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Lamictal - switch to generic lamotrigine?
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 18:27Comments
Re: Lamictol - switch to generic lamotrigine?
Submitted by crf11 on Fri, 2008-08-22 - 12:16
My son was just switched to the generic produced by the company, Teva. He's been on Lamictal for several years. It's been about a week now and no problems. The insurance company said the brand name would now cost me about $200 per month (instead of the $18 copay in the past) if they even approve it (need affidavit from the neurologist). What a pain!
By the way, which state has this law about not switching seizure meds without doctor's approval?
My son was just switched to the generic produced by the company, Teva. He's been on Lamictal for several years. It's been about a week now and no problems. The insurance company said the brand name would now cost me about $200 per month (instead of the $18 copay in the past) if they even approve it (need affidavit from the neurologist). What a pain!
By the way, which state has this law about not switching seizure meds without doctor's approval?
Re: Lamictol - switch to generic lamotrigine?
Submitted by sas46 on Thu, 2008-10-16 - 21:40
My daughter was pushed into trying lamotrigine because of the insurance coverage we have. After talking to the dr who said there had not been a lot of issues with generic lamictal, she went on the generic. The insurance would not cover unless she tried the generic first. So after many years on lamictal and no seizures, she went on lamotrigine and within days started having breakthrough seizures.... She now is back on lamicatl after the dr. contacted the insurance co. and verified she was having seizures as a result of the lamotrigine.
She is now fully on lamicatl and no seizures again. BUT in the meanwhile she has had to give up driving for three months. The whole thing is so unfair. My daughter is in college and needed a car to get to a weekend job she was offered and had to give up that idea. It's a huge mess in her life.
We have filed a report with the FDA as has her pharmacist. We have also issued a complaint against the insurance for taking over her drs written prescription which said Brand name only, and forced her into this situation. As a result the state insurance commission has filed the complaint also and we will see what happens. She has lost so much because of this situation and it is SO unfair.
I hope nobody else goes through this and will see to it that the right people hear our story.
My daughter was pushed into trying lamotrigine because of the insurance coverage we have. After talking to the dr who said there had not been a lot of issues with generic lamictal, she went on the generic. The insurance would not cover unless she tried the generic first. So after many years on lamictal and no seizures, she went on lamotrigine and within days started having breakthrough seizures.... She now is back on lamicatl after the dr. contacted the insurance co. and verified she was having seizures as a result of the lamotrigine.
She is now fully on lamicatl and no seizures again. BUT in the meanwhile she has had to give up driving for three months. The whole thing is so unfair. My daughter is in college and needed a car to get to a weekend job she was offered and had to give up that idea. It's a huge mess in her life.
We have filed a report with the FDA as has her pharmacist. We have also issued a complaint against the insurance for taking over her drs written prescription which said Brand name only, and forced her into this situation. As a result the state insurance commission has filed the complaint also and we will see what happens. She has lost so much because of this situation and it is SO unfair.
I hope nobody else goes through this and will see to it that the right people hear our story.
Re: Lamictol - switch to generic lamotrigine?
Submitted by shelly maire on Wed, 2008-08-20 - 04:23
I was switched to the generic verison in the hospital while I had my tonsils out and I ended up having 5 seizures before I got home and back on my regular meds. Therefore my doctor will not allow me to change to generic because they don't necessarily keep a level quantity in their pill. Each person is different with each med. Some of my med I use the generic but others I can't. Alot of it depends on what they use to produce the generic drug. I used on once that was produce and about 7 months later they changed it and I ended up going back to the name brand and having my dosage decreased. So take from where it stands. Every one and every thing is different.