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Atenolol pills seem to vary on actual dosage

Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Sep 18 6:58pm | Replies (26)

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@rushhome
You said "Asked my pharmacist and he said the law says generics can fluctuate 10% up or down, meaning sometimes you get less than prescribed sometimes more..." This is sort of correct, but it applies to all drugs. Imported drugs were tested before allowing into the US market in the past, but not sure if it is still being done routinely.
Once a drug is on the market, whether brand name or generic, US manufactured or imported, testing is random and very infrequent.

Pills and capsules are individually tested in lots of 10, and if there are any "outliers" - variability +/- 15% - larger quantities must be tested. Those with variability of +/- 10% pass.

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Replies to "@rushhome You said "Asked my pharmacist and he said the law says generics can fluctuate 10%..."

@sueinmn Thanks for the clarification! I have been on the brand name now for about 2 years and my numbers stay nice and steady when tested, so happy to pay the difference from the 2.00 generic. My pharmacist told me I am almost at a microdose where the variations would be more dramatic.