Lamotrigine question...

[Chris515]

Does anyone know the difference between Apo-Lamotrigine and Mylan-Lamotrigine?

I take 275 mg twice a day. I got a refill on the 25 mg tablets last night, and noticed that they gave me a "substitute brand" called Mylan. I usually have Apo.

Thanks!

[occb]

Mylan and Apo are different generic companies in Canada.

Pay attention to how you feel on the Mylan, both Rae and my partner have not had good experiences with it. We switched Scott to brand name last month (we've seen some improvement with the switch), and I think Rae is wanting to switch to brand name as well.

[Chris515]

Thanks occb.

So what is the brand name called?

I'm trying to remember the difference between brand and generic.. is it that generic can have a variance in effectiveness? Like 90-110% compared to 100% for the brand name?

[occb]

The brand name is Lamictal.

Yeah, generics can have that variance, and they also use different fillers, which may make them more, or less, effective for different people. Some people do better with gens, and some do worse. If you feel better on the gen, then stick with it.

I was wondering if this variance in the generic accounted for some of Rae's fluctuating blood serum levels of lamotrigine.

[Rae1889]

Yup. I've had Apo, Mylan and Ratio. all companies that manufacture Lamotrigine.
I believe that Lamictal is produced by Glaxo Smith Kleine. and they Trademarked it under the name Lamictal so they can be the ones to produce it the same and at a higher price because its more effective than generic.

Yeah, I think that may be it with me. that differnt generics affect me differently. So now that I am taking the brand name i'll see if that changes