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Lamictal - switch to generic lamotrigine?
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 18:27Comments
Re: Lamictol - switch to generic lamotrigine?
Submitted by Gina Marie on Sun, 2008-08-10 - 12:47
Re: Lamictol - switch to generic lamotrigine?
Submitted by RGbrainstorm on Sun, 2008-08-10 - 14:14
That's a scary story about the pharmacy. It just goes to show you how much we all have to educate ourselves because we can't trust the medical establishment to do it for us!
Unfortunately, I still can't find that forum. I must say I am very disappointed in the forum system on this site. When I search the forums for "Lamictol," this one doesn't even come up! Anyway, someone on the lost forum insisted that the generic version was weaker (by 25%) and warned not to switch. Another recommended
switching slowly. My epileptologist's nurse (I can't seem to get Mr. Big Shot on the phone directly) claims that it's the same, no problem. Claiming that he probably just wrote "brand name only" on the prescription out of habit. Hmmm. So I'm having to get his office call my insurance company to okay the generic, which has been an unfortunate pain in the ass (ironic opposite of your experience). The people on the disappeared forum who said their doctors recommended sticking with the brand, well, I don't necessarily trust their doctors. Maybe I said it in my original post (which can't be viewed from this screen; another weakness), but many of those doctors are in bed with the pharma cos and are basically being paid to prescribe the expensive brand name.
Sigh.
*** One interesting thing Mr. Big Shot's nurse told me is that once I switch to generic, I should always stick with the same generic. Aparently there are or will be several. Just so my body is used to the one thing and doesn't get shaken up by differing inactive ingredients ***
SOMEBODY ON GENERIC LAMOTRIGINE WEIGH IN PLEASE HELP!
That's a scary story about the pharmacy. It just goes to show you how much we all have to educate ourselves because we can't trust the medical establishment to do it for us!
Unfortunately, I still can't find that forum. I must say I am very disappointed in the forum system on this site. When I search the forums for "Lamictol," this one doesn't even come up! Anyway, someone on the lost forum insisted that the generic version was weaker (by 25%) and warned not to switch. Another recommended
switching slowly. My epileptologist's nurse (I can't seem to get Mr. Big Shot on the phone directly) claims that it's the same, no problem. Claiming that he probably just wrote "brand name only" on the prescription out of habit. Hmmm. So I'm having to get his office call my insurance company to okay the generic, which has been an unfortunate pain in the ass (ironic opposite of your experience). The people on the disappeared forum who said their doctors recommended sticking with the brand, well, I don't necessarily trust their doctors. Maybe I said it in my original post (which can't be viewed from this screen; another weakness), but many of those doctors are in bed with the pharma cos and are basically being paid to prescribe the expensive brand name.
Sigh.
*** One interesting thing Mr. Big Shot's nurse told me is that once I switch to generic, I should always stick with the same generic. Aparently there are or will be several. Just so my body is used to the one thing and doesn't get shaken up by differing inactive ingredients ***
SOMEBODY ON GENERIC LAMOTRIGINE WEIGH IN PLEASE HELP!
Re: Lamictol - switch to generic lamotrigine?
Submitted by paultstone on Tue, 2008-11-04 - 16:10
I was switched to the generic also manufactured by Teva by my insurance company. The generic and the brand name are not the same. The generic didn't control seizures nearly as well as Lamictal or even the drug that I was taken off of- Depakote. Before any damage was done, I called my neurologist and was transferred back to the Brand Name Lamictal. The price is high but the damage that the generic would allow would cost more in one way or another.