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Taking Generic Levetiracetam (Keppra?)

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 22:11
Anyone taking the new generic levetiracetam (Keppra)? For those who don't know the pharmaceutical company Mylan came out with it early November. I was just wondering if anyone taking it has any qualms or comments because I'm starting my regiment on Monday.

Comments

Re: Taking Generic Levetiracetam (Keppra?)

Submitted by Abigail Moss on Fri, 2009-11-27 - 12:42

Can I ask who made the generic you were taking?

 

Can I ask who made the generic you were taking?

 

Re: Taking Generic Levetiracetam (Keppra?)

Submitted by Terribee on Wed, 2009-12-02 - 21:45

Although others may disagree--I firmly believe the brand name is the way to go.  I was given the generic brand and my seizures went haywire.  What bothered me was the fact that one pharmacy assumed all I wanted was the generic and if I hadn't looked at the label, that's what I would have got. Isn't worth spending a little more and having a better quality of life? It must be something about the fillers used in the generic that is different.  I've been taking Keppra for 6 years and its one of the best meds I've been on--I feel a little tired once in awhile but have a lot more energy.  Take care, T.

Although others may disagree--I firmly believe the brand name is the way to go.  I was given the generic brand and my seizures went haywire.  What bothered me was the fact that one pharmacy assumed all I wanted was the generic and if I hadn't looked at the label, that's what I would have got. Isn't worth spending a little more and having a better quality of life? It must be something about the fillers used in the generic that is different.  I've been taking Keppra for 6 years and its one of the best meds I've been on--I feel a little tired once in awhile but have a lot more energy.  Take care, T.

Re: Taking Generic Levetiracetam (Keppra?)

Submitted by jrega67844 on Wed, 2011-05-11 - 09:15

y wife, after suffering from a brain hemorrhage after open heart surgery due to a blood thinner, a year later started having seizures, she was placed on Depakote but had to be taken out of Depakote, due to side effects, and finally was prescribed Keppra and for well over a year seizures ceased. However, when the generic version came out and the original was eliminated from the approved list by Medicare and the medical health care plans in South Florida, she started suffering from seizures, to the point that she had to be taken to the ER at Baptist Hospital and/or Mercy Hospital several times. Finally, yesterday we got the ok to go back to the original, this after an extraordinary effort on the part of her Neurologist and the local Pharmacy. Last night she suffered three seizures, short duration one after the other. We are going to start her with the original Keppra today.

She is now on 3,500 mg of Generic Keppra (1,500 morning, 500 at midday, and 1,500 night), supported with Vimpat 100 twice a day. Before the generic version, she was under control with 2,000 mg of Original Keppra. We hope and pray that everything will go back to normal. Vimpat's side effects are a rash (about one hour after taking either dosage) and confusion that lasts for a short while.

y wife, after suffering from a brain hemorrhage after open heart surgery due to a blood thinner, a year later started having seizures, she was placed on Depakote but had to be taken out of Depakote, due to side effects, and finally was prescribed Keppra and for well over a year seizures ceased. However, when the generic version came out and the original was eliminated from the approved list by Medicare and the medical health care plans in South Florida, she started suffering from seizures, to the point that she had to be taken to the ER at Baptist Hospital and/or Mercy Hospital several times. Finally, yesterday we got the ok to go back to the original, this after an extraordinary effort on the part of her Neurologist and the local Pharmacy. Last night she suffered three seizures, short duration one after the other. We are going to start her with the original Keppra today.

She is now on 3,500 mg of Generic Keppra (1,500 morning, 500 at midday, and 1,500 night), supported with Vimpat 100 twice a day. Before the generic version, she was under control with 2,000 mg of Original Keppra. We hope and pray that everything will go back to normal. Vimpat's side effects are a rash (about one hour after taking either dosage) and confusion that lasts for a short while.

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