I am wondering why those of you who take Tambocor take it instead of its generic form, flecainide. Also, I am wondering why those who take flecainide take it instead of its name-brand equivalent, Tambocor.
I am on Tambocor ( 100 mg twice a day) and have been doing very well on it. Since I started taking it, I have not had a single breakthrough of afib in almost five months now. My EP recommennds Tambocor over flecainide since he feels there are less breakthroughs with the name-brand. My experience seems to bear him out. Since I am doing so well on the brand name I am reluctant to change. I know the brand name and the generic have the same chemical formula, but I worry that the pills are not made in exactly the same way, and that this difference could have some subtle effect on my heart.
The problem is that my insurance company is charging me the difference in price between the generic form and the brand name, a difference of $97.57 per month which I have to pay for the Tambocor, because a generic form is available but my doctor chooses for me not to use it. If I used the flecainide, the generic, I would only pay $7.00 per month.
If you were me, would you call your EP to see if he would write a prescription for the generic to save over $90.00 per month. That is a lot of money to save and a major motivator to change to the generic. It is just that I am doing so well on the Tambocor, I am a little afraid to change.
If it weren't a heart drug, I wouldn't be so reluctant to change.
What would your advice be?
Stan