New - Starting Lamictal
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UPDATED: Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:46am
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EBJ1209
Lamictal generic brand
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Hello All
I was just wondering has anyone switch from taking brand name of lamictal to a generic brand.
My insurance is switching the brand name to generic and i was told the equivalent would be 75%. So most llikely if there any occurences with the generic, my doctor would have to increse the dosage.
Sincerely scared and confused.
By EBJ1209 at Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:46am | 572 views | 91 comments
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I HOPE EVERYONE READS THIS FORUM. I AM SO GRATEFUL AND IT IS SO HELPFUL
I am 21 year old female who had my first seizure at 18. Sleep deprivation and stress were most likely what triggered it. I was diagnosed with epilepsy, I've had it since I was born and it was not caused my a head injury and there was no family history of it.
I was on BRAND NAME KEPPRA for the first two years. Then, unknowingly, my doctor said to switch to the GENERIC since it was cheaper. Within the first two months, I was experiencing many auras and a few other symptoms not knowing why. Ultimately, I had my second seizure, and was not even very much sleep deprived that same weekend. I went back to BRAND NAME.
I am now on BRAND NAME KEPPRA XR for the past 10 months since having my last seizure, and it is slightly cheaper than regular brand name Keppra. I have been doing well on it. However, I have always had concentration issues when it comes to school work since I am a college student. I am trying to decide whether it's my laziness, the fact that I take 23 credits/semester, or that I am easily distracted since some times i just can NOT concentrate. My doctor says Keppra effects concentration and cognitive thinking, so he wants to switch me to LAMICTAL.
I now in the process of switching over to Lamictal, slowly, but still take the Keppra with it. I have been taking BRAND NAME LAMICTAL the past 5 week in a trial pack and I now need to fill an Rx at a pharmacy for GENERIC lamictal. THANK GOD I read this page because now I am aware of the horrible side effects of Lamictal generic, and am hesitant to fill the RX for generic this week.
I have MEDCO health insurance and I pay $450 for my 90 supply of KEPPRA XR (brand name, there is no generic for XR). Regular BRAND NAME KEPPRA is $622/90 day supply. LAMICTAL BRAND NAME is $1,100.00/90 day supply which is WAY more than I am willing to pay. I am going to stick with Keppra XR and not even risk Lamictal generic, which would cost me not even $100.00 for a 90 supply. Although I have trouble concentrating, I am a Deans List student and will deal with my lack of concentration on my own. I am not paying for some crappy generic Lamictal after I read this forum!! I wish my doctor understood and was aware of all of this brand name vs. generic. I hated generic Keppra and most liekly will hate generic lamictal after reading this.
THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE!
-Christina
Regarding my posting on 2/23, it turns out that I can use the lamictal xr and not be forced to use the generic. Since lamictal xr has no generic form at this time, my insurance will cover it. Get this, it would cost me $700/month to use lamictal (my neurologist has insisted I not take the generic because of all the problems reported below), but the lamictal xr will only cost me the copay of $11.50. Not only that, but it only needs to be taken once a day at bedtime. I hope this helps some of you. There have been lots of problems with the generic, and people have been forced to use it because the brand name is so expensive. Not many people can pay $700 per month, but $11 for the same drug that only needs to be taken once a day is a no-brainer. If you are in this situation, please ask your doctor if you can make the switch.
I just found out that there is a Lamictal XR which is an extended release version, also by GlaxoSmithKline. There is currently no generic available for this. I plan to call my neurologist and my pharmacist tomorrow. It may be possible that the xr can be taken instead of the regular lamictal, and if so it may be covered by the insurance company because it has no generic available. Has anyone else looked at this?
I am a pharmacist at a hospital and I found this site because I was reviewing the problems associated with interchanging generic and brand name antiepileptic medications. All of your experiences with generics are similar to what is found in case reports and studies. It is terrible that the insurance companies have so much control over what is dispensed. There are several patient assistance programs out there sponsored by different drug companies. Your doctor's office should know about them or should be able to contact the rep to get more specific information if they do not have it on hand. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists also has a lot of information on their website and links to patient assistance programs. You can find this information at www.ashp.org and under Resource Center click the arrow and Patient Assistance Programs will be in the list of options to choose.
Lastly, I do wish to clarify a misrepresentation. I did work in retail pharmacy for a short period of time and did not like it at all. I do know that the pharmacist does not have any power in this situation. If the physician indicates "Brand Name only" then the pharmacist legally has to dispense the brand name. If that is not specifically indicated then a generic can be substituted and often is due to the financial impact to the patient. The individual pharmacist has no financial incentive to use generics. As a retail pharmacist, I interchanged generics due to the decreased cost to the patient. Most often people were angry with me due to a change in their copay or their insurance companies refusal to pay for the medication. I cannot vouch for all pharmacists, but I would say the majority have good intentions when substituting generics. Lastly, it is illegal for pharmacies to receive any incentive for dispensing generics and larger chains have sustained fines and been sued for this very practice.
Thanks very much for your response and help. I agree the retail pharmacist takes a lot of the brunt for problems people have unfortunately. Many however are great allies and can help people better understand the system and how to work with their insurance company.
We appreciate your help and look forward to seeing you around!
Epi_help
Resource Specialist
Hi, my son was switched to generic lamictal when it became available. His Dr. was not happy but agreed we could try as the name brand was $500 per month out of our pockets. His Dr. stressed the pharmacy had to provide him with the generic from the same manufacturer every month, this is one reason the generics don't work as well, the pharmacy orders in bulk from the cheapest supplier each month and the difference in the generics from different companies is enough to cause seizures. We had to switch to a small mom and pop pharmacy because the big store pharmacies cannot control which company the drug comes from. We have to be vigilent to ensure his meds come from the same company each month. So far so good. He has been on generic since it became available and he remains seizure free. He has complex partial seizures and when they are not controlled he has a minimum of thirty a day. We currently get his generic lamictal from the manufacturer Tevau. I do know his Dr. mentioned quite a few of his patients did not do well on the generic and as we all know epilpesy is so different from person to person, but our experience with the generic has been good. Good Luck!
Hello y'all, I too am a victim of brand name to generic changes. Not just lamictal. Dilantin and keppra, also. I'm on disability and title19(I live in IA). Also am on SILVER SCRIPT, which helps with costs of my meds. They have been changing coverage on meds as generics become available. I'm on dilantin,keppra, and LAMICTAL. Over the last couple yrs. they have tried to pass off the gens., but because of the touchyness of the seizures I have, my doctor has had to send a formal letter to them, stating that I must remain on the brand names. Besides that, my wife and I can't even afford the costs of gens. I hope things work out for you. Let me know, if you want to. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
Hello All--
I can't tell you how relieved I am for finding this post. I don't know why I didn't think of searching for this earlier. I have partical complex seizures and have been seizure free since 99. Like the rest of you, my pharmacy switched me over to the generic as soon as it was available. I was a little concerned, but also relieved b/c of the cost of the brand name drug. I did start noticing a difference in the way I felt, but I kept telling myself that it was just in head and nothing was wrong. I started having really bad migraines and people told me it was probably perimenopause. Then I found if I didn't take my next dose at exactly 12 hrs. I just wouldn't feel right. I even said to myself that's okay I just have to make sure I take my am and pm doses exactly 12 hrs. apart. I even told my neuro this and said I'll just make sure I take it on time. But we all know how difficult that can be at times. So finally about a month ago I got such a bad migraine it brought me to tears. The next day I felt just awful I didn't dare drive anywhere b/c I felt so out of it. I even had some auras throughout that day. So at the end of the month when it was time to refill I called my neuro office and asked them to please switch me back to the brand name-the receptionist didn't understand why I was taking the generic to begin with. She told me to just have my pharmacy call them and they would make the switch. I then called the pharmacy and asked them to please call my neuro--the pharmacist says to me oh we don't have to call all I had to do was say something and they would switch me back to the brand name. I asked if my insurance would still cover it. The pharmacist just told me what the cost would be--which didn't help me much. (Unfortunately I have the type of prescription coverage that I have to pay all of it out and wait to be reimbursed.) I tried to be proactive and call the insurance co to make sure they would reimburse and couldn't get anywhere on the phone, so I just crossed my fingers that I would get my usual 80% reimbursement. The month passed and I did receive my the 80%, but I can't help but wonder if they will continue to pay w/o problems or will out of nowhere a problem arise.
I feel 100% better now that I switched back to the brand name. I'm glad I made the switch before I had a seizure. So those of you who are reading this--if you are questioning it-don't make the switch to generic or if you have any difference in how you feel switch back to the brand name before you end up having a seizure.
I'm writing this almost a year after your post last May but I think my experience is worth adding to the discussion about lamotrigine, the generic form of Lamictal.
I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but Lamictal is approved for treatment of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, which I'm "fortunate" enough to suffer from. I took Lamictal for many months and then my cousin -- who takes the generic for her seizure disorder -- suggested that I switch as it would save me tons of money. That much would be true.
So, I gave it a try, for like two months. By the second month, I was a complete mess. It was as if I weren't taking medicine at all. It took me a while to connect my off-the-wall moods with the fact that the lamotrigine wasn't working -- and I am very compliant with take medicine.
Reluctantly I went back on the brand Lamictal and felt better within two weeks. One is never 100% with the rapid-cycling situation, but the difference in effectiveness was night and day. I was so disappointed that I would have to empty my pockets again every month for the more-expensive drug.
I'm telling you this mostly so that you know that it's not only epilepsy sufferers who are experiencing the difference between brand and generic. I've never come across such a wide gap in the performance of drugs before. My cousin happens to be fine on the generic but I don't think her condition is as serious as yours.
I have to say that a flaw in the generic formula that wreaks this kind of harm cannot be a coincidence -- or am I being paranoid?
I have to tackle the nasty process of asking my health "insurers" if they will help pay for the brand since I'm untreatable with the generic.
Hello,
My son just got his meds switched to generic. He has taken Lamictal and Topomax since he had his first seizure at age 14, he is now 20. They switched him to generic on his Topomax a month ago and has already had 2 side effects. They just switched him to the generic brand of Lamictal last week. His neurologist said we have to watch for side effects now for 6 months to a year. He is on Childrens Special Health Care until the day before he turns 21 this August. After reading your story it really concerns me about them switching his meds. Sometimes he don't take his meds on time..
My insurance company did the same thing its not time to refill my prescription yet so i am still taking brand name. When the generic came out last year i decided to try it but was still having some seizures. Now my insurance company says that i must use the generic or pay the difference plus the co-pay. You can imagine my surprise when they told me that i would have to pay $900 dollars for the name brand. WHO EVER READS THIS PLEASE FIND OUT THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE GENERIC FROM YOUR PHARMACIST THEN
GO TO THE WEB SITE FOR THE F.D.A. MEDWATCH.COM AND TELL THEM THE PROBLEMS THAT YOU ARE HAVING WITH THE
GENERICS IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN MAYBE THEY WILL TAKE IT OFF THE MARKET.
WE ALL NEED TO DO THIS
I WORK A A C.V.S. PHARMACY AND HAVE TO RENEW MY HEALTH PLAN IN MAY I WAS SHOCKED WHEN IT SAID THAT I MUST USE
AVAILABLE GENERICS OR PAY THE EXTRA COST IN ORDER TO KEEP HEALTH COSTS DOWN. "WHOSE HEALTH COSTS MINE OR THEIRS ".
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH GENERICS IN THE PAST. WE ALL SHOULD CONTACT THE F.D.A. AND TELL THEM OFF.
YOU CAN BE I ACTUALLY SAW A TALK SHOW WITH FORMER F.D.A. EMPLOYEES THAT STATED THAT THEIR SUPERIORS HAD
AUTHORIZED SOME EMPLOYEES TO PASS CERTAIN DRUGS ONTO THE MARKET EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT SAFE!!!
THIS IS THE F.D.A. THE ADMINISTRATION THAT WAS FORMED TO PROTECT US FROM THIS SORT OF THING.
Well, I feel all of your pain. I have United Healthcare for my insurance and must get my meds through Caremark to get any discount and it be affordable. Caremark also owns United Healthcare. Go figure! I have been trying to get a prescription of Lamictal refilled (which I have been taking with Tegretol for most of my seizure life, 21 years) for over 3 weeks and then when they did finally refill it, I got the generic. My dr. about went ape when the changed my prescription when it says BRAND only. We sent in an appeal and I got some samples from the dr. office. In the mean time my dr. suggested that we try it just to see if by chance I can take it because it would be so much cheaper in the future. I take three 25 mg. in the morning and two 25 mg. in the evening. We tried substituting 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. Withing 36 hours I started having partial seizures in my arm. I got the result back my appeal and was denied. The appeal answer was that "regardless of reason or situation" the brand name Lamictal will no longer be covered and the patient must take the generic or pay for their own. Right now for 450 (3 months worth) is $1700.00 and the generic is $636.03. How is anyone supposed to pay this? Fortunately my NP in the neurology office is one of my best friends and she is trying several different routes to help me. I'm taking samples right now until we can figure out what we are going to do. How can your prescription provider CHANGE a dr's prescription arbitrarily? What can I do?
I just wanted to let you know that your pharmacist cannot switch you from brand to generic without your permission.
if the prescription says dispense as written they MUST give you BRAND NAME. It is illegal for a pharmacist to not give you
what is prescribed. NO MATTER WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAYS!! I think that you should remind you pharmacist
that he could get in real trouble and possibly end up losing his license as a pharmacist!
I THINK THAT THE PHARMACIES AND INSURANCE COMPANIES SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE NOT THE DOCTORS.
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE FORCING US (FINANCIALLY) TO TAKE GENERICS. WHATS NEXT THEY TELL US WHAT KIND OF MEDICINE THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE FOR OUR MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT WE MAY HAVE.
I just wanted to let you know that your pharmacist cannot switch you from brand to generic without your permission.
if the prescription says dispense as written they MUST give you BRAND NAME. It is illegal for a pharmacist to not give you
what is prescribed. NO MATTER WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAYS!! I think that you should remind you pharmacist
that he could get in real trouble and possibly end up losing his license as a pharmacist!
I THINK THAT THE PHARMACIES AND INSURANCE COMPANIES SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE NOT THE DOCTORS.
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE FORCING US (FINANCIALLY) TO TAKE GENERICS. WHATS NEXT THEY TELL US WHAT KIND OF MEDICINE THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE FOR OUR MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT WE MAY HAVE.
Jamie,
Actually in a way they already do tell us which medicines to take. They have their list of formulary and nonformulary drugs. As an example a friend of mine was taking a perscription drug for high blood pressure for years and it was changed to non formulary, all of a sudden he had to be changed to a new drug or pay the higher charge. This is another trick of insurance companies. What a racket.
GOD BLESS,
BANFFGIRL,
I HAVE A ELECTRIC PERSONALITY, MY BRAIN IS SELF CHARGING!!
I HAVE THE SAME INSURANCE AS YOU DO. THE FUNNY THING IS THE COST FOR THE GENERIC LAMICTAL IS WHAT THE BRAND NAME WAS BEFORE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. I TAKE 200MG IN THE AM AND IN THE PM. WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT SENDING ME GENERIC FOR MY REFILL LAST WEEK, THEY TOLD ME MY PERSCRIPTION DIDNT SAY BRAND ONLY THOUGH I KNOW FOR A FACT IT DID. I ASKED THEM ABOUT APPEALING AND THEY SAID I WOULD NEED TO TAKE THE MEDS FIRST BEFORE I COULD APPEAL. IF I NEEDED TO I COULD APPEAL LATER I WOULD NEED TO SEND IN DOCUMENTATION FROM MY DOCTOR. WHEN I ASKED HOW LONG THE APPEAL PROCESS TOOK THEY TOLD ME I COULD EXPECT AN ANSWER AFTER THEY GOT IT AND THEY SAID IT TOOK 2-3 MONTHS. NOW I AM IN A REAL PICKLE SINCE THEY ARE MAKING ME CHANG MY TOPAMAX TO GENERIC AS WELL. IT BECAME GENERIC THIS MONTH.
THE WHOLE GENERIC DRUG RACKET IS A MONEY MAKING MACHINE, NOT A HEALTH BENEFIT.
GOD BLESS,
BANFFGIRL,
I HAVE A ELECTRIC PERSONALITY, MY BRAIN IS SELF CHARGING!!
I have been on Lamictal (200mg BID) and was very nervous when the generic was presented to me in my little white pharmacy bag. My neurologist does blood work twice a year to check the lamictal levels to make sure that ithe level is at the theraputic dose. He has tested it twice since the generic and it is ok.
I admitted to the actual frequency of myclonus so he added 0.5mg BID of Klonapin taken 1 hour before the Lamictal. I could not believe the difference for me with the Klonapin! I ran out of 3 doses and was in the ER with a Grand Mal - first one in 13 years. He increased the Klonapin and ordered the blood work again.
Not because of the generic, but because I am getting a really hard time at work, I want him to do another sleep deprivation EEG. He mentioned it when I saw him after the GM and decided not to. I am going to push for it just the same. He may see a difference, if any, with the generic.
I found this board because I take Lamictal for a mood disorder and my insurance coverage has changed so I was exploring generic options. I've worked in the pharmaceutical field and most companies have programs for those who can not afford their medicines. I haven't look through the list to see if GlaxcoSmithKline (GSK, the maker of Lamictal) has a program which would benefit me, but here are their programs that might hopefully help someone here.
http://www.gskforyou.com/
I have insurance with an extremely high deductable and preminum and can't afford the $200 + cost since I have been laid off. Therefore, even though I have insurance I am still going to contact GSK and see if they will work something out with me. If you all report your experiences with generics to GSK it will accomplish two things. First, it might get you Lamictal at reduced cost even if you have insurance, and secondly, it will help GSK in their case against generics. Sometimes generics work and they are a great financial help, but clearly in this case the generic is dangerous.
Vicki
I just called GSK, and in my case, where I have prescription insurance coverage but a very high deductable so that I am basically paying at cost for the Lamictal, they referred me to a program called "Free Drug Card". They said that it offers discounts to those with prescription drug coverage. All you hear when you call is a welcome message and to leave your name, address and phone number and that a card will be sent to you in 7 - 10 days. I don't know how much it might help me, but anything is helpful.
Free Drug Card 866-410-4225
In regards to Lamictal, be sure to call GSK first though and talk to them about your specific situation so that they can direct you to the appropriate program for you.
Vicki
Besides taking medication, has anyone had any sort of brain surgery to eliminate or reduce seizures?
All,
My wife has been on Lamictal for many years with almost no issues. Just figureing out the dosage. Anyway, the nigtmare starts. She swithed to generics about 6 months ago (I am guessing), and I noticed a few focal seizures over this period. I should of connected the dots but was too niave. Anyway two weeks ago we noticed that the generics shape had changed from diamond to round. My wife confronted the pharmacy as to why to make sure she got the correct meds. She was assured it was fine. Anyway, Saturday morning she had a seizure in bed before I left. She was fine when I left but I was going to look into it on Monday. 1 hour later, my son called in a complete panic and said you gotta call the police chief because mom had a seizure. I called and was told to meet my wife at the hospital because she had a very large laceration above her eye from hitting her hed on the bed when she had a seizure and fell. I was still baffled (idiot). I then called the neurologist on call and he gave me the whole run down on generics and why they should not be used for this medical condition. He mentioned the dosage requirements being too lax as well as the crystaline structure not being the same to get it into the bloodstream effectively. I was now so furious that I could hardly see straight. He also informed me that pharmacies get a kick back for every customer they switch to generics. Needless to say we got her back on the real deal right away. It is $25/month with our insurance instead of $5 which I could care less about. But I want to know what I should do next. My wife is now sporting a 1.5" scar that traverses from above her eyebrow all the way to the corner of her eye. Sure, I should be elated that nothing worse happened (I am), but am still very upset because of the power the pharmacist weilds in this whole scenario. This, in my opinion, was 100% avoidable. Not to mention the effects it has on my kids dealing with this. I want to know what I can do to get this madness stopped.
Rod
Blue Cross Blue Shield changed how they cover the cost of Lamictal. We paid $156 for one month the last time we purchased for my daughter. Who is your insurance carrier that provides name brand Lamictal at $25/month?
Rod,
I too switched my 17yo daughter, who was seizure free for 3 years, to the white, round, generic "Lamictal" given to me by my insurance carrior. Within a few days she had her first seizure. Since then she has had 4 more seizures until I begged my Neurologist to give me a script for the more expensive Name brand Lamictal. Since she changed, she has not had a seizure as yet. We did some detective work and found out that the generic brand that was sold to us is from INDIA, from a company named Dr. Handey, or handee, the spelling is still in question. Have you had your meds analyzed at a laboratory? I have a second daughter with a seizure disorder that was still on the real stuff during this period and had no break throughs.
I hope your wife is doing better now on the "real" Lamictal. I would like to hear more about your pill troubles if you want to talk about them. I too am angry and would like to find out who is responsible. Please email me at jamesmburgess@gmail.com or imaburgess@yahoo.com . I would like to hear from you. Oh, I am a person, not a salesman or drug rep.
I had the same thing happen when I was switched from Keppra to the generic version in Nov. Of 08. An emergency room visit and a broken nose in two places. I am trying to get a law passed in Colorado to make it illegal to switch a patient from Brand name to generic without their approval. I filed a complaint with the FDA and with Mylan, the maker of my generic. 11 states have a law like this already on the books, but the rest do not. Hawaii will not let a person with epilepsy take a generic, period. Many neurologists feel that generics should not be used for epilepsy. The active ingredient can vary from 80% to 110%. That means the generic is not the exact equivalent to the brand name. Also once a drug goes generic more than one company can make it. That is why your wife's pills looked different. It was a different company from the previous batch she had. Some of these companies are in different countries and the FDA does not have enough manpower to make sure these companies are following the correct procedures when making the generics. Pretty scary! I don't think generic AED's should be outlawed, they work for some, but there should be tougher regulations on how to prescribe them. Every company that makes generic Lamictal, or generic Keppra, etc. should have to have the exact same active ingredients and fillers. Complain to your state rep. and the FDA.
Friends,
I am a Lamical taker. I have had few simple parital on Lamictal. Much better than Tegretal or Kapra.
recently I want to have my Rx filled and suprise it went from $50 with co-pay
Blue Cross to $400 a month, I contacted Blue Cross who informed me I had to take Generics, My Neroligist wants me to take Lamical. I won't bore you with my seizure life surfice to say three years ago I had a seizure while driving went 300 feet of the brow of a mountain. Thank goodness I didnt hit anyone, kill anyone or die myself. Generics...............I need data. Properties of generic as compared to Lamical. I intend to meet with Blue Cross and inform them of these stories. I live in Chattanooga, Tn. where they are based. I can see their building from my house. Please give me help, I will confront them, I will tell your stories. This must stop, we will prevail. Help me and give me data. Blue Cross informed me that if my Dr.wrote to them why I should not take generic (which she did ) they would go before the Pharmacy division and present the request. Please have your Dr. write or fax Blue cross pharamacy division as to why Generics are not right for you. Pharmacy Review Fax: 1-888-343-4232, I hope if we band together we can stop this generic craziness. Let me know what I can tell them if I get a chance. We need hard data that will help them see it is cost-efficent to let us have the drug our Dr.s prescribe.
Carolyn
hi caroly I HOPE THAT I AM GETTING YOU THIS INFO IN TIME BEFORE YOU MEET WITH THEM. IF YOU HAVE A LAPTOP BRING IT WITH
YOU AND GO TO EPILEPSY.COM AND SHOW THEM THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE GENERIC LAMICTAL WHEN THEY SEE THAT IT MIGHT HELP THEM DECIDE THAT THIS DRUG IS NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS THE NAME BRAND.
, Hi Carolyn I live in Rhode Island but i can tell you that after switching to the generic lamictal from the name brand i started to have
more seizures. When the fda says it is just as good as name brand they are talking about the amount of active ingredients that are
put in. However make sure that you mention the rate that it gets absorbed into the bloodstream.It is slower thereby making the
drug about only 80% effective I think it is wrong that we must take generics when the doctors prescription says dispense as written. Which means name brand NO SUBSTITUTIONS. THESE INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL TELL YOU IT IS TO HELP KEEP HEALTH COSTS DOWN.
WHAT THEY DON'T SAY THAT IT WILL COST US OUR HEALTH!
WHO IS PRESCRIBING THE MEDICINE THE DOCTORS OR THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
My 5 year old son started on lamictal last april changing from keppra, just last week we were given a "different generic" for lamictal supposedly made by a different company and just last night he had one of the worst seizures he has ever had, he has complex partial seizures, last nights started as usual with a left eye shift and loss of motor ability this lasted 5 mins he came out of it for 3 mins then went back into it, after 3 more mins I gave him the diastat and it took a total time of 12 mins from the admin of the diastat for things to finally stop and him to fall asleep. I was shocked when I called his neuro office this morning and they said it was the generic med that is not controlling things that triggered this seizure. Last night I was inches away from giving a second dose of diastat and having to call 911. The neuro office called in a new script to get him back on the brand name, when I checked with the pharmacy they were unable to fill the script because there had not been a long enough time since the last script was filled!!!! I firmly put my foot down filling in the details and they recontacted my ins company and have 2 out of 3 auths done....now I just have to pray he does not have more seizures while we wait for the final approval to go through!!!!!!! How can anyone let these generics be used.
I have been on the generic since it has been available in 08. My pharmacy switched over, and it honestly didn't concern me because I have always used generics when available. I went to my reg. dr. for a check-up a couple of months ago, and he began questioning me in detail as to why I had to take Lamictal. He then mentioned that his daughter, in her 20s, had her first seizure a year earlier. She was prescribed Lamictal, but when she switched over to the generic, she had another.
Of course this scared me to death. I am now stuck w/ the decision to stay w/ the generic with no new side effects, or do I take a chance on switching back to the brand Lamictal. I had my first seizure almost 2 years ago. When it happened, my neurologist said that he felt it would not happen again and gave me the option of taking medication. I chose yes because of my profession and didn't want to take any chances.
Had I known of issues w/ the generic, I would have never switched. I have an appt. w/ my neurologist in a couple of weeks and will let you know the advice he gives me.
It looks like this issue is coming to a head. My insurance company, Blue Cross, stopped paying for the non-generic. My doctor indicated 'no generic' on the prescription, so I got hit with a large bill. I asked the Dr to allow a generic and he hesitantly did, but warned against it.
I started taking the generic on Sunday. It's Thursday, and I am feeling all of the symptoms....fatigue, mood swings, insomnia, tingling in hands/feet. I called the Dr this morning and asked him to switch the script back to the real stuff. I haven't have a seizure in almost 10 years, and Lamictal has had a large part in that. I'm not going to chance it with an unproven knock-off.
I have a minor seizure disorder and take 200 mg a day of lamictal. My pharmacy automatically switched me to generics when they became available. I didn't think anything of it. I went to my doctor about a month after switching for a regular check up. No problems. I told her that I had been on generics for a month. She went crazy! She said, "No, no, no. I do not like the generics in Lamictal. I want you to go back to the brand name. We'll write a letter to your insurance company should it be a problem." Later that morning, I had a routine blood test. Went home, then a few hours later had two back-to-back fainting episodes. Family around me said they didn't see any indication the incidents were seizures but I hadn't fainted or had a seizure in a couple of years. We researched online and found plenty of articles saying to be cautious about certain generics. So I strongly urge everyone to consult with their doctors first but seems like there's enough evidence on this page alone to tell us something quite worrisome about lamictal in generics.
My daughter has been on a variety of anti seizure meds since being diagnosed about 10 years ago. She has been on a depakote/lamictal regiment for over a year. We were excited as she had not had a seizure in almost 9 months, and the last EEG(Dec 2008) showed no seizure activity.
Then in Jan 2009, our insurance stopped paying for the brand name Lamictal, and our co pay went from about $60 to about $160 per month, so we switched to the generic as of Feb. She became pretty irritable, always tired, and always complaining of being dizzy and having a headache. I thought she was just being a teen, or maybe coming down with a cold. That is until she had 3 seizures in one night.
I took her to her doctor and her Depakote levels were way off- almost so low they were undetectable. Her neurologist immediately made the decision to have her go back to brand name. Apparently, the generic somehow blocks the Depakote from working the way it used to.
I am confused as to how the FDA can approve a drug that does not perform the same as the brand name, especially. Do they not look at its effect when used in conjunction with other anti seizure meds?
I am especially concerned when I read all the other blogs with the same or similar stories. Is there anything we as a community can do to get these approvals repealed? Is there anything we can do to take the power away from insurance companies and put it back in the hands of the doctors/specialists where it belongs?
My husband has been seizure free since changing to Lamictal about three years ago. On Sunday, March 1,2009, he had a seizure and the following morning two seizures within 30 minutes. We went to the neurologist that morning. The neurologist asked if the pharmacy had switched him to generic. My husband was unaware that this had been done except that the pill shape had changed. The neurologist called the pharmacy and verified the fact that they were filling the prescription with generic. The neurologist was livid as he had not given permission for this substitution. The neurologist informed us that generic lamictal is unreliable as you never know where the drug may have been manufactured from month to month.
I take Lamictal as a mood-stabilizer for anxiety and depression and it had been working pretty well. I switched to a generic version and had my dose increased, and it seemed to be working fine. Then, I changed my insurance, and the last time I went to pick up my Rx, it was a different generic version (same dose). (I don't have the names of the manufacturers at the moment) During the first week of taking it, I noticed my mood declining and I have been experiencing very bad mood swings like I had before I started taking Lamictal or when I had missed a dose. At first, I thought it was due to stress but then thought it could be the medication. I am going to ask my doctor about it, so I will let you know when I find out.
I recommend not taking the generic brand. Be safe it's not worth risking it. Fortunately my seizures have been in my sleep or in very safe environments. My doctor Dr. David M. Ficker is one of the best. He works for University Neurology Incorporated in Cincinnati, Ohio. He recently had an article written explaining how generics are cheaper and there is a reason for that. They are not as strong and can have more or the wrong side effects like you explained. I also recommend going to RoadID.com. I have gotten a road id that I wear and everyone else I know now wears. It's great to have especially when you are out and about by yourself. Good luck everyone.
I recommend not taking the generic brand. Be safe it's not worth risking it. Fortunately my seizures have been in my sleep or in very safe environments. My doctor Dr. David M. Ficker is one of the best. He works for University Neurology Incorporated in Cincinnati, Ohio. He recently had an article written explaining how generics are cheaper and there is a reason for that. They are not as strong and can have more or the wrong side effects like you explained. I also recommend going to RoadID.com. I have gotten a road id that I wear and everyone else I know now wears. It's great to have especially when you are out and about by yourself. Good luck everyone.
I recommend not taking the generic brand. Be safe it's not worth risking it. Fortunately my seizures have been in my sleep or in very safe environments. My doctor Dr. David M. Ficker is one of the best. He works for University Neurology Incorporated in Cincinnati, Ohio. He recently had an article written explaining how generics are cheaper and there is a reason for that. They are not as strong and can have more or the wrong side effects like you explained. I also recommend going to RoadID.com. I have gotten a road id that I wear and everyone else I know now wears. It's great to have especially when you are out and about by yourself. Good luck everyone.
I recommend not taking the generic brand. Be safe it's not worth risking it. Fortunately my seizures have been in my sleep or in very safe environments. My doctor Dr. David M. Ficker is one of the best. He works for University Neurology Incorporated in Cincinnati, Ohio. He recently had an article written explaining how generics are cheaper and there is a reason for that. They are not as strong and can have more or the wrong side effects like you explained. I also recommend going to RoadID.com. I have gotten a road id that I wear and everyone else I know now wears. It's great to have especially when you are out and about by yourself. Good luck everyone.
My 16 yo daughter was switched to generic lamictal. She was fine with a therapeutic level at the beginning of Jan 2009. We noticed a gradual decline in her school performance and ability to concentrate. Finally, last week she was confused, had a severe headache, increase in tremors, irritable, and was stuttering. We called our pediatric neurologist and was immediately switched to brand lamictal. She did have a level drawn (after receiving 5 doses of brand drug) and it was way below therapeutic range. So, be careful. Our child was ok until Jan 2009. Now, we'll probably never switch back to a generic drug. It's not worth the trauma to our daughter.
I have read many situations with problems caused by generic Lamotrigine. My is a burning rash from my neck to my legs. Doctor decided to cancel generic treatment and require Lamictal brand. Appeal to Blue Cross Blue Shield (Medco) was sent today, but I am unsure about the outcome. Current brand cost is $265 per month.
Med Rx is 400mg AM 400 mg 2PM and 300 mg PM.
It's unfortunate to hear about all the tough experiences below, but I switched to the generic (Lamotrigine) about 4 months ago and have been fine ever since. I haven't noticed any difference in sleeping, coordination, or blurriness. Although, it could have something to do with the fact that my neurologist kept me on Tegretol XR as well. It's probably been 8 months since my last petit mal seizure and years since my last grand mal.
I had to switch to generic mid-October and had a grand-mal seizure today, Nov. 1st. I haven't had one since being on Lamictal for over a year and 5 months. I am so upset and very disappointed in the generic. Obviously from all the posts, it was not tested properly. I wish I had researched it further before agreeing to the generic, but you would assume that if they approved it, it would work the same. I went to the pharmacy and paid the big bucks for Lamictal today. I'm not chancing it again on the generic and will call my doctor to see if they can write my insurance company like other people have done. I hope I can get a break on the cost somehow.
Hang in there.... My experience has been much more positive. I have had epilepsy since I was 17. Now I can order off of the senior menu!
The change from dilantin/mysoline to lamictal was successful. The side effects became noticeable and then they became intense. Insomnia was a nightly challenge. The blurred vision caused me to resign as our church organist. I quit enjoying anything. Mood swings stressed me and the others around me. My husband and daughters expressed their concern about my decreasing ability to enjoy any part of my life. My life went into a downward spiral - and increasing is speed as it was going down.
Something had to change. I had to find a different strategy for controlling seizures and getting my life back. Generic lamictal came on the market that same month. I refilled with the generic and within a week, I felt a refreshing change. Medication levels have been monitored.
The headaches are gone - the insomnia has decreased. Many of the negatives have given way to what is either positive or at least manageable. Creativity is coming back along with the joy of being wife, mother, and grandmother. As time goes on, I anticipate finding myself again.
My husband described it best when he said, "You're more of what you used to be."
I am not an epeleptic. I take Lamictal for Bi-polar disorder. I too recently was excited about the new generic brand and the low cost. However, after taking Lamictal for 2 years, I too noticed the difference in my mood about 2 weeks into the generic. I am getting more tired more quickly as in falling asleep on the way to work in the morning and my moods are terrible, as they were before I started the Lamictal. I wish you all the best in your fights against the insurance companies and I am willing to be a part of any petition or any thing to bring attention to this matter.
God Bless you all!!!!!!!!!!
This is the classic story that everyone has told prior to me. I've been diagnosed with epilepsy for about five years now and i've been on two other medications prior to lamictal. The other two medicines didn't work and i continued having 2-3 grand mal seizures a year with a handful of petit mals a month. My doc recommended lamictal which i tried. It worked better than any other drug and the best part is that there were no side effects. The last time i filled my prescription they told me that there was a generic which was $50 less than lamictal so i figured i would give it a shot. Within a week i had a petit mal which is always a sign that i'm going to have a grand mal unless i get some sleep. Then in the third week of being on the generic brand i had a grand mal seizure, my first in almost a year. I never made the connection until now but i've also had some concentration problems and my thinking has become a little "fuzzier."
I know i have a mild form of epilepsy but a seizure is a seizure and they aren't all that fun. Lamictal works better than any other anti-epileptic out there. Whatever that generic brand is doing it isn't working.
Looking forward to getting back on lamictal!
Just adding on to what i said earlier: I've switched back from generic to brand name lamictal and i've been fine ever since. My insurance company was completely cool with me being on brand. Then i tried refilling my prescription yesterday and instead of the normal $77, it was $274.48, a rather hefty increase. I'm finishing college in a week and i can't afford this. There's not really a point to this post, just more of a rant. I'm from oregon so i say fuck it, i'm getting legalized.
Something happened with the copay through CIGNA in the last month. I have slips for my wifes Lamictal (among others) from Jan and Feb that were bad enough since they started not covering the 'Brand, but it skyrocketed yesterday - I was expecting in the $500 range (they also don't cover Zoloft 'Brand) but it came out to around $850. This is with the "good" coverage! If I tell about it she'll freak and stop taking it. The regiment has worked very well except for when something else changed and decreased the effectiveness (trazadone works okay, but not remeron, for her...)
I need to call CIGNA but I expect Iwon't get anywhere. I heard something about documenting 6 months of the side-effects to justify Dispensing As Written, but no way am I putting her through 6 months of that risk. We already went through a switch to the geberic Zoloft that we weren't aware of until she started wigging out... when they switched to generic Lamictal I said immediately I'd make up the difference. Some things aren't worth chancing.
I know it's early in the year and deductibles are being met, etc., but it will still be a hefty chunk after that. And we thought the price of gas and heating fuel was bad...
Has anyone gone up against CIGNA and won?
Hi guys.
It is scary how many people have had trouble with the generic lamictal. I have been taking Lamictal for about 5 years with no side effects. Insurance made me buy generic in August. I have no problems taking generic so I did not think anything of it. After about 3 days, I started getting hives, had numbing feelings in my hands and feet and going up my legs and arms. The worst side effect was buring and itchiness of my hands and feet. The burning was awful. It was like a chemical burn.
Well, stopped taking it and guess what? It all went away. I must take Brand Lamictal and insurance company is saying that since generic is out there, if I want Brand, I have to pay the difference. And in our policy, there is not even a clause that says if I have bad side effects, I can get the Brand for price of generic. I am so mad! I have no problems taking generic but with this problem with it, I can't even petition for the Brand.
Has anybody had any luck getting insurance company to make an exception and letting the patient pay generic price for Brand medicine?
BTW, MY DR SAYS THAT GENERIC IS NOT EXACTLY THE SAME, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO DIFFER THE MEDICINE UP TO 20% OR 30% FROM BRAND.
Does anybody know if there is another company that makes generic Lamictal?
I have been taking lamictal for 6 years and have had one partial seizure within a year of taking the medication. They upped my medication to 500mg a day and I haven't had one in 5 years. My insurance company recently tried to switch me to the generic brand of lamictal. I called up my neurologist and he said absolutely not to take it. So, I had my neurologist write a letter to my insurance company and they agreed to continue paying for the "real" lamictal. If I were you, I would get my neurologist to do the same thing.
Good luck