generic Vs brand name, and reflex epilepsy

[vapour]

After bad simple partial/complex in july I ended up at a county ER and was given generic lamictal i started at a low dose. As it was increased it was most definatly not getting any better at all, previously when I did well I had only ever been on the brand name.

I explained to my neurologist and right now I have (again) samples of brand name, and have been accepted into a program that will give me brand name for a isgn up fee, a year sign, and $50 a month (it still works out rather expensive)

In the meantime using the bran name, I have already felt a big difference. I dont know why, but perhaps the binding chemical agent in generic is different.

The next time I see my neurologist she also wants to try the extended release which has just been approved (will also buy time for me to get the medication from the program)

Anyway I will let you know how the extended relese goes.

After research and fairly new to epilepsy I am pretty much certain I have reflex epilepsy..(but also have other seizures not due to this) the reflex comes on due to comprehending conversations, when in an aura being touched by my affected part (leg shoulder) and when Im around alot of movement or noise or certain lighting.

Anyone here have reflex epilepsy and similar symptoms... im also wondering how common this is, and also if anyone felt better on brand name rather than generic.

thanks

[occb]

My partner gets seizures from bright lights and especially optical illusions (mainly bold black and white patterns), but not exclusively. He hasn't been officially diagnosed yet, but we do have an EEG and a neurologist lined up for a few month from now.

He has been diagnosed with a mental illness and takes lamictal for it, and finds that when the pharmacist substitutes the brand name with the generic med, he doesn't do nearly as well.

[Loopy Lou]

I never bought the brand name versus generic thing before. I'm also on generic Lamotrigene. I decided to compare the ingredients from the 4 different generics i've had before after reading about it on here, and the only thing they had in common was the amount of Lamotrigene. The ingredients varied, and the amounts and compositions were completely different for each one.

[Cint]

I don't have reflex epilepsy, so don't know about that. Mine is refractory complex partial with secondary generalized. So for that reason, my epileptologist has advised me to NEVER take generic anti-epileptic drugs.

[Loopy Lou]

I have a review with my doctor on friday, and i go to see my neurologist at the end of the month. Hopefully i can talk my doc into prescribing the Lamictal for me instead. It's like getting used to a completely different medication every time.

What is reflex epilepsy? Or refactory for that matter?

[occb]

Reflex epilepsy is when a certain stimulus causes you to have a seizure. For example; flashing lights cause some people to have seizures.

I don't know what refractory epilepsy is.

[Loudmouth]

I CANNOT take the generic for gabapentin, it doesn't control my seizures in the slightest. Have discovered that for the first time in a year I was given the generic by my pharmacy as they had missed a delivery (wasn't keeping an eye on it as it hadn't been a problem for so long,always use dthe same pharmacy) and that's why my seizures increased to 2/3 every day last month. been back on brand for 2 weeks, and this week have only had one....go figure!!

[Cint]

Reflex epilepsy is when a certain stimulus causes you to have a seizure. For example; flashing lights cause some people to have seizures.

I don't know what refractory epilepsy is.

Refractory epilepsy is poorly controlled seizures despite numerous treatments.

[Meetz1064]

difference between brand and generic is that the brand ALWAYS has 100%% of the drug 100% of the time. The generics on the other hand, have a concentration of 80% to 120% of the drug at any given time--even though it is the same exact chemical makeup. AND, the binders on the generics (each one) is different.

I am one of those who MUST have the brand name, or I don't have control. Although, I am wanting to work my way off of the drugs, I have been on for 44 years, so it is unlikely that I will be able to do that. I am going to see about neurofeedback around here, though, and that MAY help me.......in addition to the celiac diet I'm on now.

[Junebug]

I started taking the generic Lamictal as soon as it came out. I asked the pharmacist if I had to get the okay from my dr and he said no. Between July and Oct of 08 I was having 6-10 tonic clonics a month, before when I was on the brand name I only had 1-2 tonic clonic a month. I never made the connection until I had a tonic clonic at home while awake,(I had nocturnal seizures) and ended up hitting my head on a coffee table at home and ending up at the er with 5 staples in my head.
The next day I made an appt with a new neurologist (the neurologist I was seeing couldn't care less, he was 'old school') and went back to the brand name.
Even though the active ingredients may be the same, the drug companies don't make it the same and generics only have to have 80%-120% of the same formulation. There's no guatantee that you will get your drugs from the same manuf. each month either and that can cause seizures to spiral out of control like mine did.

[occb]

Refractory epilepsy is poorly controlled seizures despite numerous treatments.

Thanks for the info. I was wondering, since I had seen the term a few times.

[KAM]

Hi Vapour,

I have not been in your situation with the specific drug you mention but I was there with Dilantin. I pick up my Rx one day and thought it was what my MD wanted me to to take. About two days later I feel that I am toxic (my highest level was 38.2 on Dilantin and 20 is toxic.. my normal range is 9-22) When they did the level, I was at "zero" for the "free" Dilantin Level so the generic drug took the opposite effect. I was injeceted with some med @ the ER (sounds like Cerebex but I can't remember the exact name) and they wouldn't let me leave until the Dilantin Level started to register. Here's what gets me; I can get the generic for $15 per month and the Dilantin costs $99+ per month which is what I pay every month. Spoke with my sister and what she tells me is you need to file an Appeal with your insurance company about what drugs they will not cover for you and the necessity for them to cover them in your personal situation. Haven't tried it yet, but I will. What would they rather pay? The trip(s) to the ER or just supplimenting the Med that can control the situation????

[stilldancing_98]

Well, I will tell you, my son started a drug on generic. Because he was so used to it... I went back to it.

[Meetz1064]

did your son do on the generic drug, stilldancing? If he did well on it, then that's a great thing. If not, then that's something to consider......

[Belinda5000]

I can't take anything in Tegretol family but original Tegretol without my seizures going through the roof.

Generics usually just don't work on me.I can take Clonazeam.

I have to take Topamax not the generic.


Belinda