Generic Keppra and/or lingering effects of auras

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This is a bit long, so bear with me, please. :) Okay, I started generic Keppra last week. Actually, I'm still taking one regular Keppra in the AM, and one generic in the PM to ease the transition. I'll run out of regular Keppra in a few days. Generic Keppra has dropped way down in price. When it first came out, it was only about $20 less, so I didn't bother changing. This last year I knew that it had dropped in price, but was not prepared for how much. I nearly dropped my teeth when they told me it was only $29. Woohoo! (I pay up front, and after I reach my deductible I'm reimbursed 70% by my insurance.)

Anyway, I thought I was doing okay though I had a hard time getting to sleep the first few nights. I felt like I started dreaming even as I drifted off which woke me up immediately. That passed and I was happy with the generic. (Finally getting to the point, here) But just a while ago, I had what I think was a very, very brief olfactory aura - you know the kind where you smell burning tires, or in my case stale, nasty cigarettes. Anyway, it lasted less than a second, but since then, about an hour ago, I've felt nauseated. I used to have these kinds of aura several years ago, but they lasted a few seconds and didn't make me feel nauseated afterward. Questions: Has anyone else felt sick after an olfactory aura? In other words, might this be a side effect of the generic Keppra rather than an aura and after effect? Has anyone else had trouble transitioning between Keppra and generic? How long until things stabilized?

I know everyone is different, but any insight would be appreciated. :)
 
I'm getting ready to start into the same situation. For the last two years I only had to pay an extra $80 for a 3 month supply of Keppra XR. But when I tried to refill this week I got a big surprise. It's now $943 extra for a 3 month supply. So I'm trying the generic again. Maybe I won't have the nasty side effects this time. I hope that there is a special level of Hell just for Insurance and Drug Companies.
 
From $80 to $943 extra? Holy cow!!! You're right; there should be a special place in Hell for such blatant profiteers.

Good luck with the generic :)
 
Im taking Keppra XR. My dr switched me to the Keppra XR from the Keppra in November 2010. I was always having constant headaches and he said it could be from the way the medication was coming and going in my body. So I started taking the Keppra XR in November 2010 and within days all my headaches went away. The Keppra was costing me $150 for a 6 month supply. The Keppra XR at the time, was costing me $100 for a 6 month supply. Which totally shocked me because I thought since it was an XR medication, it would cost more. But this time around, just last month, I got a "shock" when I reordered it. Went from $100 to $150 for a six month supply of Keppra XR now. :( The insurance said the FDA changed it as of Jan 1st 2012. I think its pathetic how they raise their stupid prices of medication to get more freaking money! Anyways, I havnt ever tried generic medication. My dr said it was up to me, but did sit down to tell me the difference in what the two can bring on. After talking, I chose not to try it since I didnt want to chance having more seizures. So I cant give you my experience as to how I would be on generic Keppra. But I do know that during my auras, I get a feeling of fear and my stomach feels like someone punched me and I want to throw up. So what you are feeling, could be signs that a seizure is wanting to come on.
 
One of my Drs explained to me that each generic version is slightly different due to different fillers and minor variations in the mix. So each time we refill we are adjusting to a slightly different med. It seems that our tolerance for these variations is less with our problems. One pointer that I did get was that if we get lucky and find a generic drug that works, it is sometimes possible to stay with that manufacturer. Wish me luck on Monday!
 
I ended up trying the generic keppra xr and I had a hard time falling asleep at first. Then came the times it felt like i was in slow motion. But after 14 days, I went into seizures. It hit me in the middle of the night. I had a cluster of seizures and the weekend was just a complete blur for me. Im now back on the brand name, still feeling not the best, but Im waiting to hear back from the online pharmacy about getting a new prescription for the brand name keppra xr.

I found this post and wanted to give an update on my experience with the generic keppra xr. The down part is that it didnt work... but it was cheaper compared to the name brand.. I paid $35 for a six month supply of the generic, where as I will now be paying $150 for a six month supply of the name brand again.
 
Oh no! I'm so sorry you had such a hard time with the generic keppra. It's so strange how small differences between brand name and generic can cause such big problems.

Fortunately, I've gotten used to generic and don't have the problems - which weren't as bad as what you've experienced - that I had in this original post any more. In fact, I was surprised to see this thread with my name on it. I had forgotten all about it. So it's a nice reminder of how much better I'm doing now than I was then.

Hang in there. I hope you feel better soon! :)
 
thanks! Im glad the generic keppra xr worked for you! :)

Ive never been on a generic seizure medication, so this was my first time trying it. I was hoping it would work, but once those seizures kicked in, I knew it wasnt the right one for me. Tomorrow will be a week since Ive been back on the name brand and Im feeling much better compared to this past week.
 
Thanks! the only thing Im still experience is chest pain. Its a "tightness" feeling in the center of my chest. My mom thinks it could be stress related, since last year i was told I had a mild case of gerd. she thinks all of this wear and tear could cause alot of stress on my body, causing my gerd to act up. I did look on the papers that were given to me with the generic keppra xr and it lists chest pain as a side effect. Im just hoping and praying it goes away soon!
 
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