I’m having problems with rapid cycling, anxiety and severe irritability these last couple weeks. I just started the generic Lamictal a couple weeks ago and had definite spaciness on my drive to work Friday including a dangerous turn into the wrong way of a road that I travel everyday. These are the same symptoms I had when in gradually starting Lamictal I reached too high a dosage too fast. I’m taking it at the same time, at the same dosage after breakfast and after dinner, exactly the same as the regular Lamictal. The pharmacist assured me there was no difference from the regular one.

Since I’ve been on the generic brand I have been very sluggish and have had a hard time judging distance and speed. I feel very loopy and have a hard time carrying on a conversation because I get confused and can’t think straight. I have been having sharp pains in my lower abdomen. I feel so tired all the time because I’m not sleeping well but once I finally fall asleep I have a hard time waking up. I called the pharmacist and she told me it may be the inactive ingredients that could be reacting to me. I emailed my pdoc because she’s away but haven’t heard back.

My pharmacy told me to call my insurance carrier if I had a problem. I called them and they said they prefer I take the generic version. I told them I already paid my brand name deductible for the year and at least want to continue receiving the benefits for the rest of the year. They told me they won't do that. I called them back and asked for a co-payment review. I then asked for a “Prior Authorization Form”. Once I receive the form I’m supposed to take it to my pdoc to have her fill out that she indicates that they should waive the cost for me and that I should not have to pay for the difference between the brand name Lamictal and the generic version which is a lot of money which I don’t have right now. She should also state that she prefers I be on the brand name Lamictal. But all this is not helping me now because she’s out of town.

The only thing that has changed is I started generic Lamictal a few weeks ago so that’s what this has to be. I feel the worse I have in a long time and I’m concerned the generic is not working the way the name-brand one was and tomorrow I have to drive to visit all those client’s again and drive about 395 miles. I kept putting it off as stress with all the driving this week and the holidays bearing down on me but I don’t think it is now. I didn’t take it this morning and probably won’t tonight. Will it hurt me just to stop it until I can get this mess straightened out? I won't even have time to do anything about it tomorrow because I'm on the road all day. I have to be focused to drive and not get lost and get the files to the other office in a timely manner….per my boss.

I dont know about the generic lamictal, but the generic Wellbutrin was a living hell for me. the pdoc told me that most of the generic psych meds do not work the same way as the name brand for a large number of people, and she did the same thing you are having to do. (write a letter and fill out a bunch of forms stating that she did not want me to take the generic version) The pharmacist told me the same thing when I filled the perscription - but the pdoc pulled up endless amounts of research to the contrary. Once she faxed in the paperwork I was able to fill the name brand Wellbutrin the next day. I hope the process works quickly for you as well.

BJ,
Like Bobi's pdoc, my old pdoc didn't like generics at all.

I've seen people complain about the generic lamictal on other places on the web. Apparently, some people are ok on it while others are not at all.

I don't think it is ok to stop taking Lamictal. Is there a risk of seizures?
I don't know but it seems like a good thing to check on -- call a pharmacist.
I've got no idea of its half life or anything. Please call someone.
It might be better to take the generic (esp if you are driving) than to take nothing at all. (But I don't know. You need to ask someone like a good pharmacist.)

And I would think that you really really need your old Lamictal. Can the pharmacy give you three days' worth until your pdoc gets back?

It seems like you need your regular Lamictal and you need it now.

Is anyone filling in for your pdoc while she is out of town???

Mari

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ The pharmacist assured me there was no difference from the regular one.

HA HA

I hate pharmacists who say this garbage. Are they stupid or are they deliberately lying to us?

First of all the FDA allows the generic companies to vary their dosage of ACTIVE ingredients up or down by about 12 percent (I'm not sure on the exact number.) So in the generic you could be getting more of the active ingredients. Or you could be getting less.
I'm going out on a limb here but the point is that the generic companies can have bad quality control so that even from pill to pill the dose of the ACTIVE ingredients can vary.

Also, the INACTIVE ingredients can vary considerably. They can make a complete difference in the pill we are getting.
For sensitive people, even INACTIVE ingredients have an effect.

Good luck with this BJ.
I'll be thinking about you.

M.

I've been researching and found other people complaining about the generic lamictal at other BP forums and epilepsy forums, so it's just not me. What aggravates me is they didn't even tell me and I didn't notice until I started to have symptoms. That's when I called the pharmacy and they told me the insurance company said I had to have generic or else I would have to pay the difference.

I did call the pdoc on call around 1 this afternoon but he hasn't returned my call so I emailed my pdoc. And I just called the pharmacy and they told me I can't just quit because the withdrawal is worse then the side effects.

I just don't know what to do. I didn't take it at all today for fear my mind will really wander tomorrow. If I don't do this, it will definitely be my job, and I'll lose my house, I'll lose everything.

BJ,

I'm sorry if I contributed to increasing your anxiety about this.

Try to be calm.

Is there any way that the pharmacist would give you enough pills for three days?
OR
Is there anyway that they would let you pay out of pocket for three days' worth?


Mari

No Mari it's not you. All the old symptoms are coming back. I've gone from desperate crying for no reason to severe anxiety. Today my mouth is watering, tightness in my chest, hot and cold flashes, just full of anxiety. I've just hit 24 hours without it. I don't know how long it stays in me but I hope at least for tomorrow.

I won't have time to even get to the pharmacy if they okay it. I live in a small town and they close at 9 and won't open until 9. If I don't hit the road by 7:30 AM I'll never make it. So I'm debating should I take another generic and be loopy on the road or possibly start having withdrawal symptoms. That's why I'm confused. I just hate to take another if it makes me feel worse but I don't want to go through withdrawal either.

Hi,
Here is what one person said about withdrawal symptoms:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ng.html?cat=71

More here: http://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/20...wal-from-hell/

Maybe you should take the advice of the pharmacist and keep taking it for now.

Or call another pharmacist and ask for an opinion.

I wish that I could be helpful.
Mari

I really wish I could have gotten here in time to have been of help on
this thread. My son takes lamictal for seizures. Its the one drug
I haven't let them go to the generic, only because they don't as
of yet have a 25 mg pill in generic.

But if you should happen to come in and read, is there any way
you could go into a emergency room and they would give you
some brand name lamictal as a emergency. I think its worth
lying about and saying you ran out.

I know I personally hate this mess with generic vs brand.
It causes seizures for the epilepsy people. And what is worse
than in cases like my son where they still happen. In some
cases they are free for years, and generics cause them to
return.

What a waste.

Donna

PS. Please be safe, I'm not sure if you took just a little less if that would
help.

Regardless of what anyone tells you many people have different reactions to the generic lamictal-i am a psychologist who works with 2 psychiatrists and my clients are always complaining-what our shrinks say is to stop taking the meds until they see the psychiatrists or go directly to an er-this way you have to be evaluated before they can discharge you-I have seen clients seize from the change and have other uncomfortable experiences-you also have to remember that when you first take any meds even if it is a change to generic you may experience a short time of discomfort-You know your body -dont be "minimized"by someone if things dont feel right-good luck!!!!!Als if your doc is not availabe someone has to be covering!-your doctor remember can request an overide from the ins company it may cost you a few bucks but at least it will work!!!!Also make sure you are taking your essential fatty acids which help in the absorption of your meds-