When I fill my monthly generic prescription for oxycodone, I sometimes get pills made by different manufacturers. It seems like some work better than others, same dose - same drug! Does anyone else have this experience?
Oxycodone - Is there a difference in manufacturers of generic drugs?
Question posted by Anniebananie12 on 1 July 2013
Last updated on 30 April 2025
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
79 Answers Page 3
Misunderstood39
7 Dec 2018
That is def true t192 5 mg and t194 10 mg is is the best generics for those mg in percocet and any yellow tabs like the new 10 mg c203 work the most potent all yellow tabs are stronger and the t192 5 mg are blue which is fairly new are potent also even there are the same mg some manafactures are potent than others it is important to know that
plant_waterer
5 Dec 2018
I’ve been on IR oxycodone 15mg for almost three years. The first two and a half years my (independent) pharmacy always filled them with Actavis generic oxycodone and I was more than satisfied with their strength in alleviating chronic neck and lower back pain.
In June of this year, after picking up my monthly prescriptions, I was surprised to find tiny yellow tablets instead of the green normal-sized ones produced by Actavis, Qualitest, Mallinckrodt, and KVK-Tech. Convinced a mistake had been made by the pharmacist, I literally had to use a magnifying glass in order to read the pill ID. Turns out these were the latest (and least expensive for the pharmacy) IR oxycodone tablets manufactured by Camber Pharma. Apparently at least one of the chains had recently switched all of their oxycodone containing medications to Camber, and all reviews were uniformly awful.
I couldn’t believe how microscopic these things were, and immediately wondered why they’d produce a drug like oxycodone in a size that could easily be legitimately be dropped, lost, etc... many of the excuses used by those who are trying to increase their supply. Worse, the pain relief I’d come to take for granted with the Actavis generic was almost nonexistent with Camber. I called my pharmacy and apparently I wasn’t the one who had an issue with this generic; however, these were the only ones currently available from their wholesaler. I managed to get through the month with these tiny yellow ineffective generics and asked my pharmacist to please try ordering any other brand if at all possible.
Luckily, by the next month they had received the IR oxycodone 15mg’s made by KVK-Tech. The difference in quality was clear twenty minutes after taking one. I felt the relief I’d gotten used to from Actavis... and if anything, they seemed even stronger than Actavis. Since then, they have ordered KVK for me and the other customers who had a bad experience taking Camber’s oxycodone. I received the Mallinckrodt brand one month and they were very similar to the Actavis generic in terms of strength and quality.
Avoid anything made by Camber. I can’t remember ever taking such an inferior generic medication before or since.
bobsy
16 Jan 2021
Camber bought out Activis so Activis oxycodone is no longer available.
Tone-eee
19 Nov 2018
Hi Anniebananie12,
I have found that the different generics react with my body differently all the time. I don't understand why the doctor can't just check that little box that says NO substitutions and solve my problems. I have 8 herniated disks, severe stenosis, and spinal osteoarthritis. I take 15mg oxycodone(generic for roxicodone) and used Rhodes brand years ago and it was among my favorites as I got more time out of it, and it was a round green pill, then it disappeared for a while and came back as a white oval pill which to me is useless. I might get 3 hours from it while my bottle reads every 8 hours like that would ever happen, especially being on this drug since 2011. I also had my 4 pills cut back to 3, thanks to the interference of the CDC. Don't even get me started on that whole fiasco. So to answer your question "Does anyone else have this experience?" The answer is YES!
Midnightlove1
25 July 2018
The answer to your question is there a difference in manufacturers medications even if it's the same medication and same strength is an over astounding yes! Doctors and even pharmacist' will tell they there is not but we the people who take these meds know best. There are many medications that I take that I notice a difference in by the manufacturers. And I am not the only one, everyone that I have asked has said the same thing. It's not your imagination and it's not precognitive or conditioning. You body reacts in a specific way, desirably or not, to different manufacturers ways of producing meds. U may like this company's way of doing one med but not their way of doing another. Some may not accept this answer because it's not proven in a controlled scentific way, but i believe it has been proven scientifically. Millions and millions of patients say the same.
Wldflowersdrm
28 June 2018
I have had issue with some generics causing nausea and headaches and less effective in providing pain relief. This month I had to pay $110.00 for my prescription and received Rhodes Pharmaceuticals generic form of 20 mg Dazidox. They are very large, round white pills. I have never seen a white 20 mg generic Dazitox/Percolone (generic IR Oxycodone). They are 100% ineffective at relieving pain, they nauseate me, give me a bad headache, and make me feel fatigued and want to just go to bed.
I am guessing it has something to do with the inactive ingredients in this brand of generic because this particular generic has a lot of them since it is so large. It leaves a sweet taste on my tongue where it touched before it was swallowed which is opposite the bitter taste I have always experienced in the past when taking my prescribed pain medication.
Duchess16
23 June 2018
Yes there is a small difference Between each manufacturer but they all have to have the same exact main ingredients it just depends on whether that manufactured sides to add or take away or use different colors or shapes or buy a different product type ETc. I have personally gone through this with the same exact medication or some seem like they don’t even work at all or some seem like they work less some seem like they work too much and it is up to your pharmacist unfortunately what generic you guys I mean you can ask them whether or not they will be would link to change for you but most pharmacist sis will look at you and think that you’re a drug abuser because of the fact that it is a controlled substance unfortunately due to the negative response says lately and the government. But yes I have felt as though some brands don’t work at all so hopefully I would discuss this with your Pharmacist and hopefully they’re willing to change for you.
Crusinfool
8 July 2018
Not true ! Pharmacy told me there can be up to 8% difference in strength because the regulations give them that much room to play with. So DONT be fooled by they are all the same ! I am so mad right now , Walmart changed my oxycodone 10 mg rho to oxycodone 10 mg amn ! And they are closed now !!! They are the ones that told me the guidelines are flexible and stay with the brand that works for me and they do this !!! I got these same pills from cvs and they weren’t no where near as strong . Walmart Farmacy said as long as they are within the range and no more then 6-8% off then they are fda approved ! People we aren’t crazy it’s the pill makers and pharmacies that are trying to pull this on us ! We need to stand up to our rights and not except this bull ! I going to pharmacy tomorrow and demanding my other pills or I want my script back and go elsewhere!
Jjiam
19 June 2018
I have been on pain meds on and off for a long long time. I have gotten 30mg oxycodone, and found it was made my Qualitest. Well a few months ago, the pharmacy changed the medication to a round white pill with M on the front and 30 on back. It did not work well, i suffered way to much. Expressed to the pharmacy, no problems, next month back to the regular ones. This time when I filled, they gave me the M 30 ones again, now my suffering has just begun, Mallinckrodt is the worst for me personally.
Help121
1 June 2018
Yes there is for some people. The basic ingredients are the same but the fillers they use are not. So people like me that have problems with manufacturers some work better than others. Our bodies break down medications differently so don’t think there is something wrong with you.
HypnosisWorks
1 June 2018
I only had one that did not work at all. It was made by Rhodes. I sent message to FDA and they sent me paperwork to fill out. I have to keep 1 pill for them to look at if they want to. It just did not seem to have any of the active ingredient in it at all. With these being so highly controlled now, there was nothing my Doctor could do so I was on crutches for a month and had intense pain. Rhodes was white and all my others have been pink. I have not noticed any difference between any of the pink ones. I will be so happy to be off of it this summer!!!
Eagle57
1 June 2018
OMG, for years I've been saying the same. The response I got at one time from a pharmacist, is, that the "vehicle" the manufactures uses to put the drug in, varies with each manufacture.
"vehicle" is the term she used. Meaning the surrounding of the oxycodone in the pill. For me "WATSON" oxycodone works better than any other manufacture. I use to get it from "CVS"
Before it was "WALGREENS" then, they both changed manufacture.
When I requested "WATSON" they both said it can't be done.
It's whatever manufacture they have a contract with at the time. THAT SUCKS!
I chew the 10-325 Oxycodone. Dr will give me the 20 Oxycontin, But I can't swallow from birth.
THAT REALLY SUCKS HUH!!!
bobsy
26 July 2018
WATSON was bought out by Activis Pharmaceutical Comp[any about 2 years ago. So they don't have WATSON anymore, I saw WATSON for a little while after Watson was bought up by Activis. But now I don't see Watson on anymore Oxycodone. Although I did see and use Watson hydrocodone when I was switched over fro Oxycodone to Hydrocodone for 3 months last year. But then I was switched back to Oxycodone. When I was switched back, Walgreens no longer used Activis but they use Camber Pharma now. I tired Camber and they worked well as Activis did for me, so I have stayed with that brand.
stang1114
19 May 2018
I have noticed the same thing. I used to get my generic oxycodone 30 mg at WalMart and they were good quality and worked well. I then had to change my pain management doctor because my doctor of many years became very ill. Anyhow, I went to the local small town pharmacy that was located right next to the doctor office. Let me tell you, I actually felt like I was going through withdraw because the quality of the generic brand that they carried were horrible. I did notice that the pill was much different and was very small. I told my doctor about it at my next monthly appointment and he advised me that it could in fact be the quality of the generic. I went back to WalMart and received the usual generic and all was good. Now, WalMart wants to be a pain in the ass about filling my script and tells me that they are out of inventory. I asked them to call another local WalMart and I was told to drive there.
They were quite rude and treated me like a junkie! I then filled my script at a hometown pharmacy that I used for years prior to using WalMart. I once again received a different generic which was junk, I was in pain all month and pretty much did nothing for the month.
Margieanne
20 April 2018
I just got Rhodes 10mg oxycodone. It is doing nothing for me and I am now on crutches. I called the FDA to report it and have to wait over the weekend for my Dr. To be in office. I have been taking icy for 2 years and this is the first problem. The pharmacist told me I could not order brand name but they do have a different brand in stock today. It's not in my head. It's on the knee that I am unable to walk on with Rhodes.
chandra_schnetter79
25 March 2018
Sorry, late to the game I know. But I am trying to research some information myself and ran across some of these questions. I found them helpful and I'm not gonna lie, I was a little relieved to see I'm not the only one that has problems with taking pain medication! And to answer your question, yes. I have taken different brands of the same medication and had one work better than the other. Absolutely! This among so many other problems! And trust me, like I said, late to the game! Cuz unfortunately it just gets worse! Especially when u have a jerk for a doctor! And when everybody and their dog abuse pain meds, and the people who need it, get to suffer and pay the price! Not fair in my book! Until you have chronic pain, bad back, whatever, you don't know and can't judge that person's pain.
Not by looking at them and asking a few random questions, maybe feel a couple spots on their back, and saying "does this feel the same?" Or "squeeze my fingers as hard as you can". Wow, pretty insightful! Pretty sure anybody could do it. And probably care more! At least as far as my doctor is concerned. I know that!
Walk in my shoes for a day and then come talk to me! They giveth and then they taketh away. No remorse. No a little at a time. One minute he says, "you really aren't on that much medication", the next, the law decides to come in and think they get to say what one person from the next should be on for mgs per day, so now it's "the cdc says you should be at 90mgs a day and you are at 105". So he just yanks one of my fast acting oxycodone and puts me down to 4 a day, and has had me on 10 extra for break-thru pain for forever and takes those too! All at the same time! That took me from getting 150 of my fast acting oxycodone down to 112. Just like that. No warning, no a little bit at a time, no lets see how we can do this so u aren't suffering, NOTHING!! Cut and dry, just deal with it! Not his problem, the cdc says... well you are the one who put me on this amount of medication yet somehow the laws are changing and thats my fault? I can suffer? I'm sure if he was weaning me down they wouldn't shut him down and/or take his licence! And it's not like I didn't and haven't continually asked about other options. His only response is injections! There has to be other options! It's always something! Whenever he would up one med he would cut the other back. He only does what is his idea, when he wants to do it. Otherwise, don't bother! His way or the highway. Oh you're all good and fine if u play his game and don't piss him off, get on his bad side. But if and when u do, u might as well throw in the towel cuz he will do u no favors! Consider yourself lucky if u get your scripts each month and nothing more! He is looking for a way to kick u out! All it takes is saying or doing one thing he doesn't agree with. Or don't do something he tells u to. I have talked til I'm blue in the face and I might as well be talking to a brick wall for as much good it does. He hears nothing, or what he wants to hear, and then just starts blabbing on about whatever he wants! Generally nothing about what u asked, or your pain etc in general. He spends more time bs-ing about life and how to live it. Basically more about your personal life and other crap than he does doing his job! I wish he was one of those doctors that understood how different the medications can be. Unfortunately, i feel like he would be more like "it's in your head!" Cuz he puts the blame on me whenever possible. Well, hopefully this can post. I know I got off subject there, I apologize. It's just nice to be able to relate to people that understand. And obviously I've been having a rough go with my doctor. And feel hopeless, cuz there is really nowhere else to go where i live. I hope my answer helped someone. I hope to see if there is anyone else as well. Thanks for letting me share. Take care.
llctriksy
3 March 2018
I've had this issue for year's, and yes there are many different types of things that can be different, I've had some that take longer to work, or not work as long, and different side affects with other's forcing me to change pharmacies, or request the generic that didn't cause me problems, as I am in chronic pain all the time, the last thing I need is more pain, or feeling ill. Right now I'm going through it again. I have been getting them from Actavis Mfg and did just fine until last month when it was changed to Aurobind Mfg. Now i have to wait till my next refill feeling nauseous, dizzy, n starting to have pain in my stomach feeling like it's affecting my pancreas, knowing that feeling from having chronic pancreatitis in the past that causes pain also into the mid back just below the shoulder blade area. My best to you, try asking your pharmacist to order which ever your body can deal with. Your friend in pain. Lori C
biggyjames64
3 March 2018
Have you ever tried Mallinckrodt? They seem to work the best for me and I have tried many of brand I've been in pain management for 6 years due to cancer and a motorcycle wreck and like people say the kvk seem to be the worst. The generic does matter I also heard horror stories about carco brand but I have been able to dodge them so far but I have taken kvk and I they do suck. I was recently put on xtampza for my er med and it us real hard to find. Had to have drug store special order it and it does not seem to work as good as the op it replaces and it costs a lot more. It is the abusers out there that makes it hard for the people that really needs their medicine to get it. To all people in pain out there God bless you and hang in there.
kp602
14 March 2018
Me too! We need to share bad and good manufacturers with each other. Either the med is effective or not! simple.
Rhodes brand oxycodone 15mg is bad too!
Thanks for sharing!
chandra_schnetter79
25 March 2018
I'm so sorry. I deal with chronic pain as well and truly, any additional pain or being sick really knocks the wind out of you. It does me at least. You already feel as though you are fighting an uphill battle. And in my experience most doctors, mine most definitely, don't agree or understand. Being their line of expertise you would think they might get it a little more, but not usually. I wish you the best, and hope you are feeling better soon!
HypnosisWorks
20 April 2018
Rhodes 10mg is also the worst I have ever had. It just is not working at all. I'm going to call the police department and ask them if they are able to discern what exactly is in this medication. I already called the FDA and am awaiting paperwork. Pharmacy will not allow my Dr. to order brand name.
MaddMom40
1 Oct 2018
Is there any feedback for Sun Pharmaceutical? I called CVS and he was very nice and did t treat me like I was crazy, which is awesome, but I’m not familiar with the new brand he’s saying they now have. It has a 371 on it and it’s gray. 20 mg oxycodone is what I’m prescribed for a multitude of issues. I’m scared to “try” this new brand in case it’s no better than the crooked KVK TECH brand, which has ripped me off for about 4 months now. It’s like I’m not even taking anything when I take it. How can they continue to rip us off like this? I also informed him that I’m in the process of filing a formal complaint with FDA. Hoping for feedback on this unfamiliar manufacturer.
KSS1860
14 Jan 2018
Regardless I hear this all the time. It does not matter if it is narcotics or others. However. There is a huge difference in the effectiveness and side effects. We can’t really tell people there is a difference but there is. Don’t let people kid you. It’s not in your. Mind
Related topics
oxycodone, chronic pain, generic, prescription
Further information
- Oxycodone uses and safety info
- Oxycodone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Oxycodone (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.