'Purple pill' Nexium's maker reaches deal to delay generic version for 3 years

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

WILMINGTON, Del. — Britain's AstraZeneca PLC said Thursday it reached a deal with the world's biggest generic drugmaker to delay for three years generic competition to its top-selling drug, the extended-release heartburn treatment Nexium.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. of Israel has agreed to keep generic versions of Nexium, the world's third-best-selling drug by revenue, out of the U.S. market until 2014. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Nexium is heavily advertised, touted in TV commercials as "the purple pill" that stops heartburn for 24 hours. Its net sales totaled $7.84 billion in 2008, according to health data firm IMS Health, with roughly $500 million of that going to Merck & Co. under a long-standing marketing partnership.

The deal ends a long-running dispute between the two companies. It averts a court case that was due to begin this month and reduces the likely impact of sales from competitive generic drugs on AstraZeneca's revenue from 2011.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14142393

[Goldstein1984]

1. This kind of news gives me heartburn

Profit before people.

[Goldstein1984]

18. Prescription medications are funny...

I was taking Aciphex, and it worked great. Much better than the Prilosec that produced side effects in my case.

Then I had a negative reaction to the statin drug I was taking, so I quit taking it.

When I quit taking the statin, three years of post-surgery pain in my shoulder went away, so I could quit taking my Naproxen.

When I quit taking the Naproxen, my acid reflux went away, so I could quit taking my Aciphex.

Without the pain caused by the statin and the acid reflux caused by the Naproxen, I started doing my preferred exercises again, and I lost more than 20 pounds.

When I lost the weight, my blood pressure returned to normal, so I could stop taking my blood pressure medication.

I was feeling so great, I modified my diet (vegetarian) and added supplements, especially niacin for my cholesterol.

My cholesterol went down, and my restless legs stopped keeping me awake at night, so I was able to stop taking my Ropinerole (ReQuip).

Prescription medications are funny like that.

[Joanne98]

2. Aren't there other generic drug companies that will produce it?

[Divine Discontent]

22. excellent question. is it that much of a dangerous action that a smaller company daring to make it

will be 'suicided'??????????????????

[Skip Intro]

3. Eh, generic prilosec is available - best heartburn med I've ever taken.

Although I take generic zantac now instead - it's a little cheaper, and almost as effective as prilosec.

[redwitch]

4. Neither worked for my hubby.

Nexium does and he takes it twice a day. He had lesions in his esophagus and as MIL recently died of esophageal cancer we don't like to mess around. Insurance company makes us pay a premium price for it and still gives him a hard time every renewal. I wish the generic was available now, we would save lots of money.

[Th1onein]

6. Prilosec IS Nexium

Look it up.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. I used to take prilosec, before I started on Nexium.

And while prilosec did control the 'heartburn' there is no evidence that it did anything to help heal esophageal lesions, which Nexium apparently does. Since I want to keep my Barrett's from metastasizing into esophageal cancer I need to stay with the Nexium. And this really pisses me off.

[Th1onein]

7. Prilosec IS Nexium

I can't believe people don't know this.

[Blasphemer]

10. Their doctors aren't telling them. I'm glad mine did. nt

[LynneSin]

27. Oh I knew all about it, use to work in the Pharmacy industry

Think about it - both are made by AstraZenaca and both are the 'purple pills'.

This is the oldest trick in the book to get around generics - they 'reformulate' the drug and give it a whole new packaging. And then they convince you that other stuff isn't the same. The easiest trick is is to make a time-release or fiddle with the formula just slightly so you can claim a new drug.

http://gerd.emedtv.com/prilosec/prilosec-vs.-nexium.html

Prilosec vs. Nexium
Many people wonder, "What is the difference between Prilosec vs. Nexium?" Although both medications are very similar chemically, there are important differences between the two medications. Prilosec and Nexium are approved for nearly the same conditions, but Prilosec is approved for use in children as young as two years old, while Nexium is only approved for adults. Also, Prilosec is more affordable than Nexium.

_______________________________

So are they the same drug? Not quite, Nexium is a bit stronger - usually that's what pharms do with the 'bait & switch' thing. But honest, if someone was pressed for money they probably would be ok with prilosec. But honestly, people swear by Nexium so if it does the trick then all is well.

But this sucks about the generic hold off.

[WriteDown]

14. Nexium has literally changed my life...

Almost amazingly effective. Can't remember a medication that has worked as well.

[Blasphemer]

9. My doctor told me there was virtually no difference between Nexium & Prisolec

He didn't give me a Nexium Rx and just told me to buy Prilosec OTC. Big Pharma is one big con.

[RaleighNCDUer]

13. My gastrologist told me there IS a difference, because of my Barret's syndrome.

He knows I'm a state employees, with limited means, and said I 'could' go back to prilosec but he advised against it because, specifically, the prisosec would NOT heal esophageal lesions. Prilosec controls acid as effectively, and if that is all you are worried about then it is fine for that. I didn't get treatment for my problem for 20 years - just popped antacids by the handful - and by the time I got a good diagnosis I had full-blown Barrett's syndrome. Now, the prilosec may control the acid production but if (and it still happens) I get an attack the prilosec WON'T heal any new lesions that develop.

If all you are worried about is heartburn, by all means go with the prilosec. It's a fine treatment for that.

I need to keep from developing a cancer that is 70% fatal.

[Blasphemer]

16. Thanks for that information

Ditto to Lance. I wish I could recall what my doctor said specifically but it was something about the chemical makeup and the drug chain. I'm glad it is working for you and I hope the generic is made available and is equally effective.

[Th1onein]

32. The difference is in the dose. That's all.

eom

[Lance_Boyle]

15. Esomeprazole (Nexium) is shown to heal esophageal erosions.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) is not. Esomeprazole was tested against both Omeprazole and Lansoprazol (Prevacid) in clinical trials to document Esomeprazole's distinguishing feature - that it helps heal esophageal erosions.

THEY ARE NOT THE SAME DRUGS!

[Th1onein]

30. These pills contain the same drug.

Prilosec contains the R and the S forms of omeprazol. Nexium contains only the S form of omeprazol. So 20 mg of Prilosec is equivalent to 12.5 mg of Nexium. The prescribing literature on Nexium obscures this fact, giving a new name to S-omeprazol: "esomeprazol."

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. Someone ring Eric Holder.

Sounds like a collusion/trust violation.

[elehhhhna]

11. how is this not a huge antitrust violation?

[Hyper_Eye]

17. Nexium is the only thing that works for me.

I have a Hiatal Hernia and Barrett's Esophagus. These are big problems for me. Without medication I would suffer debilitating acid reflux everyday. Prilosec and Aciphex are simply not a replacement. They reduce the symptoms but they do not eliminate them. Nexium does. I have to take it everyday. Unless I get surgery I will take it everyday for the rest of my life. My risk for Esophageal Cancer is already greatly increased by the Barrett's Esophagus but the lack of medication would make it multiple times more likely that I would one day die from Esophageal Cancer. A generic for Nexium would be nothing less than hugely beneficial for me.

[katkat]

19. prevacid not equal to OTC prevacid

I was happy happy when Prevacid went over the counter in November. Until I tried it. Major sore throat within a few hours. A month later I tried it again same thing.

OTC Prevacid would cost me, round numbers, $100 a month at the dose I take. Full price for Prevacid (prescription) is damn near $400 a month. As of this year, my Medicare Plan D requires a pre-authorization before they will pay for Prevacid I don't know if they will okay it, despite my having failed on the alternative meds, I could not get it okayed by fing UHC before I went on Medicare, and UHC runs the AARP Medicare Plan D plan I'm on.

I used to buy it from Canada when I was "insured" by UHC before and also last year in the donut hole, but now the manufacturer no longer sells to Canadian pharmacies that sell to US customers.

[PNutt]

21. Another Barrett's Person here.......

Nexium works, prilosec does not aid with the leisions. My Gastro Dr. mandated to my ins. company that I MUST take Nexium. A-Z has a program under which I only have to pay $25.00 per month, instead of the $130.00 per month co-pay on my Rx plan. This news is not good for we patients, but great for their CEO and investors. Classic example of what is wrong with healthare....worldwide collusion to rip people off.

[ginnyinWI]

20. I've been on both Prilosec and Nexium.

They gave me insomnia so I weaned off of them and figured out what I was eating and drinking that gave me reflux. Turned out that black tea and soda were the worst culprits, so I avoid them now.

These acid reducers are habit forming in that when you stop taking them your symptoms come on big-time. And you are convinced that you can never go off them again. But wean off gradually and it is possible for some, I'm thinking.

Before quitting all of them I went to Pepcid for a while. It was actually a more effective acid reducer and let me sleep, but it gave me new side effects, so I eventually got off that too.

[davsand]

24. A lot of people do not realize there is a "rebound" effect when you stop Acid Controllers.

I have no real idea for sure what was going on--my Doc said it was reflux, so we'll run with that assumption. Anyhow, he put me on Prilosec and I did feel a lot better for a while. Then I started to realize my hair was falling out and my skin was starting to get bad. I started reading up on the subject and realized the Prilosec might be playing a role in my hair and skin issues. For sure it was making my stomach produce less acid which I am satisfied contributed to an increase in "stomach flu" or "food poisoning" that I had happening at that same time.

I stopped taking it and thought I was gonna die because the reflux hurt so bad. I started taking it again and continued reading. There are a lot of articles that talk about that rebound effect, and it is very real.

I finally found an article that suggested digestive enzymes, Mastic Gum and DGL for a couple of weeks BEFORE you quit taking the Prilosec, and it was a huge difference. I switched to Pepcid AC for a week or two (while still using the enzymes, DGL and Mastic Gum) and then was able to stop the Pepcid completely. The theory is that your stomach needs that acid to function correctly, but it needs some time to heal up if you have allowed it to get to the point I was at.

I still use enzymes a couple of times a week, and I chew DGL if I have eaten something that messes with me (tomato sauce is my worst offender) but I stay the heck away from the OTC and script stuff now.



Laura

[ginnyinWI]

34. what are Mastic Gum and DGL?

The only thing I know about using is yogurt for the active cultures.

[davsand]

35. Active cultures are good. More and more you read about how important they are.

Mastic Gum is a resin made from a type of tree and is used for a number of digestive problems. It was originally used in the Middle East. It's useful in treating digestive issues. They sell it in health/natural food stores. You need to take it on an empty stomach. I found that it did a lot to help me.

DGL is a licorice extract and when chewed and swallowed it works with your saliva. It is supposed to help the stomach. I know people who chew DGL rather than taking antacids, and they swear by it.

Here is a link to an article that you might find worth reading. The guy is an MD as well as somebody that works with natural medicines.:


http://www.healthy.net/scr/Column.aspx?Id=652



Laura

[ginnyinWI]

37. thanks! n/t

[THale2]

23. You dont need Nexium if

You change your diet..this is what I did and I have not needed my Nexium for months

[Hyper_Eye]

25. Changing my diet is not going to reinforce the flap keeping the contents of my stomach contained.

I have pictures of my esophagus and my stomach is actually herniated upward and it is open. Without surgery the contents of my stomach will flow into my esophagus acid and all. The only thing that will correct it is surgery. Until then I need Nexium. I already eat a diet high in fruits in vegetables and only lean turkey and chicken for meat. I do not eat fatty foods, drink sugary drinks or alcohol, or eat beef. It doesn't matter. Not everything is curable with dietary changes.

[LynneSin]

28. That is the WORST advice I have heard

Probably for many heartburn sufferers it really is just a change in diet. But for serious heartburn, it is dangerous. Your Esophagus is not capable of handling the acid that the stomach produces. If there is damage where the esophagus meets the stomach it can cause serious harm. If a doctor has you on Nexium/Prilesec I would not recommend just switching diet and all is well.

[naaman fletcher]

26. Why wouldn't someone else make it?

[voteearlyvoteoften]

29. Magnesium?

My limited understanding was that nexium added magnesium to prilosec. But I believe they are the same and just an end run around the patent issue. My husband needs it and it has really helped him...he had heartburn every day before prilosec.
I am concerned about recent reports that it is bad for heart patients, cause he is one of them.

[cachukis]

31. Gastric reflux gastroreflux I'm not going to look it up, however,

I'm very curious about this issue. These drug companies are making millions on what I suspect is the physical response to bad diet/foods. If the ailment was prevalent before the last invocations of these drugs those eaters must have had a bad time or died. If they had a bad time and lived they probably avoided acid building foods.
I've thrown a lot down the gullet and managed to avoid acid reflux. When my burps went sour I knew I had overdone it. I stopped overdoing that.
My question of you, suffering, asks, "Do you continue after you have overdoneit, or is this a biological condition that heretofore has not been addressed (until the last twenty years) and or is this an advantage prosecuted by the drug industry to prey on the magic bullet solution.
I must say that I've been very curious and would like anecdotal and scientific responses.

[katkat]

36. well as long as you're okay, cachukis

The rest of us must just not be living right, otherwise we'd be 100% healthy and need zero meds.

[iamtechus]

33. Order generic 40mg Nexium here for 20 cents per pill:

You don't have to be a slave to Big Pharma and corrupt politicians.

https://www.alldaychemist.com/index.php