Hi everyone. I have had an exerience I wanted to share with you all and get your input on it.

I am currently on a dose of 120mg once a day. At my "old" clinic, they started out giving us the name brand METHADONE. (these were orange, football shaped, oblong, pills) After about 1 1/2 - 2 yrs, they started giving us a generic form (white, perfectly round with methadose stamped on them). I was in the process of a dose change at the time so I wasn't able to really tell if there was a difference in the two as far as how they worked. I know they were a cheaper version because we could still have the orange pills if we preferred but the clinic charged $20 xtra a week if you wanted the orange vs the white ones. SO, the white ones were a cheaper, generic brand.

After being on 120mg for 4 yrs, I again felt I needed an increase (which I never got from this clinic even though I should have.....long story so won't go into that part) for over a year I struggled on teh 120mg till I couldn't take it anymore.

I transferred to a new clinic and they give the orange, oblong, football shaped ones.

Now here is the point of my story I wanted to share with you guys, I was scheduled to see the doc 5 days later to discuss my history for transfer and for her to evaluate me herself and even though she was willing to give me the increase, I asked her if we could hold off a little bit longer because I felt that the orange pills were "lasting" me longer and I didn't seem to be having as much trouble w/withdrawal symptoms and cravings. I KNOW it is not in my head, these orange pills seems to work better.

The doc said that yes, it is probably true and not in my head. Even though there are strict rules for making generics, they are still allowed to be within 3mgs more or less of the active ingredient in the medications they make. That means that if I take 3 40mg tablets (120mg), then it could actually only be a dose of 3 37mg tablets (111mg) Also, the binders and fillers they use may be different and it may have your body process it slower than the other version.

Research on the internet was mainly not backed up by any "professional" studies. Most of the information was from personal experience or "educated conclusions" by the clinic docs and nurses but it seemed most people had these things to say..........

The liquid methadone will "hit" you faster, but being a liquid it will probably also go through your system faster than any pill forms that have been dilluted.

methadose can be up to 3 mgs per pill less than it is "says" it is so you are actually not getting the full amount of the active ingredient. The different binders in it will make it work through your system slower than the liquid form, but still goes through upir system faster than the methadone "name brand" version.

methadone seems to be the one that last the longest of the three. If it says 40mg, you are getting the 40mg and the binders and fillers seem to keep it in your system a lot longer.

I would like to get an opinion from you guys or to hear about your experience with this.

Before I was at the clinic I used to buy the white methadose pills and once or twice I got the orange ones couldn't tell much difference but I had no problems, now that I am at my clinic you must have a dr note to get the white methadose otherwise everyone gets the cherry liquid version, not sure why but I have had incredible stomach problems almost the entire year I have been there either puking regularly eating more zantac than anyone could imagine and always being sick at my stomach. I hate it but I don't have insurance to go to a dr and i don't have a family dr so I don't know how to go about getting switched. Just my opinion though

That's real interesting info lil.Thank you for sharing it.
I've had the cherry liquid and asked for the orange diskettes which I had no prob getting from them.
I haven't had the white ones so can't give an opinion .
I did notice no difference between the liquid and orange pills though.