very little. Hence, there is a big difference between the "XR" Name Brand and generics -at least for me [and I continue to have the company find different generics every other time I need a refill]!!
I hope this has helped with your question, and I also hope you use a Psychiatrist who is pharmacologically knowledgeable, and not any Dr with other areas of expertise!!!
Yes, your pharmacist should have no problem dispensing the brand if you are willing to pay for the extra cost.
Related topics
adderall, adderall xr, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), generic, doctor, pharmacist, brand
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