After receiving a new batch of Watson 853s, I noticed they weren't giving me the same relief, they just made me feel dull and queasy. After switching back to a known good supply the difference was noticeable - felt much better. The new batch looks IDENTICAL and breaks the same, but they don't have that telltale chalky aftertaste that I know and love. They have no taste at all. When followed up with a known good one, I could immediately notice the familiar taste.
Is it possible these pills could be bunk? Has anyone ever run across fake Watsons before? I know Oxys have been home-pressed but never seen evidence that people were doing this with Norcos. I always thought Norcos weren't worth the effort to home-press whereas Oxys are way more expensive so more attractive to fake. How could someone make a home-press of Watsons so perfect looking? Maybe they're just old, but I swear I've had old Norcos that still did the job. This is totally bizarre and I'm freaking out that I may have to toss the whole lot.
Now before anyone asks I will not name and shame until I am convinced this is not just my tolerance or paranoia. I will need to do a blind taste test in the next day or two.
These are supposedly US pharmacy sourced, I steer clear of Indian knock-offs. But the Indian pills are a totally different brand anyway, so they're easy to identify. Unless they're now making fake pills using a Watson press. Is that possible? This is totally bumming me out, can anyone offer any advice?
UPDATE: See pics: https://www.anonimg.com/img/489e54fad3f6ba878426e80c720dfea6.jpg
The pills on the right came directly from the pharmacy, handed to me personally by a licensed pharmacist. The pills on the left are the ones I'm writing about. Can you spot the differences? If you think they're the same, look closer. Remember, the pills on the right will get you high. The pills on the left are like the ones mother gives you... don't do anything at all. I'm lucky that's all they did. For all I know the next home-press will have a fatal dose of fent in it.
One more detail I noticed which could not be photographed. My legit Watsons when split in half are peppered with tiny sparkling crystals. The bogus ones have no such crystals, it's just dull white powder. This isn't really a foolproof test, since there may be another salt they could put in the powder to make it look similar, but it was just one more thing that made these pills stand out from the real ones.
Very possible. Norcos have become extremely difficult to get since getting reclassed. I am sure it is tempting for scammers to press and lowdose them or sub in another chem for hydrocodone.
Pill presses are also becoming much easier to manufacture and can easily be attained as they are perfectly legal machines.
If the price of NORCOS stays high or continues to come up I think we will see more and more of this,. Luckily we have communication to fight back the scammers the best we can.