Simple partial seizures returned, question about med

[davidmc]

I was prescribed generic toperimirate (sp) but that didn't work as well and I had more auras and some but not many partial seizures on it.
I was switched back to the branded one, ie Topamax. However, instead of the white one, it was changed to the yellow one and 2 tablets a day instead of four (same dose altogether, just less tablets).

However, I have been having a lot of simple partial seizures on them.
I have lost the leaflet but the colouring looks the same as the generic one I had problems with, could there be a correlation, could I have a sensivity to the colouring?

Also, I just searched something, "bilateral activity" and it came up with EEG and epilepsy and partial seizures!
I got a result on my 48 ambulatory EEG of

"The patient had a 48 hourambulatory EEG on the 15th November 2011.
The patient reported 14 partial seizures and ten auras.

There were no cortical correlates seen during these events. The patient has a background EEG of defuse low voltage bilateral activity. predominatly fronto temporal zones.

There was no diagnostic epileptiform activity seen."

This is confusing me.

 

[Endless]

Hi, David.

Even though brand name and generic medications are supposed to be bioequivalent, and the FDA requires the bioequivalence of the generic to be 80% to 125% of the brand name drug. That means you could have been getting much more of the drug into your system with a generic brand, and that's what your body is used to and needs to keep your seizures under control.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_drug#Ensuring_bioequivalence

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/QuestionsAnswers/ucm100100.htm

And yes, you definitely can be allergic to a filler or color.

Me, if my generic is changed to another manufacturer I have problems. Not so much seizures any more but I feel weird for a few days. (which I guess some people say is a type of seizure within itself). I figuure it's differences in the bioavailability.

The following is definitely not a scientific website, but the principles they talk about seem to be sound. Still, take it with a grain of salt. In your case the problem was switching to the brand name, not the other way around. Everything they say about moving to generics could equally be said about going from a generic to a brand name. It's all in what your body is used to.

http://www.consumerwarningnetwork.c...c-drugs-not-always-equivalent-to-name-brands/

 

[davidmc]

Hi, David.

Even though brand name and generic medications are supposed to be bioequivalent, and the FDA requires the bioequivalence of the generic to be 80% to 125% of the brand name drug. That means you could have been getting much more of the drug into your system with a generic brand, and that's what your body is used to and needs to keep your seizures under control.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_drug#Ensuring_bioequivalence

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/QuestionsAnswers/ucm100100.htm

And yes, you definitely can be allergic to a filler or color.

Me, if my generic is changed to another manufacturer I have problems. Not so much seizures any more but I feel weird for a few days. (which I guess some people say is a type of seizure within itself). I figuure it's differences in the bioavailability.

The following is definitely not a scientific website, but the principles they talk about seem to be sound. Still, take it with a grain of salt. In your case the problem was switching to the brand name, not the other way around. Everything they say about moving to generics could equally be said about going from a generic to a brand name. It's all in what your body is used to.

http://www.consumerwarningnetwork.c...c-drugs-not-always-equivalent-to-name-brands/

Thanks. I've always been on the brand name apart from the one time once when it was switched to the generic as I had problems. I had no problems on the generic that time. I've been on the brand name Topamax for about a week now I think and still having problems. But never had problems on the white coloured Topamax (not generic), just the GP decided it would be best to take 2 tablets day instead of 4 as the dose would be the same, just in less tablets.

 

[davidmc]

I have an appointment with my neurologist today.
He told me last time for me to have so many seizures, it's unlikely it wouldn't show up on a scan as brain damage and should get an abnormal EEG.

I don't know about the first one, bt the second one is a crock of rubbish.
Until ths switch on the Topamax, it has worked. But it said it is unlikely to be epilepsy.

I really would like to try a different med even if the Topamax works again but I was only allowed it due to my headaches. Does anyone have any suggestions?