Some info - It's not a "new" generic, it's actually old, it's from the Purdue lawsuit over their patent a few years back, they have a contract to allow certain manufacturers to sell generic OC, but it's a quanitity amount only - so once it runs out its over. And they are only allowed to sell it to certain pharmacies, Walgreens being one. Other pharamcies can't even order it.

It's actually brand name "old" version OC (old meaning before this OP stuff) Ethex buys it from Purdue then sells it under their name. So you are getting brand med for generic price.

But again, they were only allowed to sell a certain quantity, and once that runs out, there will be no more generic, and then only the new OP will be on the market. So don't get too attached . . . . It is not likely to be around for much longer, expecially with the new OP being so unpopular. It was estimated a few months ago that the supply would run out in January 2010, but with the new mess, I would guess it will go much faster.

Here is the press release about Ethex and Purdue's settlement:

"ST. LOUIS, MO – June 9, 2009 - KV Pharmaceutical Company (NYSE: KVa/KVb) of St. Louis, MO., today announced it has entered into a settlement agreement with Purdue Pharma L.P. of Stamford, Conn., in regard to the patent infringement lawsuit between the two companies. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, KV Pharmaceutical Company acknowledges that Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin® patents are valid and enforceable and infringed. In exchange, Purdue will grant KV Pharmaceutical Company certain limited non-exclusive, royalty-bearing, non-transferable rights to sell in the United States generic versions of the drug OxyContin® (oxycodone HCl controlled-release) for a limited period of time. The Companies have agreed to continue to discuss the final location for the manufacturing of this product.

KV Pharmaceutical Company is a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, markets, and acquires technology-distinguished branded and generic/non-branded prescription pharmaceutical products. The Company markets its technology distinguished products through ETHEX Corporation, a subsidiary that competes with branded products, and Ther-Rx Corporation, the company's branded drug subsidiary."

well I was take the new the last 4 days and not doing very good bad side effects thank god i read this last night and found out was going on I found some of the last of the oc's and i might end up in the hospital because of the new and improved B**L S** make shure if you are having problems call PURDUE @ 1-888-726-7535 and press#2

Well everyone first I truly feel sorry for all of you who have to deal with this oxycontin BS. But, and I know everyone is going to scream at me, but maybe it's a god sent in disguise. About 6 years ago when I switched my whole team of doctors to what I have been told is the best orthopedic facility not just in the US but the world. Anyway the first thimg the pain doctor told me is and I quote him is "the first thing if you are going to be my patient I won't rx the oxycontin". He helped me go to something else overtime and just felt that drug is a good drug and works great but the addictiveness is so severe he truly has never seen anything like it. So maybe this is the time for all oxycontin users to switched to some other long last time release medication. Being truthfull Oxycontin is truly the best pain medication I have ever taken, it works fast, takes the pain away but just comes with to much risk. Please all think about it..

Gabbycakes

I am with Gabby - My docs have never prescribed it for me for the same reason - they felt it was just way too addictive. So I've never tried it.

I was on 75 mcg of Fentanyl for 9 months (100 mcg for a short period when my head was a real mess). In my haste to get off of it I made myself sick as a dog. I truly hope NEVER AGAIN to have to go on the stuff. I think I am long over the acute phase of my RSD and have settled into the forever "cold" chronic stage. I get ketamine infusions on a regular basis which have made a difference in a lot of my symptoms - but, I will never be "normal." I still need pain relief on a regular basis.

The most I am willing to consider now on is Fiorcet for head pain and an occasional oxycodone if things are really bad (which doesn't do much for me). Amazingly enough, after years of heavy meds, I have found that 800 mg of Motrin is is actually a pretty good pain reliever. Especially if taken with a caffeinated beverage which gets it into the system quicker.

Have a nice weekend everyone, XOXOX Sandy

Each person is different it seems you and gabbycakes are Very sensitive to higher pain meds effects. I do agree why most doctors don't prescribe it because usually they feel its to much for you. But some of us are in a different field from you where even Dilaudid, Oxycontin and Methadone are not enough. Then to make things even worse we lose the power of Oxycontin in a decision to hit the addicts and caring less about the actual most important people the patients. Sadly thing is there so stupid because addicts are going to still abuse it so the only ones there hurting are us the users that are actually prescribed. To switch peoples meds and make something that not only is weaker but making a lot sick on top of there troubles all ready, is horrendous and mistreatment of the patients well being. I know people just like you and gabby that are sensitive and some even more to the point even very weak ones make them sick as hell. But you cannot regulate what others should do unless you have been in their shoes.
Purdue screwed up big time and someones gonna sue them over the fact of making them sick and misleading info. Purdue will regret there decision in time.

As a side note to those that were on the Oxy and are having trouble now with these worthless OPs my recommendation would be to switch to Dilaudid or Methadone. Dilaudid in higher amounts is a wonderful med.

Wanted to clarify my comments in regards to the Oxycontin dispute. First Oxycontin is/was one of best pain control medications and I have taken it and honestly miss it and I never had any problem taking it, it was my Pain Doctor who would not continue to give it to me so if I wanted to stay with him I had to switch. I felt his reputation and what he was saying he could do was better for me then the oxy and it was the correct discision for me. I also don't get how Didaudid is compared to oxycontin, one is a morphine based and not time release and oxycontin is time released, that is where the danger and abuse comes in, and oxy truly is just a time released percocet without all the acedaminaphen(tylenol). And methadon is a man made product again not time released and works in a completely different way. I was told its not a breakthrought type of drug and needs to build in your system before it truly begins to work. I'm not a doctor or pharmacy spec. but I have been at this for 6-7 years with 7 surgeries many added parts to my arm and 3 - 5 day ketamine inpatient infusions so I think I have some experience in the area of pain medication. I also go to a very good doctor many of you know him and have asked me about him.

It's truly ashame that because we or most of us are on medication managment we really don't have any control of our destiny. We are controlled by the FDA and have to deal with the consequences of irresponsilbe people when it comes to pain drugs. That is truly why the oxycontin takers who really need it are having a problem it's really not because of the FDA or Purdue, honestly. I hope at the end of the day everyones pain is under control and feels secure once again.

Good Luck,

Gabbycakes

My response you quoted what not only to you and if your on a medication if dropped its for one of 3 reasons either its effectiveness wears off/ no need for it, your allergic, or your doctor feels your gaining to much of a dependence or adverse effects from it. Dilaudid is another potent drug from the opiate class. 4mg of Dilaudid is equal to that of 20-30mg of Oxycontin so one can quickly see with higher dosage you exceed Oxycontins strength. Dilaudid as well has a longer effect over the day then Oxycontin. A lot of RSD patients find relief with use of this drug. Methadone is another and is extremely potent it may take longer to effect but is worth it completely. Think of it as a chart at the top you have methadone and then under you have Dilaudid in higher doses as well as higher end Fentanyl (patches and pump) then Oxycontin 80mg. I have been in this field for over 7 years now and have been to quite a collection of specialists as well as through the med line. In regard to the point of whose fault it is while its reckless and childish of the abusers its the FDA that needs to be responsible, just because people abuse items does not mean they(the addicts) should be the ones we base our choices on. As the FDAs responsibility is to take care of us not the addicts. The problem is while physical therapy and no medications does work well in some cases and those others that can get away with blocks, they are a world of difference from those of us with internal and internal full body. Once your RSD reaches the point of control over your body even to the point of causing respiratory failure there is no question that meds are a must its just the hard job of trying to find a level that works enough. Ketamine is a complete joke as most of us know. If you can work with nothing I'm extremely happy for you gabbycakes seems your a fortunate remission, but unfortunately not all of us have that ability.