What it Says on the Box??!!

[Elaine H]

I've been on Oxcarbazepine for twenty odd years and it's always been Trileptal, no problems, great drug, did the job, end of chat! All of a sudden, I go into my chemist last week to collect my drugs, and they have decided to switch manufacturers, so they now get the Oxcarbazepine from a pharmecutical company supplying it as Sandoz. I was taking 500mg of Trileptal three times a day, that was three of the tablets am and three pm. Now these new ones are 300mg, but it says on the box take three times a day, which when I did maths at school totals 900mg am and 900mg pm. That's not what I'm supposed to be taking, plus, these new ones make me dizzy, and I asked the chemist today why I have to take this Sandoz, can't I go back to Trileptal, and they said only if my doctor writes a prescription out specifically for Trileptal!!! Crazy eh? Anyone else had these problems with Oxcarbazepine? Would love to hear from you, and anyone who feels like writing in general, as I am going bonkers!!!! lotsalove Elaine XX

 

[qtowngirl]

ohmigod girl!!! what the hell? sounds like someone in the med company dropped the ball on that one. so you're supposed to figure out for yourself how often and how many mg to take? pretty hard for that not to mess with the head, literally! we're not supposed to just randomly cx doseage times or amounts. did you make a doctor's appt to see what's going on and if you can get the brand med?
(((HUGS))) and best of luck with it hun, keep us posted

 

[Endless]

Elaine,

Call your doctor for a clarification of how much to take, and how often.

I share your frustration - switching between generic manufacturers makes me crazy! The drugs are supposed to be bioequivalent. But that just means the generic brand can result in 80% to 125% of the amount in a person's bloodstream compared to the brand name. At least that's the rule in the United States. Crazy! They think we can handle 45% variation in our brain drugs? Imagine if your doctor cut your dose in half overnight. That's what batch-to-batch variation and also changing manufacturers can do!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioequivalence#Europe

 

[qtowngirl]

They think we can handle 45% variation in our brain drugs? Imagine if your doctor cut your dose in half overnight. That's what batch-to-batch variation and also changing manufacturers can do!

*shake head* WOW 45%?!?! and med manufacturers actually think they're leaders in healthcare ey? they're insane. a bit of a fight with this one elaine, but you're one tough girl, you'll kick it right back

 

[BIGMAN131307]

I go into my chemist last week to collect my drugs, and they have decided to switch manufacturers.......they said only if my doctor writes a prescription out specifically for Trileptal!!!

I've been there over a year ago. You can get that problem fixed, but you need your Neurologist to help. You need your Rx to be prescribed for: Trileptal [DAW] Dispense As Written. This way you will get the name brand only.

You may also need a yearly waiver if your insurance company asks for it.

 

[Meetz1064]

They can

legally provide you with the generic in the UK if its not written by the doc as a brand name scrip, BUT, the chemist CANNOT get off by giving you 200 mg per pill less. Call them on that.

500 mg pills v 300 mg pills makes a HUGE difference. And if the doc made a error, call them up on that. Remind them that you still need 1500 mg at each dose.......then they will have to fix that.

I would imagine the dizziness is from the difference in the amount of meds.

 

[Cinnabar]

Am sooo sorry your'e going through this, friend

asked the chemist today why I have to take this Sandoz, can't I go back to Trileptal, and they said only if my doctor writes a prescription out specifically for Trileptal!!!

Can they make life anymore difficult?! While I'm not on Oxcarbazepine I've been on Lamictal for many years. Everything was going along fine then at some point my hair was falling out - strands abouding everywhere. I then discovered that the pharmacy was using a different manufacturer. I got back on "NorthStar" and everything has been fine since. I never knew compouds could make such a difference.

Your situation is one of more concern though and hope you get this straightened out soon. (((HUGS)))