Sildenafil from different manufacturers

[the_exile]

Just wondered if anyone had noticed differences in the effectiveness of Sildenafil from different manufacturers? I have had good results with 50mg (either that dosage tablet or 100mg split in half) from Mylan and Torrent, but tablets from Teva have been disappointing - maybe I had a duff batch? They were in date and came from a registered UK online pharmacy. I know generic meds are meant to be the same so just curious.

[Nagilum]

Not that I have noticed.  They are all the same, if they are from a reputable source and manufacturer.

What I have fouind is the 50mg just doesn't help me with multiple pops in an hour. Now I need 100mg in my 40s.

[scutty brown]

no such thing as a duff batch
it's all in your head

[contentguy]

no such thing as a duff batch
it's all in your head

Which one?

[Boates]

Used Sildenafil quiet some time ago with no problems before moving to Tadalafil.
However, due to supply issues I had to briefly go back onto Sildenafil and a bad reaction from my latest batch. Unfortunately they went in the bin so can't say who the manufacturer was.

[mancsguy1975]

All regulated medication from reputable pharmacies and manufacturers is regulated and checked under strict rules..... unless you are buying off the black market?!

[Markwest10]

Not that I have noticed.  They are all the same, if they are from a reputable source and manufacturer.

What I have fouind is the 50mg just doesn't help me with multiple pops in an hour. Now I need 100mg in my 40s.

Try 1.5 50mg?   same situation but worked for me for a second pop

[the_exile]

Not that I have noticed.  They are all the same, if they are from a reputable source and manufacturer.

What I have fouind is the 50mg just doesn't help me with multiple pops in an hour. Now I need 100mg in my 40s.

Perhaps this is more likely the problem - need a stronger dose!

Thanks to all who replied.

[Lesdoit]

Not sure of manufacturer.
Both sourced from Numan online.

1st 50mg (viagra shaped) batch. Work perfectly. Get aroused up he pops. Feel bit flush and sniffy but my erection works on demand for most of the night
2nd 50mg (round smartie like) initial feeling of very heavy flush, sometimes mixed with bad headache. Very short lived erections easily lost. Effect wears off after few hours.

Experimented by using one on a Friday and other the next day just to eliminate any other issues.
So in my experience there certainly are “duff” batches or more likely inferior versions

[daviemac]

Not sure of manufacturer.
Both sourced from Numan online.

1st 50mg (viagra shaped) batch. Work perfectly. Get aroused up he pops. Feel bit flush and sniffy but my erection works on demand for most of the night
2nd 50mg (round smartie like) initial feeling of very heavy flush, sometimes mixed with bad headache. Very short lived erections easily lost. Effect wears off after few hours.

Experimented by using one on a Friday and other the next day just to eliminate any other issues.
So in my experience there certainly are “duff” batches or more likely inferior versions

If they are sold by a reputable pharmacy they have to have the same active ingredient and do what they are supposed to do in the way they are supposed to do it, the same as all medication prescribed in the UK.

Like a lot of people I take various meds daily and sometimes they are from different manufacturers, often different shapes or colours, are you really saying that those supplied by some manufacturers would not be as effective. It's not going to happen, people could die and the drug company up on manslaughter charges.

[JontyR]

Are you sure there aren't any other factors OP? For instance have you been taking these tabs after fatty food?

[the_exile]

Are you sure there aren't any other factors OP? For instance have you been taking these tabs after fatty food?

Have used them as with other brands, trying to avoid fatty foods or heavy meals generally beforehand.

I do remember hearing a discussion on the radio about trademarked vs generic drugs where the person from the drug company was trying to make out that their branded product has better efficacy than the generic ones - so thought there could still be some variations in the generic sildenafil meds. I think I will try these at the higher dose but next time order from my usual supplier (Dr Fox) where you can specify your preference for manufacturer.

[RandomGuy99]

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in the tablets but there are also other components in the tablets.  I suspect that manufacturers tablets have components to reduce the potential side effects.  I think the cheaper brands don't have these, so you may experience more side effects than with a brand such as viagra.

[daviemac]

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in the tablets but there are also other components in the tablets.  I suspect that manufacturers tablets have components to reduce the potential side effects.  I think the cheaper brands don't have these, so you may experience more side effects than with a brand such as viagra.

Have you read the list of ingredients for each brand to compare them?   

[RandomGuy99]

Have you read the list of ingredients for each brand to compare them?   

Yes

[Doc Holliday]

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in the tablets but there are also other components in the tablets.  I suspect that manufacturers tablets have components to reduce the potential side effects.  I think the cheaper brands don't have these, so you may experience more side effects than with a brand such as viagra.

No

[daviemac]

Yes

And what are the differences between the non active ingredients?  Can you list them so we can compare and look up what effects they might have.

Just had a look at one brand I've had on prescription. -

Manufacturer – PharmaS d.o.o Croatia
Tablet core – Microcrystalline, Cellulose, Calcium hydrogen phosphate (anhydrous), Croscarmellose sodium, Magnesium stearate.

[RandomGuy99]

And what are the differences between the non active ingredients?  Can you list them so we can compare and look up what effects they might have.

Well the others ingredient are also active. I don't think it's all bulking agent and colouring.

I think this would be why different versions of the tablets exist.

Sadly, I didn't keep a record of the comparison and no longer have any around to do it again as I gave up using it.

Sorry

[RandomGuy99]

And what are the differences between the non active ingredients?  Can you list them so we can compare and look up what effects they might have.

Just had a look at one brand I've had on prescription. -

Manufacturer – PharmaS d.o.o Croatia
Tablet core – Microcrystalline, Cellulose, Calcium hydrogen phosphate (anhydrous), Croscarmellose sodium, Magnesium stearate.

Quick Google Viagra contains:

VIAGRA is formulated as blue, film-coated rounded-diamond-shaped tablets equivalent to 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg of sildenafil for oral administration. In addition to the active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, lactose, triacetin, and FD & C Blue #2 aluminum lake.

[Doc Holliday]

Well the others ingredient are also active.

No they are inactive as per your post 

VIAGRA is formulated as blue, film-coated rounded-diamond-shaped tablets equivalent to 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg of sildenafil for oral administration. In addition to the active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, lactose, triacetin, and FD & C Blue #2 aluminum lake.

[Doc Holliday]

The acceptance by the public of generic versions has been a complex and problematic issue for some time.

The belief that because something is cheaper it must be inferior has been a difficult barrier to overcome ...a concept that the branded version manufacturers have done little to dispel (for obvious reasons) and often the medical profession have hindered this transition also.

[Joball87]

In the olden days and to a lesser extent now the branded outfits incentivised Dr's to prescribe over generics, also the manufacturers do need to recoup their significant r and d costs somewhat before their patents expire and generics can come on stream.

[RandomGuy99]

The acceptance by the public of generic versions has been a complex and problematic issue for some time.

The belief that because something is cheaper it must be inferior has been a difficult barrier to overcome ...a concept that the branded version manufacturers have done little to dispel (for obvious reasons) and often the medical profession have hindered this transition also.

So you are saying the branded amc generic version of Sildenfail are identical?

I just know I've seen people on here say they've had more side effects with some brands.

[Doc Holliday]

it's all in your head

This is often true with most generics, but even more so with ED meds where 'cerebral arousal' is still paramount. Anything affecting this, either reinforcing it or reducing it, will have a far greater variable effect during sexual activity than any dosage or perceived difference due to different manufacturers. No two sexual encounters are the same even with the same two people let alone different ones.

Then with sildenafil, there is the highly variable blood plasma levels related to stomach contents etc and also age.

I'm wasting my breath though as this topic has been done to death and many will remain unconvinced that some versions are better than others.

If you really are convinced it is the meds, the best way to check is to take the different Sildenafil versions 'blind' over a period of time, although that requires quite a bit of effort and documenting.

[Doc Holliday]

In the olden days and to a lesser extent now the branded outfits incentivised Dr's to prescribe over generics, also the manufacturers do need to recoup their significant r and d costs somewhat before their patents expire and generics can come on stream.

Correct.

[Doc Holliday]

So you are saying the branded amc generic version of Sildenfail are identical?

I just know I've seen people on here say they've had more side effects with some brands.

They will all contain the same active ingredient sildenafil but the inactive ingredients may differ slightly. That said from memory the acceptable range of active ingredient is something like 80% to 120%.

Side effects are complex and hugely variable even for the same individual on different occasions, but the side effects are nearly always related to the active ingredient. When people say they had more of a headache with brand A than Brand B, the headache is attributable to the active ingredient not the other ingredients.

EDIT We should also remember the placebo effect. In trials many people report side effects when receiving the placebo.

[FiveKnuckles]

I can relate to what the OP has experienced and tried a few different brands.
Mylan = my fav.  Accord & Amorox = OK.  Torrent = avoid.

Could be many factors; food intake, weight, hydration, mood, tablet filler.

Just stick with a prefered brand.  Using mylan doesn't give me hard boners every time

[Doc Holliday]

I have had good results with Torrent, but tablets from Teva have been disappointing

I can relate to what the OP has experienced and tried a few different brands.
Mylan = my fav.  Accord & Amorox = OK.  Torrent = avoid.

I rest my case 

[Lesdoit]

If they are sold by a reputable pharmacy they have to have the same active ingredient and do what they are supposed to do in the way they are supposed to do it, the same as all medication prescribed in the UK.

Like a lot of people I take various meds daily and sometimes they are from different manufacturers, often different shapes or colours, are you really saying that those supplied by some manufacturers would not be as effective. It's not going to happen, people could die and the drug company up on manslaughter charges.

Are you really saying I’m making it up?  Ordered 20 of each through Numan on repeat order.  No real issues ever on the Viagra shaped pills but repeated side effects on the round ones and less effective erections.
Hardly a scientific experiment but it’s my experience.

[daviemac]

Are you really saying I’m making it up?  Ordered 20 of each through Numan on repeat order.  No real issues ever on the Viagra shaped pills but repeated side effects on the round ones and less effective erections.
Hardly a scientific experiment but it’s my experience.

What I'm saying is any medication licenced to be prescribed in the UK will be exactly the same no matter who the manufacturer is. They consist of active and inactive ingredients, the active ingredients have to be the same, only the inactive ones might vary but as the name suggests they are inactive so have no effect.

Are you really saying a drug that is keeping someone alive could be ineffective if not made by one particular manufacturer, or do you think it's only Sildenafil that is exempt from all the regulations.

Read some of the Doc's posts and you might understand a bit better.

Are you one of the one's who thinks if you cut a tablet in half one half might have more of the active ingredient, because that's like saying half you tea has more milk than the other.

[RandomGuy99]

What I'm saying is any medication licenced to be prescribed in the UK will be exactly the same no matter who the manufacturer is. They consist of active and inactive ingredients, the active ingredients have to be the same, only the inactive ones might vary but as the name suggests they are inactive so have no effect.

Are you really saying a drug that is keeping someone alive could be ineffective if not made by one particular manufacturer, or do you think it's only Sildenafil that is exempt from all the regulations.

Read some of the Doc's posts and you might understand a bit better.

Are you one of the one's who thinks if you cut a tablet in half one half might have more of the active ingredient, because that's like saying half you tea has more milk than the other.

Ancedotal evidence suggests that there is something different about the different brands.

Or are we saying that the different effects are down to the individual and how they are taking the medication?

[daviemac]

Ancedotal evidence suggests that there is something different about the different brands.

Or are we saying that the different effects are down to the individual and how they are taking the medication?

I have no idea about how individuals take medication. What I am saying is prescription drugs are strictly regulated and must 'do what it says on the tin'.

A 50mg tablet of Sildenafil must contain 50mg of Sildenafil no matter who makes it.  The medications I take daily comes in various sizes, shapes and colours depending on who the manufacturer is, one thing is for certain they all do the job they are intended to do.

[RandomGuy99]

I have no idea about how individuals take medication. What I am saying is prescription drugs are strictly regulated and must 'do what it says on the tin'.

A 50mg tablet of Sildenafil must contain 50mg of Sildenafil no matter who makes it.  The medications I take daily comes in various sizes, shapes and colours depending on who the manufacturer is, one thing is for certain they all do the job they are intended to do.

I know I have family members who take medication like statins and they've tried various different types until they found one that works best for them.

I just wondered if the same was true for Sildenafil meds.  Perhaps some of the other ingredients have an effect? 

That and the individuals themselves and how they are taking them seem to be the only possibly contributing factors

[daviemac]

I know I have family members who take medication like statins and they've tried various different types until they found one that works best for them.

I just wondered if the same was true for Sildenafil meds.  Perhaps some of the other ingredients have an effect? 

That and the individuals themselves and how they are taking them seem to be the only possibly contributing factors

I take Statins and was put on the most popular and easiest to take Atorvastatin at first but I had adverse side effects so they changes to Simvastatin which have more restrictions, they have to be taken at night and I have to avoid grapefruit juice.

Whilst they both do the same job they are completely different, the active ingredient of Atorvastatin is Atorvastatin whilst the active ingredient of Simvastatin is Simvastatin and it makes no difference who the manufacturer is.

[Doc Holliday]

I know I have family members who take medication like statins and they've tried various different types until they found one that works best for them.

I just wondered if the same was true for Sildenafil meds. 

There is no such thing as sildenafil meds. As Davie rightly says Statins are a group of medicines which reduce cholestorol levels in your blood. There are a number of different drugs within that group. Sildenafil is one drug within a group used to treat erectile dysfunction, others include tadalafil (branded Cialis) and Ardenafil (Levitra)

They may all have similarities, but are all different drugs, but Sildenafil is Sildenafil whoever manufactures it, just as paracetamol is always paracetamol, but there are other drugs eg Ibuprofen which also belong to the analgesic group.

As I said earlier it is impossible to persuade anyone otherwise once they believe generic versions are different in some way.

If you are the sort of person who purchases Nurofen rather than generic Ibuporofen in the belief it works better, then feel free to waste your money.

[Watts.E.Dunn]

One thing that may well be overlooked is that drugs can and do have interactions or contraindications, that means one can affect the actions of another. Now most prescribers will look that up to see whats OK with whatever but alough they may not cause serious harm they can produce subtle interactions with each other that may not have been that well reasearched if at all.

It is as well to remember that when Viagra was being tested/ reaseached it was intended to be a drug that was to help reduce blood pressure, but some users noticed that their stiffies had improved and that chance discovery has improved things for us! So its sometimes difficult to pin things down to things like is that version of Sildenifil better that that one yes their may be odd ingreednts and variations that my be interacting with whatever it was you may be taking and when you take that as the bioavailibity, time can vary like Viagra OK d for a few hours use then the body starts getting rid it it time of day whatt you had to eat quite a few variables in the mix!..

[scutty brown]

There's some ccrap being spouted in this thread.
Let me state it clearly: the only biologically active ingredient in a UK or European legally approved sildenafil tablet is.............sildenafil.
NO licences have  been approved for mixed or blended actives.
The other ingredients are all non-active: fillers, bulking agent, solubility aids, food dyes, protective coatings. Functionally all sildenafil sold here legally is identical. There is nothing to interact with

[FiveKnuckles]

As I said earlier it is impossible to persuade anyone otherwise once they believe generic versions are different in some way.

The difference in bulking agents (and source of active ingredients) and variation in machinery will have some effect on the product?

Simplified
1) All the powders (active & bulking) are thrown in a mixer to be ground, mixed and dried {with some retained moisture.}

2) The powder mix goes into a die presser that forms the tablets 'by weight'.  The machine scoops a variable amount of powder that drops into a mold and a few tonnes of pressure is applied.

There will be tiny variations due to two mechanical processes.  What is acceptable tolerances is determined by the manufacturer's.  Of course we expect big pharma to do random test at certain intervals .
*Don't discount variation in strength of the natural/synthetic ingredients.

The unknown is whether our bodies can differentiate between 95mg - 105mg of active ingredients?   Foods we consume will be certain to affect products like sildenafil that have a very fast half-life.

I think there'll always be people on the fence due to the mechanical process used.   

Taking Creed aventus as an example, it's manufactured by creed and the scent boffins will take about differences in smokiness, pineapple, blah blah until the cows come home.   It's still Aventus.

[daviemac]

The difference in bulking agents (and source of active ingredients) and variation in machinery will have some effect on the product?

You are proving the Doc's point. The active ingredient in any medication has to be the same, variations can kill people with over / under dosing, imagine the consequences if one pill I took had twice as much active ingredient and the next none because they weren't mixed correctly.

If people thing fully licenced and regulated pharmaceutical manufactures are so lax that what active ingredient is in a pill is dependant on the luck of the draw then . . . .   

[FiveKnuckles]

You are proving the Doc's point. The active ingredient in any medication has to be the same, variations can kill people with over / under dosing, imagine the consequences if one pill I took had twice as much active ingredient and the next none because they weren't mixed correctly.

If people thing fully licenced and regulated pharmaceutical manufactures are so lax that what active ingredient is in a pill is dependant on the luck of the draw then . . . .

the source of the active ingredient over a timespan will differ and you'd expect big pharma to adjust the ratios of the mix.
If a tablet has lavender oil say, the concerntration for 2021 and 22 will differ per ml and you'd expect pharma to adjust the rations of the bulking agent. 

Big pharma will test frequently and you'd expect with each batch of active ingredient, the ratio is adjusted? 


There's a 'Person' variable in the operation.  Providing they do a checklist the tablets may be within a certain tolerance.  The day someone puts 2x active and forgets the bulking agent will be a day for product recalls.
They print these serial codes for trackback, otherwise why would they bother if they could consistently make something the same each time.


I don't think we're saying pharma is Lax.  Just there will be small variations that some of us will believe and others won't.

[daviemac]

the source of the active ingredient over a timespan will differ and you'd expect big pharma to adjust the ratios of the mix.

Like the Doc says if people believe there's a difference in medication dependant on manufacturer or the manufacturing process then there's no convincing them otherwise.

You believe what you want and I'll know what I know. Not counting Sildenafil I take 9 different meds daily so I've done an awful lot of research into what I'm taking and the consequences of what you are implying could well lead to serios illness or even be fatal for me. The active ingredients HAVE to be the same regardless of who makes it and there must be the stated quantity of active ingredient in each pill (evenly spread I might add).

However it's pointless me making any further comment so I'll bow out now and let others get on with it so please don't reply to this.

[scutty brown]

the source of the active ingredient over a timespan will differ and you'd expect big pharma to adjust the ratios of the mix.
If a tablet has lavender oil say, the concerntration for 2021 and 22 will differ per ml and you'd expect pharma to adjust the rations of the bulking agent. 

Big pharma will test frequently and you'd expect with each batch of active ingredient, the ratio is adjusted? 


There's a 'Person' variable in the operation.  Providing they do a checklist the tablets may be within a certain tolerance.  The day someone puts 2x active and forgets the bulking agent will be a day for product recalls.
They print these serial codes for trackback, otherwise why would they bother if they could consistently make something the same each time.


I don't think we're saying pharma is Lax.  Just there will be small variations that some of us will believe and others won't.

You show such a fundamental misunderstanding of the quality process that it's difficult to know where to start.
Essentially the manufacturing processes, quality standards and sources of all the ingredients of a drug are rigidly defined and can't be changed without approval. EVERY batch meets defined standards of purity, meaning there is no difference between batches. Likewise the manufacture of the finished tablet is rigidly unvariably defined.  All batches are identical: NO "small variations"

[FiveKnuckles]

You show such a fundamental misunderstanding of the quality process that it's difficult to know where to start.

No the opposite. I 'buy into' the idea of the brands for quality control and source of materials for consistency, hence with sildenafil I have a preferred brand.

Essentially the manufacturing processes, quality standards and sources of all the ingredients of a drug are rigidly defined and can't be changed without approval. EVERY batch meets defined standards of purity, meaning there is no difference between batches. Likewise the manufacture of the finished tablet is rigidly unvariably defined.  All batches are identical: NO "small variations"

We're mixing up the concept of 'rigidly define ingredients' versus 'differences and variability in strenght of sourced ingredients'.  No one is saying they are substituting another substance for the PDE5 inhibitor.   If all sildenafil manufacurers had the same ingredient source as pfizer and use the same machines, then you have viagra.   

If your tablet has 3 active ingredients and one of those natural ingredients was 105% strength, what happens during manufacturing?   Remember the powder mix is going into the same shaped die/tool to press out a tablet. 

As DM says, there will always be disagreement.


- Meds taking over the long term take into consideration the 'Pound cost averaging concept'.  A daily 10mg pill could vary say 98-102% in active ingredient and over time the batch variations will get you to 10mg.  Even if a batch had 105% you won't die as the safe limit could be 400%. 

- Also if you're prescribed 10mg of X med and accidently took a 20mg dose one day, you don't just die overnight.  There are safety limits.  If you took 2x the quantity in blood pressure tablets for a duration and rocked up to your GP for a repeat prescription, I expect you'll have a few quetions to answer


 
 

[scutty brown]

No the opposite. I 'buy into' the idea of the brands for quality control and source of materials for consistency, hence with sildenafil I have a preferred brand.

The whole point of generic drugs is that the brand does not matter - it's just a label on a box.
Often what goes in that box is sourced from the same global pool of suppliers

We're mixing up the concept of 'rigidly define ingredients' versus 'differences and variability in strenght of sourced ingredients'.  No one is saying they are substituting another substance for the PDE5 inhibitor.   If all sildenafil manufacurers had the same ingredient source as pfizer and use the same machines, then you have viagra.   

If your tablet has 3 active ingredients and one of those natural ingredients was 105% strength, what happens during manufacturing?   Remember the powder mix is going into the same shaped die/tool to press out a tablet. 

This is nonsense. There's only one active ingredient in sildenafil. It's sildenafil. It's defined by absolute chemical purity, not by strength and is as close to 100% as the manufacturing method allows. That is then blended with the other ingredients in exact predefined quantities on a tonne scale before tableting. Sildenafil is a synthesised material. Not natural. "105% strength" is impossible

- Meds taking over the long term take into consideration the 'Pound cost averaging concept'.  A daily 10mg pill could vary say 98-102% in active ingredient and over time the batch variations will get you to 10mg.  Even if a batch had 105% you won't die as the safe limit could be 400%. 

NONSENSE
A 10mg pill will contain exactly that, with a tolerance of maybe 0.0005%  i.e. practically undetectable. There is no 'Pound cost averaging concept'.

- Also if you're prescribed 10mg of X med and accidently took a 20mg dose one day, you don't just die overnight.  There are safety limits.  If you took 2x the quantity in blood pressure tablets for a duration and rocked up to your GP for a repeat prescription, I expect you'll have a few quetions to answer
 

doubling the dose of some drugs could easily kill you

[FiveKnuckles]

This is nonsense. There's only one active ingredient in sildenafil. It's sildenafil. It's defined by absolute chemical purity, not by strength and is as close to 100% as the manufacturing method allows. That is then blended with the other ingredients in exact predefined quantities on a tonne scale before tableting. Sildenafil is a synthesised material. Not natural. "105% strength" is impossible

my example of 105% will always be at the extreme end.  If i said 100.00005% it'll be a mute argument with the small number. Reality would be what the european/UK drug agencies allow in tolerance. 

There are European and UK guidelines for synthetic drug manufacturing.  These guidelines and scope for manufacturing is to get some consistency within batches.
External Link/Members Only

If you honestly think 1 tonne is 100% pure, we're not ever going to agree,


For 100% consistent tablets, you'd have to pour X amount ingredient into a die followed by the bulk agent for pressing.  That would be too expensive to manufacture. You'd still have variables in powder stuck on the mechanisms and scales. 


Pointless going round in circles countering each others argument, so lets agree to disagree.

[scutty brown]

my example of 105% will always be at the extreme end.  If i said 100.00005% it'll be a mute argument with the small number. Reality would be what the european/UK drug agencies allow in tolerance. 

Still nonsense. Nothing can be more than 100% pure

If you honestly think 1 tonne is 100% pure, we're not ever going to agree,


For 100% consistent tablets, you'd have to pour X amount ingredient into a die followed by the bulk agent for pressing.  That would be too expensive to manufacture. You'd still have variables in powder stuck on the mechanisms and scales.

You've not got a clue.
To make a  batch of tablets you'd take a quantity of 100% active ingredient, maybe 500kg, then blend that in a giant mixer with preweighed exact amounts of the other ingredients. Mix until homogenous, you'll end up with possibly 20 tonnes of uniformly blended powder ready for tableting.  If each tablet weighs 1g you end up with 20 million identical tablets

Pointless going round in circles countering each others argument, so lets agree to disagree.

If this were just a matter of opinion I'd agree, but you're actually spouting medical rubbish which needs to be countered

[JontyR]

If you go onto the website of chemical providers you can search their catalogues and see the different grades and purities of each. Any chemical that is for ingestion (food or pharmaceutical) is so high its mindboggling.

And this level of purity will also be the standard for the bulking agents too.

[FiveKnuckles]

If this were just a matter of opinion I'd agree, but you're actually spouting medical rubbish which needs to be countered

Read page 15/27 for the European Medical Agencies parameters and limits for bioequivalence.
External Link/Members Only

"1.1 Background
Two medicinal products containing the same active substance are considered bioequivalent if they are
pharmaceutically equivalent or pharmaceutical alternatives and their bioavailabilities (rate and extent)
after administration in the same molar dose lie within acceptable predefined limits. These limits are set
to ensure comparable in vivo performance, i.e. similarity in terms of safety and efficacy."

Page 15/27:
"Parameters to be analysed and acceptance limits
In studies to determine bioequivalence after a single dose, the parameters to be analysed are AUC(0-t),
or, when relevant, AUC(0-72h), and C max. For these parameters the 90% confidence interval for the ratio
of the test and reference products should be contained within the acceptance interval of 80.00-
125.00%. To be inside the acceptance interval the lower bound should be ≥ 80.00% when rounded to
two decimal places and the upper bound should be ≤ 125.00% when rounded to two decimal places."

You will see the FDA and UK agency with similiar tolerances.
External Link/Members Only

[timmy1]

In regards to the fatty foods beforehand thing, would i be ok if i wait 2 hours (roughly how long it takes to empty your stomach) after eating fatty food then take the pill or is it still best to avoid?

Also, ive never had problems using the Teva brand but tbh ive never tried anything else to compare it to apart form those shitty knockoff indian ones

[Doc Holliday]

You will see the FDA and UK agency with similiar tolerances.
External Link/Members Only

I wasn't going to indulge you by further by replying, but did you actually read and understand that last link given it argues in favour of generics?