Generic Topamax VS. Brand Name?

[momof3boys]

So, my only experience with generic anti seizure medications is with Keppra XR. In November 2012, I tried the generic keppra xr and had break through seizures. Luckly, i saved some of the name brand just incase, and had that on hand to go back to. Now that the neuro is wanting to add the Topamax.. he wrote out a prescription that doesnt say I have to have the generic or the name brand... but its for 60 tablets each month, with 12 refills. When I took the prescription in to get it filled, they asked if I wanted the generic? Now with knowing the generic didnt work for me with the Keppra xr, I went for the name brand. The pharmacist said at anytime I wanted to try the generic, that I could, since there are 12 refills on the prescription.

I just dont know if I should try it or not? The generic.. onder: I just dont want to have the same reaction that I did on the generic keppra xr.

So has anyone here tried the generic and had issues? Im finding when I google it, there are alot of people that report having problems... like migraines, etc. I just dont want to mess with it if its going to cause problems.

 

[Katiered]

Sorry you had problems before! Hopefully you won't now..

I'm just working my way on to Topiramate right now. I am having a lot of side effects, many that are listed for Topamax, and some that aren't. Exhaustion (even physical from walking up stairs), lightheadedness, memory and concentration issues, nausea, loss of appetite, carbonation taste change (that one's just funny), joint pain, numb fingers,
pain in my feet. Absolutely no issues with headaches though, and I do have a history of migraines.

So lots of side effects, however my doctor did say that there would be a lot of them with this medication, but that all except for weight loss would go away by the time you reach the full dose if it was the right medication.

So if you have these side effects anyway, then may as well save A LOT of money with the generic I guess! I hope that helps you make a decision!

 

[KarenB]

OK, here's the deal with generic versus brand name (as I understand it).

The active ingredient is the same in both meds. However, what seems to be the problem is that the AMOUNT of the active ingredient in each pill of the generic can be 20% more or 20% less than what is in the brand name medication.

So...let's say that you were taking 2000 mg of Keppra (brand name), and you switched to the generic, and the generic contained 20% less of the active ingredient. That could mean that rather than getting the 2000 mg of Keppra, you could be getting as little as 1600 mg. That significant a reduction could cause breakthrough seizures.

Another issue is that different generic brands have different amounts of medication in them. So...let's say that you're on one generic brand, and you're getting 20% MORE than what is in the brand name (which is possible). And then your pharmacy decides to go with a new supplier, and the new generic brand is 20% LESS than what is in the brand name. If you have a daily dose of 2000 mg of Keppra, that could be a reduction of as much as 800 mg of the active ingredient. Or, the reverse could happen, and you could go from a generic brand that is 20% lower to a generic brand that is 20% higher, and that would be like increasing your medication by 40%. That could potentially put you into a toxic range with some medications (not with Keppra, but certainly with Topomax -- this actually happened to us).

So...it's probably ok to take a generic brand but NOT to switch from brand name to generic (or vice versa), and also to make sure that your pharmacist doesn't change suppliers. It's probably just safer to stick with the name brand if you can afford it, or if your insurance company will agree to pay for it.