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Generic lamictal???
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. :rolleyes: |
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.
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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:
I hate pharmacists who say this garbage. Are they stupid or are they deliberately lying to us? :mad: 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 Quote:
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. |
lamictal
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-
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Go to ER
Hi, BJ,
The other posters are right -- go to the ER. You are doing great and making great progress. I hope that you can get back on track with the right Lamictal. Sending lots of hugs. :hug: :hug: :hug: Mari |
continue with it until you get the brand name.
You should not discontinue it suddenly.
I sent you a PM. Prior Auth can also be done on the phone, many doctors do it this way. So call the gal at the office ASAP to get that ball rolling. Call your insurance back and see what number the doctor should call. This is much much faster than paper. Drugs used in psychiatry always have complaints. This I think is because people are used to focusing on symptoms, and themselves more than non-psychiatric patients. I myself use generic thyroid and generic blood pressure meds with no problem. And remember, that brand name companies also flub up and make huge mistakes. Glaxo who makes Lamictal was found to be making ineffective Paxil CR a few years ago. None of the tablets were disintegrating properly and that drug went off the market for a while so it could be fixed. This situation was rather unique. Paxil CR was on the market for a long time (over a year) when a patient had the tablet tested and found the problem. And in fact there were TWO big problems with Paxil CR: http://www.opednews.com/articles/gen..._year_liti.htm Glaxo is closing the factory that makes Lamictal in the near future, so when that happens, it will probably be made elsewhere. I don't see them discontinuing it as some companies do when things go generic--but we'll see. Here is the article: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/...0/daily14.html When that factory closes, there may be a temporary unavailability of Lamictal...that depends on Glaxo and how organized they are. You want to make sure you were given the correct dosage of the drug on that last fill. If your doctor changed you, or the pharmacy made an error, you may have been given the wrong thing. Always check this first. I just noticed that you have been on this for a FEW WEEKS? Any changes in response would have manifested sooner, IMO. You may have something else going on.... so you need to check with your doctor. I have to wonder about the trend in brand name products to not have active ingredient. This is becoming alarmingly common. Drugs affected: Claritin D (Schering)-- no decongestant All the inhalers at Schering-- recalled no active ingredient (twice) All the timed release oral drugs at Schering --like TheoDur--- no active ingredient Here is just one article on that mess: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...50C0A9679C8B63 It was so bad that the FDA had to threaten to not approve another drug in order to have these bad manufacturing practices corrected. I know from personal experience that Claritin when it was RX had many complaints. I had one doctor writing for 3 times a day! for himself, and when I asked him, he said one a day (the recommended dose) didn't work! When it went generic OTC --people remarked (including myself) that the Alavert form was far more effective than the Schering brand. I stopped taking Claritin, eventually! So I would wonder if Glaxo has been up to something and that the Brand name is not containing what it should for labeled doses! The symptoms you have BJ, are similar to those in higher dose, and make me wonder if your generic actually has what it says it does in it (and the Brand name did NOT )! Glaxo did it before and it may be doing that again. By not putting what is labeled in it, they make people buy MORE and make MORE money. Lamictal is very very expensive! It was very profitable for them. |
Dear BJ
With the wellbutrin I felt slightly different within a few days; and gradually a bit worse as time went on - to fullblown back to square one in about 2 1/2 weeks. The doc said this is normal because it takes time for the name brand to totally leave your system and the generic to take its place. She said things like metabolism and body chemestry affect how fast (or slowly) you will feel the full affects from the change. I would absolutely not just quit cold turkey. If nothing else drive to the ER! You know your body better than anyone - don't listen to anyone's crap about the drug change not being the issue. (I agree with Mari on her feelings towards your pharmacist. I realise that they are not doctors and do not understand the condition as a doctor would, and you are their customer and not their patient, but its frustrating when they don't have up-to-date info on your medication!) Quote:
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Wellbutrin eh?
Well, that is another Glaxo drug.
Metabolism should not be different. What CAN be different is that the rate of absorption may change. Most of the time generics are FASTER than the brand. This is because, the FDA standards are: Meets or EXCEEDS solubility of the Brand patent, for the generic. So what happens is that the generic is absorbed faster, and gives a different effect. For example Vicodin, has a generic made by Watson. The Watson brand is the absolute favorite for the patients. They ASK for it. Because it is a softer tablet and is absorbed very fast and they can feel that. Most brand name tablets are very hard. This is a common factor in their manufacture. For a while with Wellbutrin, the Glaxo company was making its own generic. But that changed as the years passed. Here is an example: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...1904060100.htm Ranbaxy has bought Glaxo's generic company in Spain. |
Dear BJ,
I hope that you do all right traveling for work today. Let us know when you get back home. Mari |
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