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Lamictal - switch to generic lamotrigine?

Fri, 08/08/2008 - 18:27
Hi, everybody. I just joined this site yesterday. I saw a forum where a few people were discussing transitioning to generic lamotrigine (just released) from Lamictol. But now I can't seem to find the forum. I'm considering the generic switch and am wondering if anyone's done it yet, gotten advice on it, etc. Please help! (Or let me know where to find yesterday's forum! It's not coming up in the search.)

Comments

Re: Lamictal - switch to generic lamotrigine?

Submitted by apmast on Wed, 2008-12-10 - 06:43

I agree, anybody who insists on Lamictal needs to register with Glaxo Smith Kline (http://www.gsk.com).  The company will continue to sent you 1) Updated drug reaction fact sheet and 2) Regular discounts and coupons. 

Why would they do this?  I don't know... perhaps they want to keep their customers frome the switch to generic??? :)

Cheers, Andrew

I agree, anybody who insists on Lamictal needs to register with Glaxo Smith Kline (http://www.gsk.com).  The company will continue to sent you 1) Updated drug reaction fact sheet and 2) Regular discounts and coupons. 

Why would they do this?  I don't know... perhaps they want to keep their customers frome the switch to generic??? :)

Cheers, Andrew

Re: Lamictal - switch to generic lamotrigine?

Submitted by honeychld22 on Sun, 2008-09-21 - 12:46

I switched over about 2 months ago, when it first came out.  The pharmacy won't give me the name brand if they have a generic unless it is a written order by the doctor.  So I figured ok, it saves me money, so why not.  I called my doctor and asked her if it was ok to switch and she said there shouldn't be any problem with it but to go get blood work done after a month on it so make sure my levels are still high enough.

I haven't had any side effects or anything.  The only thing I realized is that when I started it, I was very very depressed.  I didn't wanna come out of my room, I was moody, I didn't go to work, didn't want to talk to anyone.  It wasn't good.  I just thought it was because I'm going through a tough time with my job and things like that.  Just though that everything escalated and couldn't deal with it so I shut everyone out.  After reading off all the side effects, I wonder if that it what happened.  I'm fine now.  Nothing wrong. 

I have to go pick my records up at my neurologist tomorrow...she's closing her practice :(  It's a shame, she is a brilliant woman.  Anyways, I will ask her, if I can get in to talk to her, that is.

 

Jess

I switched over about 2 months ago, when it first came out.  The pharmacy won't give me the name brand if they have a generic unless it is a written order by the doctor.  So I figured ok, it saves me money, so why not.  I called my doctor and asked her if it was ok to switch and she said there shouldn't be any problem with it but to go get blood work done after a month on it so make sure my levels are still high enough.

I haven't had any side effects or anything.  The only thing I realized is that when I started it, I was very very depressed.  I didn't wanna come out of my room, I was moody, I didn't go to work, didn't want to talk to anyone.  It wasn't good.  I just thought it was because I'm going through a tough time with my job and things like that.  Just though that everything escalated and couldn't deal with it so I shut everyone out.  After reading off all the side effects, I wonder if that it what happened.  I'm fine now.  Nothing wrong. 

I have to go pick my records up at my neurologist tomorrow...she's closing her practice :(  It's a shame, she is a brilliant woman.  Anyways, I will ask her, if I can get in to talk to her, that is.

 

Jess

Re: Lamictal - switch to generic lamotrigine?

Submitted by yvonnel on Sun, 2008-09-21 - 20:59

My neurologist told me about the generic, but he recommended that I stick with the branded Lamictal because generics are allowed by law to be as low as 80 percent the weight of the indicated dosage.  That may be OK for some drugs, but for epilepsy, the drugs need to be at a relatively constant level.

 He wrote me a prescription specifically for the name brand.

My neurologist told me about the generic, but he recommended that I stick with the branded Lamictal because generics are allowed by law to be as low as 80 percent the weight of the indicated dosage.  That may be OK for some drugs, but for epilepsy, the drugs need to be at a relatively constant level.

 He wrote me a prescription specifically for the name brand.

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