Tagrix vs Tagrisso

edina81
Posts:4

Dear,

please for support with aim to check experience with Tagrix in threrapy of NSLC stage IV after Tarceva therapy. I have pointed Tagrix as Tagrisso is not available in my country. Any experience with this drug, know this is generic version.
Thank you.

Jim C GRACE Co…
Posts: 147

GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi edina81,

Welcome to GRACE. Tagrisso and Tagrix are two of the brand names under which the drug Osimertinib is marketed in different parts of the world. Since this is a recently developed drug, there is no generic form available, and won’t be for quite a while, until the patent for this medication runs out.

As a result, any information you have seen about the efficacy of Tagrisso will apply to Tagrix. Tagrisso has been shown to be effective for patients who have progressed on treatment with Tarceva if they have developed a T790M mutation. If you search this site for the term “Tagrisso” you will find plenty of information regarding its use and efficacy.

JimC
Forum moderator

In reply to by Jim C GRACE Co…

Shai12
Posts: 1

Hi

I just came across your site. I have been recently diagnosed with lung cancer and have EGFR mutation. Doctors have put me on tagrisso. Though I have started taking tagrisso 21 days ago but it is very expensive and I am afraid whether I would be able to continue the same or not due to the price factor. I also  read about tagrix made by beacon pharma in Bangladesh. Though I have gone through the replies but I am still sceptical about tagrix. There is a major price difference so I don't know about the quality and how effective would that tablet be! The salt is osimertinib but what about its genuinity? If you or anyone can clarify. 

Thanks

Shailza

edina81
Posts: 4

Dear Jim,

thank you for the reply. I was little bit concerned about Tagrix as it is generic medicine, and as I work as MD and for years following clinical trials I was skeptic somehow. Is there anybody on this medicine present in some groups for consultation?

Thank for the support in this difficult period.

BR
edina81

catdander
Posts:

edina81,

There aren’t many members at this time on Grace who chat on this forum, though it would be great if there were. Forums such as Lungevity that have a large member community that would probably have members who take Osimertinib under the brand name tagrix. As Jim said both tagrix and tagrisso are the same drug, osimertinib so info on tagrix should look exactly like info on tagrisso.

I hope you do very well.
All best,
Janine

jasonhay
Posts: 2

I developed resistance to Erlotinib, which served me well for three years. I now have 4 months with Osimertinib and I feel much better, the side effects of diarrhea and rash are more tolerable and showed improvement to the RX. I can not afford for TAGRISSO, but Tagrix is almost the same as. Hope more people know the cheap Tagrix.

catdander
Posts:

I’m sure tagrix isn’t avialable in the US and other countries who follow the same patent laws.
I’m so glad you are getting the drugs you need and know you are thrilled to be rid of the worst of the side effects. Hope you are on this for a long long time.

All best,
Janine

jasonhay
Posts: 2

Thank you so much for your kindly and detailed reply.
Edit by Janine, “I’m so sorry but I have to edit out the link but I’m sure anyone who doesn’t have access to the brand name can use what has already been given or better yet talk to your doc or one of their team to help you get the treatment you need.”

edina81
Posts: 4

Dear all,
thank you for the support and advises, appreciate it so much. I have investigated a lot among those two medicines, and generic compound is same, so no medical issues to take it. We already ordered generic drug directly from the manufacturer and I will keep you updated on progress.
Hope this will help. God bless all of us! E.

catdander
Posts:

Thank you for the update edina81 and best of luck on your new treatment.

Janine

edina81
Posts: 4

Hi, I do not know what to answer. He has been given 4 cycle Alimta+ Cisplatin after Tarceva, started with Tagrix month ago. Hope medicine will work as for now it is too early. I have contacted manufacturer, found some web sites, checked Bangladesh Drug Agency- seems it is legal and OK. Would realy like to know more,and others experience as for us it is too early to share any valuable info. Anybody with additiinal info?

daxys
Posts: 45

Some people from inspire.com

https://www.inspire.com/groups/american-lung-association-lung-cancer-su…

are using Tagrix with success – Satsbefast, YunC (whose mum also took generic Irressa with success for 1-2 years, now she has been on Tagrix for 1-2 years) , Brtmnbs (his wife had a really great response on Tagrix, it almost cleared her lungs). I checked with those people before buying Tagrix for my mum. YunC told me that in China most people use generics.
My mum has been on Tagrix just for a couple of days. But unfortunately for her mutation (G719X) osimertinib does not seem that promising. We have to hope for some luck. If osimertinib does not work, I will have to buy generic Afatinib I guess (I will need to get some references for it first)

Anonymous (not verified)
Posts:

Hello Everyone
I am on tagarisso since 4 months.Wanted to know if any one had success with tagrix.As my doctor is not commenting on this issue.
Thanks

Jim C GRACE Co…
Posts: 147

GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi seema2000,

Welcome to GRACE. As stated earlier in this thread, Tagrisso and Tagrix are two different brand names for the same drug, with one name used in some parts of the world, and the other used elsewhere. They will work equally well.

Many patients respond well to this drug as you can see from the post just prior to yours, and other posts on this site. Just search for “Tagrisso”, as this is the name most often used to refer to the drug here.

I hope you have an excellent, lengthy response to Tagrisso.

JimC
Forum moderator

In reply to by Jim C GRACE Co…

miamia
Posts: 2

can someone tell me about my mon case:( she has already taken the Tagrix for 2 months after she stopped Iressa. From the beginning everything seems like better. but now CEA gets more higher and so also has  pleural fluid :( is there anyone know abt this case? and have read about somebody who takes 2 tables per day. im not sure if it works or not. Could someone give me an advise? thanks so much

In reply to by miamia

Jim C GRACE Co…
Posts: 147

GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi miamia,

Many oncologists, including the GRACE faculty members, do not routinely use a rising CEA as firm evidence of cancer progression; it just doesn't tend to be reliable for most patients. And an increase in pleural fluid, though suggestive of progression, can be caused by other factors such as inflammation in the pleural cavity. So it would not be unusual for your mom's oncologist to maintain her dose at the current level and rescan at a reasonably short interval.

If you are suggesting the possibility of doubling the dose, the concern would be that the side effects might increase quite a bit without gaining much if anything in terms of efficacy.

Jim C Forum Moderator

 

In reply to by Jim C GRACE Co…

miamia
Posts: 2

Dear Jim

Thanks for your reply. 

Currently, my mom is still taking Tagrix but it seems not positive. Doctors has recommend us to changing to chemotherapy. But it often causes very bad side effects. Do you have any advice for me in this case of resistantance to Tagrix? At the same time, the doctor advised us to consider the Pembrolizumab (keytruda) therapy, but according to what I have researched about, this therapy is only suitable for those who do not have EGFR mutations.
Looking forward to receiving your advice.

In reply to by miamia

Jim C GRACE Co…
Posts: 147

GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi miamia,

I'm sorry to her that your mom's oncologist has determined that Tagrix is no longer effective. If she tolerated EGFR TKI treatment well, I can understand your concern about a switch to chemotherapy. However, chemo often is no longer as toxic as it once was, and oncologists have more tools available to deal with the side effects that do occur. For example, many EGFR-positive patients do very well on pemetrexed (Alimta) with relatively few side effects. It is often considered one of the best-tolerated chemo agents available.

 

As far as pembrolizumab, it is certainly true that in general response rates for EGFR-positive NSCLC patients are lower than they are for other patients. On the other hand, EGFR+ patients with high PD-L1 expression can obtain a good response from the drug.

 

I hope that after further discussion with your mom's oncologist, you can choose a treatment plan that will be effective and well-tolerated.

 

Jim C Forum Moderator

 

masalovai
Posts: 43

Hello JimC

I am a bit confused….. As you mentioned in your first message: there is no generic available for Tagrisso because it’s relatively new drug on the market.

On other side: if those are same drugs made under different names ,than they both consider as original and need to be produced by the same company. Same like hypertension drug (valsartan) made as Diovan and Tareg but produced by Novartis and both considered as original with exactly same formulation.

In the case of Tagrisso and Tagrix , they are produced by different companies, so I think Tagrix could be considered as genetic drug….

Probably I am wrong…… This is very important question and we would like to understand in what extent we can trust those drugs.

Is there any chance to get professional opinion from oncologists and pharmasists who are dealing with patients daily and probably contacted producers of those drugs for some information .

masalovai
Posts: 43

Can we probably contact Astra Zeneca and confirm that production of Tagrix by the company in Bangladesh is legally patented…… what do you think ? Probably I am too naive….. Not sure how it works…..

daxys
Posts: 45

I guess Jim’s reply might be a little misleading here. Tagrix is generic osimertinib made in Bangladesh.
I dont think there is any agreement/contract between Astra Zeneca and Beacon. Third world countries do not have to abide by international patentation laws for medications and can produce generic medications under some kind of exception (which will expire in several years) . Thats what Beacon does.
I am afraid, we can’t consider all generic anticancer medications made in “developing countries” automatically to be equal to originals and if we want to use them, we should do our research and get some references on them. I believe, Tagrix can be considered a good generic medication based on very succesfull experiences of several patients on Inspire and on good reputation of the manufacturer – Beacon is a leading company in anticancer generics production.

masalovai
Posts: 43

Hi, Daxis

Thank you very much for the explanation. Personally I am happy that we all can have an access to affordable drugs. I also read good opinions about Tagrix in inspire .

Jim C GRACE Co…
Posts: 147

GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi daxys,

Thank you for clarifying my statement, as I didn’t address the issue of licensing. Essentially it comes down to a question of the quality of the product manufactured by Beacon-one of those questions that is tough to answer without a detailed lab analysis or head to head clinical trial comparison.

JimC
Forum moderator

masalovai
Posts: 43

Thank you, Jim, for you valuable contribution to this discussion ( as always ).

Let us hope they are making good and affordable product and it can help many people to survive.

Wish to everyone good success with their treatment and many more active years ahead !

❤️

daxys
Posts: 45

There is also another generic osimertinib from Bangladesh named Osicent that seem to be also identical with Tagrisso and Tagrix. Some people in the "EGFR Resisters" facebook group took original and generic pills to laboratories for analysis and the result was tey were the same.
There is a guy in the same group who reports complete response on Osicent. You can go to "EGFR resisters" facebook group and search for Osicent. Osicent is half of the price of Tagrix.

JanineT GRACE …
Posts: 657
GRACE Community Outreach Team

Thanks daxys. Always good to know the options throughout the world.

I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.

Olga
Posts: 2

Hello,

Sorry for my English,but hopefully you understand my question.Does someone knows how other generics of Tagrisso work?F.e.Luciosim,Osimert or maybe others.Thanks.Olga

Olga
Posts: 2

Hello,

Sorry for my English,but hopefully you understand my question.Does someone knows how other generics of Tagrisso work?F.e.Luciosim,Osimert or maybe others.Thanks.Olga

JanineT GRACE …
Posts: 657
GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi Olga,  Welcome to Grace.  Please don't worry about your English.  If I'm not understanding your question just give it another try and I think we can figure it out even if it takes a few posts to get the meaning through. 

 

If I'm understanding your question...The generics should have the same molecular makeup as Tagrisso so it would work the same as the patented drug tagrisso without its cost.

 

The real issue is whether or not the generic is really an identical replica of the original.  Tagrix is one of the best known reputable generics.  In post #26 above daxys mentions, " "EGFR Resisters" facebook group took original and generic pills to laboratories for analysis and the result was they were the same." 

Perhaps check out EGFR Resisters FB group for more on the subject of what generics are legitimate generics. 

 

Don't hesitate to ask for help.

All the best,

Janine

 

 

I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.

blessed
Posts: 1

my mom was on tagrisso for 6 months, she has showed good results during this period. we are having some finanal problems as the cost is too high so is tagrix works the same ? Is ot ok if we switch to tagirx now?

JanineT GRACE …
Posts: 657
GRACE Community Outreach Team

Read through this thread. As long as the quality can be trusted the drug is the same. Tagrix has had a good reputation but I don't know if that still applies.

I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.

kaustav
Posts: 1
Hello,I am Kaustav from India.I am final year PhD student working on copper mediated neurodegenerative disorders.

Hello, My father (age 70) has recently diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma.with EGFR exon 21 (Leu858Arg) and TP53 exon 5 (Asn131Tyr).He had received one round of chemotherapy with pemetrexed and carboplatin.Followed by we received that report.Doctor told me to start targetted therapy with osimertinib.
1. I can't afford Tagrisso , but can afford Tagrix. Why there is huge price difference between this two?
2. With the previous discussion, I am assuming Tagrix works equally well.just need a confirmation onto that.
3. What is the succession rate of Tagrix and life expectancy?
4. If I decide to start treatment with 1st generation TKI inhibitor (original molecule can afford), would that be equally effective?

I will defend my PhD thesis in next month and all of a sudden these happened.At this point I seek ur help regarding that.Thanks in advance

KC

Dipakchavan
Posts: 2
I am caregiver to LUNG cancer patient, my mother.She is on Tagrisso 80 mg manufactured by Astra zeneca,Who has the patent of osimertinib.Beacon pharma,Bangladesh who is the first company to USFDA approved Osimertinib in the world.

Dear all,I work in Sanofi Aventis Pharma.One of my parent is suffering from NSS lung cancer since 2020.We have started with Tagrisso 80 mg from Astra zenena from sweden.And are importing it.Osimertinib is the patented molecule from Astra zeneca but beacon pharma from Bangladesh has challenged the patent under ANDA at United States Food and Drug Administer which is the most stringent authority on giving appoval to any drug all over the world.Beacon pharma from bangladesh has challanged Astra zeneca's patent and got approval to manufacture worlds first ANDA or generic Osimertinib.The plant of beacon pharma is approved by USFDA and successful inspection beacon pharma got approval to manufacture and market osimertinib as Tagrix. I have also confirmed with my sanofi colleague in Bangladesh.He also confirmed the news.As Tagrix is generic but have same efficiency as that of tagrisso. Its cheaper and i fully recommend to go for Tagrix instead of tagrisso whoever dont have social benefits or medical expenses covered undertheir country's medical programm.Please buy Tagrix instead of tagrisso who cant afford tagrisso.The Price of Tagrisso 80 mg in India is INR.157000 per 10 tablets while Tagrix 30 tablets are available at INR.30000 per 30 tableta means need to spend only INR 10000 for 10 tablets.Its too cost effective with same results.I am aslo swithing to Tagrix 80 mg from beacon pharma.I am Pharmacist and i say with caution and authority.:Dipak Chavan (phone omitted) India.

Dipak Chavan

mariachristian
Posts: 2
Head of Partnerships and Programs for GRACE.

Hi all! I'm Maria, the Programs and Partnerships Director for GRACE. After doing some research, I can't verify Dipak's claims that Tagrix is FDA approved for use in the United States. I checked both at the "Orange Book" site (where the FDA lists approved drugs) and the Drugs@FDA site. Neither of them list anything other than Tagrisso as an FDA approved medication. Osimertinib is currently only available via AstraZeneca.

The medication can be expensive, but there are options:

1. The makers of Tagrisso offer a program for certain individuals that may reduce their cost to $0. You can look at their site to see if you can receive the benefit.

2. Ask your oncologist about programs to help lower the cost. Many hospitals and networks offer programs to help with the cost of medications.

3. Sign up for updates on CostPlusDrugs. Currently, they don't offer osimertinib/Tagrisso but their drug list is always expanding. This is a legitimate, safe pharmacy option that provides medication at a greatly discounted rate by cutting out the "middle men".

Please exercise caution when looking at outside sources for medication and treatment options. Always discuss medication questions with your oncologist.