Evoxac stopped working

[way2dry]

Hello everyone.  This is my first time posting (hope I'm doing it right!)  I'm so glad to have found your site and I'm hoping someone can help me with this question.

I started taking Evoxac when I saw a rheumatologist in 2013 for dry mouth and dry eyes.  At first it was like a miracle.  I could go for hours with a normal feeling mouth and it even made my eyes feel great. 

About 8 months ago, it started to become less effective and now it is at the point where it doesn't work at all.  I tried Salagen and had no luck with that even in the beginning.

Has anyone had Evoxac just completely stop working for them?  My rheumy mumbled something about my glands being pushed to the limit.  Does that mean they are all destroyed?  I am devastated as there are no other options to try.  My mouth and eyes are so dry and getting worse rather quickly.

[genko_b]

Hi and welcome to Sjogren's World.

Sorry you are experiencing so much discomfort.

It sounds like your Sjogrens is progressing a bit if you are consistently finding you are more dry than before. Is your rheumatologist treating the underlying inflammation, or just providing you with symptom relief? Your glands may still have some function that can be accessed if the inflammation is effectively controlled. It would be good to know what your other medications are, to be able to respond more specifically.

In the meantime, are you using eyedrops, mouth washes designed for dry mouth, and so on? That will help relieve some of the awfulness of the dryness at least temporarily.

Take care,

Genko

[way2dry]

Thanks, Genko, you for your reply.  Because I have not yet started having joint pain and fatigue, I am only being treated for symptom relief.  Which I was managing ok until the Evoxac stopped working.  I use the Biotene products and at night zylimelts.  But my mouth is so dry now they barely melt. I am on Restasis for my eyes along with OTC eye drops and the only other things I take are vit. d, flaxseed oil and Tamoxifen (I also had breast cancer in 2013 - not a good year for me!)

What drugs do they use to treat inflammation?  Maybe I should talk to my rheumy about that.  I've been to several rheumatologists and they tend to dismiss the dry symptoms of Sjogrens which people like me find very debilitating. 

I've had this disease since 2013 and I am very depressed about my future as it has progressed so rapidly already.

[Kathy57]

I'm not an expert but Plaquinil has helped stall my Sjogrens.  Do you experience fatigue?  I bet you do😒.  You should be on something else ........ Maybe a low dose of prednisone? 

I'm not a physician but your quality of life is being affected.  I would tell your Dr everything you have stated here.

It wouldn't hurt to add something new to your treatment plan!

Hang in there!

Kathy

[Carolina]

Dear way2dry, I'm so sorry things have gotten worse, just as we're welcoming you to Sjogren's World.

I agree with Kathy that aggressive measures are in order here.  I don't know what medications you are taking already and what, if any, other conditions you may be dealing with.

And I know of nothing that can restore function, or have the same affect as Evoxac, but that doesn't mean that there aren't possibilities and measures you can take to feel better.

If your rheumatologist can't suggest options, you should of course seek another opinion and perhaps find an Ophthalmologist to help, as well.   For many of us, seeking assistance from doctors affiliated with a teaching hospital (University Medical Center) is often the best way to get what we need.

Again, welcome.

Hugs,  Elaine

[genko_b]

Plaquenil is the first medication usually used to control inflammation in Sjogren's. Many of us find that it helps a great deal, while others have had to use other medications. It may take some time and patience to find the right one for you.

One thing that might help is to keep track of all of your symptoms, even if you think they may not be related. Include things like changes in your digestion, headaches, issues with your balance, urinary problems, feeling hot or cold when you don't think you should. All of these can be related to Sjogren's, believe it or not. Sometimes when the doctors hear the total list, they realize something more is going on than "just" dry eyes and mouth (which is bad enough).

Take care,

Genko

[gurs]

I would double check the manufacturer and see if it changed, or call the company and complain. They may have changed ingredients as well..you would be surprised???

just a though??

Gursie

[ohiolady]

Did they switch you to generic?  When the generic came out I tried it and it did not work for me.  Evoxac has been a lifesaver for me.  Definitely check to see if they switched you.

Anna

[kimberly64]

Another thing to consider is the cancer medication you are on that I see blocks estrogen production could be counteracting against Evoxac to cause more dryness that it can alleviate .  Just a thought as well.
Kimberly

[way2dry]

Thanks for your replies!  I will definitely try some of your suggestions.  My priority is to find another rheumy.  This one is my third, so far...

[litliwlowa]

I would double check the manufacturer and see if it changed, or call the company and complain. They may have changed ingredients as well..you would be surprised???

just a though??

Gursie

Bingo - actually my last refill the capsules have changed and now have black markings that say Evoxac and the dose on the capsule. I called Walgreens and it's distributed by Ranbaxy. When I search engine images - apparently Ranbaxy in the US is only the distributor.

Image search reveals this: http://www.kmuh.org.tw/med/medimage/images/e/Evoxac%2030mg2.jpg

Which is exactly what my rx was filled with last refill.

Needless to say I will be shopping around. I don't know what language that is - but it sure isn't American or European.

[gurs]

I knew it!!!!! ughhhhh..how frustrating. I would call and complain. I make CVS order all my same brands that I know work for me.

I thought I heard that Ranbaxy had plaquenil that didn't work well either? seems this company is not reliable?

Gursie

[litliwlowa]

I knew it!!!!! ughhhhh..how frustrating. I would call and complain. I make CVS order all my same brands that I know work for me.

I thought I heard that Ranbaxy had plaquenil that didn't work well either? seems this company is not reliable?

Gursie

I spoke with pharmacist last night, mainly as since I started the Ranbaxy generic my mouth is getting dryer every single day. I thought maybe I was getting bronchitis then VOILA LIGHTBULB - all that thick crud started a day or two after starting the Ranbaxy generic.

Ranbaxy is apparently a distributor and Walgreens said they don't know where Ranbaxy gets their generics from. Yeah right. But they did state that the Pack generics are made in the US. Uh huh... All I know is the Pack generic has been working fine for me.

Anyway I was due for refill and I requested the Pack generic version which is what they were filling it with before they changed.

Meanwhile I am in misery. I was woken up three times last night with my mouth drier than a desert. That does NOT work for me at all!!

Thankfully I had some xylimelts on hand.

Not like we don't have enough on our plates to contend with - so now it would appear we need to add vigilance on what frigging generic brands our meds are being filled with.

Sigh...

[way2dry]

I get my prescriptions filled at CVS which by the way has recently become the main supplier of prescription drugs for my health insurance plan.

I checked my pills and they are white with black markings and have Evoxac and 30 mg on them.  They look just like the picture in a previous post. However the label on the bottle says cevimeline which makes it sound generic. 

So, what am I getting?  I'm confused! 

Are they made in China now?

[litliwlowa]

I get my prescriptions filled at CVS which by the way has recently become the main supplier of prescription drugs for my health insurance plan.

I checked my pills and they are white with black markings and have Evoxac and 30 mg on them.  They look just like the picture in a previous post. However the label on the bottle says cevimeline which makes it sound generic. 

So, what am I getting?  I'm confused! 

Are they made in China now?

I don't know if they are made in China - but that sure didn't look to be European, Canadian or English to me. What flagged me was this last time mine were also marked Evoxac 30 mg - in the black shiny kind of ink. Evoxac is the Brand name I thought. My prior refills had unmarked off white capsules.

I'm still digging into the issue. I did come across an article in 2012 that Ranbaxy (US) had partnered with India for generics. But that sure didn't look like Indian language to me.

I have a friend I will send that link to and ask what language that is.