Equasym is being discontinued

[Glitterknickaz]

Just to let anyone know whose DCs may be on this.

Went to pick up Ds2's prescription and the pharmacist has just discovered that Equasym is being discontinued.

I have spoken to DS2's paediatrician and she will be switching him to Ritalin.

Anyone whose DC is on Equasym apparently will be told by their pharmacist to get the prescribing doctor to find an alternative.

Thanks for this Glitter.

Did the pharmacist know why it's being discontinued?

I'm seeing ds's psych tomorrow so will ask questions then.

Not sure, think it's the pharmaceutical company are just stopping making it.

Is it the plain equasym tablets that are going, or the XL capsules? Cos generic methylphenidate is a good substitute for the plain equasym, as there really isn't any noticable difference.

The XL capsules are a pretty good 6-8hour release formulation which does differ from the equivalents (and I think I saw them readvertised recently which wd be odd if they're going)

According to this, there are other brands of the extended release form available here. I don't know how accurate that is, since DS1 takes Strattera, which is a completely different drug:

www.netdoctor.co.uk/adhd/adhdmedication.htm

both forms are going.... paed trying to decide whether to go on to generic methylphenidate or ritalin and will be in touch

Oh no, can't believe it, we have only just got ds dosage sorted and have a perscription for more to take in tomorrrow. what a pain, ds has the xl and the short release and its working really well for him.

I might be able to explain this, after speaking to ds's psychiatrist last night.

The manufacturing company has changed from (don't know the name) American company to Shire in Ireland. Shire are stil making both types of Equasym but the original company isn't. I couldn't find anything on Shire's website to suggest they're discontinuing.

If the OP's pharmacist was ordering from the original company then they'll no longer be able to get it from there. Psych (very knowledgeable) has had no notification that Equasym will no longer be available and is still prescribing it.

HTH.

Just heard more on this from my pharmacist. She's read in the pharmaceutical journal this week that equasym is to be discontinued at the end of December but not the xl version. Perhaps it will be made generically as methylphenidate. She's looking into it and if I find out anything more I'll post it here.